James Meeley :: Moments Of Note

Adventures Of Superman Annual #1, page 23 (1987) - 1st App. of Hfuhruhurr the Word-Bringer, 1st Dan Jurgens Superman work

Artists: Dan Jurgens (Penciller) , Steve Montano (Inker) , Jim Starlin (Writer)

1 Comment - 255 Views - 3 Likes

Adventures Of Superman Annual #1, page 23 (1987) - 1st App. of Hfuhruhurr the Word-Bringer, 1st Dan Jurgens Superman work Comic Art

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Published page

Adventures Of Superman Annual #1 published cover

Dan Jurgens and I with the art (June 2024)

Next Item:
Fantastic Four #296, page 18 (1986) - Marvel 25th Anniversary Issue!

Artwork Details

Title:	Adventures Of Superman Annual #1, page 23 (1987) - 1st App. of Hfuhruhurr the Word-Bringer, 1st Dan Jurgens Superman work
Artist:	Dan Jurgens (Penciller)
Artist:	Steve Montano (Inker)
Artist:	Jim Starlin (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NO!
Views:	255
Likes on CAF:	3 4
Comments:	1
Added to Site:	12/18/2023
Comic Art Archive:

Description

While we all enjoy a good tale told, and comics are filled with them throughout their history, there are stories that will sometimes stick with you in a way you never expected. This Superman Annual is one of those kind of stories for me!

I had only been reading comics seriously for a few months, when I perchance came upon a copy of this issue. The cover image, with Superman fighting some monstrous horror underground, with the emblazoned words "Hell Below" on it, immediately drew my attention. That cover had me expecting something different from this comic and it certainly didn't disappoint in that. Superman investigates a small town that has seemingly become uninhabited. He learns that this is all from the twisted machinations of an alien, with a religious zealotry to creating a hive-mind called "The Union" and using it to gain revenge upon his race who cast him out for it. And while Superman defeats the alien, the cost of the victory is one that makes the Man of Steel doubt if he won anything at all. The page shown here is right before Superman learns the horrifying secret of just how The Word-Bringer creates his Union. Needless to say, it blew me away when I first read it, almost as much as it does Superman.

Jim Starlin's tale is one of great pathos and ambiguity. Concepts such as fanaticism, morality, and "the right to die" are all touched upon. He takes these difficult subjects and crafts his story around them, but presents it in a way that is respectful, sometimes shocking, yet always thought-provoking. By sheer coincidence, this issue also happens to be the first Superman work by artist Dan Jurgens (who would become one of the most notable creators to ever work on the character in later years). It may seem a little different from the style most associate with him, in part due to the inks of Steve Montano, but there's no denying the intensity of his work. I love the layout of this page, with all the small narrow panels. The use of extreme close-ups ratchets up the tension of the scene beautifully. The panels showing only their mouths is key, to me, as it shows you the emotions both characters are feeling, without any need for a larger image or lots of dialogue. A perfect example of how to take a "less is more" approach and make it effective. It almost has a cinematic flair.

Doing something interesting and thought-provoking, with such a well known quantity as Superman, is no easy task. But this story is definitely not your "run-of-the-mill" superhero affair. Equal parts mystery, horror, sci-fi, and human drama, among the vast array of stories Superman has been a part of in his over 80 years of publication, this story still manages to stand out as something different and special. It's got that unquantifiable aspect to truly great storytelling, that always sticks with you. That's why I couldn't be more pleased to be able to add a page from this incredible tale to my own personal collection!

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About the Owner

	James Meeley ( 7 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	December 2004
Last Login:	September 2025
Website:	https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3mxE1-a83M8c6l1MZXXmeg
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 12/18/2023

It's great staging and storytelling with a back and forth volley between the two that Jurgens alternates the focus on in succesive panels!

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