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Superman: 3-2-1 Action! By Kurt Busiek, Brad Walker and Steve Rude
01/06/2008 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Titan Books. 158 page graphic novel softcover. Price: £ 9.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-84576-794-5. Buy Superman: 3-2-1 Action in the USA - or Buy Superman: 3-2-1 Action in the UK  check out website: www.titanbooks.comand www.dccomics.com
The strongest images come from the era you were born in. My Jimmy Olsen, for instance, was the 60s version who looked a bit like a used car salesman in his bow-tie and green-patterned coat. Over the decades, Olsen has changed for each successive generation. Reading the first story in this book and Olsen is now barely out of his teens when he joins the Daily Planet as a copy boy as he gets a new origin.
As if you couldn't guess, this book is less about the Man of Steel's life and more to do with that of his pal and developing photographer James Bartholomew Olson with selected tales from his recent carnation in 2007 and an earlier tale based off a Jack Kirby plot used in 1999. It's a shame that the cover wasn't more revealing about the Olson focus. There might have been a groan factor but actually once read, these were actually very good choices of stories.
In the opening tale, 'Jimmy', this new version of Olson is more streetwise and an honest tryer to make ends meet from a broken home. He also garners the respect of both Perry White, Clark Kent and his alter-ego, whatshisname, when he assists against the InterGang. Writer Kurt Busiek, artist Rick Leonardi and inker Ande Parks brings the art together in a more solid way but does hit all the right notes.
The second tale, '3-2-1 Action', follows the events when Olson develops different super-powers depending on the danger he's in. This story gave its creators to play around with the various super-powered types Olson became during the 60s only with a slightly different slant to it, not to mention the problems of needing a really good tailor to furnish a super-hero costume. Artist Brad Walker and inker John Livesay's facial expressions are priceless and he does a realistic super-dog-looking Krypto.
The final tale, 'The American Evolution' goes back a few decades to the Kirby adult depiction of Olson, bringing in Darkseid's minions. Writer Mark Evanier and artist Steve Rude and inker Bill Reinhold could be mistaken for the King himself, taking on all of his style and little of their own. The best thing we were spared was Kirby's favourite exclamation 'Good gravy!' Interestingly, this was also a strong moral tale reminding everyone, including the Daily Planet's doorman, that there is a need for a backbone some times.
I have to say I was rather impressed by this volume and if you want something a little different then its worth the effort to read it.
GF Willmetts
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