Action Comics #650 (February 1990)
Action Comics #650 (February 1990)
ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! Several short stories, loosely connected by the running theme of how others see Superman:
In space, Superman now has a reputation as this mythic, almost Hulk Hogan-esque warrior thanks to this days as a space gladiator. Draaga, the other gladiator Superman defeated and refused to kill (in Action Annual #2) is looking for a way to get to Earth to have a rematch and reclaim his honor. He’s also wearing the tattered costume Superman forgot in Warworld to symbolize his shame.
For Lois Lane, Superman is a very nice chap, and Clark Kent is also a very nice chap (she started appreciating Clark the moment the guy quit the Daily Planet). Lois is thinking about the two and getting close to making an important realization, but luckily a traffic incident distracts her.
For other superheroes, Superman’s perception ranges from “he’s awesome” to “what a snob.” Flash is bragging to the other members of the Justice League International about how he beat Superman on their race around the world (in Adventures #463), when Martian Manhunter shows up and is like “Have some respect boy,” explaining how many times Superman helped out the original Justice League of America despite refusing membership.
For the sexy/psychotic Lady Maxima, Superman is a hot piece of ass who would make a perfect mate to co-rule her empire. While Maxima drools over some holograms of Superman in her spaceship, her three-eyed servant Sazu is still being kept by the Metropolis police in Metropolis (after kidnapping the mayor in Action #645) and if you ask her, Superman is just a spineless sap.
For Jimmy Olsen, Superman is “that jerk who made me turn elastic/go bald.” Jimmy puts his Superman-calling signal watch in a safety deposit box in the bank, since he won’t need it anymore now that he hates Supes. Oh boy, sure hope Jimmy doesn’t get trapped in any burning buildings soon.
For former LexCorp employee Amanda McCoy, Superman is obviously Clark Kent, because c'mon, it’s pretty obvious (Lex Luthor fired her for pointing that out in Superman #2, because he’s dumb). And for the guy driving her cab, he’s probably some classy dude who has a butler and spends all day chilling with other superheroes.
And finally, we see Clark Kent in his apartment doing his laundry, having re-heated leftovers for dinner and falling asleep in front of the TV. So we can conclude that for himself, Superman is just “single.”
Plotline-Watch:
The real theme of this issue is the strange and long-running fact that, for some supernatural reason, all cab rides in Metropolis cost $6.50 (even if they come from outer space):
Lois shares a cab with Perry White to cover a story, and Perry tells the cabbie to step on it. The fare is $6.50 (plus tip).
Jimmy almost gets run over outside the police station by the cab carrying Sazu’s state-appointed lawyer. It’s $6.50.
The time on Jimmy’s watch before he puts it in the safety box? 6:50.
We don’t find out how much Amanda McCoy’s cab ride costs, but check out the number on the cab:
On the same story we see a license plate that says AFK 650.
And in space, Draaga eventually hooks up with a chubby alien called (Ralph) K'raamdyn who will take him to Earth… for 650 kilo-credits. Draaga gives him 800 and lets him keep the change.
Other plots:
Lois briefly recalls the mostly-ignored plot point about how Clark and Superman supposedly grew together in Smallville (a lie Pa Kent made up on the fly to save Clark’s secret identity in Action #597). So, I was wrong when I said that thing was never mentioned again. Uh, Baldy Awards for everyone!
Among the villains that Superman is shown helping the original Justice League defeat in flashbacks, two are interesting: Starbreaker, because as it turns out he’ll come back and conquer Maxima’s planet in the future; and Darkseid, because I’m pretty sure this contradicts Superman’s “first” visit to Apokolips in Superman #3 (but I can’t be arsed to look it up).
Apparently the holo-projection of Superman beating Draaga in Warworld has gone viral in space: someone whips out a pirated copy in the bar Draaga visits, and then Maxima is “analyzing” the same recording. That’s probably how she found out about Superman, too (can’t remember if it was specified in a future issue).
The issue ends with a ubiquitous little someone going into the same bar looking for a fight, and the most promising “next issue” text ever:
Lobo vs. Bibbo? Shit, I already own that issue but I now wanna buy it again.
See comments on Tumblr: https://superman86to99.tumblr.com/post/84780065189/action-comics-650-february-1990-anniversary#disqus_thread
Missed an issue? Looking for an old storyline? Check out our new chronological issue index!
This newsletter is free and always will be, but if you'd like to support us with $1 a month or more, you'll get access to extra articles about non-continuity '90s Superman stuff (shows, video games, Elseworlds, etc) and cool giveaways. Click here to become a paid supporter!