Superman Through the Ages! Forum

Administrator's note: This thread has been split from this one (http://superman.nu/smf/index.php?topic=3557.0).

Potential Spoilers

Did anyone get a chance to read Action Comics 850? New Earth Superman's continuity gradually solidifies with every current monthly issue. In AC 850, Supergirl and the Legion peer into the past and view lateral timelines. New Earth's Legion know of the multiverse as we are treated to different era renditions and possibly different Supermans from other earths. First Superman viewed is E-2/GA Superman during his first appearance in 1938. After a few multiversal calibrations, more Superman's are presented, as follows: 1950's? Superman squaring off with Mister Mxyzptlk (with raining popovers!), 1960's Superman saving Lois from Titano (E-1 anyone ;D), John Byrne's Man of Steel, mullet post-death Superman, and Birthright?! Superman. Makes you wonder if they are all from distinct Earths. The 52 list is getting shorter.

Finally, New Earth Superman's continuity begins with a pregnant Lara-El in labour as Jor-El prepares for Krypton's Doom. From this point on, the writers decide to give readers glimpses of Superman's new continuity in short segments. Superbaby's first word is followed by young Smallville Clark Kent's powers and sheer kindness/goodness. We learn Jr-High Clark is indeed friends with Lana Lang as well as Lex Luthor. Moving forward, Superman saves a downed aircraft similar to Man of Steel? Other tidbits include his Legion Flight Ring (New Earth Legion's surprised), after high school Clark Kent traveled the world Birthright?, Superman was a founding member of the Justice League of America (Justice League Together!), Lois and Clark's inability to have kids,  a Superman Returns shot, and recent Superman/Batman Supergirl continuity. Future storylines are previewed: Brainiacs Attack, Supergirl reunited with her parents, and what appears to be New Krypton or Kandor? Check it out.

Also if you get a chance, read the Lightning Saga running in Justice League and Society of America issues. New Earth Superman was definitely a member of the SA/BA Legion. Mmmm, I wonder....       

ya that last issue of Action was real fun. and I am really digging this new artist for superman(his name escapes me right now)

Nice to see Superman Brooding instead of whining (for a change)

:D :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D ;) ;)                                         (http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7753/champagnevm1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

So EVERYversion of Superman have his Earth! And seems that the version of 90s is out of continuity! WOW!!!

Kara's reaction to the super-mullet was great. "That hair...no!"  ;D

Yeah, and best part of all? Now there's no limits to the kinds of Superman stories you can write. EVERY incarnation of Superman is now fair game.

Check this out from the Superman Homepage:

The Superman Homepage "QfK" forum is now in session!
Writer Kurt Busiek joins the Superman Homepage to answer your questions about the latest Superman related comic book he's written.

Visit the QfK page now to submit your questions about "Action Comics #850".
http://www.supermanhomepage.com/inter-action/inter-action.php?topic=QfK/QfK

Why the new Jor El have is bearded ? ??? ??? :-\

Huh, so we're not good enough any more, he has to go to another website? Well, fudge.

Apart from that, I'd like to echo Carmelo's question about why Jor-El now has a beard. Does the Jor-El in Smallville (the TV series) have one? Is that it?

Actually, he answers question on many websites. He posts at Comic Bloc, Millar World, the DC Message Boards, and probably some other places as well.

I suspect one of the big reason for Jor-El having a beard is legal reasons. The first place we saw this new Jor_El was as a large giant holographic head in the Fortress. The beard prevents any claims by Marlon Brando's Estate of infringing on his likeness. I think DC is playing it safe. Geoff Johns confirmed this in a interview. Of course how to deal with this was up to artist choice.

It really is a fine line though. Does a white haired man automatically look like Brando as Jor-El? Depends on how specific the artist is in facial features. So many artists today are not good at specific faces. How about just giving him the traditional black hair? Or head band?

Personally this bearded look has grown on me. One thing I would have done differently would have been to leave out the mustache. Just the beard alone like Lincoln had. It would also echo the cowled look from Man of Steel and Birthright.

he posted here not so long ago.

He seems busy these days :)

I just got a few picks from 850. What do you guys think?

http://romney.homestead.com/files/E2.JPG (http://romney.homestead.com/files/E2.JPG)

http://romney.homestead.com/files/E1.JPG (http://romney.homestead.com/files/E1.JPG)

I really dig the transition page with the modern renditions of Superman. The Big S has come along way since 1986.  ;D

"The multiversal stabilizer overcompensated for vibro-chronal flux" - I'll have to remember that one next time I'm late for an appointment.


Looks good.  I'm glad the Birthright Superman is in there.  I'd love to see tales or titles about some of these versions of Superman in addition to the single panel cameos.  Maybe down the road they could all team-up in a big crossover event called Infinite Supermen.

The reason for the beard is because Adam designed him with a beard, Dan Didio told him to lose the beard, and Geoff and I went to bat for the beard because we think it looks good.

That's all it is.  More often than not, a creative choice is a creative choice, not a piece of legal maneuvering.

kdb

And you guys haven't asked any questions in a long time, and rarely discuss the new books.

So I skim the board, but there's not much to respond to.

kdb

I was very happy when I first saw the beard.  It looks great and it works very well for the character.  This was a really good move, many thanks to you, Geoff, and Adam.

And thank you on behalf of beards everywhere. Not that anyone's interested, but I spend about half the year with a beard, and the other half without, so I have some personal involvement here. You know what would be a cool plotline? What if Jor-El's beard actually turned out to be Streaky the Supercat hanging on to his jaw?

In a Newsarama interview, Geoff Johns recounted that when they were first developing ideas for Action, Richard Donner asked if Jor-El could look like Brando. Geoff told him no. I guess I inferred to much from that. Sorry about that.

Good combination of the old stuff with the new stuff... 8)

This borders on the truly bizarre -- 100% Weising-era approved!

Makes sense. Incidentally, I post over at Comic Bloc as "Justin." I also really enjoyed the latest issue of Action Comics. It reminded me of the last annual you guys did.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. - Sigmund Freud

Not a hoax! Not an imaginary story! In this issue: "The SUPER-SECRET of Jor-El's BEARD!"

And if anyone's interested, the answers to those questions are now up at that selfsame link:

http://www.supermanhomepage.com/inter-action/inter-action.php?topic=QfK/QfK

kdb

Cool beans, this is a very exciting time. Thanks!  ;D

Personally, I like the beard. I've always believed that Jor-El should have distinguising features that set him apart from his son. At times he's been drawn TOO similar to Kal, only with Kryptonian clothing.

I'm also glad that Lex's Smallville history is a part of New Earth (it was also hinted at in 52 when Lex talks about "a boy from Smallville becoming president of the United States"). I can't wait to read his new backstory. I really enjoyed Mark Waid's version of the infamous lab accident, so I hope some of the elements of it are kept.

To hide Brando's double chin.  But really we all know that Richard Branson won the bidding war for licensing rights to the new Jor-El.

Well Kurt, all I have to say is Thank You sooo much for the work you do with our kid from Krypton!  I really mean that.

I'm hoping the new Luthor miniseries delves into his history.

Ditto.  I'm looking forward to more with The Auctioneer, in particular. 

Kurt, you were born to write for Superman. I hopped on your arc a bit late but making Arion, Lord of Atlantis, a foil & quasi-bad guy for Supes is excellent. I had to look over a few of my back issues to see how much Arion has manipulated certain people from the planet Krypton(ahem..Powergirl). I can't wait to discover what's his true agenda. Keep up the good work!