Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
4.5 stars
I haven't been a comics reader in the past, but I've wanted to branch out and experience more media. One of my best friends recommended this to me while it was part of Amazon Prime. The only reason I'm giving it 4.5 instead of 5 is because I felt like this was definitely a story made for people who are familiar with DC Comics. I didn't have too hard a time following the characters, but there were still a few here and there that I didn't have any reference for or why they should be important.
The story itself was quite good. I like the idea that the "good" superheroes can retire, as well as what the world could become because of that. I was very confused at the start, trying to figure out everything, but it all came together quite nicely. I was surprised by a few things, then surprised that I didn't already expect those things to turn out the way they did. The ending was satisfying. Overall, I'd say the arch was worth exploring as a reader.
The artwork was amazing. I decided to read this through the Kindle for Windows app on my computer instead of my Kindle Paper White, so I could experience the colors. Superman in particular had some great shots. There's so much to look at and unpack in all the drawings! They make you want to stop and see what's going on, versus reading the speech bubbles and blowing through everything as quickly as possible.
I originally updated at 50% and mentioned that the first chapter had zoomed in panels for easier reading, but that the second one did not. That was my own user error. I didn't realize all I had to do was double click the frame and it would zoom in, haha. I must have done it at the start and not realized. Both full page viewing and zoomed frames are available through the whole thing!
I haven't been a comics reader in the past, but I've wanted to branch out and experience more media. One of my best friends recommended this to me while it was part of Amazon Prime. The only reason I'm giving it 4.5 instead of 5 is because I felt like this was definitely a story made for people who are familiar with DC Comics. I didn't have too hard a time following the characters, but there were still a few here and there that I didn't have any reference for or why they should be important.
The story itself was quite good. I like the idea that the "good" superheroes can retire, as well as what the world could become because of that. I was very confused at the start, trying to figure out everything, but it all came together quite nicely. I was surprised by a few things, then surprised that I didn't already expect those things to turn out the way they did. The ending was satisfying. Overall, I'd say the arch was worth exploring as a reader.
The artwork was amazing. I decided to read this through the Kindle for Windows app on my computer instead of my Kindle Paper White, so I could experience the colors. Superman in particular had some great shots. There's so much to look at and unpack in all the drawings! They make you want to stop and see what's going on, versus reading the speech bubbles and blowing through everything as quickly as possible.
I originally updated at 50% and mentioned that the first chapter had zoomed in panels for easier reading, but that the second one did not. That was my own user error. I didn't realize all I had to do was double click the frame and it would zoom in, haha. I must have done it at the start and not realized. Both full page viewing and zoomed frames are available through the whole thing!
It’s crazy to think this is almost 30 years old!
I think, in some ways, that age shows in the storytelling and some parts did feel dated (and didn’t age well) but other parts seem incredibly prescient to our modern age. And the artwork remains timelessly beautiful
I think, in some ways, that age shows in the storytelling and some parts did feel dated (and didn’t age well) but other parts seem incredibly prescient to our modern age. And the artwork remains timelessly beautiful
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn’t into superheroes back in the 90s. I was too busy reading Sandman; Hellblazer and Vertigo titles so I never read this back then.
Reading this now in 2023 it’s scary how relevant it still is politically. There are some great impactful moments in this and what an incredibly nuanced tale of what makes a superhero and why they aren’t the arbiters of truth and justice at all times.
Reading this now in 2023 it’s scary how relevant it still is politically. There are some great impactful moments in this and what an incredibly nuanced tale of what makes a superhero and why they aren’t the arbiters of truth and justice at all times.
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked it. Unsurprisingly, my favorite part is Alex Ross’s beautiful artwork. My second favorite part is, slightly more surprisingly, the lettering (oh what I’d do for this lettering to be standard.) Sadly, my least favorite part is the ending. I think there could’ve been so much more done, especially with the fact that prisons and Justice usually don’t go together that well (a fact assuredly well understood by the writers as seen in their portrayal of the prison in the series.) I almost wish it had a darker ending. Definitely worth a reread and, because of that, glad I was able to pick up a solid edition for so cheap (12 USD.)
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You know, I didn't love it. I mean, it's a good story with some great parts (Magog's story was outstanding), but I feel like this is similar ground to the other DC events that I've read (Red Son, Injustice) and the art just didn't agree with my eyes. Still worth the time though.
I think I would've loved this as a teen. Now I can only see its flaws. A superhero comic that feels like it was written by people who only think about superhero comics (not that that's always a bad thing - see "All Star Superman" for the good version of that idea).
It's a comic that asks the question "what do we do with bad people" and looks neither to the hundreds of years of philosophy on ethics, prisons, etc for its answers, and nor does it look to the long history of justice (or lack thereof) and prisons in the real world. Instead some superhero stuff happens.
And you know what - that's fine. I like superhero stuff. The art in this book is absolutely incredible - maybe the best superhero art EVER. This is a totally enjoyable read, and it's great to see interesting expansions on beloved characters.
I just can't help but feel let down by a comic that so clearly is interested in asking big questions but equally obviously has no interest in thinking about if anyone else has asked those questions before and instead just does some comic book stuff.
It's a comic that asks the question "what do we do with bad people" and looks neither to the hundreds of years of philosophy on ethics, prisons, etc for its answers, and nor does it look to the long history of justice (or lack thereof) and prisons in the real world. Instead some superhero stuff happens.
And you know what - that's fine. I like superhero stuff. The art in this book is absolutely incredible - maybe the best superhero art EVER. This is a totally enjoyable read, and it's great to see interesting expansions on beloved characters.
I just can't help but feel let down by a comic that so clearly is interested in asking big questions but equally obviously has no interest in thinking about if anyone else has asked those questions before and instead just does some comic book stuff.