Super-scribe Alan Moore wraps-up fifty plus years of Superman continuity in this two-part story from 1986.

This story by some of comics' most famous names (writer Alan Moore of Watchmen fame joined by artists Curt Swan and George Perez) is truly special. Published in the pages of both Superman monthly comics back in 1986 just before John Bryne's much-hyped relaunch, it seeks to put a coda on over fifty years of Superman stories good, bad and mediocre. This story was set to be the last under legendary editor Julius Schwartz. It would have been easy to ridicule some of the concepts, particularly those of the Mort Weisinger era, but Moore brings an obvious reverence to the project. Every page is dripping with homage and references to Silver Age concepts and characters.

We get to see Perry and Alice White, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Lana Lang and other guest stars from alternate realities and parallel dimensions. The Legion of Superheroes also pays a memorable visit. Those who don't appear are at least mentioned, as in moment when Kara, Clark's cousin and Supergirl from the 30th Century, references Streaky the Supercat while playing with Krypto the Superdog (or is that Wonder Dog? Where's DC trivia geek Mark Waid when you really need him?).

A great moment occurs when Supergirl (Spoiler Alert:,Supergirl had just recently died in the landmark Crisis on Infinite Earths mini-series when this story takes place.) asks Superman where her counterpart in his time was. Brainiac (the Legion member not the robot) intercedes, urging them to take off prompting Supergirl to deliver a classic line, "Give me my regards when I return from the past." Man I love that line. Alan Moore is genius.

A sense of foreboding and death permeates this comic (with good reason if you read any of Bryne's re-vamp). It reads like The Twilight Zone or one of those good conspiracy episodes of The X-Files. Spooky and moody. At times it's like listening to an excerpt from Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech." You just know the guy is a marked man from the start (or is he?) merely going through the motions and resigned to his place in history. Too late to turn back, the sequence of events is in motion and unfolding. A man and his dog off to face their destiny. Oh the humanity... You gotta love it.

Superman's rogue's gallery shows up as well. Lex Luthor and Brainiac bring new meaning to the term 'team-up' (buy the book and you'll understand), Kryptonite Man, and the Legion of Super-Villains show their respective ugly faces. In short, this story lives up to the hype. It's timeless and great fun with one of those great endings left to interpretation.

Check out Joe's site www.popcultureshock.com