Superman Meets the Quik Bunny (1987)

Superman Meets the Quik Bunny (1987)
"Quik Thinking"
Writer - Mike Carlin
Layout Art - Carmine Infantino
Finished Art - Dick Giordano
Letterer - John Costanza
Colorist - Liz Berube
Editor - Joey Cavalieri
Exec. Editor - Joe Orlando
Special Thanks - Bob Rozakis

I figure I'd wrap up Superman's Birthday week on a lighter note with this silly tale.  Superman Meets the Quik Bunny was a promotional comic by Nestle Food Corporation and DC Comics.  Superman is no stranger to these odd giveaway issues... I believe I have a Radio Shack promo where Superman meets the "Whiz Kids" kicking around somewhere in the library.

I happened to come across this issue just today in a cheap-o bins, and thought it would be a fun way to close out the week.  It is fun, no doubt... but, is it any good?  Let's find out...

--

The weather has gone haywire in Metropolis.  One moment there's sunshine, the next has storms so intense that flash floods break out.  Superman expresses concern as he rescues a young boy from a fire escape.

In the nearby Metropolis suburbs, a group of children and one brown rabbit are putting the finishing touches on their totally rad clubhouse... er, qlubhouse.  Here we meet the intrepid Quik Qlub, Ronnie, Patty, Miguel, and Maureen.  While taking a delicious Nestle Quik break, the foursome (plus the Quik Bunny) try and watch some cartoons.  To their dismay, the 'toons have been preempted due to the erratic weather news.  They see Superman successfully rescue the young boy from the opening page and worry that Superman won't be able to save the day this time.

The Quik Bunny quickly (er, quikly) calls them out, tells them that their worrying won't do Superman a lick of good... and prods them into actually helping him.  They don't feel as though they can help, after all they're "just kids".

"Just Kids??!" The Quik Bunny retorts.  These are not your garden variety paste-eating children... These are members of the Quik Qlub... and they each bring something unique to the proceedings.

There is not a single inch of planet Earth that Ronnie has not studied.  He knows literally everything about geography.  He is also a highly trained engineer who, in his spare time, works on airplanes at Ferris Aircraft.

Patty's school science club often gets called upon by NASA when their wi-fi goes out.  It is said that Patty is responsible for the creation of Velcro, sliced bread, and clip-on ties.  She may in fact be the New-52 Mr. Terrific's mother and ultimately responsible for the Brother Eye project.

Miguel is the result of a super spy program, sent in by a foreign super power in attempt to gain entrance into the most clandestine intelligence organization in the west... the Quik Qlub.  He unfortunately has a debilitating lisp rendering his communication skills somewhat moot.

If the Post-Flashpoint DC Universe needs an Oracle, I now know where they can find one...









Newly inspired, the Qlub members pounce into action.  The girls let the gang in on some special equipment they'd rigged for the club... qlub... when they transform the tree house into a helicopter... quik qopter, sorry.  Our heroes are now Metropolis bound.





In Metropolis we come to find out who is responsible for the Weather Wackiness... its, get this... the Weather Wizard.  After spotting Superman, the Wizard summons a bolt of lightning to hit the Man of Steel.  It is left to us (yes, us... me and you) to guide Superman out of the city so that the bolt of lightning will explode in the Atlantic Ocean, rather than in Metropolis.  I'm not sure that's how lightning works, but I suppose we can play along.  The book says to guide Superman with a pen or pencil... but I'm thinking a finger will work just fine.

Okay... that was a close one, you still with me?  Good.

The Quik Qlub observe the weather oddities from their qopter qlubhouse.  Turning to their computer for the weather info, the qlub-mates are surprised to find that due to a malfunction... the data is coming out all scrambled.  So much for Maureen's hacking skills.  We now turn to super spy Miguel to crack the code.  Only, Miguel cannot do it alone.  Who can Miguel call on for help?  Yeah, us again... let's see if we can't help Miguel slack off in his only Quik Qlub duty, shall we?

Well, that was a little tougher, truth be told... but I think we're on to something here.  We get barely a moment to bask in our job well done before that jerk Quik Bunny jumps in to hog all the glory.  He "breaks the news" that the Weather Wizard's behind all this... Thanks for nothing, rabbit.  We would have gotten it sooner or later.

The Qlub spies Superman being bombarded with freezing rain (which we learn is also known as, ice).  A block of said ice forms around the Man of Steel, and he begins to fall out of the sky... while the Weather Wizard escapes on a cloud.

