Superman: The Man of Steel

Cover Description: The heroes of the DC Universe gather to mourn Superman. Pictured, clockwise from top right, are Batman, Robin III, Bibbo, Green Lantern II, Guardian, Mister Miracle, Fire, Nightwing, Aquaman, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, Supergirl II, and Flash II. (No Booster Gold.)

Brief Synopsis: The world mourns at Superman's funeral service.

Costume Worn: MARK I power-suit

Issue Notes: Superman diamond chronology "1993:5." This issue falls under the "Funeral for a Friend" storyline detailing the events immediately following Superman's death.

Reprints: This issue has been collected in Superman: World Without A Superman.

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ISSUE ANNOTATIONS

Page 6, panel 1
Booster Gold is shown leading the heroes following Superman's American flag-draped casket. Other heroes pictured include Aquaman, Big Barda, Black Canary II, Bloodwynd II, Captain Marvel, Dr. Fate II, Dr. Light IV, Dr. Mid-Nite, Dubbilex, Elongated Man, Fire, Flash I, Flash III, Forever People (Beautiful Dreamer, Big Bear, Mark Moonrider, Vykin the Black), Geo-Force, Green Arrow, Green Lantern I, Green Lantern II, Guardian, Guy Gardner, Ice, Kilowog, Lightray, Maxima, Metal Men (Gold, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Platinum, Tin), Metamorpho, Mister Miracle, New Titans (Nightwing, Phantasm III, Red Star, Starfire, Wildebeest), Oberon, Obsidian, Orion, Power Girl, Team Titans (Mirage II, Redwing, Killowat), Wildcat I, and Wonder Woman. Also pictured in the crowd are Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane. Immediately above and to the left of Olsen and Lane in the foreground crowd of mourners are the creators of the Death of Superman storyline, including, from left to right, Brett Breeding, Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Jennifer Frank, Michael "Mike" Carlin, Jackson Guice, Roger Stern, Dennis Janke, Louise Simonson, and Jon Bogdanove, all of whom have at some point worked on a comic book, such as this one, that included Booster Gold. This is the only known instance to date of Booster appearing in the same panel as his creator, Dan Jurgens.

Page 14, panel 3
FASHION ALERT: Pallbearers for Superman's casket are Bloodwynd II, Booster Gold, Guy Gardner, Ice, Maxima, and Supergirl II. In most ceremonies, pallbearers were people with significant relationships to the deceased. In this case, Superman's pallbearers, with the exception of Supergirl, are members of the Justice League America. All wear their costumes except for Booster Gold, whose costume was destroyed. He wears his goggles with a black leather jacket and blue jeans. Superman's mausoleum is in the base of the newly constructed Superman statue in Centennial Park.

Page 18, panel 1
Also present at the funeral are President-Elect Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary. Lex Luthor and Perry White sit behind the Clintons. President Clinton won the presidential election in November 1992, but was not sworn into office as the 42nd President of the United States of America until January 20, 1993. This issue is cover dated February 1993 but was released in December 1992, a month prior to Clinton's actual inauguration.

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ISSUE REVIEW

Boosterrific Review: Grief over the passing of Superman overflows at Superman's funeral. The sentiment expressed in this issue is generally pitch perfect in the wake of Superman's death. However, the overreaction leading to a fight scene at the funeral itself smacks more of super-powered fascism than any real danger to the assembled mourners. This was probably intended by the writers as a way to work at least a little action into an otherwise reserved situation, and the situation does not significantly detract from the story as a whole.

Boosterrific Rating:

Currently 4.0/5 Stars.

Worth Its Weight In Gold.

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