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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
He really is an all star. One of the best superhero stories of the 2000s (maybe the best). Loved it and would reread in a heartbeat.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I had wanted to read this for a while, and it had flashes, but overall just didn’t do it for me.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Now this! This is the good stuff! Everything I wasn't fond of in Volume 1 is essentially dropped, and everything I liked remains. I could just tell from the moment Zibarro appeared and spoke to Superman, this one had the sauce.
Obviously I'm going to skirt around details but everything to do with the Bizarro World plotline is fantastic, and the questions it raises about identity and life's purpose is so compelling. Not to mention, the setting is so otherworldly that it leads to some really distinct and imaginative illustrations. Bizarro World is presented as a sort of odd reflection of our world, but I like how this story identifies Bizarro's incessant need to replicate humanity endlessly with no clear purpose as the sad reality that it is. It's the kind of thoughtful, empathetic storytelling I was hoping to see in my first Superman comic.
Then, of course, there's the rest of the volume, and it just goes from strength to strength. I like how All-Star Superman isn't afraid to dedicate an entire chapter to simply watching Superman go about his day doing all the good that he can, in whatever ways he can, with the time he has left. For Superman, doing good is not just about punching bad guys. It's about all the other stuff, even the messier parts. Seeing the strongest guy of all time comfort a suicidal person on the edge of a building is so surreal, but the perfect signifier of what kind of man Superman is. He's just a good person, doing everything in his power to enact that goodness.
I think tonally, this end stretch is just perfection. I adore this story. I wasn't particularly fond of the artstyle initially, but some of these illustrations are straight up mesmerising. I'm very fond of this comic. If anything, I worry that I've set the bar too high for whatever comes next!
Obviously I'm going to skirt around details but everything to do with the Bizarro World plotline is fantastic, and the questions it raises about identity and life's purpose is so compelling. Not to mention, the setting is so otherworldly that it leads to some really distinct and imaginative illustrations. Bizarro World is presented as a sort of odd reflection of our world, but I like how this story identifies Bizarro's incessant need to replicate humanity endlessly with no clear purpose as the sad reality that it is. It's the kind of thoughtful, empathetic storytelling I was hoping to see in my first Superman comic.
Then, of course, there's the rest of the volume, and it just goes from strength to strength. I like how All-Star Superman isn't afraid to dedicate an entire chapter to simply watching Superman go about his day doing all the good that he can, in whatever ways he can, with the time he has left. For Superman, doing good is not just about punching bad guys. It's about all the other stuff, even the messier parts. Seeing the strongest guy of all time comfort a suicidal person on the edge of a building is so surreal, but the perfect signifier of what kind of man Superman is. He's just a good person, doing everything in his power to enact that goodness.
I think tonally, this end stretch is just perfection. I adore this story. I wasn't particularly fond of the artstyle initially, but some of these illustrations are straight up mesmerising. I'm very fond of this comic. If anything, I worry that I've set the bar too high for whatever comes next!
definitely has WAY too much going on and the narrative doesn't have enough time to develop, but there are some bright sentimental moments showcasing the latent humanity of superman. (my review of the run as a whole).