Patty's science skills produce a mechanical claw (qlaw?) from the qlub qopter that snatches Superman out of the sky before he hits the ground.  Superman thanks the kids, and very politely tells them to buzz off.

Miguel begins to redeem himself by telling Superman he picked up on a verbal cue that the Wizard gave during his escape... He said he would "capitalize", so clearly... he's going to Washington DC.  No reach there, right?  Superman takes the lad at his word and decides DC's the place.  The kids (qids?) decide to give chase just in case Big Blue needs a hand.  They decide the quik qopter would be far too slow, so with the push of a button, Patty transforms the qlubhouse into a hot air balloon... which, naturally would travel much more quickly (quikly) than a helicopter...

In Washington, DC Superman finds himself in a quandary wherein he must rely on his super-memory.

Due to winds resulting from a nearby tornado, six items have disappeared from the streets... it's up to us to help jog Superman's memory.

Okay, soaked in that scene?  Good.  Now, without looking back at it, let's list everything that's missing a moment later.  We're going with the honor system here...

Turns out the book was just humoring us... Superman did not need our help after all.  He quickly rounds up the debris on his own.  With this feat complete, Superman spies the Washington Monument about to be toppled by the Weather Wizard.

The Quik Qlub floats into the scene, and Patty has a theory that the Weather Wizard may be hiding in the eye of the tornado... Our eyes turn to Maureen who needs our help reconciling the Wiz' location via her useless computer... let's bail these kids out again...

I'm not sure what we're looking at here... is that a stick man?  A totem pole?  The abominable snowman from ski-free?  The Quik Qlub finds the Weather Wizard nonetheless.  Glory-hog, Quik Bunny takes what may prove to be his final gulp of delicious Nestle Quik and dives out of the qlubhouse to enter mortal qombat with our villain.  Turns out Nestle Quik is chock full of PED's, as our bunny is moving so fast that it appears that there are hundreds of him.  The bunny's distraction causes the tornado to dissipate, and Superman is able to re-affix the Washington Monument to its rightful location.  Weather Wizard bails once more on his trusty nimbus, claiming to be Egypt-bound.

Superman delivers the Quik Bunny back to the qlubhouse, and heads off Egypt-way... after once more politely telling the children to buzz off.  The Quik Bunny won't leave well enough alone and insists the qlubmates follow the Man of Steel.  Clearly a hot air balloon will take far too long to cross the Atlantic... Patty now needs our help for the qlubhouse's next form... the Quik Jet Plane.  Let's help the gang connect the dots...

The gang arrives in Egypt and much to their surprise, it is snowing.  They decide to land the jet and talk to one of the locals.  Miguel's communication skills are once more called upon... and pushed off onto us.  This kid's on my last nerve... okay, let's do this...

Okay, looks like we're headed for the pyramid.  What're the odds, right?  The gang takes flight and heads toward the old pyramid, arriving just in time to witness Superman romantically dancing with a mummy.  That might be awkward for some... but not the Qlub.

Fearing he is not the center of attention, the Quik Bunny cuts in and unravels Superman's dance partner.  The Man of Steel delivers the Bunny back to the qlubhouse yet again... and again, politely warns the gang that they are putting themselves in danger.

The Qlub Qids tell Superman that the Wizard is hiding within the pyramid... the fact that Superman was already here leads me to believe he must have already known that.  He humors young Miguel and starts dismantling the pyramid, brick by brick... until he is face to face with the Weather Wizard.

Thinking on his feet, the Wiz waves his wand and melts all of the snow into water... flooding the pyramid and nearly drowning the qlub.  While Superman tends to the children, the Wizard spies some hieroglyphics which tell him his next destination.  He bobbles the stone pictograph, breaking it.  No matter, he knows where he's headed... and since he announces his destination... we do too.  Psst... it's China, he's totally going to China.

That doesn't stop our resident geography expert, Ronnie (remember him?) from taking the time to identify some of the countries on that fallen pulverized pictograph.  Ronnie takes a cue from... well, everyone else on the team and asks us for help.  This is an open-book task, we are in fact allowed to refer to an encyclopedia.  As luck would have it, my local supermarket just got in the "M" volume... so I should be good to go.

