Action Annual 3 – President Superman

Action Annual 3 is an Armageddon 2001 crossover, one of three in which Waverider looks into a possible future of Superman, to see if he will become the tyrant Monarch.

Rgoer Stern scripts, with art by Grummett, Rodier, Hazelwood, Garzon and Vancata.  The story does have one significant present day event, as Superman comes across parademons resurrecting Kalibak, who escapes back to Apokolips.

Waverider looks into a future in which Pa Kent dies, crushed by his tractor.  Clark marries Lois, and the two begin working with politician Pete Ross.  When Pete runs for president, he asks Clark to be his campaign manager.

An attempted assassination reveals Clark to be Superman, and also takes Pete out of the race.  Superman takes his place, and is elected president.

With Aquaman’s help, Superman retrieves a huge amount of lost gold from the ocean floor.  Aside from drastically reducing the price of gold, I am not sure how this would help the economy.

Anyway, Superman assembles a large group of heroes, and wants to enlist them all in a world wide peace brigade.  Aside from supporting heroes Gangbuster, the Guardian and Agent Liberty, we see Justice Leaguers Martian Manhunter, Flash, Guy Gardner, Wonder Woman, Batman, Fire, Ice, Blue Beetle, Dr. Fate and Power Girl, Teen Titans members Starfire, Pantha, Phantasm, Nightwing and Red Star, and Doom Patrol members Cliff Steele, Rebis and Crazy Jane, as well as Robin, Hawk and Dove, and Starman.  Everyone is on board with the idea except for Guy Gardner, who gets into a big fight with Superman.

Hal Jordan and John Steward show up, and strip guy of his Green Lantern ring.  Hal later offers the ring to Superman, who turns it down, as being just too much power for him.

Waverider dismisses Superman as a suspect, but the experience had an effect on the hero.  Recalling the danger to Pa Kent, Superman saves him from being crushed by the tractor.

Tagged: Action Comics, Agent Liberty, Aquaman, Armageddon 2001, Batman, Blue Beetle, Brad Vancata, Carlos Garzon, Cliff Steele, Crazy Jane, DC Comics, Denis Rodier, Doom Patrol, Doug Hazelwood, Dove, Dr Fate, Fire, Flash, Gangbuster, Green Lantern, Guardian, Guy Gardner, Hal Jordan, Hawk, Hawk and Dove, Ice, John Stewart, Justice League International, Lois Lane, Martian Manhunter, New Titans, Nightwing, Pa Kent, Pantha, Pete Ross, Phantasm, Power Girl, Rebis, Red Star, Robin, Roger Stern, Starfire, Starman, Tom Grummett, Wonder Woman