Classic:Action Comics #597 (1988) 'Visitor'

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    This is one of my favorite Superman comics ever. It is written and drawn by John Byrne. It occurs right in the aftermath of 1988's modestly successful, critically and commercially, Millenium crossover, which ran through nearly all of DC's line in '88.
         The plot is quite simple; Lois travels to Smallville to get answers about the Manhunter androids who had taken over the denizens of Smallville. Lana Lang had traveled to Metropolis and ripped Clark Kent's shirt open (luckily Kent didn't have costume on) and flew out of the Daily Planet window using her Manhunter powers.This prompts reporter Lois to make the trip to Smallville.
         When she gets to Lana's house she finds Superman and Lana in an embrace. She is quite shocked as are Lana and Superman, by her sudden, unanounced arrival. Lois is starting to put two and two together about Superman and Clark Kent. She directly puts the question directly to Superman.


 Luckily Ma and Pa Kent arrive on the scene for the save. Pa thinks on his feet and tells Lois how he and Ma Kent raised BOTH Superman and Clark.



 Lois reacts with disgust, feeling that Superman fed her the odd scrap as Superman gave all the good stories to Clark, including the exclusive story of the first appearance of Superman. She feels she's been played for a fool and storms off in a huff. Clark later comes by her hotel room to explain and an irate Lois slams the door in his face. Clark sort of talks her around as the page becomes split in half, one half showing the conversation and the other showing Lois' relationship with her military and chauvinistic father. In a masterful touch by Byrne we get to see some of what makes Lois tick in these flashbacks as Lois is made to feel second best by her father as he had always wanted a son. The parallel here is between the similarity she imagines between Clark/Superman's treatment of her and her father's. It is obvious that the fallout from this perceived deceit will not heal overnight.
       The next day as Lois is leaving Smallville Lana brings her to a small diner to discuss the situation and tells Lois that Clark loves her. Lois visits Jose (Gangbuster) Delgado in hospital. He's been crippled by a supervillain created by Lex Luthor. Jose is very bitter, and he and Lois have a very touching scene. Superman then walks in and tells Jose he did well to still be alive. He asks Lois if she wants a lift home and

Jose Delgado (Gangbuster)

  she says she'd rather walk from now on, meaning their relationship has changed irrevocably.      

       What's great about it; this is one of those rare issues where there is absolutely no superheroics and is a great example of character study. In this issue we learn more about the Post Crisis Lois Lane than ever before through a simple flashback scene. The famous love triangle shared-by-two dynamic takes on a completely new wrinkle, and it is this that gives the story it's impetus. It's beautifully paced. Every so often Byrne cleverly drops visual hints that this is a time of change as we see in the foreground or background, browning, falling leaves. The passage of the seasons mimicking the changing dynamic of Clark/Superman and Lois' relationship. Of course then there is the artwork. Byrne depicts Smallville wonderfully with long windiing fences and furrowed fields. There is also vast open spaces and little farmhouses dotted around. It is almost Rockwellesque. Lana's house has that wonderful homely feel. The diner is evocative of a million other small town diners across the world in terms of it's decor and mood. Kenneth Starr's inks take away some of the slickness of Byrne's pencils in an effect that emphasizes the hazy feel of an autumnal afternoon in a small country Hamlet. A winner.