With these four countries shown, the gang makes special notice that China is missing.  Stands to reason... we've got (spoiler alert) England, Italy, France, and India... clearly, China is next in that sequence... right?  Okay, no matter... we know we're China-bound... after all the Weather Wizard told us he was headed there just a page ago.


The Qlub, not knowing when they're not wanted... head off to China.  Once there they find themselves in the midst of a terrible hail storm.  The Quik Jet Plane cannot stay in the air.  A quick atlas-check from Ronnie shows they are right above the Yangtze River... it's time for the Quik Qlubhouse's final form... the Quik Boat.

Once order is regained, the gang relies on Miguel to translate some Chinese coming over the radio to see if they can locate Superman.  Miguel, for once, does not ask for our assistance.  He learns that Superman was spotted by the Great Wall of China.  Ronnie, with his head still in his atlas, says he can navigate the ship through the Yangtze and to the Great Wall.  He, however, does ask for our assistance... Anyone ever drive a boat?

Whew... nearly bit it there.

Okay, here we are.  The Great Wall of China.  Superman is not only trying to protect one of the Wonders of the World, he is also trying to protect the inhabitants of the city as well.  There's no way he can do both and still stop the Weather Wizard... all appears to be lost, until the Bunny gets his Quik fix.

The Quik goes straight to the Bunny's head and he is suddenly just overflowing with ideas.  The gang is going to build a decoy Quik Bunny (out of the Qlub's Qollection of Scrap Metal) to get the attention of the Weather Wizard.  When I first turned and saw this page, I excitedly thought they had build some sort of mecha-Quik Bunny... imagine my disappointment.

The Wiz fires off a lightning bolt at the decoy, which reflects back and takes the villain out.  Superman snags the Wiz, while Quik Bunny grabs the Weather Wand.  The day is saved... and all that's left to do is...

Well, just what in the hell is going on in there...

Oh... whew, just a Nestle Quik drinking contest.  I'd like to think that Superman let the Bunny win here.  Thanks for the calories, we are out,

--

Okay... Not a whole lot to "review" here.  It's a silly throwaway issue that was far more fun to write about than it was to read.  This was an extended Nestle Quik advertisement with Superman as a guest-star... as such, and I hate using this phrase... it is what it is.

The writing is silly and hokey, but that's what one would expect in reading a story wherein Superman meets a cartoon bunny mascot shilling chocolate milk powder... the art is fine.  Nothing standing out as phenomenally great or offensively bad.

If I received this book back in 1987, I would have been seven years old, and I probably would have loved it.  The story is fun and silly for a kid, and the activity portions ain't all that bad either.  Before today I'd never seen or even heard of this book.  Coming across it in the bins made me raise my eyebrows, and overall I'm glad I picked it up and gave it a read.

Certainly not a recommendation, but it is one of them fun offbeat oddities that I dig having in the collection.

--

No ads this time around (besides, ya know... the entire thing) but there were some coloring sheets included... Adults playing with coloring books are a "thing" now, right?  Well, enjoy...

Superman (vol.2) #75 (1993)

Superman (vol.2) #75 (January, 1993)
"Doomsday!"
Words & Pictures - Dan Jurgens
Finished Art - Brett Breeding
Letters - John Costanza
Colors - Glenn Whitmore
Assistant - Jennifer Frank
Editor - Mike Carlin
Cover Prices: $2.50 (Deluxe) / $1.25 (Newsstand)

It always comes back to Superman #75, doesn't it?  No matter what era or vintage of the Man of Steel one discusses, the conversation invariably returns to Superman #75.  I will dispense with the "vol.2's" as I believe everyone knows when you say Superman #75 which issue we're talking about.  This single issue is likely one of (if not, the) most important to be released during my collecting career.  I am currently in my mid-thirties, and cannot for the life of me think of a more significant release... on a narrative, personal, and cultural level.

I think most comics enthusiasts, my age range and above have a Superman #75 story, though I'll concede that I may be projecting.  At the risk of going completely overboard, this issue is one of those "Remember where you were when..." instances usually saved for seminal and world-changing events.  I would feel silly (bordering on ridiculous) comparing it to what people felt following the assassination of John F. Kennedy or anything, but the Death of Superman is one of those things I will always remember on an incredibly deep level.

Going into this story line, as I've recounted on this blog... I was not a Superman fan, much less collector.  This event is what first drew my eyes to the Man of Steel.  I was an X-Men fan... those were my books.  I didn't even venture into non-X Marvel books, a DC book would be out of the question.  Even with that said, I knew I had to get on board for this story... not for some idea that these books would be worth a substantial amount of money... not for bragging rights... no... I had to get in, because I knew we were about to witness history.

