Action Comics #900
Written by Paul Cornell, Paul Dini, Richard Donner, David S. Goyer, Geoff Johns, Damon Lindelof
Art by Pete Woods, Gary Frank, RB Silva, Ryan Sook, Brian Stelfreeze, Miguel Sepulvedo, Matt Camp, Jesus Merino, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Rags Morales, Ardian Syaf, Jamal Igle, Jon Sibal
Letters by John J. Hill, Rob Leigh
Covers by David Finch, Alex Ross, Gary Frank
DC Comics
$5.99
Release Date: April 27, 2010

Action Comics #900 is quite simply a celebration of everything great about Superman as a character. The issue, throughout most of the stories, is a showcase of Superman’s willingness to help and serve the human race primarily through self-sacrifice. Most of the recent anniversary episodes that we’ve seen, primarily through DC Comics, have been treated as anthologies with three or more short stories, one focusing on the end of a story arc, a couple of “untold tales,” and then one that starts the next story arc in Superman #700 and Wonder Woman #600; either that or a one and done story like Batman #700.

This book, on the other hand, focused more than half of its attention on the wrap-up of Lex Luthor’s Black Ring storyline by Paul Cornell and Pete Woods, and the return of Superman into Action Comics. Unfortunately, it also includes the recent Reign of Doomsday story arc, although in this issue it was a minor distraction, but still paled in comparison to the epic showdown between arch rivals Superman and Lex Luthor.

The Luthor storyline has been building for close to a year now, and the Action Comics team delivered a satisfying conclusion that tied up events throughout Luthor’s journey to obtain ultimate power, and what he would do with that power. I don’t want to spoil anything from this story because there are some pretty important developments with everyone involved, but it’s worth the money, and is a worthy story for a 900th issue.

The rest of the issue does read as an anthology book, though, but it deserves to. This is the longest-running comic book in the industry, and it deserves respect, and some of the top creators in the business are in tow, including Lost creator Damon Lindelof, who actually pulled out my favorite story from the book, “Life Support,” which also features one of my favorite artists, Ryan Sook. This story focuses on the necessary sacrifices of all those on Krypton prior to the death of their world. But each story plays to a very specific character trait of Superman. It’s handled beautifully from everyone involved. Certain stories are not my cup of tea, such is the case with most anthology issues, but all the creators give an outstanding performance.

But this issue really has it all, action (no pun intended), drama, humor (as prepared by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank), excitement, and sweet moments, as well. I’m very rarely in love with a Superman comic, but this comic just works. It’s excellent.