Cornell Takes on Action Comics

By John Freeman on April 13, 2010

Hugo Award-nominated, top British comics creator Paul Cornell – whose credits include Captain Britain and MI13 and Doctor Who – has just been announced as the writer of DC Comics prestigious Superman title, Action Comics.

Paul Cornell will join interior artist Pete Woods and cover artist David Finch on Action Comics in June, stepping in at a critical point for Superman, coming out of The War of the Supermen.

“I’m seriously psyched to be working on such a legendary title,” says Paul via his blog, “and to be back on an ongoing again, and to be working with artist Pete Woods, whose designs are a delight already.

“And my first story arc centres on Lex Luthor, who’s always been a favourite of mine.”

“So many legendary creators have written this title in the past that I’m giddy and frankly terrified at the prospect of following in their footsteps,” he commented on the DC Comics site The Source.

Paul replaces author Marc Guggenheim, who had been announced as the new Action Comics writer earlier in the year but who, says Superman Group Editor Matt Idelson, had concerns about whether he was the man to write the tale he had come up with for the title. “Rather than do a disservice to the book, the readers and himself, Marc decided to step away from Action, and we both know that sometime in the future, we’ll be collaborating on Superman for sure.”

Action Comics has often been a ‘home’ for British talent: artist Gary Frank is among recent creators who have worked on the title.

• Paul Cornell’s Official Web Site

• Pete Woods Official web site

• DC Comics web site

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.