As I've detailed in other discussion posts, my local comic shop offered a paid-subscription for the entirety of this story line.  A subscription that I could not afford to drop all at once (cover price plus $20.00).  Leading up to the release of Superman #75, I actually lost sleep... fearing I would not be able to buy it.  I really want to say this released on a Friday.  I am oddly cloudy on that, but I really want to say it was a Friday.  I begged and pleaded to stay home from school that day.  My local shop opened at noon, and I knew that if I waited until after school to stop in, I would have zero chance at finding this issue.

My mother was cool... although she wouldn't let me stay home that day, she told me that she would go to the shop for me early in the day and grab the issue for me.  Before school the morning of release, I remember having my poor mother study the Previews catalog.  Showing her both versions of the book she unwittingly agreed to procure for me.  I feel like a goofball thinking about that now... but, in November of 1992, there was likely nothing more important to me than getting my hands on this book.

With a lump in my throat and a belly full of butterflies, off to school I went.  Thirty-eight hours later (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration), I returned home... to be greeted by, the newsstand edition of Superman #75.  You know when you're a kid, and try as you might... you can't hide your disappointment?  I'd like to think this was not one of those instances... but I'm likely dead wrong.

I was happy to have it, no doubt.  I would be able to read and experience the story, which... after all is what it's all about.  I thanked my mother (who stood in line for over an hour in our utility-closet sized comic shop), without even asking about the deluxe "black bagged" version, and headed up to my bedroom to see how the story turned out.

As I entered my bedroom, I found that my sneaky mother had left not only the "black bagged" Superman #75, but Justice League America #70 on my bed.  Before I could run back downstairs to thank her again, she laughed and yelled "You're welcome!" up at me.  What a day!

That night, which is more fuel for me thinking this was a Friday... we went to the flea market across the street from the Sun Vet mall in Holbrook, NY... which I wanna say was only open Friday through Sunday.  Regardless, we went there and looked around as we would do from time to time.  On this night, however, it appeared as though every vendor was suddenly selling comic book.  Yeah, "comic book" singular, Superman #75.  The cheapest option inside that flea market was $25.00 for the newsstand edition.  This was release day!  I saw copies of the "black bagged" version for over $100.00.  Again... the book had not yet been out for 24 hours!  What a crazy time to be into comics.

This book remains the only one that my mother will ask me about from time to time.  She'll ask how much its currently worth, and even ask if I remember her having to stand in line to get it for me.

Yeah, Ma... I remember.  I'll always remember.

--

This is a full-length fight scene.  This book is comprised entirely of full-page splashes, minus the final awe-inspiring three-page spread.  We open on Superman and Doomsday in titanic struggle.  Superman is joined in battle by hovering soldiers wearing Cadmus shock cannons, which can take out a tank... though are ineffective against Doomsday.

Doomsday throws the Man of Steel into the soldiers and the nearby onlooking Daily Planet helicopters.  Superman nabs the chopper containing Lois and Jimmy, and brings them down safely.  Lois pleads with Superman to go for help.  Doomsday, who is currently shrugging off cannon fire appears unstoppable.  Superman refuses to bring in back up, as Doomsday has hurt too many innocent people already.  This is his fight... and his city, Superman will stop Doomsday.

Lois and Clark share what will prove to be their final kiss, and Superman leaps back into the fracas.  Doomsday quickly drives Superman into the ground, and sets his sights on more destruction.  His immediate line of sight includes Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen.

Superman punches through the rubble and goes back on offense, blasting Doomsday with his heat vision.  One awesome detail throughout this fight is the nearly constant appearance of Superman's torn cape.  It appears in many panels, including this one, in which Superman is actually stepping on it.

The next several pages feature the two going punch for punch.  Barely conscious, Superman breaks off one of Doomsday's bony protrusions, which proves to hurt the beast.  With renewed confidence, Superman continues to pummel the monster, Doomsday is now stepping on the torn cape.  The two hit each other so hard nearby windows are shattering, it is quite the awesome scene, really adding to the scope of just how much power is being expended in this melee.  Each blow results in shock waves that can felt by onlookers, the battle leaves behind it an enormous crater.

