Phillip Kennedy Johnson Discusses His Plans For Superman In Action Comics

Earlier this month, we discussed the latest in what writer, Phillip Kennedy Johnson will be up to with Superman and DC Comics now that his Warworld and Future State stories are complete. The biggest news is naturally his continuing work on the Action Comics series not just continuing from where the Warworld Saga ended but ushering in a new era for the Man of Steel. 

The cast from the Warworld Saga, and by extension the rest of the Superman family, will make regular appearances and go on whole new adventures beginning in Action Comics #1051 and Johnson is set to pen all stories after the #1050 anniversary issue. 

“As far as the events of the book (issue #1050) go, it’s kind of like this H-bomb that you just got to read because it’s changing everything going forward – but it’s not the beginning of the arcs to come. Those will start with Action #1051, Superman #1, and Adventures Of Superman #1 – these all start right after. #1050 really kind of flips the table and everything changes. From that point on, the new arcs start falling into place. So, 1051 is the best jumping on point,” says Johnson, “If you also want a great jumping on point as a reader that needs an introduction to Superman without too much prior reading, Action Comics #1051 is the book.” 

The Action Comics series will focus on Superman in a more classical fashion along with the supporting cast of Metropolis who we truly haven’t seen for a while with Clark on Warworld and away from his home. Classic villains such as Luthor and Metallo are set as the main villains and there will be an arc focusing on what it really means to be a city of tomorrow. Of course, the biggest and most anticipated change driving the series is the restoration of Clark Kent’s secret identity.

“It’s a bigger, brighter era of DC Comics that we’re moving in. Part of that is finding elements of classic Superman that work and everyone knows, loves, and feels good about in the context of new stories. There are certain parts of Lois and Clark where the secret identity is intact. If you lose the hat, tie, glasses, and secrets that they share – there is definitely something lost.” Kennedy said, “There are elements of that we need for specific stories.”

Superman’s new status quo and the events succeeding Action Comics #1050 will tie into the initiative – ‘Dawn of DCU’. Much like the New 52 and Rebirth, it will set the stage for new series and perhaps crossover events. Johnson mentioned the importance that the upcoming new series – Superman and Adventures of Superman (continuing the adventures of Jon Kent) will all world build the new Metropolis and tie in with each other. 

There’s clearly a lot to be excited about when it comes to the new upcoming Superman comics as a seemingly new but familiar Metropolis and Superman family await. Listen to our full interview with Phillip Kennedy Johnson for more.