bbboeken's review against another edition
4.0
Een goede sequel, en jawel, ik zou de derde ook lezen, als er een verscheen.
mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
Man, I find these books frustrating. On the one hand, you have a realistic take on Superman --- what his early life might have been like, the moral quandaries he might face, issues of trust and relationships, and how separate he might feel from humanity. There's even an obvious nod to the Larry Niven essay on Superman (say no more...) The result is a version of Superman I empathize with; he's human in a way you rarely see in ongoing series.
On the other hand, you have the same artificial conflicts you see in ongoing series --- in this case, a semi-ridiculous psychopathic version of the Parasite. I would much rather read everything else in the book, and yet the superfight takes center stage.
On the other hand, you have the same artificial conflicts you see in ongoing series --- in this case, a semi-ridiculous psychopathic version of the Parasite. I would much rather read everything else in the book, and yet the superfight takes center stage.
jammasterjamie's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really enjoying this side-imagining of the Superman story - This is a great continuation of Volume One, and now I'm dying for Volume Three! No real review here because I don't want to spoil anything. Just read and enjoy.
blakemp's review against another edition
5.0
Following up on Straczynski and Davis's first volume, "Superman: Earth One" Vol. 2 reintroduces one of Superman's classic villains, the Parasite. The reinvention of the villain works just as well as the reinvention of Superman did in the previous volume. This book also expands Superman's universe bringing in a very different version of one of Superman's greatest enemies, and gives a powerful personal arc for Clark Kent as he tries to find his way as a journalist. Very strong second installment. I just wish they came out more frequently.
jj7twin's review against another edition
4.0
Still as good as the first but given the introduction of the Luthors as a married couple at the end is the only thing I don't like. I know there are multiple versions of them being married, siblings, or other family relations but my favorite so far is the sibling rivalry with Alexandra doing good for the planet her brother wanted to rule.
gorbag's review against another edition
3.0
It would have been four stars if it had been clear how the bad guy was defeated.
cleheny's review against another edition
3.0
Superman's journey in this book isn't that interesting, unfortunately, though there is some interesting illumination of his past.
Lois Lane decides to dig into Clark Kent's history because she doesn't trust someone who gets a huge story without having any credentials. That's a legitimate question, though she also thinks he's suspicious because he's never gotten into any trouble, which is a less credible reason to mistrust Kent. What she learns generates some compassion for Clark, and explains why he doesn't stick out. But it doesn't explain how he got the Superman interview, which was the original reason for her suspicion. So I question her decision to let the whole thing drop.
Clark's self-effacement makes sense once the story of his school years is revealed, and it emphasizes how strictly he controls all aspects of his life. He's understandably alienated from those around him, and it clearly pains him.
The Parasite story, which drives the plot, is not engaging. For a guy who is a genius (as depicted in the last volume), Superman shows surprisingly little intelligence in his strategy with the Parasite. Superman does dope out that Parasite can absorb his strength and abilities through touch, but then seems unable to figure out a way to fight Parasite from a distance. He's a guy who can fire laser beams from his eyes, super-heat and -freeze the air with his breath, move incredibly fast, and drop tanks on people while flying above them, but his plan--in each encounter--is to try to punch Parasite out. His ship's role in helping Superman fight Parasite comes off as a bit deus ex machina.
Finally, some of the art bothered me. Several of the secondary and tertiary male characters appear to have been drawn from the same template.
Lois Lane decides to dig into Clark Kent's history because she doesn't trust someone who gets a huge story without having any credentials. That's a legitimate question, though she also thinks he's suspicious because he's never gotten into any trouble, which is a less credible reason to mistrust Kent. What she learns generates some compassion for Clark, and explains why he doesn't stick out. But it doesn't explain how he got the Superman interview, which was the original reason for her suspicion. So I question her decision to let the whole thing drop.
Clark's self-effacement makes sense once the story of his school years is revealed, and it emphasizes how strictly he controls all aspects of his life. He's understandably alienated from those around him, and it clearly pains him.
The Parasite story, which drives the plot, is not engaging. For a guy who is a genius (as depicted in the last volume), Superman shows surprisingly little intelligence in his strategy with the Parasite. Superman does dope out that Parasite can absorb his strength and abilities through touch, but then seems unable to figure out a way to fight Parasite from a distance. He's a guy who can fire laser beams from his eyes, super-heat and -freeze the air with his breath, move incredibly fast, and drop tanks on people while flying above them, but his plan--in each encounter--is to try to punch Parasite out. His ship's role in helping Superman fight Parasite comes off as a bit deus ex machina.
Finally, some of the art bothered me. Several of the secondary and tertiary male characters appear to have been drawn from the same template.
trike's review against another edition
4.0
This is really great stuff. A Superman without the stick up his butt, and a terrific explanation for why he holds himself apart from the rest of humanity.
Using the Parasite to drain Clark’s powers works the way kryptonite does, by making Supes less godlike and increasing his vulnerability. It’s a new twist on the classic solution to the age-old problem of the too-powerful superhuman, but Straczynski makes it feel effortless.
Using the Parasite to drain Clark’s powers works the way kryptonite does, by making Supes less godlike and increasing his vulnerability. It’s a new twist on the classic solution to the age-old problem of the too-powerful superhuman, but Straczynski makes it feel effortless.
gpv's review against another edition
3.0
Follows up on [b:Superman: Earth One|7657484|Superman Earth One|J. Michael Straczynski|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320538241s/7657484.jpg|10234999] and traces the events immediately following the 'discovery' of Superman. Introduces Parasite to the readers, but it's not as good as the prequel. Luthor makes an appearance towards the end of the novel. Very different from how he is eventually shown. It definitely left me curious enough to follow up on this series to find out how Lex Luthor becomes Superman's ultimate nemesis.
jameshowlett's review against another edition
3.0
İyi bir Superman hikâyesi yazmanın zorluğunu bütün çizgi roman okurları az çok tahmin ediyordur. Bu kadar kudretli bir kahramanı zorlayacak bir hikâye yazmak, ona kafa tutabilecek bir rakip bulmak kolay iş değil.
Straczynski, Superman'i psikolojik olarak inceleyerek en büyük rakibinin kendisi olduğunu vurgulamaya çalışıyor ki kendisi bu psikolojik detayları Amazing Spider-Man serisinde de çok başarılı bir şekilde kaleme alan bir yazardı.
Açık konuşmak gerekirse serinin ilk kitabını pek sevmemiştim ama bu, beklediğimden iyi çıktı.
Straczynski, Superman'i psikolojik olarak inceleyerek en büyük rakibinin kendisi olduğunu vurgulamaya çalışıyor ki kendisi bu psikolojik detayları Amazing Spider-Man serisinde de çok başarılı bir şekilde kaleme alan bir yazardı.
Açık konuşmak gerekirse serinin ilk kitabını pek sevmemiştim ama bu, beklediğimden iyi çıktı.