With one last punch, Superman and Doomsday both fall to the ground.  Superman has been in danger before, however, those who know and care about him know that this time it's different.

In Lois' arms, Superman last words are, "Doomsday... is he... is he..."  Lois reassures him that he saved them all.  With that, Superman slumps into lifelessness.  For this is the day-- that a Superman died.

--

Now, what can I say that hasn't already been said a million times?  It's always intimidating for me to opine on these milestone issues, as it's already been done many times over, and very likely much more eloquently and with more insight.  It's Superman #75... that's pretty much all you need to know.

My first time reading this, I felt almost a sick feeling in my stomach.  I hesitated with each turn of the page, even though I anxiously anticipated what was to come.  This issue had long been "spoiled" for us comics enthusiasts, yet that did not change the way in which I reacted as I read through it.  Like, we knew they were killing Superman, but... they couldn't kill Superman... could they?  Such conflicting emotions all throughout this issue, masterfully (is there a word stronger than masterfully?  If so, substitute that) crafted by Dan Jurgens.

I have never been so moved emotionally reading a comic book (or any book, really).  As I stated, I was not someone who could be called a "fan" of the character at this time... yet, I knew what Superman stood for.  I knew he was the "good" in all of us, the light in the darkness, and all that.  It affected me then, as it affects me now.  I remember being moved to almost tears as a child (and not that silly "Internet" man-tears either... real tears).  Hell, I'm sitting here like an idiot with welled-up eyes now (and my dogs are looking at me like I'm insane).  No, it's not allergies... and there's no "dust" in my eye.  This is a powerful, powerful issue... with a painful (yet oddly beautiful) ending.

Everything from the amazing iconic cover, to every word and picture included within... I can't think of an adjective powerful enough to clearly state how I feel.  I hate throwing out "perfect" or "brilliant", because by now the Internet has done a good enough job of making those words meaningless... but this may be as close to that as we're going to see.

Because of this story line, Dan Jurgens will forever be my Superman writer/artist/creator.

Recommended?  Whattayouthink?

--

I was commenting on Comic Reviews by Walt earlier this month, and it seems as though there's something of an unwritten law for 90's comic book enthusiasts.  If you see a copy of Superman #75 in a cheap-o bin... any version, any printing... you pick it up.  This is true for him, and is true for me as well.  This book is that special.

This book is so special, that even now twenty-odd years later, I am still unable to tear into that black bag.  It just wouldn't feel right... even though I have a few sealed copies, and the monetary value is no longer there... I just can't do it.  It feels like something of a comics enthusiast's mortal sin to break that seal.

Luckily for me, while visiting a local Half-Price Books several years back, I came across an already opened deluxe version of Superman #75... with all the goodies included... for a buck.  I was finally able to eat my cake... and have it too.

Daily Planet Newspaper Clipping

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Interesting Ads: (the "I almost can't believe there are ads" edition)

Superman (vol.3) #32 (2014)

Superman (vol.3) #32 (August, 2014)
"The Men of Tomorrow, Chapter One: Ulysses"
Writer - Geoff Johns
Penciller - John Romita Jr.
Inker - Klaus Janson
Colorist - Laura Martin
Letterer - Sal Cipriano
Assistant Editor - Anthony Marques
Group Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $3.99

This issue is quite a bit newer than most of the books I figured I would be discussing here at the blog.  This week being my makeshift "Superman week" in honor of the Big Guy's birthday, I figured I should discuss the issue that brought me back to the Superman books most recently... Superman (volume 3) #32, featuring the creative team of Geoff Johns and Marvel stalwart, John Romita Jr..

Superman was one of the titles I shrugged off during my post-Flashpoint DC Comics temper tantrum.  I tried to keep up with the second volume of Action Comics under Grant Morrison just to have a "Super" title on my pull-list, however, a half-dozen or so issues in, I found myself losing interest.

During the New 52's sophomore year, it was becoming more and more apparent that the wheels were coming off.  Creative teams were bailing on books, editorial appeared to be scrambling to scoot creators from one book to the next, and there was no semblance of cohesion or order.  The Superman titles seemed especially prone to this.  Action Comics had a creator (Andy Diggle) bail off the book before his first issue even hit the stands.  Superman (vol.3) seemed to have a new writer every few issues until settling on Scott Lobdell for a (relatively) extended run.  These books did not do anything to draw my interest, it wasn't until I saw an ominous ad in my DC published titles in early 2014...

