This Just Happened: Superman Watches The Destruction of Krypton

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read ACTION COMICS #14 yet and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoiler alerts ahead!).

 

A few weeks back, we teased that ACTION COMICS #14 would feature a game-changing back-up story. Well if you picked up the issue when it hit stores this past Wednesday, you now know exactly what we were talking about!

 

From the creative team of writer Sholly Fisch and artists Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, “Star Light, Star Bright…” changes the history of Superman forever. Fans finally found out why Superman was making regular trips to a particular planetarium located in New York City: to locate his home planet of Krypton. And helping him? Real-life world-renowned astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

 

In “Star Light, Star Bright…” Superman visits the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium to see Dr. Tyson. In a room full of his colleagues, Tyson focuses telescopes from all over the world on the Corvus constellation. One particular star in this constellation, LHS 2520, holds special meaning for Superman. This star is Krypton’s red sun, Rao. 

 

The data from all of the telescopes are integrated and assembled by Superman to create images of Rao and Krypton. The images of Krypton’s tragic death have just reached the Earth, twenty-seven years after the event. Surrounded by astrophysicists, Superman witnesses the destruction of his home planet. In other words, Krypton was located on its final day of existence. 

 

"This is a major milestone in the Superman mythos that gives our Super Hero a place in the universe,” DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio said in a press release earlier this week. "Having Neil deGrasse Tyson in the book was one thing, but by applying real world science to this story he has forever changed Superman’s place in history. Now fans will be able to look up at the night’s sky and say – ‘that’s where Superman was born’."

 

Below, take a look at a page from “Star Light, Star Bright …” as Krypton is located and the Man of Steel witnesses its destruction. And don’t forget to pick up your copy of ACTION COMICS #14, in stores now!

 

DC COMICS AND NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON PUT KRYPTON ON THE MAP WITH HISTORIC SUPERMAN STORY

World Renowned Astrophysicist Makes Guest Appearance In ACTION COMICS #14 And Helps Pinpoint Icon’s Home Planet In Our Known Universe


BURBANK, Calif. (November 5, 2012) – Fact and fiction merge in the newest issue of DC Comics’ ACTION COMICS #14, bringing real world implications to the iconic Superman story. In the explosive back-up story for ACTION COMICS #14 titled “Star Light, Star Bright”, world-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson helps Superman find his home planet of Krypton on its final day of existence. Today, Dr. Tyson announces an actual location for a Krypton-like system in our known universe. ACTION COMICS #14 hits stores on November 7.

 

"This is a major milestone in the Superman mythos that gives our Super Hero a place in the universe,” said DC Entertainment co-publisher, Dan DiDio. "Having Neil deGrasse Tyson in the book was one thing, but by applying real world science to this story he has forever changed Superman’s place in history. Now fans will be able to look up at the night’s sky and say – ‘that’s where Superman was born’."

 

The red dwarf star designated for having the ability to support a Krypton-like planet is located in the constellation Corvus 27.1 light years from Earth. The star, designated LHS 2520, possesses a red, highly turbulent surface, somewhat cooler and smaller than the Sun. To find it in the night’s sky, amateur astronomers and Superman fans can follow these coordinates:

 

J2000

Right Ascension: 12 hours 10 minutes 5.77 seconds

Declination:  -15 degrees 4 minutes 17.9 seconds

Proper Motion: 0.76 arcseconds per year, along 172.94 degrees from due north

 

Dr. Tyson has a well-documented history applying science to entertainment in order to make the subject accessible and exciting to the public. He is the Director of Hayden Planetarium at the AmericanMuseum of Natural History, which since its founding in 1935 has served as the premier conduit between the frontier of cosmic discovery and the public's appreciation of it.  Tyson also recently made headlines by getting film director, James Cameron, to alter the night’s sky as seen in The Titanic due to inaccuracies. The adjustment was made and can be seen in the re-release of Titanic 3-D.

 

Tyson noted, “As a native of Metropolis, I was delighted to help Superman, who has done so much for my city over all these years.  And it’s clear that if he weren’t a superhero he would have made quite an astrophysicist.”

 

 “Star Light, Star Bright” is written by Sholly Fisch, a veteran in the educational media field and longtime comic book writer. Fisch and DC Comics editor Wil Moss collaborated with Dr. Tyson on the creation of this epic tale and its real world applications. The story is supported by the stellar art team of Chris Sprouse and Karl Story. “Star Light, Star Bright” appears at the end of ACTION COMICS #14, which features a lead story  penned by comic book industry superstar Grant Morrison with art by Rags Morales and Mark Propst. 

