Tim Sale (1956–2022)

Recently picked up a bunch of Loeb and Sale collections that I found reasonably priced on eBay. As far as the comic book version of Peter Parker is concerned, I've always been Team M-J, coming to the Spider-verse long after Gwen Stacey was gone. This story takes Petey back to the early days where both these manic dream pixie girls were starting to express an interest. It's plenty of fun, but it's shot through with the kind of melancholy only a middle-aged reader of superhero comics can show more relate to. I don't mind admitting that I cried the first time M-J says, "Face it, tiger... "and Tim Sale's work here is gorgeously cartoony. It's a wonderful tribute to Gwen that honors Peter and Mary-Jane's relationship and a lovely addition to my library. show less

Really distinctive, unique art--beautiful, stylized, really gets the emotions, mood, and action across. The dialog is great too: snappy and clever, but not ridiculously so, and does not adhere to the usual noir cliches. And best of all, Catwoman shines. This is a book to remind one of everything there is to love about her. Self-sufficient, canny, but with a heart that sometimes comes into play.

After being linked to a mob boss's death, Selena flees to Rome. But despite the city's reputation show more as a no-cape zone, she keeps running into evidence of the presence of an ever-widening circle of the Bat's enemies. Meanwhile, she's concerned with her own search for the truth about her parentage, and her troubled relationship with Batman. This is a fantastic story, full of double-crosses, narrow escapes, and murky motives. The Big Bad leaves a little to be desired, but I was so entranced by Selena that I didn't care. I'd recommend it to anyone feeling a bit jaded and tired of the usual Bat-stories. show less

My first impressions (Writing down my first impressions of the book. NOT an in-depth review. Reviews are based on personal enjoyment.)

RANK: Super Sensational

I had a great time reading this comic.

Tim Sale art is amazing. His art style fits with the story that Loeb is trying to tell. It has this sense of an old painting that people see at their grandparents house. There are some beautiful splash pages throughout the story.

Jeph Loeb has manage to write a Superman comic that stays true to show more the character of Superman.
This comic focuses on who Clark Kent is as a human being. The reader gets to explore Clark’s feelings such as doubting himself as a hero, dealing with loneliness, feeling guilty for not helping everyone. Loeb writes a more grounded Superman that any reader can relate to. This is most human that Clark/Superman that has ever been written, personally.

Loeb never treats Clark as a powerful demigod that’s above humans. I like that Martha, Johnathan and Lana know that even though Clark has these powers he will always be their Clark. To understand the man in the cape all one needs to do is understand Clark.

I like that each chapter, named after a season, represents current state of Clark. It fits with the themes of the comic.

If anyone wants to start reading Superman comics, this is a great comic to start with. All the reader needs to know is that Clark Kent is Superman, He came from an alien planet and was raised by an elderly couple.

Overall, I highly recommend this comic to anyone that wants to start reading Superman. It has a writer that understands Superman, A grounded story, and beautiful art. show less

This is the first Superman graphic novel I've read that really delves into his life in Smallville, as a result, it feels distinct, cozy and emotional, moreso than most Superman stories.

I wasn't a fan of the artstyle at first, it's nowhere near as flashy or detailed as Red Son or Kingdom Come, but it ties in so well with the story that it works perfectly. Less is more, and every panel and piece of dialogue feels meaningful.

It's very fresh, despite being an "origin" story, which I'm usually show more bored of at this point. I like there isn't really a big bad in this one, and Clark seems more like a young man would - capable, but hesitant and confused about his direction in life. Very poignant. Excellent Superman story. show less