Superman Through the Ages! Forum

Superman Comic Books! => Superman! => Topic started by: Great Rao on August 14, 2012, 09:56:54 AM



Title: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: Great Rao on August 14, 2012, 09:56:54 AM
Got this question via email, doesn't right a bell with me:
Quote
I remember a special issue from the 70s that was a story about Superman still being around thousands of years after all life on earth was extinct, and all life in the universe was extinct also.  Superman is bored and spends his days smashing planets to rubble just for something to do. Eventually he battles a giant bug-eyed thing ( I think...). He is visibly old and grey-haired.

Do you remember this issue? If so, what was it?

I'd guess a back-up story in an issue of Action.



Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: countryboylife on September 02, 2012, 11:02:11 AM
Got this question via email, doesn't right a bell with me:
Quote
I remember a special issue from the 70s that was a story about Superman still being around thousands of years after all life on earth was extinct, and all life in the universe was extinct also.  Superman is bored and spends his days smashing planets to rubble just for something to do. Eventually he battles a giant bug-eyed thing ( I think...). He is visibly old and grey-haired.

Do you remember this issue? If so, what was it?

I'd guess a back-up story in an issue of Action.



I think he is talking about Action #387?

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3056/3078077936_1723eff6f1_b.jpg)


Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: Great Rao on September 02, 2012, 08:59:25 PM
Wow, thanks for the scan!  The story description described by the reader didn't ring a bell at all, but I sure remember that story from Action 387!

Another possibility might be Action 386, which also featured a Superman that was visibly old and grey-haired:

(http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071021161026/marvel_dc/images/1/1f/Action_Comics_386.jpg)

(and the cover to 387 (http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071021161250/marvel_dc/images/b/b0/Action_Comics_387.jpg))



Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: countryboylife on September 03, 2012, 05:17:32 AM
The only other all old grey supes I remember right now were some imaginary stories with 3 generations of Superman, and the SM #400. It's easy to put elements together from more than one issue in the memory.


Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: Great Rao on September 16, 2012, 09:19:06 AM
I picked up copies of 386 and 387 - they seem to be the last two chapters of a future-Superman story involving the Time Trapper and Superman being forced to repeatedly travel forward in time with a Legion bubble (he ages the number of years he travels).  It's pretty cool with an amazingly period twist ending.

I'm going to see if I can find out in just which issue this storyline begins.


Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: Lee Semmens on September 17, 2012, 02:02:02 AM
That would be Action Comics #385, Rao.

It's several years since I read this storyline - from very late in a Superman era that many apparently dislike, or aren't too keen on - but I really liked it, and there is a twist, as you said. Written by Cary Bates, not many years after the start of his comics' career, and with art by the great Curt Swan, and the not so great George Roussos.

 


Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: Nykor on September 17, 2012, 02:20:34 PM
While looking for something else, I found a joint-interview of Elliott Maggin and Cary Bates (conducted by Guy H. Lillian III, and available online in the "Creators" section of "STTA") wherein both writers noted their fondness for this trilogy.


Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: Nykor on September 17, 2012, 03:41:49 PM
And I just discovered that Nightwing wrote a synopsis/review of it at his excellent "Confessions of a Superman Fan".


Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: Great Rao on November 10, 2014, 05:30:09 PM
While looking for something else, I found a joint-interview of Elliott Maggin and Cary Bates (conducted by Guy H. Lillian III, and available online in the "Creators" section of "STTA") wherein both writers noted their fondness for this trilogy.

http://superman.nu/portal/Creators/men-behind-super-typewriter.php

Quote from: Nykor
And I just discovered that Nightwing wrote a synopsis/review of it at his excellent "Confessions of a Superman Fan".

http://nightwing.fortress.am/adventures/oldsuperman-1.htm

Thanks! ( I should have already known this of course...   :-[  )


Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: Nykor on November 12, 2014, 09:10:40 AM
Rao, gracias for installing the links--I'd learn how myself but I have NO patience for detailed work (a lame excuse, I know).

It's been so quiet here I was thinking of starting a "Man of Steel" discussion, but don't worry, I'd put it in the "Movies" section. What do you think?


Title: Re: Question from a reader - Superman in the Future
Post by: Great Rao on November 12, 2014, 10:37:32 AM
Sounds fine to me.  That's what the forum is for, after all.