Scan barcode
annashiv's review
3.0
I sought out and read this book because of Drawing out the Dragons (another book) in which the author describes how this book helped him as a young sick child. I've always loved superman myself and was interested to read a novelization, but this was nothing like I was expecting.
I thought it might somewhat follow the movie or take place after it, but it was most definitely not. Going back to the Drawing out the Dragons, he does acknowledge it's a strange book, and he wasn't kidding. It's almost philosophical and dramatic and not really about superman. I felt we saw very little of the hero and saw more of Lex and to my surprise Albert Einstein.
The aliens were strange, the plot stranger, and the writing dense, but I still enjoyed it. It just is a very strange book to exist. I don't understand how it came about, but it had some nice moments and did somehow manage to seem classic in some way. I don't know. It's definitely not for most people, but if you're a super fan of superman, then I suppose this is a hard to find book that will certainly put you over the top in your knowledge of all things Kal-El.
I thought it might somewhat follow the movie or take place after it, but it was most definitely not. Going back to the Drawing out the Dragons, he does acknowledge it's a strange book, and he wasn't kidding. It's almost philosophical and dramatic and not really about superman. I felt we saw very little of the hero and saw more of Lex and to my surprise Albert Einstein.
The aliens were strange, the plot stranger, and the writing dense, but I still enjoyed it. It just is a very strange book to exist. I don't understand how it came about, but it had some nice moments and did somehow manage to seem classic in some way. I don't know. It's definitely not for most people, but if you're a super fan of superman, then I suppose this is a hard to find book that will certainly put you over the top in your knowledge of all things Kal-El.
callidice's review
3.0
I'll be honest, on my superhero grading scale, Superman doesn't really fall anywhere near the top (my top 3 being: the X-Men, Spider-Man, & Batman). Sure, I absolutely love the show Smallville, and I even enjoy watching Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, but I have never cracked open a Superman comic book, and I don't really care for him in most of his other forms (be it cartoon, movie, etc.).
Nonetheless, I found an old copy of this book and decided to give it a shot, as I've been re-watching Smallville and was kinda feelin' it. One thing to note about this book is that it was first published in 1978, so of course it's rather dated (which I don't mind, as every decade has its own good books and bad books). In fact, it was actually pretty fun to read something from the late 70s, because I got to picture clothing and technology in a vastly different way than I normally do while reading.
Anywho, despite going into this book not knowing whether or not I would like Maggin's novel version of Superman, I soon found myself enjoying it. Maggin really captured the feel of the Silver Age of Comic Books through his writing, and though I have yet to read a Superman comic, this book made me feel as though I was reading one. Even the storyline felt very comic-y: it involved Jor-El sending off a baby Superman into the care of an earthling named Albert Einstein, who put him in the care of a really nice couple (John & Martha Kent); it also described an adult Superman having to work together with nemesis Lex Luthor in order to thwart an evil plan by an alien enemy.
What I really enjoyed reading in this book was the relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor. Maggin juxtaposed flashbacks of their boyhood friendship with scenes of their current rivalry, which really painted a picture of the complicated relationship that they have. If there is one thing about the Superman franchise that I love, it's the relationship between Lex and Clark (one of the reasons why I love Smallville so much). Maggin really made Lex so friggin' awesome - in this story he was less poised billionaire player, and more spastic-oddball science geek (love!).
Lex was the best part of this novel, and really made me laugh out loud. I may have found the storyline to be a bit on the dorky side (Albert Einstein and aliens? Really?), but his character made it all worth it. I don't think I'd read it again, though. 3.5 Stars
Nonetheless, I found an old copy of this book and decided to give it a shot, as I've been re-watching Smallville and was kinda feelin' it. One thing to note about this book is that it was first published in 1978, so of course it's rather dated (which I don't mind, as every decade has its own good books and bad books). In fact, it was actually pretty fun to read something from the late 70s, because I got to picture clothing and technology in a vastly different way than I normally do while reading.
