I’ve read all of Gene Luen Yang’s comics, so it was a no-brainer that I would be reading his version of Superman. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it. Actually, I’ve never really enjoyed a Superman comic, so this may be on me.
But before we get to the actual comic, a complaint. WTF, why is the DC comics universe so messed up??? I mean, it took me an hour after reading this to determine which version of Superman I was reading, where it was in the continuity, and how things had gotten to be the way they were. I mean, right away you’re thrown in and Lois doesn’t know Superman’s identity, but Jimmy Olsen does. Superman also has this weird flare power, and whenever he uses it, he’s human for a day after. Even with his powers, he’s different than the Superman I’m used to. He can’t fly, he just jumps. Anyway, superhero comics are an unholy mess. Just this taste of the DC universe (this is the New 52 I think?) is worse than even that Secret Wars thing Marvel had going on. Sigh. Standalone comics for me, thanks.
This actually opens up with a fun little issue written and drawn by John Romita, Jr. where the Justice League is testing out Superman’s new powers, but then when Yang takes over, it quickly transitions to a story involving Superman being blackmailed by a mysterious figure who threatens to release his secret identity as Clark Kent if Clark doesn’t do what he wants. He turns out to be the head of a mysterious syndicate that collects blackmail on practically everyone in the world. I mean, it was okay. I was really bothered by the characterization of Lois. Not sure if that was Yang’s idea or not, but it really rankled me when she SPOILER outed him as Superman. That’s a really fucking huge decision for her to just make for him, when clearly he knew the consequences and was choosing to take the punishment so that his identity would remain secret. It also seemed very dumb that just because everyone suddenly knew Superman’s identity, that all these dumbass villains would come out of the woodwork to take him on. I mean . . . he’s still Superman. The only tactical advantage there is the ability to threaten his loved ones, but then the idiots still have to take on Superman after that! Makes no sense! END SPOILERS
I could probably continue on with this series, but I only foresee frustration in my future so I will stop while I’m ahead, despite how much it pains me that I will have unread Gene Luen Yang books in my future.
Also, I really wasn’t a fan of the art.
[2.5 stars rounded up]
I know I’ve said this before, but you NEED to read All-Star Superman. Ten issues. Completely self-contained. Grant Morrison doing some of his greatest writing. Absolutely gorgeous art throughout by Frank Quietly. No change in writers or artists. No long, convoluted “which DC universe is this?” confusion. Just ten issues of wonderful storytelling. With the exception of the first Superman movie, I generally thought Superman was lame. Just like I thought Captain America was, until the Marvel movies got him so right. Grant Morrison changed all that. It is the perfect Superman comic. You don’t need to read any others.
You win. I just ordered it from my library.
Have you seen any of Lois & Clark or Superman Returns? My fifth grade self was SUPER into Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. I also like Tom Welling’s version, but that show went on for soooo long.
Yay! I really hope you like it now.
Oh yes, I did watch a lot of Lois & Clark. I also really like the animated Justice League Superman. I didn’t like Superman Returns much – Superman should not be a creepy stalker, watching Lois from afar. That’s not cool. Now that Man of Steel made an even worse job at portraying Superman, it looks good in comparison, but that’s not that high a bar to clear.
I get so sad when people don’t like Superman Returns. And a lot of people don’t like it, so I get sad a lot. It’s one of my favorite movies. :(
I love the first Christopher Reeve Superman. I just think that the best things in Superman Returns were pretty much lifted from that movie, and having him lurking around, pining for Lois, complete with a secret baby plot and all – it could have been so good, and then it wasn’t. Brandon Routh is really good, it’s not his fault. He’s a WAY better Superman than Henry OMGHSGL Cavill.
See, and I have zero connection to the Christopher Reeve ones. They feel kind of soulless to me for some reason. Maybe I should rewatch. I even own them!
Oh, only the first one. The other ones are pretty bad. It may have helped that I watched the first one with my husband, who was anxiously studying me to see if I’d like it or not, because he loves it so much. It was the same with Star Trek: Wrath of Khan and I, in turn, was terrified he wasn’t going to love The Princess Bride. The other one not fully loving those things could have caused serious trouble in our marriage.