Scan barcode
A review by tshepiso
Superman: The Man of Steel, Vol. 1 by John Byrne
4.5
As a (fairly picky) Superman fan there's nothing more joyful than picking up a Superman comic written by someone who gets the big blue boy scout. So I'm happy to say that so far John Byrne easily joins the hallowed halls of writers that Get It™.
Man of Steel is a reintroduction to Superman and while its beats are familiar (possibly because it was a blueprint for later tellings of Supes' origins) they are well executed. What I most loved about this mini series is how Byrne relishes in character moments. From Martha and Jon to Lois, Lex, and even Lana Lang we get to deeply understand Clark's relationship to the people and the world around him across these 6 issues.
Wholesome moments like Clark crafting his superhero and civilian identity with his parents melted my heart. And character dynamics like Lois one-sided rivalry with Clark after he scoops the story of the century from her add a great texture to his life and relationships in Metropolis. I especially loved Lex's characterization here. Byrne perfectly captures that mix of entitlement and ego that fuels Luthor's hatred of Superman and minor details like his failed pursuit of Lois adds a nice touch of intercoventivity to the world.
Finally what fully sold me on Byrne's iteration for Superman was its final issue. Many writers see Superman as a messiah figure whose alien heritage make him separate from humanity. Byrne in contrast asserts Clark's connection to the people and world that raised him. He's not above humanity he's an inextricable part of it. And that awe inspiring message is so well told I have full confidence that Superman is in good hands under Byrnes pen.
Man of Steel is a reintroduction to Superman and while its beats are familiar (possibly because it was a blueprint for later tellings of Supes' origins) they are well executed. What I most loved about this mini series is how Byrne relishes in character moments. From Martha and Jon to Lois, Lex, and even Lana Lang we get to deeply understand Clark's relationship to the people and the world around him across these 6 issues.
Wholesome moments like Clark crafting his superhero and civilian identity with his parents melted my heart. And character dynamics like Lois one-sided rivalry with Clark after he scoops the story of the century from her add a great texture to his life and relationships in Metropolis. I especially loved Lex's characterization here. Byrne perfectly captures that mix of entitlement and ego that fuels Luthor's hatred of Superman and minor details like his failed pursuit of Lois adds a nice touch of intercoventivity to the world.
Finally what fully sold me on Byrne's iteration for Superman was its final issue. Many writers see Superman as a messiah figure whose alien heritage make him separate from humanity. Byrne in contrast asserts Clark's connection to the people and world that raised him. He's not above humanity he's an inextricable part of it. And that awe inspiring message is so well told I have full confidence that Superman is in good hands under Byrnes pen.