2011 will mark the year that DC made the worst mistake in the history of the company: Not making Action Comics #1 the first week launch title of the New 52.

This Superman is at once a throwback to the original incarnation of the character (don’t miss the nice nod to 1938, the year of Superman’s introduction on the cover) and a relatable, fresh take on the character for the 21st Century that we’ve been needing after all this time.

De-powered and more vulnerable to being actually hurt in battle, this Superman is the idealistic social crusader who at times seems to be genuinely enjoying what he does. What he’s doing here is fighting FOR something instead of just AGAINST something.

This is a Superman that leads by example by doing what he can for others, selflessly to the best of his ability. You can see a natural leadership to inspire people around him to do the same, even if they aren’t able to smash through walls or leap tall buildings.

Grant Morrison’s take on the early days of the new Superman is just what we needed at just the right time. I hope that this younger Superman remains the focus of Action Comics for a very long time and that Morrison and Morales can keep up the momentum and energy that is promised here in this first issue.