blakemp's review against another edition
5.0
In the third volume of "Earth One," Superman's two most popular villains are reintroduced and redefined in an epic way. Zod comes to Earth to battle Kal-El, and finds a chilling ally. Straczynski is fearless at introducing new characters and radically changing classic ones in a way that fits this new world. This series is great.
jj7twin's review against another edition
4.0
Still not a fan of the Lex² team being husband and wife but I also would like to see how this story panned out in other ways. Guess I'd have to read other comics for that. Still a nice introductory storyline for Clark Kent becoming Superman to the world.
kavinay's review against another edition
4.0
Writing Superman is hard. Even an Earth One rendition still has to account for a lot of baggage, so the little bits of refreshing humanity snuck in by JMS are quite an achievement.
cleheny's review against another edition
2.0
Straczynksi's Superman: Earth One series continues to hit at about 2.5 stars for me.
What I think JMS does well is portray a Clark Kent struggling to figure out how to be Superman and be Clark Kent. It's not easy for him, and he wants both parts of his life to have meaning. As both Clark and Kal he makes mistakes, but he is able to learn from them. Lisa and Lois both move in some interesting, if not terribly surprising, directions. And Martha Kent continues to be an important source of guidance and comfort to her son (but I am struck by how facially similar Lois, Lisa, and Martha look in close-ups; it reminds me of my criticism from the last volume, when several of the secondary male characters all looked like variations on a theme).
The Luthors could have been interesting, but JMS went in a remarkably predictable direction given the supposed "big twist." And Zod's plot really showed how stupid humans are, which is disappointing. Yes, Superman's actions have made world leaders wary of what he might do, but he also continues to help and protect ordinary people, so he's not all bad. So, you'd think that they might have to carefully evaluate what to do when two Kryptonians engage in battle. But they don't.
And then there are Major Lee and the Luthors. It was pretty clear that Lex was going to be the one with the conscience, as Alexandra came off as something of a sociopath. Major Lee's concern that Zod and Superman's battle in Metropolis would kill millions is legitimate. But they decide the best solution is to de-power the guy they know and leave the other one full power? Again, Superman's actions have raised some legitimate questions, but not such serious ones that the most reasonable or logical response is to put all of their eggs in Zod's basket. Of course, Lex realizes that this was the wrong thing to do, and, unsurprisingly, gives his life in righting the wrong. And, equally unsurprising, even though Alexandra has been there throughout the whole thing, knows that it was their's and the government's actions that put this in motion, and then confidently states that Lex always does the right thing (which, in this case, is saving Superman), she blames Superman for Lex's death at Zod's hand. As depicted, it's irrational. And then somehow she magically knows about the kryptonite?
Unfortunately, there's nothing interesting about this version of villainous "Lex" Luthor. If JMS hadn't killed off Lex--if, instead, Lex and Alexandra found themselves at odds about Superman and what their response should be, a conflict that ultimately tore them apart--that could have been an interesting genesis of "Lex Luthor." But this was an uninteresting and thoroughly predictable way to create Superman's next villain.
Overall, I find this Earth One series to be disappointing. There are interesting ideas, but JMS doesn't do enough to justify this alternate version of Superman's history. His twists are not particularly clever or illuminating.
What I think JMS does well is portray a Clark Kent struggling to figure out how to be Superman and be Clark Kent. It's not easy for him, and he wants both parts of his life to have meaning. As both Clark and Kal he makes mistakes, but he is able to learn from them. Lisa and Lois both move in some interesting, if not terribly surprising, directions. And Martha Kent continues to be an important source of guidance and comfort to her son (but I am struck by how facially similar Lois, Lisa, and Martha look in close-ups; it reminds me of my criticism from the last volume, when several of the secondary male characters all looked like variations on a theme).
The Luthors could have been interesting, but JMS went in a remarkably predictable direction given the supposed "big twist." And Zod's plot really showed how stupid humans are, which is disappointing. Yes, Superman's actions have made world leaders wary of what he might do, but he also continues to help and protect ordinary people, so he's not all bad. So, you'd think that they might have to carefully evaluate what to do when two Kryptonians engage in battle. But they don't.
Spoiler
The last two volumes have built up the distrust the U.S. government has for the alien in its midst. And Superman's regime-change move spreads that distrust to other governments. That's all fine, and it makes a lot of sense. But then the governments' actions become unbelievably stupid. Another Kryptonian with super powers shows up, they know nothing about him, but he tells them Superman is evil, and Zod just wants them to stand by and let him kill Superman, and they're all, "okay." They know absolutely nothing about Zod, except that he's also super-powerful. But they're willing to stand by and let him kill Superman, who has helped a lot of people but engaged in one worrisome act of regime-change, and then be left with a super-powerful Kryptonian that they know nothing about? And against whom they don't have a defense? That makes no sense. At least Superman calls them out on their stupidity at the end of the book, but it's so obvious all along that it's just embarrassing.And then there are Major Lee and the Luthors. It was pretty clear that Lex was going to be the one with the conscience, as Alexandra came off as something of a sociopath. Major Lee's concern that Zod and Superman's battle in Metropolis would kill millions is legitimate. But they decide the best solution is to de-power the guy they know and leave the other one full power? Again, Superman's actions have raised some legitimate questions, but not such serious ones that the most reasonable or logical response is to put all of their eggs in Zod's basket. Of course, Lex realizes that this was the wrong thing to do, and, unsurprisingly, gives his life in righting the wrong. And, equally unsurprising, even though Alexandra has been there throughout the whole thing, knows that it was their's and the government's actions that put this in motion, and then confidently states that Lex always does the right thing (which, in this case, is saving Superman), she blames Superman for Lex's death at Zod's hand. As depicted, it's irrational. And then somehow she magically knows about the kryptonite?
Unfortunately, there's nothing interesting about this version of villainous "Lex" Luthor. If JMS hadn't killed off Lex--if, instead, Lex and Alexandra found themselves at odds about Superman and what their response should be, a conflict that ultimately tore them apart--that could have been an interesting genesis of "Lex Luthor." But this was an uninteresting and thoroughly predictable way to create Superman's next villain.
Overall, I find this Earth One series to be disappointing. There are interesting ideas, but JMS doesn't do enough to justify this alternate version of Superman's history. His twists are not particularly clever or illuminating.
trike's review against another edition
4.0
A solid remix of existing aspects of Superman’s and Krypton’s stories. Super easy to read because it just flows. I wish more comics were like that.
earlapvaldez's review against another edition
5.0
Seriously, if I have the chance to rewrite the Zack Snyder adaptation, I would have done it this way. Now we have a more human Clark Kent, with other human characters around him (not to mention Lois Lane), a Lex Luthor that bears an ounce of compassion, and a government that just doesn't want to interfere with superhuman business (makes sense, does it). Indeed a lot of gems here that stands close to our own reflections on what it means to be human. Indeed, this is the perfect Superman of our generation, as Straczynski himself has emphasized in the first few pages of the comic book.
hiddennook's review against another edition
4.0
I think this was a really unique spin on his origin story. It was well thought out and the artwork in itself was amazing. The only reason I could not give it 5 stars was because some of it was predictable. I already knew what would happen before the storyline moved there. In my honest opinion I think that alot of hardcore superman fans might not like it due to change, but it is my belief that with this new look at superman this book will draw in alot of new readers.I am a little more intrigued by DC comics and can't wait to see what they come up with next.
I received this advanced reader's copy in a giveaway on Goodreads by DC Comics!
I received this advanced reader's copy in a giveaway on Goodreads by DC Comics!
mabelsyrup's review against another edition
5.0
BEST ONE FROM THIS ARC
From the artwork to the plot; everything improved so much on this third volume.
From the artwork to the plot; everything improved so much on this third volume.
jokoloyo's review against another edition
3.0
I rated this comic book based on the content, not because the penciller, just for your info.
I had purchased this book from a GR friend only a few days before I noticed about the X-Men Gold #1 Controversy. To be honest, if I choose a comic based on the contributors, I check who is the writer, not the penciller. So, it was a coincidence.
Now the review:
I never read Superman Earth One before. So, I was surprised with some new changes in this version of Superman. Especially I like the new lover of Superman, Lisa. And I agree with other reviews, the personal life of Clark Kent is the fascinating part of this volume. (Well, personally I am afraid a villain, maybe Alexa, will kill Lisa and made Clark an even darker person in this already a gloomy Superman). In general, I like the more human Clark/Superman..
But I don't like the Luthors, especially the twist, I felt it was really forced. It was a shame actually, if it was a better twist, it could become my fav Luthors.
I had purchased this book from a GR friend only a few days before I noticed about the X-Men Gold #1 Controversy. To be honest, if I choose a comic based on the contributors, I check who is the writer, not the penciller. So, it was a coincidence.
Now the review:
I never read Superman Earth One before. So, I was surprised with some new changes in this version of Superman. Especially I like the new lover of Superman, Lisa. And I agree with other reviews, the personal life of Clark Kent is the fascinating part of this volume. (Well, personally I am afraid a villain, maybe Alexa, will kill Lisa and made Clark an even darker person in this already a gloomy Superman). In general, I like the more human Clark/Superman.
Spoiler
He pissed off at UN was a nice twist.But I don't like the Luthors, especially the twist, I felt it was really forced.