ACTION COMICS #14 To Feature A Game-Changing Back-Up Story

Next month, Superman fans will witness an explosive and defining revelation in “Star Light, Star Bright…,” the back-up story in ACTION COMICS #14.

 

Regular ACTION COMICS back-up writer Sholly Fisch welcomes aboard the stellar art team of Chris Sprouse and Karl Story for a tale that finds the Man of Steel making a mysterious trip to an observatory. But why is he there? Why would someone so well versed in other planets need the help of an observatory? We asked the back-up story’s editor Wil Moss to give us a clue as to what Superman is up to. Take it away, Wil! 

 

“The back-up in ACTION COMICS #14 is a really terrific little story, but we can’t tell you much about it yet,” Moss teased. “All we can say is that it’s IMPORTANT! Historic, even! Superman has been making these regular trips to an observatory. But why? What is he searching for? Find out this November … and wait’ll you see who’s helping him!”

 

Place your bets in the comments section below about what you think Superman is looking for, and don’t forget to pick up ACTION COMICS #14 when it flies into stores on November 7th.

What Unites the World’s Greatest Super Heroes?

1) Alien menaces

2) Mysterious underwater creatures

3) Unexpected visitors from other worlds

4) An unsolved kidnapping

5) An international special forces team

6) All of the above

Think you know the answer? Find out this October when the second issues of the Justice League and Young Justice group titles in DC Comics’ The New 52 are published.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #2

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

1:25 Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

1:200 B&W variant cover by JIM LEE

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

What happens when the World’s Greatest Detective takes on the world’s most powerful alien? You’ll find out when Batman and Superman throw down. Batman will need all his intellect, cunning and physical prowess to take on The Man of Steel.

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of the issue.

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #2

Written by DAN JURGENS

Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN

Cover by AARON LOPRESTI

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The United Nations’ new international team of heroes must learn to work together – and fast – if they’re going to discover the mystery behind the giant alien Signalmen who are appearing all over the globe. Can Booster Gold lead his team to victory, or will they fall?

AQUAMAN #2

Written by GEOFF JOHNS

Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The red-hot creative team behind BLACKEST NIGHT and BRIGHTEST DAY reunite!

An entire town…devoured! As Aquaman and Mera discover the grisly truth behind a town’s disappearance, the Trench infestation spreads inland! Plus: Another gruesome Trench power revealed – and it’s not for the squeamish!

WONDER WOMAN #2

Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO

Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Hera, Queen of the Gods, does not take her vengeance lightly – and if Wonder Woman is so foolish as to stand in the way of her whim, then Wonder Woman is her enemy. But it’s Hera’s daughter Diana should truly fear – the goddess of discord is coming to Paradise Island, and murder always follows in her wake!

THE FLASH #2

Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO

Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

1:200 B&W variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The Fastest Man Alive learns he can make his brain function even faster than before – but as much as it helps him, it also comes with a steep price. Plus: The mystery behind Barry Allen’s friend Manuel Lago deepens as Barry investigates his kidnapping at the hands of Mob Rule!

CAPTAIN ATOM #2

Written by J.T. KRUL

Art by FREDDIE WILLIAMS II

Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Losing control of his powers, unable to stop the sensory overload in his mind, Captain Atom wants nothing more than to find a quiet place to regroup. But how can he shut out the signals floating in the air – especially when they’re crying out for help?

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #2

Written by ETHAN VAN SCIVER and GAIL SIMONE

Art by YILDIRAY CINAR

Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Three innocent high school kids are caught in the crosshairs of an international special forces team with orders to murder them in cold blood...until two of those teenagers summon the terrifying, living nuclear monstrosity known as the Fury of Firestorm! Do not miss this disturbing look into the future of super powers in the DC Universe!

MISTER TERRIFIC #2

Written by ERIC WALLACE

Art by GIANLUCA GUGLIOTTA

Cover by J.G. JONES

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

An electrifying new villain joins the DCU! Meet Brainstorm, the man determined to bring Los Angeles to its knees – beginning with billionaire Michael Holt. But even if he can break this new enemy’s hold on an unsuspecting city, how can Mister Terrific defeat a foe even smarter than himself? Luckily, the last time he faced a problem he couldn’t solve, he perfected infinite fractal mechanics!

