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Adventures of Superman, #500: The Man of Steel fights for his Life!
Back from the dead?! Special issue of Adventures of Superman.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
2 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Ordway
920 books47 followersJeremiah "Jerry" Ordway is an American writer, penciller, inker and painter of comic books. He is known for his inking work on a wide variety of DC Comics titles, including the continuity-redefining classic Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985–1986), his long run working on the Superman titles from 1986–1993, and for writing and painting the Captain Marvel original graphic novel The Power of Shazam! (1994), and writing the on-going monthly series from 1995-1999. He has provided inks for artists such as Curt Swan, Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, John Buscema and Steve Ditko.
Ordway was inspired in his childhood by Marvel Comics, and dreamed of drawing Daredevil, Spider-Man, and Avengers. (To date he has only worked on the latter.) He produced occasional work for Marvel between 1984 and 1988, then returned a decade later to write and illustrate a three-issue arc of Avengers (vol. 3) #16-18 (1999), as well as penciling the four-issue crossover mini-series Maximum Security (#1-3 and prologue Dangerous Planet) in 2000-2001.
In 1986, along with writer/artist John Byrne and writer Marv Wolfman, Ordway was one of the architects trusted with revamping Superman, in the wake of the Ordway-inked continuity-redefining maxiseries Crisis on Infinite Earths. Launching, with a revised origin and new continuity, in Byrne's miniseries, The Man of Steel, Superman soon returned to featuring in a number of titles. After the titular title Superman was cancelled and replaced with Man of Steel, it was swiftly relaunched as Adventures of Superman, continuing the numbering of the original Superman comic, with Wolfman as writer and Ordway as primary artist.
When Wolfman departed the title, John Byrne briefly took over scriptwriting duties before Ordway assumed the mantle of writer-artist and took over the series solely. Switching from Adventures of Superman, Ordway took over as writer-artist on the companion title Superman (vol. 2) between 1989 and 1991, before later returning to Adventures.. as writer. While writing for the Superman family of titles, he helped devise the epic "Death of Superman" storyline in 1992. After seven years working on the character, Ordway largely left the Superman titles in 1993, although he would make frequent returns to the character as writer and artist throughout his career.
In 1994, Ordway masterminded the return of the original Captain Marvel to the DC Universe with the 96-page hardcover graphic novel The Power of Shazam!, which he both wrote and painted. The story saw Ordway depict the revamped origins of the former-Fawcett Comics superhero. An early example of the one-shot Original Graphic Novel, it proved to be a success, and was followed by an on-going monthly series, also titled The Power of Shazam! (which ran between 1995 and 1999). Ordway wrote and provided painted covers for the entire run of the regular series, as well as illustrating fill-in issues between series-regular artists Peter Krause and Mike Manley. Towards the end of the series run, he again took on the dual role of writer & artist.
For Image Comics, Ordway co-created the character WildStar (with Al Gordon) in 1993, and published his creator-owned one-shot The Messenger in July 2000.
Ordway was inspired in his childhood by Marvel Comics, and dreamed of drawing Daredevil, Spider-Man, and Avengers. (To date he has only worked on the latter.) He produced occasional work for Marvel between 1984 and 1988, then returned a decade later to write and illustrate a three-issue arc of Avengers (vol. 3) #16-18 (1999), as well as penciling the four-issue crossover mini-series Maximum Security (#1-3 and prologue Dangerous Planet) in 2000-2001.
In 1986, along with writer/artist John Byrne and writer Marv Wolfman, Ordway was one of the architects trusted with revamping Superman, in the wake of the Ordway-inked continuity-redefining maxiseries Crisis on Infinite Earths. Launching, with a revised origin and new continuity, in Byrne's miniseries, The Man of Steel, Superman soon returned to featuring in a number of titles. After the titular title Superman was cancelled and replaced with Man of Steel, it was swiftly relaunched as Adventures of Superman, continuing the numbering of the original Superman comic, with Wolfman as writer and Ordway as primary artist.
When Wolfman departed the title, John Byrne briefly took over scriptwriting duties before Ordway assumed the mantle of writer-artist and took over the series solely. Switching from Adventures of Superman, Ordway took over as writer-artist on the companion title Superman (vol. 2) between 1989 and 1991, before later returning to Adventures.. as writer. While writing for the Superman family of titles, he helped devise the epic "Death of Superman" storyline in 1992. After seven years working on the character, Ordway largely left the Superman titles in 1993, although he would make frequent returns to the character as writer and artist throughout his career.
In 1994, Ordway masterminded the return of the original Captain Marvel to the DC Universe with the 96-page hardcover graphic novel The Power of Shazam!, which he both wrote and painted. The story saw Ordway depict the revamped origins of the former-Fawcett Comics superhero. An early example of the one-shot Original Graphic Novel, it proved to be a success, and was followed by an on-going monthly series, also titled The Power of Shazam! (which ran between 1995 and 1999). Ordway wrote and provided painted covers for the entire run of the regular series, as well as illustrating fill-in issues between series-regular artists Peter Krause and Mike Manley. Towards the end of the series run, he again took on the dual role of writer & artist.
For Image Comics, Ordway co-created the character WildStar (with Al Gordon) in 1993, and published his creator-owned one-shot The Messenger in July 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 12, 2017
This whole death of Superman story line has been nothing short of amazing.In this one Jonathan Kent literally fights for his life and that of his adopted son.By the end of the book there has been several Superman sightings.Could The Man Of Steel have come back from the dead?
