leighsnerdlife's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thekarpuk's review against another edition
2.0
It's easy to bag on Superman. The almost knee-jerk reaction many fans of super hero comics have is to say he's boring and too powerful. In some versions, yes, that's fair, but even a boring character can be fun. King of the Hill's protagonist Hank Hill is so boring that it comes back around as interesting. The trouble with most Superman writers is that they lack the courage to follow through on the big S's personality traits and their potential results.
Let's say you view Superman as a goody-goody. That's fine. Goody-goodies can be loads of fun. Pearl from Steven Universe is my favorite version of that, because they get flustered when moral ambiguities muck up their world view.
Let's say you think he's an authoritarian stick in the mud. That's also fine. Benson from Regular Show, Liz Lemon from 30 Rock, and every character Adam Scott has ever played are all great stick in the muds, whose straight-man antics set off amazing stories and great jokes.
But the problem here is that bad writers refuse to give Superman any flaws in his character. I want the Superman whose ethics lead him to start childhood fitness programs in Metropolis, who makes bank robbers apologize to tellers for being rude, who blushes when women make passes at him.
A few versions have done this, but many have not. For comic book writers, that's not gritty. It's not cool. It's not tough. Guess what, nerds, Superman is none of these things. Quit trying to look bad-ass.
Pak's version of this story exemplifies my problems. The Superdoom story is perfectly serviceable, but he stuffs it full of inner monologue that's supposed to take the place of strong, character defining actions.
This book also reminds me why I rarely read flagship character books from the Big 2. It feels like I'm getting half the story, and the editorial staff just assumes I'm a huge nerd who will buy the other two or three graphic novels that fill in the rest of the plot line. I'm not being sold a complete product, but a part of a franchise.
When I buy a full arc of Squirrel Girl, I get a fully story. I don't have to also buy Squirrel Girl Corps, Squirrel Girl Unlimited, and the limited run of Deadpool Vs. Squirrel Girl to understand the full scope of what's happening. But if I pick up Batman, Spider-man, or Superman, I'm guaranteed to need a Wikipedia trip to figure out why I'm supposed to understand this part of the Spider-Verse, or why the hell Supergirl is a Red Lantern.
Maybe they need to hire writers who actually know LESS about these universes sometimes.
Let's say you view Superman as a goody-goody. That's fine. Goody-goodies can be loads of fun. Pearl from Steven Universe is my favorite version of that, because they get flustered when moral ambiguities muck up their world view.
Let's say you think he's an authoritarian stick in the mud. That's also fine. Benson from Regular Show, Liz Lemon from 30 Rock, and every character Adam Scott has ever played are all great stick in the muds, whose straight-man antics set off amazing stories and great jokes.
But the problem here is that bad writers refuse to give Superman any flaws in his character. I want the Superman whose ethics lead him to start childhood fitness programs in Metropolis, who makes bank robbers apologize to tellers for being rude, who blushes when women make passes at him.
A few versions have done this, but many have not. For comic book writers, that's not gritty. It's not cool. It's not tough. Guess what, nerds, Superman is none of these things. Quit trying to look bad-ass.
Pak's version of this story exemplifies my problems. The Superdoom story is perfectly serviceable, but he stuffs it full of inner monologue that's supposed to take the place of strong, character defining actions.
This book also reminds me why I rarely read flagship character books from the Big 2. It feels like I'm getting half the story, and the editorial staff just assumes I'm a huge nerd who will buy the other two or three graphic novels that fill in the rest of the plot line. I'm not being sold a complete product, but a part of a franchise.
When I buy a full arc of Squirrel Girl, I get a fully story. I don't have to also buy Squirrel Girl Corps, Squirrel Girl Unlimited, and the limited run of Deadpool Vs. Squirrel Girl to understand the full scope of what's happening. But if I pick up Batman, Spider-man, or Superman, I'm guaranteed to need a Wikipedia trip to figure out why I'm supposed to understand this part of the Spider-Verse, or why the hell Supergirl is a Red Lantern.
Maybe they need to hire writers who actually know LESS about these universes sometimes.
birdmanseven's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so obviously this collection is nonsense and you should just pick up the Superman: Doomed collection instead. Moving on to the story.
A lot goes down in this book. Superman is bit by the Doomsday bug, there's a Braniac angle, Superman/Wonder Woman romance, Red Lantern Supergirl, and on and on. It's impressive that this collection never loses the thread. It also does something that the DCEU never does. It makes a case for Superman's goodness and sets him up to be this necessary figure in the world, something the characters seem to realize while stuff is going down. I really liked it. This is where the New 52 Superman really starts to hit the mark. I'm looking forward to what's next.
A lot goes down in this book. Superman is bit by the Doomsday bug, there's a Braniac angle, Superman/Wonder Woman romance, Red Lantern Supergirl, and on and on. It's impressive that this collection never loses the thread. It also does something that the DCEU never does. It makes a case for Superman's goodness and sets him up to be this necessary figure in the world, something the characters seem to realize while stuff is going down. I really liked it. This is where the New 52 Superman really starts to hit the mark. I'm looking forward to what's next.
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