It's not every day you see a major superhero comic reach 1000 issues. DC really pulled out all the stops with Action Comic s #1000, which also marks the 80th anniversary of the Man of Steel's debut. This issue features some of the biggest names ever to work at DC Comics, along with the DC debut of a writer who's spent the past 20 years building a career at Marvel. The result is an oversized special crammed with new content. Just don't expect a great amount of depth out of these short, nostalgic stories.

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The relatively short length of each individual story is probably the biggest sticking point in Action Comics #1000. Most of these stories only clock in at six pages or so, limiting what the various creative teams can actually accomplish. Most tend to emphasize the legacy of Superman, paying homage to his many incarnations and frequently pointing out the fact that his red trunks are back.The biggest selling point with this issue for many readers is going to be the very last story, a joint venture between the newly DC-exclusive Brian Michael Bendis and superstar artist Jim Lee. Unfortunately, that story also proves to be one of the more uneven parts of Action Comics #1000. The good news is that Bendis' distinctive voice seems to fit Superman's world very naturally. It's tough to get a great feel for his take on Superman when so much of this story is framed from the point of view from innocent bystanders, but what we do get is promising enough. And Lee proves that he's still one of the all-time great Superman artists (especially now that that hideous New 52 armor is long gone).The problem is in the payoff. Bendis drops what should be an earth-shattering, status quo-upsetting twist, but instead it feels bland and redundant. On the surface, it's nothing readers haven't seen before. And that's not to say Bendis' upcoming Superman run wont distinguish itself with time, but it is a shame that he can't generate more excitement for that run right out of the gate.Unsurprisingly, the battle-tested pairing of Tom King and Clay Mann proves to be the winner in this bunch. These two do more to break the mold than any other team, exploring Superman's plight in the distant future as the planet is consumed by the dying sun. This story is incredibly poignant and beautifully rendered. Colorist Jordie Bellaire is really the MVP of the equation, as her rendition of a blazing hot firescape dominates each and every panel.Another standout story comes as Geoff Johns and Richard Donner reunite to revisit Superman's Golden Age roots. This story manages to marry the classic "roughhousing social justice warrior" take on Superman with a more contemporary Man of Steel, one whose compassion is as great as his physical strength. Olivier Coipel gives this tale a strikingly detailed and textured look. Coipel has been impressing with his recent DC cover work, but clearly he needs to tackle a long-form interior project as soon as possible.Those three stories are the most memorable (for better or worse), but there's pretty much something for everyone in this issue. There are multiple takes on the Superman/Lex Luthor dynamic, each very different in terms of tone and style but both equally engaging. There's a fun look at Mr. Mxyzptlk, one made all the better by the steady, confident hand of Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. And Dan Jurgens gets the chance to write and draw the opening story. That chapter, while a little repetitive reads like a fitting coda to his soon-to-be concluded Action Comics run.Again, I might have preferred an issue that focused on delivering fewer, longer stories. But as a warm celebration of DC's most iconic hero, Action Comics #1000 delivers exactly what it promises.