theshenners's review against another edition
5.0
4.5?
I liked the friendship dynamic between Kenan, Baixi, and Deilan. I was also intrigued by the secrets and hidden history behind the difference super-powered factions/orgs. I'm curious as to how the art might have differed if they'd gotten Asian American artists bc stylistically it's very typical of white mainstream American comics.
TW: fat-shaming
I really hope Kenan lets up on the fat shaming nicknames/jokes for Baixi and Lixin😒
I liked the friendship dynamic between Kenan, Baixi, and Deilan. I was also intrigued by the secrets and hidden history behind the difference super-powered factions/orgs. I'm curious as to how the art might have differed if they'd gotten Asian American artists bc stylistically it's very typical of white mainstream American comics.
TW: fat-shaming
I really hope Kenan lets up on the fat shaming nicknames/jokes for Baixi and Lixin😒
nolo42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
primmiiee's review against another edition
4.0
A really great series so far, the main character is funny and charming, he's very different than the Superman we're familiar with, while the side characters (Wonder Woman of China and Bat-man of China) are not as developed, I think we'll get more of them in the later arcs so I'm fine with that. The plot itself has some twists but it's nothing spectacular, so is the art.
daynpitseleh's review against another edition
4.0
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was great - definitely my favorite comic DC has put out in a long time. I can't wait to see where it goes from here. The art wasn't always my favorite, but the writing was amazing - Gene Luen Yang did a great job. I haven't read his graphic novel (American Born Chinese), but it's been something I've wanted to read for a long time, so when I saw that he was writing this, I had high hopes and I wasn't disappointed. This is definitely the most successful Rebirth story line I've read so far. I think that some people who are more classic fans who aren't fans of things changing won't care for this as much, but if you're open to new things, definitely give this a try. Highly recommended.
This was great - definitely my favorite comic DC has put out in a long time. I can't wait to see where it goes from here. The art wasn't always my favorite, but the writing was amazing - Gene Luen Yang did a great job. I haven't read his graphic novel (American Born Chinese), but it's been something I've wanted to read for a long time, so when I saw that he was writing this, I had high hopes and I wasn't disappointed. This is definitely the most successful Rebirth story line I've read so far. I think that some people who are more classic fans who aren't fans of things changing won't care for this as much, but if you're open to new things, definitely give this a try. Highly recommended.
littleredd303's review against another edition
4.0
Yo. This is one of the best titles in Rebirth. I don't care what anybody says, ITS ONE OF THE BEST.
Gene's writing in this was so funny, vibrant, and realistic. Kenan felt like a child, he acted exactly how you would expect a teenager to act if he were given superpowers and it was great. This trade is lighthearted and fun, has action, and heart.
Kenan is far from being Clark Kent, and that's what makes him such a great character. Honestly he's more Tony Stark than he is Clark Kent. He has Clark's powers, but he isn't Clark at all. What Kenan is, is a little shithead. I say that with love because by the end of the trade he has grown. He's still a little brat, but if he weren't he wouldn't be Kenan and then this trade would suck. The kid we are introduced to in the beginning is, different than the kid we see at the end. He's been knocked down and so he doesn't shine as bright, but the growth is noticeable.
This a new run with a new character so there isn't much I can say without spoiling the whole trade but here are a few things you will find in this trade: great characters, an unlikely team, broken family ties, lots of sarcasm, and teasing, a magic lasso, Chinese politics, and a plot twist that I saw coming a mile way, and a plot twist at the end that shocked the hell out of me.
Gene's writing in this was so funny, vibrant, and realistic. Kenan felt like a child, he acted exactly how you would expect a teenager to act if he were given superpowers and it was great. This trade is lighthearted and fun, has action, and heart.
Kenan is far from being Clark Kent, and that's what makes him such a great character. Honestly he's more Tony Stark than he is Clark Kent. He has Clark's powers, but he isn't Clark at all. What Kenan is, is a little shithead. I say that with love because by the end of the trade he has grown. He's still a little brat, but if he weren't he wouldn't be Kenan and then this trade would suck. The kid we are introduced to in the beginning is, different than the kid we see at the end. He's been knocked down and so he doesn't shine as bright, but the growth is noticeable.
