Another book with the pairing of Morrison and Frank Quietly’s art. The half dozen or so stories are all self contained pieces of fiction though the first two kind of book end each other. The stories involve Superman/Clark Kent and the ancillary supporting characters. Particularly enjoyed The Gospell According to Lex Luthor. The artwork is sumptuous; glossy and punchy yet still controlled. Good use of space on each page and breaking away from the customary use of panels. And Superman looks as he should. A book worth reading again, to saviour the subtleties of the writing, and before I launch myself into volume two. ( )

click for review ( )

Interesting but somehow unsatisfying ( )

I know I'm supposed to like Grant Morrison's work. I don't. I've tried very hard to do so, but out of every five stories I read, I only really like one.

So it is with this collection. I know I'm supposed to like this one too, since it was so critically acclaimed and won two Eisners, but I didn't. Of the six issues here, only the one where Lois gained super powers for the day really seemed fresh. Otherwise, the characters were paper-thin (especially Luther) and the stories banal. Frank Quitely's art has never really appealed to me except for his work in Sandman: Endless Nights.

I realize I'm in a minority here, which is probably why I have tried so hard to like Morrison. But to me, he usually only succeeds in creating stories without a single likable character. I guess that's what passes for "post-modern" these days. But I just don't think that dark equals good. Dark has to have some substance, but Morrison just very rarely has any. ( )

Finally, this series has been released in a format that I can afford to buy. Well, half of it has. Whither volume 2? I need it now because Morrison's take on the Man of Steel is picture perfect. Fun, brave, and upstanding, this is exactly what I need from Superman. In these six issues, Superman gets supercharged with solar radiation, which gives him new powers but will ultimately kill him. So, he tells Lois Lane the truth he's been hiding from her all those years-- Lois, in one of the book's funnest moments, still refuses to believe that he can possibly be bumbling Clark Kent! After some gratuitous Lois fanservice, Superman gives her a potion that makes her Superwoman for a day. This results in a fun story involving Dino-Czar Tyrannko and his dinosaur people at the Earth's core, but the idea is squandered as it focuses more on Superman, Atlas, and Samson competing for Lois's affections than Lois's new abilities. Still, Lois remains strongly written throughout the book, as does Jimmy Olsen, who gets a chance to shine in his own story, "The Superman/Jimmy Olsen War!" Lex Luthor is also on top form, as "The Gospel According to Lex Luthor" shows us a Lex who has been condemned to death for his crimes, has built an escape route, and will not use it because he doesn't care what happens to him, because he's managed to ensure that Superman will die first. Awesome. The only story that didn't work for me was "Funeral in Smallville", which just didn't engender the emotional reaction it was obviously going for. Frank Quitely's artwork is magnificent throughout.

A wild and exciting ride into a new mythos of Superman. You know, stepping back from comic books for a while and re-entering in trade paperbacks has given me a new appreciation for these stories as taking place out of time. It's not the chronology of events, with so many beginnings and endings, reimaginings and deaths and rebirths. It's the characters themselves, and the accretion of their adventures. It's created a wide plain of history that new writers and artists can pull from, a rich mythology in which the heroes may never die.

Of course, that's probably what they said about Gilgamesh.

But, then, look at Arthur. Good stories, good ideas, good archetypes just seem to live forever sometimes, don't they? ( )

This is both a visually entertaining feast and a retro-styled joy of a book. It gives a wink and a nod to past Superman tellings, while maintaining a modern sensibility. ( )

http://nomiddlename.blogspot.com/2008... ( )

A refreshing and hugely entertaining retelling of the superman story. ( )

1986: Batman: Dark Knight Returns.

2005: All-Star Superman.

