Here is the latest in our year-long look at one cool comic (whether it be a self-contained work, an ongoing comic or a run on a long-running title that featured multiple creative teams on it over the years) a day (in no particular order whatsoever)! Here's the archive of the comics posted so far!

Today we look at the very first Action Comics Annual, by John Byrne, Art Adams and Dick Giordano.

Enjoy!

Action Comics Annual #1, released in 1987, is a curious book to look at nowadays, as it is very much steeped in the continuity of the day (soon after John Byrne had done his reboot of Superman), at least as it pertains to the relationship between Batman and Superman.

Still, it is a well-told vampire story with great artwork by Art Adams, making (I believe) his first full-issue debut at DC, and on an over-sized annuals featuring their two biggest characters, no less!!!

The comic opens with a bunch of villagers chasing a young woman named Skeeter into the swamp. Of course, things are not as they seem...







It reminds me a bit of the first scene in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer - the cute blonde chick is actually a vampire!!!

So Batman travels to the town tracking a killer who leaves his/her victims looking like a vampire killed them.

Adams is definitely vibing Miller here....







The townspeople, however, think he is a vampire, too!

He realizes he needs some extra help here, so he contacts Superman. Note the state of their relationship - they still barely know each other...





The townspeople are not the only ones who think Batman is a vampire, though...



When she realizes he isn't, it does not go well for Batman. She is also pissed, so she decides to cause all of her victims to rise from the grave and attack the town. Superman must get involved...







Byrne told a strong story but wow, Adams and Giordano are excellent here! This lived up to the hype!

The resolution of the issue was particularly cool. Be sure to seek it out (Batman has some really awesome badass moments, especially the dénouement to the story).