By various (DC Comics)
ISBN: 978-1-84576-342-8
One of the major sub-storylines of Infinite Crisis (ISBN: 978-1-4012-0959-9) involves the Superman who debuted in 1938, and who for years was designated as first the Golden Age and latterly the Earth 2 Man of Steel. This slim addendum to the main event collects material from Infinite Crisis Secret Files and Origins 2006, Infinite Crisis #5, Superman #226, Action Comics #836 and Adventures of Superman #649, and details the poignant and tragic end of the characters that in so many ways birthed the DC Universe.
By detailing what became of Superman and Lois Lane of Earth 2, Earth 3’s Alexander Luthor and Superboy from Earth Prime after Crisis on Infinite Earths (ISBN: 978-1-5638-9750-4) writers Marv Wolfman, Joe Kelly, Geoff Johns and Jeph Loeb have added tone and texture that is noticeably, if not painfully lacking from the parent blockbuster, and the quiet moments reviewing and commemorating the phenomenal life of the original Mr and Mrs Superman are more powerful than the inevitable battle of the superpowers that follows.
In many ways superior to the parent tale the only quibble is that the events of this book conclude before the end of Infinite Crisis meaning that you really need to read this simultaneously. Annotated Absolute Edition, anyone?
A huge number of artists worked on this book so I’ve saved them for the end in case you’re the type that likes to leave before the national anthem (and I suspect most of you are too young for that gag as well). They are Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Cam Smith, Art Thibert, Nelson, Ed Benes, Howard Chaykin, Renato Guedes, Kevin Conrad, Dick Giordano, Jose Marzan Jr., Ian Churchill, Norm Rapmund, Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning, Lee Bermejo, Doug Mahnke, Tim Sale, Tom Derenick, Wayne Faucher, Karl Kerschl, Duncan Rouleau, Dale Eaglesham, Drew Geraci, Ed McGuinness, Dexter Vines, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, Dave Bullock and Kalman Andrasofszky.
The colouring was by Jeromy Cox, Guy Major, Renato Guedes, Dave Stewart, Tanya & Richard Horrie, Rod Reis, Tom Smith, Michelle Madsen, Kalman Andrasofszky and Dave Bullock with lettering by Travis Lanham, Pat Brosseau, Nick J. Napolitano and Comicraft.
© 2006 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.