Maggie Sawyer Returns to Metropolis In Action Comics #957

The pre-Flashpoint Superman isn't the only longtime resident of Metropolis returning after a long absence this week; in the opening pages of Action Comics #957, Metropolis Police Captain Maggie Sawyer is back in town, too.

Sawyer, created in 1987, was a fixture in the post-Crisis Superman comics for years, heading up the Special Crimes Unit, a group of heavily-armed and outfitted police officers whose main job was handling metahuman crimes. She would remain a key part of Superman's supporting cast for years until being relocated to Gotham City to start up a Special Crimes Unit in that town abot ten years ago. She's been in Gotham ever since...until today.

"Maggie Sawyer really belongs in Metropolis," series writer Dan Jurgens told ComicBook.com. "That's where we first saw her and I think that's still where she should be. She's a strong character and Superman needs that type of contact with the Metropolis police."

When she was introduced, Maggie's relationship with Metropolis Star reporter Toby Raines made her one of the first openly gay characters in mainstream superhero comics. The fact that Maggie was a lesbian has driven much of her character's development over the years, as was briefly engaged to Batwoman. Since her relationship with Toby ended when she left Metropolis for Gotham and couldn't make long-distance work, it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume the relationship with Batwoman might be well and truly over.

Also today, it was announced that Maggie Sawyer is being cast on Supergirl, where she will be part of the Science Police, a metahuman/alien task force. Her character previously appeared on Smallville.

You can get Action Comics #957 at your local comic shop, or order it on ComiXology here.