In case you have been living under a rock, in a galaxy far, far away or perhaps just arrived in a rocket ship from the planet Krypton itself, I am here to remind everyone that Action Comics is hitting #1000 on April 18 with a HUGE special issue. The book that some would argue kicked off the age of super-heroes with the introduction of Superman way back in June 1938, also celebrates its 80-year anniversary. Superman looks pretty good for an Octogenarian right?

So far, the title has over 500,000 pre-orders, which will no doubt make it one of the top selling single issues of the year. It will also feature an enormous amount of comic book creative talent, from the DC press release:

              ACTION COMICS #1000

ACTION COMICS #1000 is an 80-page, $7.99 blockbuster available at comic retailers and digitally on Wednesday, April 18. With more than 500,000 copies pre-ordered by retailers, it’s expected to be one of the biggest comic books of the year.

“‘ACTION COMICS #1000 is a celebration of Superman that’s not only for the hardcore comic book fan but for all fans of pop culture,’ said DC Publisher Jim Lee. ‘It has been a long time since I’ve seen the local comic book shop community, from the owners to the customers, rally behind something with the level of excitement that we are seeing for ACTION COMICS #1000. This is truly something special and we can’t wait for fans to get their hands on the issue.'”

This one-of-a-kind comic book is a must-have for any fan of comics, entertainment or superheroes, with a collection of feature stories by Brian Michael Bendis (in his first published work for DC) with art by Jim Lee, current ACTION COMICS writer Dan Jurgens with Norm Rapmund and the SUPERMAN team of writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason. A host of comic book and literary talent have also contributed bonus stories to this comic, including legendary Superman movie director Richard Donner and The New York Times bestselling writer Geoff Johns with art by Olivier Coipel, Brad Meltzer with John Cassaday and Laura Martin, Tom King with Clay Mann and Jordie Bellaire and more, plus a story by longtime DC writer Marv Wolfman based on previously unpublished art from iconic Silver Age Superman artist Curt Swan.

 

Already available for purchase both in print and digitally is the Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman hardcover

              ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN

ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN is available now at all major book retailers for $29.99. This 384- page commemorative hardcover book revisits stories from across eight decades of ACTION COMICS, featuring the debuts of not just the Man of Tomorrow, but also Supergirl, Brainiac, the Fortress of Solitude and more. In addition to the unpublished story by Jerry Siegel and the Joe Shuster Studio, the collection features a foreword by Laura Siegel Larson, the daughter of co-creator Jerry Siegel, in addition to series of essays and iconic Superman stories from literary luminaries like Jules Feiffer, Larry Tye, Gene Luen Yang and others, all edited by former DC Publisher Paul Levitz. “When ACTION COMICS #1 debuted exactly 80 years ago, it was like capturing lightning in a bottle with the introduction of Superman,” said DC Publisher Dan DiDio. “It’s amazing that after all of these years, the characters are not only relevant but are a part of everyday discussions on how the real world needs Superman.”

 

Perhaps the most in unique celebration of this milestone is the “Talks at Google” that four comic creators who’ve worked on the Man of Steel recently participated in.

SUPERMAN TALKS AT GOOGLE
Google recently hosted four top comic book writers and artists, Paul Dini, Dan Jurgens, Brian Michael Bendis and Marv Wolfman as part of their “Talks at Google” series to discuss some of the most notable moments in Superman’s 80-year history and what the future holds for the timeless character. Hear first-hand from Wolfman about the unpublished story he saved from the incinerator as a teenager while on a tour of the DC offices in New York. This story, written by Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, with art from the Joe Shuster Studio, will be published for the first time ever in ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN. The talk is available for viewing here.

 Also, check out the huge sale DC is promoting with its digital partners to let readers get caught up on the adventures of The Man of Tomorrow in anticipation of ACTION COMICS #1000.

DIGITAL CELEBRATION
As part of the 80 years of Superman celebration, DC is offering two super digital sales. The “Road to Action #1000” sale features hundreds of ACTION COMICS issues and 13 e-books, including the first appearance of Supergirl (ACTION COMICS #252), as well as Clark Kent’s reveal of his true identity to Lois Lane (ACTION COMICS #662). Another SUPER sale is available with 143 e-books featuring Superman and the Super-family including THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN, SUPERMAN: RED SON, SUPERGIRL VOL. 1: LAST DAUGHTER OF KRYPTON, SUPER SONS VOL. 1: WHEN I GROW UP and more starting at just $5.99. Both sales are currently available on digital retailers, including ComiXology and Google Play, until April 23.           

Finally, be sure to check out the planned celebrations at your local comic shop. Many places have midnight release parties, artist signings and more!

                             LOCAL AND VIRAL CELEBRATIONS
Fans can take part in the celebration around ACTION COMICS #1000 right in their hometown. Local comic book shops have planned midnight release parties, signings with members of Superman’s past, present and future writers and artists to mark the momentous occasion. Snapchat users will be able to turn themselves into the Man of Steel with a special filter that applies the Superman suit and hair (including his trademark “spit curl”) for photos. In addition, the super filter gives everyone the power of Superman’s heat-vision. For download and installation details, check out the Snapchat website.

Check out the website at www.dccomics.com or the DC YouTube channel for the latest news regarding Krypton’s last son and his elevation to pop culture icon.

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