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April 25, 2023Avrei potuto usare meglio questi 3€ tipo metterli in culo alla mia crush come un salvadanaio
December 29, 2020
In a previous story, Superman went head to head against the powerful villain Doomsday with the result being that they beat each other to death. This caused the entire world to mourn and led to Superman’s (Clark Kent) father, Jonathan Kent having a severe heart attack. There was a major funeral for Superman and his body was placed in a tomb.
Much of this story has Jonathan and Superman being in some sort of limbo with angelic/demonic creatures and Jonathan experiencing flashbacks to his time in the Korean War. Superman is supposedly back on Krypton and is being transported in a sedan chair. While on Earth, there appears to be little hope that Jonathan will survive.
Several other storylines are briefly presented, including a budding gang war where extremely powerful weapons are being used by one side led by a strong villainess. Crime continues to rise when suddenly a creature invulnerable to bullets bearing a resemblance to Superman appears. However, unlike Superman, he does not hesitate to kill humans. No explanation of his origin is given.
There is a lab where a clone has been created and has escaped confinement. He has the appearance of a teenager, the costume of a Superman and at least some of the powers. The last panel features what appears to be a combination of Superman and machine.
With all of this context supplied and only partially described/explained there are many paths that could be followed in the continued development of this storyline. It is one of the most imaginative potential rebirth stories ever created.
Much of this story has Jonathan and Superman being in some sort of limbo with angelic/demonic creatures and Jonathan experiencing flashbacks to his time in the Korean War. Superman is supposedly back on Krypton and is being transported in a sedan chair. While on Earth, there appears to be little hope that Jonathan will survive.
Several other storylines are briefly presented, including a budding gang war where extremely powerful weapons are being used by one side led by a strong villainess. Crime continues to rise when suddenly a creature invulnerable to bullets bearing a resemblance to Superman appears. However, unlike Superman, he does not hesitate to kill humans. No explanation of his origin is given.
There is a lab where a clone has been created and has escaped confinement. He has the appearance of a teenager, the costume of a Superman and at least some of the powers. The last panel features what appears to be a combination of Superman and machine.
With all of this context supplied and only partially described/explained there are many paths that could be followed in the continued development of this storyline. It is one of the most imaginative potential rebirth stories ever created.
December 15, 2024
Starting to read comics, and I’m following a Kon El reading guide! This is the first issue to read.
I had to do some guessing when I was starting this. Obviously, being issue #500, and not really being a comic reader, there were some things that happened that I wasn’t aware if. Most pressingly, the death of Superman. It was pretty simple to piece things together though, and there wasn’t anything massive I couldn’t figure out.
I was super intrigued immediately in this comic! I thought the pacing, with stories weaved throughout each other, was done well and not confusing. I really enjoyed that aspect. Jonathan being a center character was not something I expected, but something I really liked. His persistence is admirable- with him always reaching out for his son. Clark and Jonathan have a great dynamic. “We’re doing this together.” <3 Martha and Lois, though not as prominent in the story, support each other through the tough times. I like the detail that Lois came from Metropolis to be with Martha- they’re sweet.
Of course, I was excited for the appearance of one Super in particular- Kon. His appearance is short, but here he is! Also interested in John Henry, considering I’ve heard about a bit about him but don’t know almost anything.
Also, the art is great; really enjoy the look of these older comics. Honorable mention to the ending letters which are super fun to read. Super excited to continue reading comics in general and learn more about the supers! :]
I had to do some guessing when I was starting this. Obviously, being issue #500, and not really being a comic reader, there were some things that happened that I wasn’t aware if. Most pressingly, the death of Superman. It was pretty simple to piece things together though, and there wasn’t anything massive I couldn’t figure out.
I was super intrigued immediately in this comic! I thought the pacing, with stories weaved throughout each other, was done well and not confusing. I really enjoyed that aspect. Jonathan being a center character was not something I expected, but something I really liked. His persistence is admirable- with him always reaching out for his son. Clark and Jonathan have a great dynamic. “We’re doing this together.” <3 Martha and Lois, though not as prominent in the story, support each other through the tough times. I like the detail that Lois came from Metropolis to be with Martha- they’re sweet.
Of course, I was excited for the appearance of one Super in particular- Kon. His appearance is short, but here he is! Also interested in John Henry, considering I’ve heard about a bit about him but don’t know almost anything.
Also, the art is great; really enjoy the look of these older comics. Honorable mention to the ending letters which are super fun to read. Super excited to continue reading comics in general and learn more about the supers! :]
October 21, 2023
El cómic más corto que tengo y por lo tanto más rápido de leer en la saga que inició con la muerte de Supermán. Nos prepara de manera muy interesante a la siguiente etapa de la saga, Reign of the Supermen, para el real regreso de Superman en Coast City. Sumamente recomendado.
April 5, 2022
Kon! Kon! Kon! Kon! Kon! Kon! Kon! Kon!
October 27, 2022
Interesting first appearance of Conner Kent
August 16, 2025
Superman kills a guy which is 10/10. Superboy origin is 10/10. Superman is also a robot apparently. These two 10/10 parts were great but also very brief parts of a surprisingly boring comic.
October 17, 2025
Actually surprised Jon had more life in him, given I'm so used to seeing the character die in adaptations. Basically, this is the issue where questions of whether Superman may be back arise.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews