Gail Simone and Rainbow Rowell are the next Superman Superstars to work on Action Comics in 2024

Gail Simone is returning to Superman for the the next arc of Action Comics. The writer is teaming up with artist Eddy Barrows for 'Superman and the Challenge from the Stars', the third part of DC's year-long Superman Superstars initiative, which pairs the biggest writers and artists up to create distinct three-issue arcs. 

The new story flashes back to the start of the Man of Steel's career as a superhero and runs from July's Action Comics #1067 through to September's #1069 in what DC is calling "a not-to-be missed epic tale of Superman's strength, wit, and resourcefulness," as a powerful alien race attacks the Earth.

You can check out Barrows' main cover, plus variants by Ben Oliver and Wes Craig in the gallery below.

"I love the classic Superman cast, and this story is deliberately meant to echo my all-time favorite Superman time period," said Simone in a statement. "We didn't want to tell a quiet story of Superman in a diner; we wanted to have a massive threat, a war taking place all over the world, and only Superman could possibly protect his adopted planet. It is unapologetically huge in scope and fun as hell, with one of the best art teams I've ever worked with…Eddy Barrows, Danny Miki, and Rex Lokus on colors!"

"For me talking about Action Comics is something that goes beyond the title itself," added Barrows. "I remember when I was 7 years old, I was playing on the sidewalk, and suddenly I was run over by a truck, right there. I spent 3 days fighting for my life, and during that whole year that followed I remained in bed, doing lots of physiotherapy, lots of meds and exams. Going to the doctors was a very regular thing. And it was during that time that Superman came to my life, reading Action Comics. Kal-El became a good friend of mine, making my days better. His adventures and his behavior were things that stuck with me! Reading his stories were the highlight of my days, for a 7-year-old recovering from an accident like I was. Back then I wouldn't have