Nuff' said. ( )

This certainly has potential, although the storyline veers off into inanity once in a while. The underlying story is Lex Luthor's umpteenth attempt on Superman's life, this one quite likely successful. He lures Superman into the heart of the sun to rescue a team of solarnaut scientists in trouble. The resulting overcharge of solar radiation has tripled his strength and intellectual prowess - and doomed him, as his cells are gradually overloading and exploding within him due to the excess solar energy. Not knowing how long he has left, he tells Lois Lane his secret (this is evidently off the beaten path of the mythos), and spends a marvelous day with her. The weakest story is when the classic strongmen of the past, Samson and Atlas, show up to challenge Superman for Lois' affections. Dumb story, mildly entertaining. Then there is a prison interview between Clark and Lex, who shares his ideology (and insanity) with Clark. A revealing and intriguing segment to a first volume of a very interesting series by a talented creative team. Love the artwork, too. ( )

All Star Superman is drawn by Frank Quitely, which is always pretty cool. The story seems quite a bit more reminscent at times of Elliott Maggin's novels, than anything else. That doesn't mean there isn't some craziness in there, but a bit more of that whole Superman, Lois and Lex tone that the author comes up with, so Morrison has done a pretty decent job.

http://graphicsf.blogspot.com/2007/02... ( )

What is Superman's most powerful attribute?

It's rare when a comic book comes along that deals so well with mature themes of mortality, love, & choices. If you think this is just a story about men flying around in colorful pajamas, you probably haven't read much by Grant Morrison before. At the time of this review, the first three issues have come out and there are more to come. The series started out in January of this year, and is being released monthly. I'm eager to see what happens next.

You cannot review a comic book without equally discussing the artist. Frank Quitely's figures are real. While they are overproportioned, they are also flawed and aged. I love his art for it's weight, color, and sensualness. His women are shaped like real women, not too long, not too muscular, and not too skinny. He really cares about body language, demeanor, and expression. His art has richness, thickness, and depth.

In this Superman universe, Clark, as a result of a rescue attempt too close to the Sun, becomes mortal. So the series asks: If Superman knew he would only live a normal or shortened lifespan, what choices would he make in his limited time? Would he continue to keep his secrets? Would he still focus on helping others? Would anything change? And what force might make an "all powerful" person change?

In issue 3, he reveals that he has spent a lifetime synthesizing a potion and creating an enabling costume to give to Lois Lane so she can experience what it feels like to have his super powers for one day. It is a beautiful act and sentiment.

She gains most of his physical super powers, strength, physical invincibility, speed, and ability to fly. But even after she gains all his physical powers, she encounters a greater force that threatens to take her life.

And in that crisis, Superman uses his intellect, revealing that his greatest strength may not be his physical powers or invincibility. It may be his willingness to yield or temper his fight, because someone he loves requests it or needs it, even though it is against what he personally wants. It may be his willingness to always keep searching for and trying non-lethal possible solutions. It may be his hard-experience-learned willingness to concede that physical force superiority will not solve many major problems the world faces. It may be his intellectual choice to fight for others even when he can't see if they are as willing to fight for him.

Superman is sometimes like a soldier or policeman, who thinks he is more willing to put himself at risk to protect others than they appear willing to protect him. But his perception may be incorrect if he does not see how others put themselves at risk in non-violent ways for his potential benefit.

For many reasons, Clark continues to love Lois even when she will not "see" or recognize him, her eyes always focused on Superman. But who can blame Lois? She understands that Clark is attracted to her and treats her well. But if she is going to get Superman, she has to dismiss Clark's attention, doesn't she? Should Clark feel incredible harm at being passed over for Superman? If so, should Clark continue to love Lois when clearly she will never choose to care for him over Superman? The complexity, flexibility, and universality of the Superman love triangle has stood the test of time for many good reasons.

Should a person admire Clark more than they admire Superman? Or vice versa? I can empathize with both of their suffering and appreciate both of their beauty.

And in this series by Morrison and Quitely, both Clark and Superman, when faced with mortality and the possibility of losing Lois, decide to become more honest with Lois and reveal their hidden identities.

Issue #3 asks the classic question of: What happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object? The uncommon answer may not be what you expect, and may not be what you want, but it may be a valuable answer worth considering and appreciating. ( )