Continuing SUPERMANIA’s ongoing series of posts dedicated to comic reading specially selected for fans of the Movie series, the above may well represent the best and purest interpretation to date –
Indeed, writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank may well have created a satisfactory substitute for what was long thought to be a lost cause – a virtual comic adaptation of Superman: The Movie.
Having already wowed fans old & new with with their shamelessly cinematic Superman: Brainiac series, this dream-team pairing next applied their epic take on his ‘Secret’ origins, in a bold revision not attempted since John Byrne’s definitive Man Of Steel in 1986.
Over the course of six spellbinding issues, Johns & Frank manage to spin a tale of considerable substance, cherry-picking from all of the best influences from all the Man Of Tomorrow’s rich history and many incarnations, ultimately producing a graphic novel I could only describe as a precious gift to fans of the classic Superman Movies.
Indeed, there are so many rich references and sweet homage to Richard Donner’s pictures I could easily make extensive posts on every issue. As for the collection, however, beyond the main players (Christopher Reeve’s Superman/Clark Kent written and illustrated to perfection) find mentions of obscurities such as Gil Friesen to nothing short of a glorious re-interpretation of the double jeopardy scene from Superman: the Movie. Interspersed with some classic comic-book action (featuring outstanding re-imaginings of villains The Parasite and Metallo, Johns also invests considerable time & energy into addressing much of the ambiguity regarding the Superman mythos (Including the invention of the costume and the cute necessity of Clark’s glasses) in a contemporary fashion Christopher Nolan would certainly approve of.
For all its stylish integrity, however, the book does have one fairly significant and questionable failing – the re-introduction of Superboy. In a baffling second issue, Superboy comes to terms with his Superhero obligations with the help of the Legion Of Superheroes. In a move of such incomprehensible silliness totally at odds with the rest of the tone established by issue 1, Superboy travels in time for an adventure in the distant future. Even the sweetly contrived arrival of Krypto The Superdog can’t save the issue from ruining what would otherwise be an exquisite collection. Obligingly, the story does not suffer by its deletion, so the reader can easily skip from issues 1 to 3 with little or no fallout.
Despite my longing for the Johns/Frank pairing to continue on the character in his regular run until the end of time, this book, tragically, to date, this is their epitaph. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them both for sharing their vision whilst applying Christopher Reeve’s persona to a tale worthy of the affection we clearly share of his interpretation to this day…
Another addition to SUPERMANIA’s series of recommended comic reading for fans of the Superman Movie series is this epic graphic novel published by Titan Books in 1997. Collecting the Elseworlds run originally published by DC comics and written by Mark Waid, Kingdom Come is a grand, ambitious project permitting creatives to indulge themselves with the characters of the DC Universe without consequence as outlined below –
“In Elseworlds, heroes are taken from their usual settings and put into strange times and places – some that have existed or might have existed, and others that can’t, couldn’t or shouldn’t exist.”
Ironically, besides the awesome and touching dedication to Christopher Reeve on page 1, there is little content thereafter reminiscent of anything seen on the big screen. Despite Kingdom’s astonishing hand painted art by the unparalleled Alex Ross, every panel may well be suitable for framing but purposefully portrays alternate versions of all the DC frontrunners -some more convincingly than others.
In fact, Kingdom is a heavy going, sometimes exhausting read, just as the definition above precludes. Its an epic tale crammed tightly into a format that can’t really accommodate it and therefore does it little justice. The dialogue is sharper than the premise and in a similar vein to Alan Moore’s Watchmen, you realise from the outset this is a doom-laden morality tale. Kudos, however should be given to the characterisations of Batman and Wonder Woman and the notion of making Captain Marvel an atomic version of Lenny from Of Mice And Men…
SUPERMANIA brings you yet another intriguing European collectable – this time with the German Superman IV: The Quest For Peace comic adaptation.
In stark contrast to the hastily produced US standard four-colour version (lacking all the attention lavished on the Superman III issue with its photo covers, etc.) and presented as a colourful, glossy magazine, this publication includes a feature and the godawful German poster (above) as a centrefold. Quite why the European Cannon advertising exec felt the compulsion to decapitate Daniel Goozee’s beautiful one-sheet art so his four-year old child could have a go at painting around it still baffles. That and the questionable publicity for NASA to promote their Nuclear missile..?
Browsing through my collection for more recommended reading of comics tailored to fans of the Superman Movies I came across this forgotten gem from 1985(!). Presented in standard direct sales format, this unusual collection of tributes to the ‘Fifty Who Made DC great’ was released in celebration of the publishers upcoming 50th anniversary.
Introduced by then-president Jenette Kahn, this refreshingly ad-free special devotes whole pages to everything from the Fleischer Studios to Burt Ward. Among the many Superman contributions (including features on Kenner Toys and Peanut Butter) are the above scans acknowledging the Man Of Steel’s impact on the silver screen. I look forward to the revised digital edition in 2035…
This latest recommended reading for fans of the Superman movies comes with nothing less than an endorsement from the man himself –
‘Superman In The Seventies’ is a nostalgic look back at some of the defining stories of the decade with sharp reprints of such classics as ‘Superman Breaks Loose’ (where the threat of Kryptonite is eradicated by an explosion and The Man Of Steel eats some to prove it) and the controversial Lois Lane story ‘I Am Curious (Black)!’ where with Superman’s help the girl reporter transforms into an African-American to research a story.
And what better way to represent the times than the actor who would define him in that era and beyond? Christopher Reeve’s introduction (shown above) shares thoughts on the genesis and and endurance of the character with a typically modest acknowledgement of his contribution to the legend. However keen Reeve was to stress his status of custody was temporary, he is a constant in our hearts & minds…
From the top, cover, introduction and feature from the trade paperback released in 2000…
