Savage Dawn Reading Guide

Overview:

Superman: Savage Dawn is a 2016 storyline in DC Comics, with significant contributions from writers like Gene Luen Yang, Greg Pak, and Peter Tomasi, along with artists including Aaron Kuder and Howard Porter. It spans across multiple titles, mainly Action Comics, Superman, and Superman/Wonder Woman.

In this arc, Superman is dealing with the aftereffects of the “Truth” storyline, where his identity is exposed, and his powers are significantly diminished. He’s not just weaker; his powers are becoming unstable, often putting him and others at risk. As he struggles to adapt to his new reality, Superman faces a major threat in Vandal Savage, an ancient immortal who orchestrates events to gain ultimate power, becoming the main antagonist. The storyline also brings other key DC characters, like Wonder Woman and Batman, into the mix as allies.

Critical reception of Savage Dawn was mixed. Some fans appreciated the stakes and emotional depth, especially as Superman pushes himself to his limits, while others felt that the crossover was too drawn out, weakening the impact. The art and action sequences, however, were generally well-received, with praise for Kuder and Porter’s work.

Best Way To Read:

• Superman: Savage Dawn
  • Collects: Superman Annual #3, Action Comics #48-50, Superman/Wonder Woman #25-27 and Superman #48-50

For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.

For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.

Reading Order:

References:

• Comic Book Reading Orders

Feature Image from Action Comics #48 cover art by Tomeu Morey and Aaron Kuder