gohawks's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know why I keep reading this guy. He is a complete tool, and it strikes me that if I were to meet him, douchebag would be the only word to come to mind. The premise is a kid with Multiple Sclerosis is granted his wish to be a superhero. Upon hearing this, I thought, "Cool. Millar will probably have something to say on the disease and making the most of what we have, etc." Not really. He does show a little about what it must be like to live with the disease in the beginning, but it really seems that he uses this premise because they boy would have to be desperate enough to be faced with the final decision that is at stake. I won't give it away in case you choose to read this. One thing I can say. This book included a bit less of Millar's trademark ultra violence.
zeroiv's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
knallen's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best graphic novels I've read in ages. The story was heartfelt, entertaining and funny. It had it's dark sides but didn't get lost in them. I really enjoyed it and sped through it because it was so well written and so wonderfully told. The art was gorgeous to boot.
aquantumofgravitas's review against another edition
4.0
It's better than the Death of Superman arc from back in the day, but Leinil Yu's art holds back the story. He's skilled and technically competent but at least for this book, his panel composition is merely functional and his female character design is softcore comic book babe with a heavy dose of the male gaze. In a book about a teenage athlete disabled by multiple sclerosis but granted Superman's powers by magic for a short time, in a book about getting what you wish for only to learn the cost is too high, in a book about making that sacrifice for others because you're the only one who can pay it, this kind of art style is alternatively boring and distracting. The cheesecake posing and wooden facial expressions don't create the depth or emotional connection needed to bring you closer to the characters, to feel what they feel. Another artist would have made this book a classic.
His design for Abraxas and the Annihilator are sick, though. And while the twist was heavily hinted at several times through the series and didn't surprise me, it was still fun.
His design for Abraxas and the Annihilator are sick, though. And while the twist was heavily hinted at several times through the series and didn't surprise me, it was still fun.
allerkins's review against another edition
4.0
I really, really enjoyed the book Superior except for the one thing I really didn't like. The story was wonderful and unexpected and really cool, I liked the characters and the artwork. I was engaged and interested in Simon's story and this unique take on the superhero tale.
But WHY WHY WHY must every female character have overly large, even absurdly large breasts and skin tight ridiculously revealing clothing?? Okay, I KNOW I am reading a comic book and that comic books are known for their sexualization in their portrayal of women. I know all that and yet it still really bothered me and it kept taking me out of the story every time a female character entered the page. Every time I saw it I couldn't help but think, "Seriously? A professional journalist is wearing THAT to broadcast the news?" Even Simon's mother is not spared from the abnormally large breasts and teeny tiny clothes. So that is my vent and I really wanted to get it off my chest because I loved this book but why must women be portrayed so unrealistically!?
Anyway, I found the plot to be really cool, especially the kind of twist with the villian and the ending was really brilliant! This was a fun read and I'm glad my husband recommended it to me!
But WHY WHY WHY must every female character have overly large, even absurdly large breasts and skin tight ridiculously revealing clothing?? Okay, I KNOW I am reading a comic book and that comic books are known for their sexualization in their portrayal of women. I know all that and yet it still really bothered me and it kept taking me out of the story every time a female character entered the page. Every time I saw it I couldn't help but think, "Seriously? A professional journalist is wearing THAT to broadcast the news?" Even Simon's mother is not spared from the abnormally large breasts and teeny tiny clothes. So that is my vent and I really wanted to get it off my chest because I loved this book but why must women be portrayed so unrealistically!?
Anyway, I found the plot to be really cool, especially the kind of twist with the villian and the ending was really brilliant! This was a fun read and I'm glad my husband recommended it to me!
onceandfuturelaura's review against another edition
3.0
An elegant little story about moral choices. Pits one 12 year old boy who usually makes the right decision against temptation, a bully, and a demonic monkey in a space suit. Also the Taliban, but they’re apparently the easy enemy.
It’s not perfect. Most jarring for me; the female character felt like two or three characters who got squished together to streamline the story.
But the kid was believable; the stakes were gripping, and I appreciated that an aging actor stepped up when he didn’t have to. A nicely Faustian fairy tale.
It’s not perfect. Most jarring for me; the female character felt like two or three characters who got squished together to streamline the story.
But the kid was believable; the stakes were gripping, and I appreciated that an aging actor stepped up when he didn’t have to. A nicely Faustian fairy tale.
ph230's review against another edition
3.0
I am not a Superman fan, but this one deserves to be read.
subhamroxx's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of the best books Mark has written! Its about this guy Simon who can't walk and curses his life and just like Shazam a monkey in this case appears and turns him into Superior from the movies (think Superman but copyright issues and all) and well him being Superior means he has all the powers of Superman and over the course of the issues you see him tryna save everyone and solving world problems like in Afghanistan and Africa and becoming the greatest hero but then we find that monkey was actually a demon who gave this powers so he could have the soul since the boy wouldn't wanna return to his former self and to coax him further he gives his bully the powers to make him Abraxas and himself Annihilator (enemies from the Superior movie) and thus falls the choice on him what will he do? Will he sell his soul to save the world? What will happen to everyone? Also whose the narrator and how is she the one to save Superior?
Its an interesting series and explores the question of What it would be like to be Superman and its really well done and its a fan letter by Millar to the Donner movies and well done, it has all those questions we ask of What Superman should do and has an heroic fight and a child like innocence, characters who give hope to him and in the end when he (spoilers) dies you see a faithful and positive and optimistic end about how his presence made the world better and just shows why Superman okay Superior here is the best! And the art was really good and pleasing on the eyes! Great work by Millar!
Its an interesting series and explores the question of What it would be like to be Superman and its really well done and its a fan letter by Millar to the Donner movies and well done, it has all those questions we ask of What Superman should do and has an heroic fight and a child like innocence, characters who give hope to him and in the end when he (spoilers) dies you see a faithful and positive and optimistic end about how his presence made the world better and just shows why Superman okay Superior here is the best! And the art was really good and pleasing on the eyes! Great work by Millar!
thrakaboom's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is quite possibly the most masterful superhero comic book written in the 21st century and a great political statement as well.
pages_and_reels's review against another edition
4.0
Mark Millar's homage to Captain Marvel (Shazam) and Superman, with a little twist. The book had some really good moments. Leinil Yu's art was great, as always. The tribute to Christopher Reeve and Richard Donner at the end did it all for me.