Review: Superman 100-Page Giant #3

DC Comics
Review: Superman 100-Page Giant #3
By Philip Schweier
September 12, 2018 - 05:08

DC Comics
Writer(s): Tom King
Penciller(s): Andy Kubert
Inker(s): Sandra Hope
Colourist(s): Brad Anderson
Letterer(s): Josh Reed
Cover Artist(s): Andy Kubert, Brad Anderson

A wee bit of history for ya, kids: Back in the early 1970s, DC Comics published 100-page super-spectaculars, which were a gold mine for the avid comics reader. For only 60¢, they featured a brand new story, and a handful of associated reprints. A Justice League might contain a Silver Age JLA story, as well as Golden Age Justice Society tale. For many readers of my generation, it was the best exposure to Golden Age stories.

Now DC has resurrected the format, exclusively to WalMart. I applaud the move, as it reaches new readers who may not have easy access to a comic book store, and presents stories in a robust format – $100 pages with a price point of only $4.99. I say “only” because it’s more than four times the number of pages for less than twice the price.

DC provided the Bin with advance copies of this week’s offerings featuring the lead stories of each, but not the entire 100 pages. As before, I am guessing the balance of the book is reprints. Not a bad idea, as many of the stories from late 1980s and ‘90s aren’t too far removed (continuity-wise) from what’s being published today. DC editorial can choose stand-alone stories that casual readers can enjoy.

In this week’s Superman lead, Batman enlists the Man of Steel’s help in what appears to be an extra-terrestrial kidnapping. But Superman becomes emotionally involved, believing no one else on Earth is capable of getting to the bottom of the crime. It’s a bit more than the usual super-hero slugfest we often see. It emphasizes the MAN over the SUPER.

But I am curious as to what else is in this issue. I may have to start visiting WalMart on a weekly basis. Pray for me.

Rating:8/10