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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
"In times like these, it is often difficult to remember that through hardship we often find rewards. That in times of crisis, how each man or woman is defined by how he or she acts. And while a tree may have its leaves turn brown, and then go bare, there will come a Spring."
I have often heard arguments that Superman is a boring character, because he's too good, he's too powerful, he doesn't have enough conflict. For much of my life, I was guilty of saying such things myself.
Nowadays? With so many fine people continually articulating sorrow and grief and unease about the state of the world (2016 has been a rough year for a lot of people, it seems), I found reading this tale truly refreshing. Superman stories are, in general, stories about optimism and hope. This particular story is a simple, elegant tale about a young man who wants to help others, because it's the right thing to do, and because he has the capability to do so. He may not be able to help everyone, but he is going to give it his best shot.
I think that's a story worth listening to in this day and age. May we all try likewise in our own lives.
I have often heard arguments that Superman is a boring character, because he's too good, he's too powerful, he doesn't have enough conflict. For much of my life, I was guilty of saying such things myself.
Nowadays? With so many fine people continually articulating sorrow and grief and unease about the state of the world (2016 has been a rough year for a lot of people, it seems), I found reading this tale truly refreshing. Superman stories are, in general, stories about optimism and hope. This particular story is a simple, elegant tale about a young man who wants to help others, because it's the right thing to do, and because he has the capability to do so. He may not be able to help everyone, but he is going to give it his best shot.
I think that's a story worth listening to in this day and age. May we all try likewise in our own lives.
This story revisits the early days of Superman's life, particularly when he leaves Smallville and first moves to Metropolis. The story focuses on the formation of Superman as a superhero and explores his values and beliefs. Superman is a character who is always described as a boy scout, and this book explores what that means. We get to see Superman think about what his life will be like and what kind of hero he will be.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It focuses on what it wants to talk about in the Superman canon. We get Smallville, Ma and Pa Kent, Lana Lang, and Pete Ross. In Metropolis we get Lex Luther, Lois Lane, and Clark Kent at the Daily Planet. The art is purposely reminiscent of Norman Rockwell. I was worried that the colors would be too bright but it works. After reading this book I feel like I understand why Superman is such a goody two-shoes. Recommended for fans of Superman and revisited origin stories.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It focuses on what it wants to talk about in the Superman canon. We get Smallville, Ma and Pa Kent, Lana Lang, and Pete Ross. In Metropolis we get Lex Luther, Lois Lane, and Clark Kent at the Daily Planet. The art is purposely reminiscent of Norman Rockwell. I was worried that the colors would be too bright but it works. After reading this book I feel like I understand why Superman is such a goody two-shoes. Recommended for fans of Superman and revisited origin stories.
As good as any novel and a quintessential superhero story. It is full of emotion and heart and the art is beautiful. I would recommend to anyone, even if you do not care for comics.
It seems like people either love this or hate it. I loved it. I'm not a Superman fan and have never really read a Superman book before because I have seen Superman movies and never enjoy the character. This is kind of a Norman Rockwell treatment of the character which is a hat tip to the era that he comes from and what makes the character tick. There isn't really new ground covered or even that much plot, but four vignettes about Clark/Superman told from four distinct outside perspectives.
I picked this up at Comic-Con in a sort of whirlwind of TPB-buying, at one of the many 50%-off sales that nerds swarm over on the Final Day of the Con. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale have done a bunch of very popular one-offs about a given character (most famously, their "color" books: Daredevil Yellow, Spider-Man Blue, etc as well as their DC Batman books), and for whatever reason, this one caught my eye. I haven't read much of their stuff, and I don't really care about Superman in general (I realized that most of my Superman knowledge comes from movies and cartoons). And even though the early days of Superman is pretty well-trod ground (which this book covers), I thoroughly enjoyed this. Lots of focus on the supporting cast, without being hokey, and I particularly enjoy how humanizing the first chapter is, in particular. the one review on the back compares it to a John Ford movie, and I'd say that's pretty apt.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Simple concept, brilliantly executed.
Tim Sale's art is very unique and works great for the world of Superman. Drawing Clark as this friendly giant is genius and is probably my new favourite design for him. Loeb's writing is fantastic and the following short stories are just as great, especially the emotional "Sam's Story". The perspectives told from different characters in his life show the various ways Superman affects them.
It's a timeless story that really understands Superman's character, his guilt and the burden he feels every day.
Tim Sale's art is very unique and works great for the world of Superman. Drawing Clark as this friendly giant is genius and is probably my new favourite design for him. Loeb's writing is fantastic and the following short stories are just as great, especially the emotional "Sam's Story". The perspectives told from different characters in his life show the various ways Superman affects them.
It's a timeless story that really understands Superman's character, his guilt and the burden he feels every day.
Just like Long Halloween is the ultimate Batman book, Spider-Man Blue is the ultimate Spider-Man book, Loeb and Sale produce the ultimate Superman book.
Lex's story and Lana's were definitely the best. This graphic novel has an awesome grasp of the tradition Superman mythology but is never boring or dated :] There is one great quote by Lois about how much money Lex earns that is fantastic: "We were bored and tired and we tried to figure out how much Luthor makes. Our best guess? One hundred and fifty dollars a second. In other words, if Lex Luthor found a hundred dollar bill lying in the street...it wouldn't be worth his time to pick it up." Genius!