ostrava's review against another edition
2.0
If this is *the* Superman comic we might just as well give up now.
This? Seriously, this? This is what all the hype was about? "A celebration to the figure of Superman"?
What's with all these references to the 50s and 60s as if these were supposed to make the average reader emotional? Who cares about Bizarro?
What if I don't like Superman? Where are my stories? Where does his figure ever get challenged? All of the best Superman comic books I've read, that supposedly reach further and beyond than any of his other comic books, rely on cheap Nostalgia and a deep understanding of a corny canon, useful only to make cornflakes ads.
The exception is yet to show itself.
I'm done with Superman.
This? Seriously, this? This is what all the hype was about? "A celebration to the figure of Superman"?
What's with all these references to the 50s and 60s as if these were supposed to make the average reader emotional? Who cares about Bizarro?
What if I don't like Superman? Where are my stories? Where does his figure ever get challenged? All of the best Superman comic books I've read, that supposedly reach further and beyond than any of his other comic books, rely on cheap Nostalgia and a deep understanding of a corny canon, useful only to make cornflakes ads.
The exception is yet to show itself.
I'm done with Superman.
sallysocker's review against another edition
2.0
It was a boring book and not easy to understand since everything happened so fast. The story was messy and it was hard to follow it since two entirely different things could happen in the chapters, and there was barely any explanation for what was going on. I don’t know if it’s just me who doesn’t understand because this is the first Superman comic I’ve read, but I feel like it should be easier to understand either way.
superkal's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
An emotional and inspiring ending for Superman. This book is Superman in a nutshell, from the mythos to who he is as a character.
scabbers08's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
marcushaynes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
jeremiahb's review against another edition
5.0
The greatest Superman story ever written.
Grant Morrison's writing and Frank Quietly's art combines to show off the comic book medium at its finest.
Grant Morrison's writing and Frank Quietly's art combines to show off the comic book medium at its finest.
fieldofhats's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I picked this up because it was free on Kindle and it is said to be one of the best Superman stories ever. It is not. It could have been, it had so much potential, but it did not live up to it. The first three issues were fantastic — seeing Superman and Lois’ relationship develop was so much fun, and heartwarming. But then we don’t see Lois for three whole issues, and even then she’s only there to be saved by Superman. We hear about how the two took a vacation after Lex’s interview, but we don’t get to see it. Why? And on that note, the issue where Clark interviews Lex Luthor in prison was fantastic; it highlights the simple nature of Superman and his relationship with Lex and uses it to its fullest potential, and we even see Superman get genuinely angry at his nemesis. The story between Lex and Superman is consistently good, but it’s muddied by all the other nonsense that happens.
Spoilers for the next section.
There are also plotlines that either don’t make sense or are completely unnecessary. Firstly, Bizarro is silly and doesn’t fit the tone. This story tries to take itself seriously, and even succeeds sometimes, but all pretenses of seriousness are shattered with Bizarro. Zibarro was an interesting character, but we didn’t need to spend two full issues dealing with the Bizarro to have him. Secondly, the issue with Jimmy taking control of P.R.O.J.E.C.T. felt really out of place. Third, the issue where Jonathan dies falls extremely flat. Jonathan dying definitely fits the tone of the story, but for some reason future Supermen show up with a monster from the future? Why? This story just doesn’t know how to slow down and take a breather. And lastly, and most egregious, Superman dies and comes back to life… somehow. It’s not explained well at all. Seeing the conversation between him and his father was amazing, but his resurrection wasn’t. And all that just to die again? Why not have the story play out, he dies, and it ends with him seeing his father?
There are plenty of other things I didn’t like; important macguffins weren’t explained well, the time in which certain scenes and stories that took place weren’t clear, and Superman doesn’t actually develop as a character. But the worst thing is that the bad overshadows the good, and there is a lot of good! Or, at least there are things that COULD be good, if they had time to develop.
Overall, it was pretty disappointing. Don’t read this one. I have to believe there are better Superman comics out there.
Spoilers for the next section.
There are also plotlines that either don’t make sense or are completely unnecessary. Firstly, Bizarro is silly and doesn’t fit the tone. This story tries to take itself seriously, and even succeeds sometimes, but all pretenses of seriousness are shattered with Bizarro. Zibarro was an interesting character, but we didn’t need to spend two full issues dealing with the Bizarro to have him. Secondly, the issue with Jimmy taking control of P.R.O.J.E.C.T. felt really out of place. Third, the issue where Jonathan dies falls extremely flat. Jonathan dying definitely fits the tone of the story, but for some reason future Supermen show up with a monster from the future? Why? This story just doesn’t know how to slow down and take a breather. And lastly, and most egregious, Superman dies and comes back to life… somehow. It’s not explained well at all. Seeing the conversation between him and his father was amazing, but his resurrection wasn’t. And all that just to die again? Why not have the story play out, he dies, and it ends with him seeing his father?
There are plenty of other things I didn’t like; important macguffins weren’t explained well, the time in which certain scenes and stories that took place weren’t clear, and Superman doesn’t actually develop as a character. But the worst thing is that the bad overshadows the good, and there is a lot of good! Or, at least there are things that COULD be good, if they had time to develop.
Overall, it was pretty disappointing. Don’t read this one. I have to believe there are better Superman comics out there.
texaswolfman's review against another edition
3.0
Overall well written story and art. However, very depressing.
stevequinn's review against another edition
3.0
Really a 3.5. Morrison is still weird, but he restrained himself just enough to not drive me crazy.