A review by jstilts
Superman for All Seasons by Jeph Loeb

emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

A sad little retelling of Clark Kent's life in Smallville and early years in Metropolis (and back again). There's no real joy in the characters, the plot is meanderingly glum, the art style does nothing to stop the drab colouring from making this even more of a sad experience even when the plot isn't at all grim - just glum.

I got this book on the strength of the writer and artist's excellent work in Batman: The Long Halloween and Dark Victory, and while they excelled there something is dragging them down here.

It probably doesn't help that this is at heart a rather slight story about growing up and leaving home and making your mark in the world - and finding out that life isn't always that linear nor that straightforward. While on the surface that fits the broad strokes of the Superman story, all the characters and trappings expected from that story just bog down anything you try to put on it. Lois Lane, Perry White, even Lex Luthor just kind of get in the way, as does the expectation that Jonathan Kent should die at any moment (given that's what usually happens) - but take those trappings out and there isn't really much left here either.

Stuck in bed sick, this sad-sack book is definitely not what I needed to lift my spirits!
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