Action Comics 1000, Story 1: "From the City That Has Everything"

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From the City That Has Everything

Writer/Artist: Dan Jurgens, Inks: Norm Rapmund, Colors: Hi-Fi, Letters: Rob Leigh, Cover: Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair

Initial Thoughts

If you are a fan of Superman, please do yourself a favor and PICK UP THIS ISSUE!  Action 1000 has 10 great stories that celebrate the first and greatest superhero of all time.  Since each story is self-contained, we will discuss the stories individually.  The first one is from Dan Jurgens, who is the outgoing writer of Action Comics since Rebirth (not to mention the legendary "Death of Superman" arc).  This story had a lot of heart, and had me on the verge of tears at the end.  It is the first of many fitting tributes to the Man of Steel!

The Story

The first thing we see is Superman in space on a mission to keep Khund warriors from attacking earth.  We get the impression this happens on an annual basis, and Superman is able to send them back through their own portal.  Meanwhile, Lois and Jon are back in Metropolis debating whether Clark will join them or not.  He is running late for a city-wide Thank You ceremony for Superman.  We find out that Clark is purposefully tardy because he doesn't like these celebrations.  As he appears out of the park, Lois scolds him for being late.  As the ceremony begins, Lois reveals her Superman shirt in the iconic way we all know so well.

The mayor begins her welcome speech, and the crowd asks where Superman is.  She shares her story of how he saved their subway train from an oceanic attack.  Lois tries to appeal to Clark, saying that people need to share their gratitude.  Clark can't help but check the solar system for Khund ships, but sees nothing.

The next tribute is from Fire Chief Carlisle, who shares his story of Superman saving him after he ran in a burning building to save a child.  Both Carlisle and the child were safe thanks to the Man of Steel.  Next was a familiar face, Captain Maggie Sawyer sharing her account of Superman aiding her unit in a fight against a group of terrorists.  Everyone made it out alive because of him.  

With each story we see Clark softening to the idea of the celebration.  Next up is a former lackie-for-hire who attested to the crowd that Superman never gave up on him.  After continued  support, he was actually able to have a normal life after his last stint in prison.  This story of redemption was particularly meaningful for Jon.  

This whole time, we occasionally see Lois on the phone, allegedly with Perry White.  However, we see that is clearly not the case when the mayor announces the next testimonial will be coming from the "esteemed editor of the Daily Planet".  As Perry is sharing, Lois knows she is busted.  Superman is now concerned that something is wrong.  He exits the scene to go back to battle when he is intercepted by Wonder Woman.  Diana assures him that the situation is under control.  She tells them that more ships did land, and that Martian Manhunter was cloaking it all from Clark.  Also, Lois was on the phone with Bruce, not Perry.  This whole rouse was Lois' idea, so that he could celebrate with the city.  Superman is humbled that the Justice League would do this for him, but it wasn't just the League, but most of the main characters in the DC Unviverse!  We close with Superman taking his well-deserved bow, recognizing his bond to the people he serves.

Final Thoughts

I loved this story!  Jurgens and team really get the character of Superman.  We see all the ways he has saved people, including the redemption of the former lackie.  He is always there to make the dramatic rescue, but he also wants people to be rehabilitated.  Superman never does it for the glory, but rather out of a sense of love and compassion.  This is very much like our God, who does not just want us to blindly follow Him, but turn from our sinful ways.  Jesus' rescue mission was definitely a world-changing event, but He did it for us because of His deep love for us.  Even though we continue to let God down (much like the young man did with Superman), He always seeks us out, and offers redemption.

What did you think of this story?  I would love to talk about it with you.  You can comment below, or find me @behindthecapes on Twitter, or by liking the Behind the Capes Facebook page.  Also, something new, Behind the Capes has a group called Behind the Capes' Nerd Out Round Table, where we talk about a bunch of geeky stuff.  It is technically a closed group, but anyone can join if they agree to the simple rules laid out in the group.  I would love for this group to grow!