Okay let's some stuff straight, I don't have a clear favorite era, its mostly between Bronze Age and Modern Age. My least favorite era is the Silver Age, I don't hate it but I'm just not fond of that particular era of Superman for several reasons, one of the main reasons was how they screwed up Lois Lane. I'm not exactly a feminist but the Lois Lane series during the Silver Age was screwed up to the point of being sexist, while Byrne's Lois wasn't perfect, she was at least a more competent character than Silver Age Lois.
For my money, Lois only really worked in the Golden Age. She could be cruel to Clark, yes, and pushy and frequently (if not constantly) in need of rescue, but somehow it all worked back then, possibly because she was based on a common "type" in films of the era; the brassy broad with, deep down, a heart of gold; the "tough as nails" gal trying to make it in a man's world by being harder than the men, but in the end she melts for Mr Right. When I read GA Lois I think of Rosalind Russell in
His Girl Friday, and it usually works.
That said, it's no secret I'm not a fan of Lois in any era. Byrne did nothing to change that, frankly, and if anything she just got more annoying in the 80s. She also didn't benefit from the "stylish" haircuts that dated the books as soon as they hit the stands, although in that respect she at least fared better than Byrne's Sue Richards.
I also like The Death of Superman arc, I really love "Funeral For a Friend" as much as "Not A Dream... Not A Hoax, but Real! The Last Days of Superman", now to those who always complain it being a gimmick, there are always gimmicks in comic books and the Silver Age were filled with them, some of them quite embarrasing.
The Silver Age was full of gimmicks, and yes a lot of them were lame. But they were usually over in an issue, not a year or two, and they never involved multiple covers or similar "buy me thrice" foolishness.
I thought The Death of Superman arc was extremely weak, and "Funeral For A Friend" was a waste of time, but I did really enjoy "Reign of the Supermen" for what it was; in fact it's the last time I really looked forward to buying a new Superman title every week. The ending was kind of "meh," but the rest was well done. Looking back, I realize the high point of Modern Age Superman for me was this period when Superman was not actually in the books.
As for Steel Age Superman killing off the Pocket Universe villains, I'm very mixed about it however it lead to a great storyline in "Exile".
I suppose there was some merit to what came after, but the killing itself remains unredeemed. Superman didn't learn anything on his post-killing quests that he shouldn't have already known if he were a true hero. And while I appreciate the efforts of those who followed Byrne, there's only so much glory to be earned in cleaning up someone else's mess.
I'm sure I didn't leave a good impression on some people here but hey its my opinion.
Though most of us tend to be "of a mind" on many things, these boards have never insisted on "Group Think," so your opinions are welcome and, from where I sit, well presented. Welcome to STTA...and to the "I Got A Degree For THIS?" Club.
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