This a new run with a new character so there isn't much I can say without spoiling the whole trade but here are a few things you will find in this trade: great characters, an unlikely team, broken family ties, lots of sarcasm, and teasing, a magic lasso, Chinese politics, and a plot twist that I saw coming a mile way, and a plot twist at the end that shocked the hell out of me.
tshepiso's review against another edition
3.0
While Gene Luen Yang's New Super-Man had potential its bully protagonist and underdeveloped conflict made for a disappointing read. New Super-Man follows Kong Kenan a teen recruited by the Ministry of Self-Reliance to become the New Super-Man of China. while the Ministry's technology gives him powers Kenan's combination of brash arrogance and an inability to control his powers leave him sidelined in the new Justice League of China. Soon Kenan, Wang Baixi and Peng Deila the respective Bat-Man and Wonder-Woman of China face off against a vigilante group, the Freedom Fighters of China, hunting down board members of the Ministry.
My first problem with this first volume of New Super-Man was Kong Kenan as a protagonist. Kenan is a straight-up bully filled with an unearned sense of self-importance. He opens the pages of this book harassing a classmate for soda and doesn't really grow beyond that. He was frequently an aggravating character to be trapped in the mind of as he constantly made remarks about the weight of people around him. I could see Yang sowing the seeds of character growth and the possibility for that will keep me reading, but my inability to connect with Kenan really hindered my ability to enjoy this story.Â
Another major letdown was the actual conflict in the story. Our central antagonists, The Freedom Fighters of China were flat and uninteresting. They are stock standard violent revolutionaries fighting for their ideals by any means necessary. However, Yang didn't sufficiently elaborate on what specifically about the Chinese government the Freedom Fighters were fighting against. I needed to see the tangible impact of the repressive government to better understand the Fighter's extreme dedication to their goals. Their wishy-washy stock standard rhetoric and unoriginal devolution to extreme violence were uncompelling because there was no specificity to their goals.
The art, pencilled by Viktor Bogdanovic and inked by Richard Friend, was nothing to write home about but was far from bad. I did find some of the poses throughout stiff and more expensive facials could have helped connect me to the characters more. But overall it served the story well enough.Â
In the end, New Super-Man wasn't the most exciting first volume in a series. But Gene Luen Yang hinted enough at the potential for growth in his characters and seeded enough intrigue for his plot that I'd be willing to read the next volume at least.Â
My first problem with this first volume of New Super-Man was Kong Kenan as a protagonist. Kenan is a straight-up bully filled with an unearned sense of self-importance. He opens the pages of this book harassing a classmate for soda and doesn't really grow beyond that. He was frequently an aggravating character to be trapped in the mind of as he constantly made remarks about the weight of people around him. I could see Yang sowing the seeds of character growth and the possibility for that will keep me reading, but my inability to connect with Kenan really hindered my ability to enjoy this story.Â
Another major letdown was the actual conflict in the story. Our central antagonists, The Freedom Fighters of China were flat and uninteresting. They are stock standard violent revolutionaries fighting for their ideals by any means necessary. However, Yang didn't sufficiently elaborate on what specifically about the Chinese government the Freedom Fighters were fighting against. I needed to see the tangible impact of the repressive government to better understand the Fighter's extreme dedication to their goals. Their wishy-washy stock standard rhetoric and unoriginal devolution to extreme violence were uncompelling because there was no specificity to their goals.
The art, pencilled by Viktor Bogdanovic and inked by Richard Friend, was nothing to write home about but was far from bad. I did find some of the poses throughout stiff and more expensive facials could have helped connect me to the characters more. But overall it served the story well enough.Â
In the end, New Super-Man wasn't the most exciting first volume in a series. But Gene Luen Yang hinted enough at the potential for growth in his characters and seeded enough intrigue for his plot that I'd be willing to read the next volume at least.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
ketallpot's review against another edition
4.0
This absolute feels like a shonen manga and I love it!
indeedithappens's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25