Anywho, despite going into this book not knowing whether or not I would like Maggin's novel version of Superman, I soon found myself enjoying it. Maggin really captured the feel of the Silver Age of Comic Books through his writing, and though I have yet to read a Superman comic, this book made me feel as though I was reading one. Even the storyline felt very comic-y: it involved Jor-El sending off a baby Superman into the care of an earthling named Albert Einstein, who put him in the care of a really nice couple (John & Martha Kent); it also described an adult Superman having to work together with nemesis Lex Luthor in order to thwart an evil plan by an alien enemy.
What I really enjoyed reading in this book was the relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor. Maggin juxtaposed flashbacks of their boyhood friendship with scenes of their current rivalry, which really painted a picture of the complicated relationship that they have. If there is one thing about the Superman franchise that I love, it's the relationship between Lex and Clark (one of the reasons why I love Smallville so much). Maggin really made Lex so friggin' awesome - in this story he was less poised billionaire player, and more spastic-oddball science geek (love!).
Lex was the best part of this novel, and really made me laugh out loud. I may have found the storyline to be a bit on the dorky side (Albert Einstein and aliens? Really?), but his character made it all worth it. I don't think I'd read it again, though. 3.5 Stars
burto's review
2.0
This was interesting... Would have generally worked better as a sci-fi story instead of a Superman story. Some of the powers and feats Superman was described as having were just over the top. Overall it was just bizarre, especially with it having nothing to do with the Superman movie. I consider my self a die-hard fan and have really enjoyed other Elliot S! Maggin books but this one left me groaning.
phileasfogg's review
4.0
I loved this book when I was a child, in c1980. I know memory cheats, but I look forward to reading it again. I expect I'll enjoy it more than the 1978 Superman movie, which I loved when I saw it in the cinema, at six years old, but found a bit lacking when I rewatched it a few months ago. (I still liked it, but not as much.)
What's striking about this book is that it looks like it's meant to be a novelisation of the movie, but has very little in common with it. I imagine the author was commissioned to write a novelisation, but wisely realised that the 1978 movie's strengths would not translate to novel format, and that it's weaknesses would only be enhanced. And he knew enough about the publishing industry to know that if he delivered a manuscript that was entirely dissimilar to the movie but still publishable, the publisher would publish it because there was no way they could commission another writer to produce a novelisation in the required time.
My recollections of it are rather vague. Its invocation of a galactic community to whom Superman speaks on our behalf without us knowing anything about it reminded me of Douglas Adams' Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. I (think I) remember a fascinating account of how the CIA employs people to read everything that's published anywhere, and report the good and useful bits. And Lex Luthor had access to those CIA files and from them devised a way to maintain breathable air in a long space voyage, by filling the spacecraft with pot plants.
What's striking about this book is that it looks like it's meant to be a novelisation of the movie, but has very little in common with it. I imagine the author was commissioned to write a novelisation, but wisely realised that the 1978 movie's strengths would not translate to novel format, and that it's weaknesses would only be enhanced. And he knew enough about the publishing industry to know that if he delivered a manuscript that was entirely dissimilar to the movie but still publishable, the publisher would publish it because there was no way they could commission another writer to produce a novelisation in the required time.
My recollections of it are rather vague. Its invocation of a galactic community to whom Superman speaks on our behalf without us knowing anything about it reminded me of Douglas Adams' Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. I (think I) remember a fascinating account of how the CIA employs people to read everything that's published anywhere, and report the good and useful bits. And Lex Luthor had access to those CIA files and from them devised a way to maintain breathable air in a long space voyage, by filling the spacecraft with pot plants.
barryhaworth's review
2.0
I first read this book many years ago, having bought a copy in a book sale and thought it pretty forgettable. Having recently been given a copy as a gift I am revisiting it many years later, but find that my impression hasn't improved.
