Superman: Daily Planet

    (DC, 2006)
™ and © DC Comics, Inc.

This collection of stories spanning five decades was not a bad idea. The Daily Planet is as much a character in the Superman mythos as are Lana Lang and Mr. Mxyzptlk. To gather together stories highlighting the importance of that great metropolitan newspaper is eminently sensible.

Aside from the linchpin of The Planet, these stories vary in their choice of protagonists. Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Clark Kent, and Supes himself all get a turn in the driver’s seat.

As was demonstrated in Essential Jimmy Olsen (excuse me—Showcase Presents Superman Family), there are far more Planet-themed tales than can be collected in a single volume. If you’re expecting to see Bizarros ambiguously threaten to destroy “the planet,” you’ll be disappointed. But the talents of the likes of Al Plastino, Bill Finger, Wayne Boring, Elliott Maggin, Louise Simonson, and many, many others more than compensate for the omission of a particular favorite. There’s plenty of the great Curt Swan, although perhaps not so much of the equally great Kurt Schaffenberger as one might like.

— Jack Abramowitz
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  • 1
    #1
    Cover: $19.99
    W: Edmond Hamilton, Bill finger, Robert Bernstein, Otto Binder, Jerry Siegel, Leo Dorfman, E. Nelson Bridwell, Elliot S! Maggin, Martin Pasko, Bob Rozakis, Louise Simonson, Jeph Loeb, Christine Boylan  ·  A: Al Plastino, Wayne Boring, Curt Swan, Kurt Schaffenberger, Pete Costanza, Scot Eaton, Mike McKone, Ed Benés
    Collects stories from Superman (1st Series) #79, 280, Action Comics #211, 429, 436, 461, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #42, 44, 75, 124, Superman’s Girl Friend Louis Lane #17, 29, 45, 54, Superman: Save the Planet #1, and Superman (2nd Series) #151; ca. 2006
    2 copies from $19.00