SUPERMAN #1-3/Action Comics #584-586 (1986- 1987): Early in Byrne’s Run

After his Man of Steel miniseries, Byrne launched a new Superman #1 and then took over the reins on Action Comics, which at the time was the longest-running comic in history.

He starts with Superman exploring his powers…

One thing I really like about a good reimagining of existing characters is when a writer figures out a new use for an old power set.  Here, Superman figures out he can CSI the scene later if he brings it out into space.  This also reminds me of the several times John Byrne lifted cities in the pages of Fantastic Four…

But here, in Man of Steel, Byrne explained how the soil didn’t collapse–how it could actually be possible to make this happen.  I love that.  And he does this kind of thing twice in the first issue.  Later, when he introduces Metallo, he explains for the first time (at least to my knowledge) how Kryptonite actually works…

Very cool.

Meanwhile, over in Action Comics, Byrne reestablishes Superman’s compassion…

Issue #2 provided a third example of using a well-established character’s powerset in a new and creative way. 

Superman protects his identity by constantly vibrating! Also, this issue is the one where we got to see bald Luthor.

Lex’s computer figures out that Kent is Superman, but Luthor thinks he’s smarter than his own supercomputer and dismissed it.

Other notable events in these early issues include Superman uttering his iconic line…

And the first crossover: Issues #3/586 had Superman taking on Darkseid.

Of course it’s great.