On the one hand there is the classic Superman story, with his origins and childhood and life in Metropolis. This part is done quite well. Then the second part of the book veers off into an adventure on an alien planet in which Superman enlists Lex Luthor's help to recover something stolen from Earth and incidentally prevent something like ... well, its hard to describe without being too spoilerish and it felt highly contrived anyway. Suffice to say the second half of the book doesn't mesh well with the first half and in my opinion lets the story down badly. Which is a shame as I quite enjoyed the beginning and think that if the story had stayed on Earth it would have been a much better book.
On the one hand there is the classic Superman story, with his origins and childhood and life in Metropolis. This part is done quite well. Then the second part of the book veers off into an adventure on an alien planet in which Superman enlists Lex Luthor's help to recover something stolen from Earth and incidentally prevent something like ... well, its hard to describe without being too spoilerish and it felt highly contrived anyway. Suffice to say the second half of the book doesn't mesh well with the first half and in my opinion lets the story down badly. Which is a shame as I quite enjoyed the beginning and think that if the story had stayed on Earth it would have been a much better book.
paperbackstash's review
5.0
There’s one of two things I’ve come to expect the typical Superman novel weakness to be – cheesiness that’s hit-or-miss with its blatant quirkiness, or dryness which makes characters too distant if the author doesn’t dampen the moment every so often. It’s obvious there’s going to be some cheesiness; after all, it’s a novel about superheroes, just goes with the territory, but you can establish a setting which stays true to the legend while holding enough intellect, enough fun, to keep it worthy.
In this case the novel came highly recommended. I checked the reviews on Paperbackswap, Goodreads, and Amazon, surprised to see the three sites united on raves (not common). I hadn’t read a Superman book in awhile, thought why not, so ordered it and then waited in (almost embarrassed to admit) impatience and dorky eagerness. I first opened it to be a bit glum at the size, pretty thin for the 270 or so pages. The writing is a slightly small so there’s a decent amount of story in there, just not something that’s going take long to read if you get absorbed.
Even though the book totes that Superman is now a motion picture, and includes photos from the first film in the center of the book, the story has nothing at all to do with the movie. In fact, it’s very important to note that the Superman/Clark Kent persona is the older almost pre-Crisis type, and the Lex Luthor is the complete opposite of the comedic movie role. Here they go to the roots – in between plot points a flashback or so occurs telling a little about the younger Luthor in Smallville, a friend of sorts with the Kent/Superboy, but more absorbed in his scientific endeavors. These backflashes fascinated me, and it was a different take - some of the common things were there just sketched out and altered slightly, while other things were changed pretty dramatically (such as what happens with Clark's adoptive parents.)
Of course Lois Lane is in the novel but it also should be mentioned that nothing at all is brought up about any romantic interest on Clarks part or hers. The author chose to not focus on that at all apparently. Clark is working for a TV station and they do not even work together any longer; Superman is of course still her savior and hero when times heat up. This includes a scene that surprised me and almost seems anti-Superman as he melts a gun and gives a mans hand third-degree burns. I've already said Lex is different, and they focus more on the mental illness aspect of youth and then the theories as an adult that he is the perfect balance for Supermans heroics. Clark is more interesting when he's Superman and it finally shows more thought later on. At first he just seems so distantly sketched but I felt more toward the ending with the character and think it was easier to then see him as more realistic.
Pacing was pretty swift, a good deal happened. The story turned a surprising 180 in that it changed course midway through the book in a way. The first half was between Superman and Lex Luthor and their rivalry, while the second half they had to work together of all things to leave Earth and solve a situation on another realm. While the author made the man of steel and the villain super-geniouses, I sadly was unable to keep following along with some of the scientific, mid-dimensional stuff later on. There was plenty of it, and that keeps my interest little, so I didn't focus on much other than the action.