These ads were rather reminiscent of other bits that ran in DC Comics of old...

From kirbymuseum.org

It felt as though we were about to witness history.  Being a life-long "Marvel guy", there was no way I was going to miss John Romita Jr. on Superman.  The fact that Geoff Johns was in the writer's chair was an added bonus.  I would finally be coming back to Superman... and thus far, I've held on ever since.

--

We open 20 years back at the Ulysses Research Center three miles below Omaha, Nebraska.  It appears as though this facility is researching interdimensionality.  With a hazardous leak incoming from Dimension Two threatening to consume the Earth, young researchers Peter and Bridget look for a way in which to protect their infant son from the fallout.  In a scene reminiscent of Superman's own origin, the child is placed in a containment unit and blasted into the unknown (Dimension Four, in this case).  We watch the child sail through the stars, and catch a glimpse of energy flowing in his eyes.

In the present, Superman is in the midst of battle with Titano.  Jimmy Olsen is nearby attempting to take photos for the Planet.  Unfortunately for Jimmy, his pictures only depict a blue and red blur.  In exchange for the photos, and likely only due to pity, Perry White offers Jimmy a lunch voucher.

Clark Kent arrives on the scene to speak with Perry about returning to the Daily Planet.  They walk down the hallway bedecked in Planet covers showing important happenings in the DC Universe.  The covers include Superman's first appearance in Metropolis, the Death of Superman, the Return of Superman, and perhaps the most topical... Lex Luthor Saves the World (from the fallout of Forever Evil).  I am still not clear on how the New 52 handled the death and return of Superman... I'm fairly certain there was not a Reign of the Supermen here... anyways...

We observe a scene at Clark's apartment.  Clark makes dinner (which he admits is not as good as his mother's), he is shown on the phone with Wonder Woman, and attempting to phone Batman.  He is looking through a family photo album when he hears a far off cry for help.

Superman finds himself in battle with a large alien foe.  The two fight, and when it seems that all may be lost, a super powered man with long blonde hair spears the alien creature away.  This young man and the alien appear to be speaking the same language.  In a beautiful splash page we are treated to the alien being attacked from both sides from the blonde and Superman... the power of which causes an explosion of energy.

As the two supermen collect themselves, Superman thanks the blonde man for his help.  They speak for a moment, and the man comes to understand that he is on Earth.  He introduces himself as Ulysses, and expresses great surprise that the Earth was not destroyed.  He had, until now considered himself the "Last Son of Earth".  He smiles, knowing he is no longer alone.

--

While I'm still not completely on board with this younger and edgier Superman (and it's doubtful that I will be) this was a fantastic issue.  It felt as though it was laying the groundwork for something much larger to come.  Hindsight unfortunately informs me that this is not entirely true, depending on your mileage for the current (2015-2016) DCYou "Truth" story line.  For a jumping on point, you can do far worse than Superman #32.

I may be biased, but I'll always read Geoff Johns' books.  In my opinion, he is wonderfully talented and is a true mechanic and architect in the industry.  I am rarely disappointed in anything the man writes, and this issue is no exception.  Bringing Clark back to the Daily Planet and his regular cast of characters did a great service.  This just feels right.  Scenes such as Clark flipping through an old photo album and looking at pictures of Ma and Pa make this character feel more real than he has in ages.  In time, I could have seen this Superman maybe sorta-kinda become my Superman.  These feelings are unfortunately short-lived... but that's not a discussion for today.


I've seen people bash John Romita Jr.'s artwork for years now.  I can't help but dig it.  I will agree that the pencils are looser and he might not be at his Uncanny X-Men, Peter Parker or Amazing Spider-Man level here, but JRJR brings with him something of a comfort (for me, anyway).  I could see his move to DC be one that facilitates toe-dipping in the DCU from purely Marvel Comics readers.  I can honestly say, though I will concede it may be nostalgia or comfort speaking, I loved the art in this issue.

One gripe I do have, and this is not Superman #32 specific, mind... but this issue is clearly of the "written for the trade" variety.  This is an opening chapter, and while there is a lot to absorb here... there is also a feeling that it may be padded a touch.  Still a great read for what it is, though more likely to be thoroughly enjoyed in the collected edition.  I was also not happy in the increase in cover price from $2.99 to $3.99 for this title from this point on.  Recommended.

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Interesting Ads: (slim pickin's edition...)