DC Comics is celebrating a one-of-a-kind milestone in April, when ‘Action Comics’ reaches its 1000th issue. 80 years prior, ‘Action Comics’ #1 showcased the debut of Superman, the very first comic book superhero. To celebrate, the special issue will feature contributions from legendary Superman illustrator, the late Curt Swan and Richard Donner, who directed the classic first ‘Superman’ motion picture. And one more old friend will be popping up– Superman’s red trunks.
The signature “undies over tights” have been missing since the majority of the DC Universe was redesigned in 2011 as part of the New 52 initiative, which was meant to update the classic characters for a modern age. The red shorts were last seen in live action on Brandon Routh, who starred in 2006’s ‘Superman Returns’. Since then, both Henry Cavill in the DC movies and Tyler Hoechlin on TV’s ‘Supergirl’ have sported costumes without this signature accessory.
The cover to ‘Action Comics’ #1000 (left) rendered by Jim Lee, shows the Man of Steel once more sporting the red trunks, complete with belt hoops for his classic yellow belt.
As stated, this issue will include never-before published artwork by Swan, who defined Superman’s look in the Silver and Bronze Age, from 1948 until his death in 1996. His last major contribution was illustrating ‘Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?’, the farewell story to the pre-Crisis Man of Steel. Other contributors to this issue include DC’s chief creative officer Geoff Johns, novelist Brad Meltzer and Tim King, who is currently making waves as the writer of ‘Batman’.
About this special achievement, DC co-publisher Dan DiDio said:
“The one-thousandth issue of ACTION COMICS is an incredible milestone in pop culture and a testament to the vision of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Without this book, along with Siegel and Shuster’s fertile imaginations and boundless creativity, the superhero’s place in literature may have been wildly different, if not altogether nonexistent.”
No word on whether the red shorts are back for good, or if this heralds a return to trunks for other DC characters like Batman, who have also ditched them in recent years.
‘Action Comics’ #1000 will be available on April 18.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
