Dan Jurgens has been creating comics since 1982. He is a majorly influential talent with an incredibly long list of contributions. It’s no wonder that he was given half of the Superman duties when DC decided to revamp the character with Action Comics.
Jurgens has been writing Action Comics throughout all of Rebirth, starting with issue #957. He and Peter J. Tomasi ushered in the new era of Superman comics centered around the Kent family finding their way in a post-New 52 universe. Action Comics #1000 will be his Superman sendoff.
***SPOILERS LIE AHEAD***
“From The City That Has Everything” sees Dan Jurgens flex his artist muscle as well as his usual writer muscle. Hi-Fi comes in to do colors, Norm Rapmund does inks, and Rob Leigh contributes the letters. The story is a love letter to the “Man of Steel” and a heartfelt goodbye from a creator who truly gets the character.
It’s “Superman Day” in Metropolis and the man of the hour is too humble for his own good. Lois orchestrates Justice League interference in order for Clark to attend the ceremony and don the red undies for his adoring fans. Those fans not just being the countless lives he’s saved, but also his fellow world-saving teammates.
This really was a short and sweet sendoff. One last reminder from Dan Jurgens that Superman is the greatest of all superheroes. That final page reveal of his brightly colored crowd of fellow heroes tugs all the right heart strings.
Jurgens’ art compliments his script splendidly in both pacing and effectiveness. He’s shown time and time again that no matter the page count, he can deliver a classic Superman story. His style is very 1990’s in all the right ways. It’s a delight to see all the current DC hero costumes tastefully in this particular vision.
Dan’s tenure on Action Comics in this crucial Rebirth era is worth celebration. It’s a magnificently joyful run that was crucial in returning Superman to where he belongs, at the forefront of our hearts and heads.
Before we get to the highly anticipated debut of Brian Michael Bendis, let’s remember to thank the creators that righted the ship and got us here.
