Superman: Birthright, Superman Annual, Superman Confidential

Superman: Birthright 1-12

The third Superman origin in a row.  This time, it’s Mark Waid and and Leinil F Yu’s version of the story.  Coming after my reading of Superman: Secret Origin yesterday, Birthright doesn’t come close to matching the joy and energy of Johns and Frank’s rendition.  

There’s a meh “Clark doing journalism in Africa” arc in the first two issues (with the obligatory Action Comics 1 homage), followed by the helicopter tribute in issue four.

Donner's Superman still making an impact.

The “you just missed him” callback to Byrne’s Man of Steel  comes in issue nine.

Forever chasing.

I’m less a fan of this Lex Luthor.  This Luthor resorts to framing Superman, turning public sentiment against him.  In a way, “mean” offends me far more than “evil,” if that distinction makes sense.  

It’s really weird seeing Superman shoot gun.  It’s also one of the few times I’ve seen him use scare tactics.  I’m not a fan.

Feels out of character.

Yu’s art is good throughout, but it’s never going to be “happy.”  Coupled with Lex’s faked Kryptonian invasion, this series simply isn’t as fun as Secret Origin.  

Looks good though, no doubt about it.

There is a nice moment at the very end, where Superman is able to briefly communicate with his parents courtesy of Luthor’s wormhole through time.  It gives bittersweet closure to his parents’ only question before their deaths - “Did we save our son?”

From the first issue.

From the last.

All they could have hoped for.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Fine

Superman Annual 11

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s classic “For the Man Who Has Everything” - Mongul takes Superman out of the equation by hypnotizing him with visions of his heart’s desire.  I’m not sure if this is the first time this concept’s been done, but reading it thirty-four years later, it’s certainly been used many times since, and to better effect.

My main problem is that Superman’s perfect world isn’t all that perfect.  He’s got a boring job, his father’s a racist nationalist, and he doesn’t seem to be enjoying his life all that much.  That undercuts the tragedy when he lets it all go.

The drama in the Fortress of Solitude is far more compelling.  Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman have to find a way to free Superman from the Black Mercy and stall Mongul in the meantime.  The tension there is well executed, though I also have problems with Wonder Woman playing the part of Mongul’s punching bag.

To be honest, I don’t think I’d call this a classic if it hadn’t already been labelled as such.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: No

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Nice

Superman Confidential 1-5, 11

Issue 11 is the sixth part of this Darwyn Cooke/Tim Sale collaboration.  I’m guessing the gap had to do with artist delays. “Kryptonite” is a creative spin on Superman’s early years as a hero.  Superman’s already dating Lois Lane, but not as Clark Kent. Luthor’s barely in the picture, with the newly created Anthony Gallo playing the main antagonist instead.  A massive chunk of Kryptonite appears to be...sentient?

All of these new elements make for a different kind of Superman story, one that I enjoyed reading.  Plus, Sale’s return to Superman after For All Seasons is more than welcome.  

They both look so vulnerable.

Polar bear!

Sale loves using that dangling high heel.

From Daredevil: Yellow.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Pretty good