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goldenmateo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
josh0_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gretrascis's review against another edition
3.0
Hokey 50s revisionist Americana nostalgia filter applied to Superman Year One type story. Fully saved from failure by Time Sales gorgeous art bolstered by Hansen’s watercolor style. I was happy to focus on the art even as I skimmed the narration and dialogue.
sonofatreus's review against another edition
5.0
This is it. A retelling of the Superman story without dwelling on Krypton (or Kryptonite) with every essential character well-represented.
The story itself is told in four parts, one for each season, from the perspective of four characters somehow fundamental to Superman's/Clark's life: Jonathan Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Lana Lang. They each have their own unique perspective on Superman, Clark, and what it means to have Superman in the world. Each of their stories is moderately small scale (no great world-destroying baddies, e.g.) and this helps humanize Superman in a way that has hardly ever been done so well. In doing so, we see Superman struggle first with adapting to his new powers, then fit into the world at large, and finally come to peace with balancing these. It is a complete story, with no real loose ends, and it didn't feel necessary to step into any of the more comic-booky aspects of Superman.
As for the art, it is superb. Sale dedicated the book to Norman Rockwell, which I only noticed halfway through. The influence is clear and, whether you like Rockwell or despise him, it makes Superman (again) seem human. He hulks over any other characters in his size, but he has a humility to him that others, like Lex, do not. Also, Smallville in particular seems like it could stand in for any small-town, USA circa 1950s-1960s (at least in the same way Rockwell does).
All around a perfect Superman story.
The story itself is told in four parts, one for each season, from the perspective of four characters somehow fundamental to Superman's/Clark's life: Jonathan Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Lana Lang. They each have their own unique perspective on Superman, Clark, and what it means to have Superman in the world. Each of their stories is moderately small scale (no great world-destroying baddies, e.g.) and this helps humanize Superman in a way that has hardly ever been done so well. In doing so, we see Superman struggle first with adapting to his new powers, then fit into the world at large, and finally come to peace with balancing these. It is a complete story, with no real loose ends, and it didn't feel necessary to step into any of the more comic-booky aspects of Superman.
As for the art, it is superb. Sale dedicated the book to Norman Rockwell, which I only noticed halfway through. The influence is clear and, whether you like Rockwell or despise him, it makes Superman (again) seem human. He hulks over any other characters in his size, but he has a humility to him that others, like Lex, do not. Also, Smallville in particular seems like it could stand in for any small-town, USA circa 1950s-1960s (at least in the same way Rockwell does).
All around a perfect Superman story.
molassesbread's review against another edition
5.0
Ah... this comic run is a warm mug of tea with lemon. It suffers only a minor trespass, in that the art is more captivating that the story, but who wouldn't be overcome by Sale's watercolours and inks. A classic for a reason.
mattstephen's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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
4.0
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly thoughtful and sentimental, even sweet. The seasonal chapters were engaging, and the use of different narrators for each (Pa Kent, Lois, Lex, and Lana) added layers to a familiar story. The retro-style art is effective, too, and though put-ff at first, I came to like the outsized characterization of Clark.
"We can be grateful for the seasons, no matter how cruel or harsh they may seem. For it is only through their passage...that we can truly appreciate the future."
"We can be grateful for the seasons, no matter how cruel or harsh they may seem. For it is only through their passage...that we can truly appreciate the future."
achilios's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
90s jeph loeb superman at its finest
akrajkow87's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jamesgoux's review against another edition
4.0
One of the better Superman stories I've ever read, though not quite as good as All Star Superman. It felt a little "basic" though, I imagine this would be a great read for someone pretty new to superman, even though it's not his origin, it's still pretty close to the beginning of his career and covers him learning how to come to terms with himself. What really makes this worthwhile though, is Tim Sale's art, which is superbly simple and striking. Fans of Heroes will be familiar with his work, but it's so much better and more developed here.