GREEN ARROW #2

Written by J.T. KRUL

Art by DAN JURGENS and GEORGE PEREZ

Cover by DAVE WILKINS

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Super Hero executions will now be televised! After taking down members of a “celebrity” gang – privileged, decadent teens who buy their powers and stage fights with unsuspecting victims – Green Arrow finds himself in the crosshairs of the entire team! It’s Ollie Queen vs. a dozen thrill killers while the world watches – live!

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #2

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art and cover by PHILIP TAN

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

When the alien creature known as Morphicius starts draining the life force from Carter Hall, a.k.a. Hawkman, he learns that there’s more to his new victim than meets the eye. The mysterious properties of the Nth Metal protect Hawkman – but in the process, they are also making Morphicius powerful! With innocent lives in the balance, can Hawkman turn the table on his enemy, or are Morphicius newfound powers too powerful to stop?

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #2

Written by PAUL JENKINS

Art by BERNARD CHANG

Cover by RYAN SOOK

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Ever since he died and became Deadman, Boston Brand has served the deity known as Rama Kushna, inhabiting bodies to complete missions that she dictates. But for the first time, Deadman may have a clue how to gain some control over his “life.” But the cost may be the souls of the bodies he inhabits!

TEEN TITANS #2

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

A strange creature haunts the streets of Los Angeles... and because of this creature’s age, both Red Robin and N.O.W.H.E.R.E. are racing to find her – but neither side is prepared for the horror known as Bugg!

Meanwhile, Superboy is on a collision course with the team, and Kid Flash plots his escape from N.O.W.H.E.R.E. with the most unexpected of allies!

STATIC SHOCK #2

Written by SCOTT McDANIEL and JOHN ROZUM

Art by SCOTT McDANIEL and ANDY OWENS

Cover by CHRIS BRUNNER

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Static finds himself the target of dark forces as Virule and the Slate Gang unleash their deadly trap! Will Static’s debut end before it has even started?

BLUE BEETLE #2

Written by TONY BEDARD

Art by IG GUARA and RUY JOSE

Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and SAL REGLA

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Jaime Reyes was trying to save his best friend when an alien weapon attached itself to his spine. Now, if he wants to live to see tomorrow, Jaime must defeat a team of Super-Villains who want the weapon for more nefarious purposes.

HAWK AND DOVE #2

Written by STERLING GATES

Art and cover by ROB LIEFELD

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Hawk and Dove continue their investigation of the enigmatic Alexander Quirk! Who is he? What does he want? A secret laboratory might hold the answers, but it might also spell the end for Hawk and Dove! To top things off, the monster watching our heroes from the shadows finally makes his move – and he’s got a terrifying new partner!

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #2

Written by PAUL LEVITZ

Art by FRANCIS PORTELA

Cover by CHRIS SPROUSE and KARL STORY

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Taken hostage on a hostile world, the Espionage Squad is outmatched by a rebel leader that only one Legionnaire could possibly stand against – but Legion leader Mon-El may be outgunned as well! And just what does Brainiac 5 see in Glorith’s magic that could be a game changer for the Legion?

LEGION LOST #2

Written by FABIAN NICIEZA

Art and cover by PETE WOODS

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Trapped in time with two teammates already dead and unsure if they’re infected or can ever return home, the lost Legionnaires must confront the horrific reality about the pathogen released by the terrorist Alastor when they are forced to confront the very first Hypersapien!

Prepare for THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE

It’s all been building to this, folks. Bruce Wayne – Batman – has been lost in time and believed dead by his closest allies. His former sidekick has taken the cowl. Gotham remains under constant assault. But the question remains: where – or when – is Batman?

BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1 launches a special, six-issue event that chronicles the return of the original Dark Knight, springing from the mind of writer Grant Morrison. With each issue spanning a different era of time and featuring the dynamic artwork of a different, A-list comic book artist.

First up we have Chris Sprouse, who handles art chores on the first, extra-sized issue. And we just so happen to have a first look at the pages below. In the on-deck circle: Frazer Irving for #2. Get ready.

BATMAN: RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1 hits 5/12.

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Some MANHUNTER art to close out Monday

You've all read STREETS OF GOTHAM #1, right? As previously discussed, every issue will feature a MANHUNTER co-feature, from writer Marc Andreyko and artist Georges Jeanty, continuing the adventures of Kate Spencer as she learns the twists and turns that come with a Gotham City residence. And since today seems to be all about keeping people happy between issues, we've got some inks and finished pages from Mr. Jeanty and inker Karl Story for you.

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