Man of Steel Countdown - The Man of Steel (1986)
For many, John Byrne's 1986 mini-series, The Man of Steel, marked the first of the post-Silver Age Superman comics. Marv Wolfman had wanted a re-boot of the Superman story for a while and, when Byrne had left Marvel, the opportunity for a high-profile re-launch took place. It's difficult now to imagine how divisive this was at the time - the New 52 Superman hasn't caused nearly as much upset as Byrne's (perhaps fans have just become more tolerant over recent years). The series was bi-monthly and - Byrne is phenomenally quick in drawing (checking his Comic Book Database entry suggests he could easily draw three or four comics a month - all to an incredibly high standard). The comics aren't an arc: they're more standalone snapshots in the early years of Superman - from his decision to be Superman through meeting Lois, Batman, Bizarro and Luthor to a final issue where he is confronted with the personal effect leaving Smallville had.
Looking back on this nearly thirty years later, it's difficult to see what all the fuss was about. Byrne's art is - typically - amazing and still looks very contemporary. There's no New 52-type redesign of any aspect of the costume and only some minor alterations to the elements of the narrative. I actually found the stories a little too pedestrian and predictable and the absence of a major villain like Darkseid or Braniac is noticeable.
#1 - From Out of the Green Dawn
Issue one is the origin story. It seems to draw on the 1978 movie a great deal. The prologue is Jor-El and Lara sending Kal-El to Earth. I like the designs of the Kryptonian costumes and that Kal-El is grown in, effectively, a test tube. There's no Superboy in this continuity, rather Clark is a star footballer but Pa Kent (who doesn't die) reveals he's an adopted alien. Clark is involved in a major super-deed by saving a space plane with Lois on board (dramatically portrayed in the Superman Returns movie). The Kents make Clark his costume and the final panel has Clark assuming his Superman identity.
#2 - The Story of the Century
Next, the supporting cast are introduced. Lois Lane spends the issue chasing after Superman in order to get an interview. Clark Kent gets a job at the Daily Planet (on the basis of interviewing himself as Superman). The portrayal of Lois is straight from the movie - she even looks very much like a more elegant Margot Kidder. The rivalry between Clark and Lois is established in this issue.
#3 - One Night in Gotham City...
Superman and Batman get their first team-up and it's great: Superman tries to citizen arrest Batman at the start and, even after working together, is pretty wary of the dark knight. Batman is prepared: he warns that if Superman touches him he'll set off a bomb that would kill an innocent - it ultimately turns out to be himself. What lets this down is that the villain is a pretty lame Magpie, who - although does some pretty violent stuff - isn't enough of a challenge.
#4 - Enemy Mine...
Eighteen months later (yes, the story jumps down the timeline quickly), Lex Luthor is introduced and the origin of the Luthor/Superman feud is presented (basically it's because Superman won't go on Luthor's payroll). I like this Lex: he's a balding, ginger-haired villain that is a nod to the original Luthor in 1940. Basically, Superman fights a lot of terrorists on a boat.
#5 - The Mirror, Crack'd
The penultimate issue introduces (and kills) Bizarro who, here, is Lex Luthor's failed clone of Superman. There's an odd sub-plot of Lois Lane's blind sister who tries to commit suicide and is saved by Bizarro who then appears to give up his life so that she can regain her sight.
#6 - The Haunting
The final issue of the series has Superman return to Smallville where a computer program in his rocket informs him of his Kryptonian origins (it's the first point he realises he's an alien). There's a more engaging sub-plot where Clark is confronted by former girlfriend, Lana Lang, who reveals how damaging it was when he revealed his powers to her and left her behind.
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