Apparently I keep rambling, so I'll start wrapping this one up. Rather than cheesy, this book took itself as seriously as it could. It really tried for a very different type of backstory and intriguing plot that stands out and had it complex with other characters (Green lantern system, etc.) The author chose to concentrate solely on Lex and Clark rather than anything with Lois besides a few saving scenes, and the writing style was easy to follow and well-penned. I have to say I agree with the reviews on the other sites -- it was a worthy, unique story that actually had a real story, not just a scene play-by-play with the characters. My least favorite was the very beginning, where it was less captivating than the rest and almost slightly full for a chapter or so. Besides occasional dryness it was the best I've read yet in this genre.
And yes, the pictures were fun to look through!
In this case the novel came highly recommended. I checked the reviews on Paperbackswap, Goodreads, and Amazon, surprised to see the three sites united on raves (not common). I hadn’t read a Superman book in awhile, thought why not, so ordered it and then waited in (almost embarrassed to admit) impatience and dorky eagerness. I first opened it to be a bit glum at the size, pretty thin for the 270 or so pages. The writing is a slightly small so there’s a decent amount of story in there, just not something that’s going take long to read if you get absorbed.
Even though the book totes that Superman is now a motion picture, and includes photos from the first film in the center of the book, the story has nothing at all to do with the movie. In fact, it’s very important to note that the Superman/Clark Kent persona is the older almost pre-Crisis type, and the Lex Luthor is the complete opposite of the comedic movie role. Here they go to the roots – in between plot points a flashback or so occurs telling a little about the younger Luthor in Smallville, a friend of sorts with the Kent/Superboy, but more absorbed in his scientific endeavors. These backflashes fascinated me, and it was a different take - some of the common things were there just sketched out and altered slightly, while other things were changed pretty dramatically (such as what happens with Clark's adoptive parents.)
Of course Lois Lane is in the novel but it also should be mentioned that nothing at all is brought up about any romantic interest on Clarks part or hers. The author chose to not focus on that at all apparently. Clark is working for a TV station and they do not even work together any longer; Superman is of course still her savior and hero when times heat up. This includes a scene that surprised me and almost seems anti-Superman as he melts a gun and gives a mans hand third-degree burns. I've already said Lex is different, and they focus more on the mental illness aspect of youth and then the theories as an adult that he is the perfect balance for Supermans heroics. Clark is more interesting when he's Superman and it finally shows more thought later on. At first he just seems so distantly sketched but I felt more toward the ending with the character and think it was easier to then see him as more realistic.
Pacing was pretty swift, a good deal happened. The story turned a surprising 180 in that it changed course midway through the book in a way. The first half was between Superman and Lex Luthor and their rivalry, while the second half they had to work together of all things to leave Earth and solve a situation on another realm. While the author made the man of steel and the villain super-geniouses, I sadly was unable to keep following along with some of the scientific, mid-dimensional stuff later on. There was plenty of it, and that keeps my interest little, so I didn't focus on much other than the action.
Apparently I keep rambling, so I'll start wrapping this one up. Rather than cheesy, this book took itself as seriously as it could. It really tried for a very different type of backstory and intriguing plot that stands out and had it complex with other characters (Green lantern system, etc.) The author chose to concentrate solely on Lex and Clark rather than anything with Lois besides a few saving scenes, and the writing style was easy to follow and well-penned. I have to say I agree with the reviews on the other sites -- it was a worthy, unique story that actually had a real story, not just a scene play-by-play with the characters. My least favorite was the very beginning, where it was less captivating than the rest and almost slightly full for a chapter or so. Besides occasional dryness it was the best I've read yet in this genre.
And yes, the pictures were fun to look through!
jmanchester0's review
3.0
It was a fun story, but it did jump around quite a bit. Almost in a non sequitur fashion. Like it was designed to confuse. There's a lot more going on than seems to be on the surface of this 240-page book, and it would have helped to have more background info before jumping from one scene to the next. That, mixed with Maggin's penchant for mixing in scientific background for some of the science fiction of the book made me wonder if it wasn't twice as long before some editor got ahold of it and edited it down to its current size, more palatable to a younger comic-reading crowd. (Cf, Billy Joel: "If you're gonna make a hit, you gotta make it quick‰Ы_")
Overall, it was a quick, enjoyable read. I liked nods to other parts of the DC Universe, but I won't spoil them for you here. I like to see my superheroes grounded on Earth (yes, even though Superman is an alien), but I thought Maggin spun an interesting tale pulling the extra-terrestrial into it. Interesting to see a couple of biblical references and mentions of God. It had an interestingly rich history of the Man of Steel to be written 35 years ago. Even pondering philosophy like: Is Superman good for the world, or harmful?Recommended for serious fans.
