op_ivey's review against another edition
3.0
A very interesting and, as far as I can tell, original idea. A story about a man who is given the job to write a Superman story. Well-built characters and very poetic at times - which usually would turn me off - but in this case it was very well done.
noelles's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
anushree's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am deciding that the comics I read for Superhero Theory also count. I remember this one being a pretty good read, although I was turned off by the undeniable maleness of the perspective and how little I could relate to/care about his existential struggle. The art is gorgeous and unconventional.
ubalstecha's review against another edition
4.0
Steven T. Seagle has done an amazing thing. He has written a graphic novel about Superman, without having Superman as the main character. Instead this work is a deeply personal one about the main character, Steven (most likely our author) has been offered one of the most coveted gigs in comics; writing Superman. The catch is, he doesn't want it. In Steven's mind, Superman is a facist, a bully and completely uninteresting. Tangled up in this is the revelation that Steven's father has gone missing and a family secret: Steven may or may not carry the Huntington gene, the disease that killed his grandmother.
This is a brilliant book, exploring the fear of the future, while at the same time deconstructing the icon that is Superman. This is a book that should be given to all those people out there that think that comics are not serious literature.
This is a brilliant book, exploring the fear of the future, while at the same time deconstructing the icon that is Superman. This is a book that should be given to all those people out there that think that comics are not serious literature.
mahobilly2002's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best graphic novels I've read. About a writer who gets offered to write Superman but doesn't want to take it and his journey through his memories about his family secrets and the deadly illness at the heart of it all.
shinychick's review against another edition
3.0
The Superman book that's not about Superman, I have no trouble at all believing that this is or could be a true story. The art is sketchy (meaning, looks like it's been sketched) which I don't usually go for, but the story more than made up for it.
skundrik87's review against another edition
4.0
About Huntington's disease more than superman. Really interesting.
swhuber's review against another edition
5.0
The first thing that made me pick up "It's a Bird" from the clearance table at Green Apple Books was the brilliant artwork of Teddy Kristiansen. The second was the promised deconstruction of the Superman mythology and the final reason for purchasing this book was the presence of one word within the first 3 pages--Huntingtons.
Its a Bird is the autobiographical account of writer Seagle's difficulties in coping with his grandmother's and ultimately his aunt's deaths due to Huntington's disease. While facing the fears that he may be genetically predisposed to the same sickness, Seagle is forced to contend with his memories of the man of steel when he is asked to write for the Superman series.
The face value of Superman has never appealed to me. It all seemed too easy when compared to other heroes like Batman. However, Seagle picks apart the entire mythos from the coloring of Superman costume to the conceptual ideas of power, courage, escape, secrecy and belonging. This new take on the Man of Steel makes the character seem not only more approachable, but ultimately imperfect and flawed.
It isn't an action packed comic, but a character driven story. Either way, recommended for those who loved Superman, those who hated Superman, and those who appreciate better character development in their comic books.
Its a Bird is the autobiographical account of writer Seagle's difficulties in coping with his grandmother's and ultimately his aunt's deaths due to Huntington's disease. While facing the fears that he may be genetically predisposed to the same sickness, Seagle is forced to contend with his memories of the man of steel when he is asked to write for the Superman series.
The face value of Superman has never appealed to me. It all seemed too easy when compared to other heroes like Batman. However, Seagle picks apart the entire mythos from the coloring of Superman costume to the conceptual ideas of power, courage, escape, secrecy and belonging. This new take on the Man of Steel makes the character seem not only more approachable, but ultimately imperfect and flawed.
It isn't an action packed comic, but a character driven story. Either way, recommended for those who loved Superman, those who hated Superman, and those who appreciate better character development in their comic books.
tiggum's review against another edition
2.0
My biggest issue with this book is that I felt I didn't really have enough context to care about the protagonist, so he basically just came across as an arsehole most of the time. He had his reasons, obviously, but I wasn't invested in them so I was more against him than with him. And then the ending seems to skip straight to "and then everything was OK again" and now he likes Superman, I guess. It didn't really work for me. And it also didn't really seem to say anything much about Superman either.
pmileham's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really moving story. I mean, really, I wanted to go hug my loved ones after reading it. I've read one or two other things by this writer, but this was kind of heart-wrenching in how honest it was. The line between truth and fiction was blurred well enough I couldn't tell what to believe. The art is a bit off-putting at first, but feels right once the story gets moving. Simply, this story is honest, moving, and respectful. I'd give it to someone who doesn't read comics.