Action Comics Weekly #604

Action Comics Weekly #604 was published in May 1988, marking the beginning of a brief but significant experimental phase for DC Comics. Following the 600th issue of the long-running Action Comics, the publisher transitioned the title into a weekly anthology format to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Superman. This shift sought to modernize the brand by featuring serialized adventures of various characters, including Green Lantern, Blackhawk, and Deadman, rather than focusing solely on the Man of Steel.

The creative direction for this issue was overseen by editorial teams aiming to capitalize on the success of weekly serials like the British 2000 AD. While the design and formatting were intended to revitalize interest in non-Superman characters, the weekly experiment faced logistical challenges in production and distribution. It was eventually received by the fanbase as a bold but ultimately temporary departure, serving as a distinct collector's artifact of the late 1980s DC publishing strategy.