When DC relaunched its entire line in September 2011, one of the largest controversies associated with the idea was relaunching Action Comics with a new #1 issue. (Superman had already been relaunched with a new #1 and later renumbered.) For the occasion, Jim Lee also helped redesign Superman’s costume, now said to reflect Kryptonian battle armor.
Of all of the DC’s initial relaunch offerings, Action Comics Vol. 2, written by Grant Morrison, won particular critical praise as well as high sales. Set during Superman’s first year, Action Comics featured a vaguely socialist Superman, opposed to the corrupt power structure in Metropolis, a throwback to the earliest issues of Action Comics Vol. 1. Superman had not yet completed his costume, instead wearing blue jeans.
The initial present-day offerings included three other ongoing series: Superman Vol. 3, written by George Pérez; Superboy Vol. 2, written by Scott Lobdell; and Supergirl Vol. 6, written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson.