Overall, it was a quick, enjoyable read. I liked nods to other parts of the DC Universe, but I won't spoil them for you here. I like to see my superheroes grounded on Earth (yes, even though Superman is an alien), but I thought Maggin spun an interesting tale pulling the extra-terrestrial into it. Interesting to see a couple of biblical references and mentions of God. It had an interestingly rich history of the Man of Steel to be written 35 years ago. Even pondering philosophy like: Is Superman good for the world, or harmful?Recommended for serious fans.
robintelldrake's review
4.0
The degree to which these two little novels (Last Son of Krypton, Miracle Monday) have shaped my idea of how a novel works is a long-standing, embarrassing little secret of mine. Personally, despite the pop-culture nature of the very idea of a Superman novel, I have always felt Maggin accomplished some powerful and noteworthy storytelling here. This is Superman at his most godlike, but it’s also a deeper, more thoroughgoing examination of his lifetime and psyche than I’ve ever seen attempted anywhere else. Lex Luthor, too, becomes a character with his own past and preoccupations, and dozens of projects underway at all times few of which have anything to do with Superman. The ensemble cast around them is drawn on familiar characters from the comics, each done in similarly loving closeup, plus a pile of others from the author’s own head. Maggin is a deft writer of dialogue, with a light comedic tone most of the time.
But structurally, these books are pretty intricate, with the main action often deliberately buried in a flurry of unrelated or tangentially related incidents (Maggin is also a great maker of lists, which may be a stylistic tic or may just be the inevitable result of larding on so much byplay while the plot goes sneaking along underneath). It’s not hard to read them a couple times before you’re strictly clear on which characters were actually Luthor in disguise all along, for example, because Maggin is quite content to let disguises of that sort go unmasked for many chapters in a row. When a new character or scene is introduced, its importance to the story can take quite a while to emerge, but you do need to pay attention if you want to catch it when the reveal comes.
Well worth your time whether you’re particularly interested in the comics or not.
But structurally, these books are pretty intricate, with the main action often deliberately buried in a flurry of unrelated or tangentially related incidents (Maggin is also a great maker of lists, which may be a stylistic tic or may just be the inevitable result of larding on so much byplay while the plot goes sneaking along underneath). It’s not hard to read them a couple times before you’re strictly clear on which characters were actually Luthor in disguise all along, for example, because Maggin is quite content to let disguises of that sort go unmasked for many chapters in a row. When a new character or scene is introduced, its importance to the story can take quite a while to emerge, but you do need to pay attention if you want to catch it when the reveal comes.
Well worth your time whether you’re particularly interested in the comics or not.
ekansthepokemon's review
4.0
This is actually a really good Superman story. Lex steals any scene that he's in, and Supes is way overpowered, but otherwise, it's fun and well developed.
plaidbrarian's review
3.0
Maggin wrote the best Superman comic books of the 70s, so it's not surprising that he could bang out a decent Superman novel, too. The plot is a little silly - Lex Luthor steals Einstein's lost papers that turn out to have something to do with Krypton or something - but the characterization is where this book really shines. Having the time and space to really dig into the characters' heads, Maggin takes full advantage of the opportunity and really gets into why these people do what they do, especially Luthor. Under Maggin's pen, Lex becomes more than just another mad scientist arch-criminal... he truly sees himself as the equal and opposite reaction to Superman's every action. You may not walk away remembering much of the actual story, but the different look at familiar characters will remain with you for a long time.