The Death and Life of Superman

First let me say that my husband talked me into reading this book; I generally do not enjoy superhero fantasy novels. I've never been a reader of comic books, and other than film adaptations, my prior knowledge of Superman was practically nil. The story begins with a brief background of Superman, including his arrival on Earth, his life, loves, and death at the hands of Doomsday. The majority of the book focuses on the time after his death, where several imposters try to take his place. Who are the imposters, and are they really imposters? Did Superman really die? These are all questions answered in the action-filled plot. While mildly entertaining, the writing was downright cheesy and amateurish. The dialogue was terrible. It was show more unrealistic, full of stereotypes, and felt very dated, not to mention the "cringe worthiness" of the many one-liners. For being easy reading, it took me awhile to get through this; it just couldn't maintain my interest. When I do choose to read a fantasy book, I want the story to feel real, like it *could* really happen, but this novel did not accomplish that for me. show less

This book takes the saga of "The Death of Superman", "Funeral for a Friend", "Reign of the Supermen", and "The Return of Superman", which appeared in comic book form in the mid 80's, and turns it to light reading.

The story starts slow, does not have the "punch" of the comic book stories, but picks up pace towards the end. I was a bit disappointed because it seemed to me that the author just looked at the pictures of the comic books, and turned them into words, without adding any new insight.

*shrugs* There is nothing wrong with this book. It is exactly what it said it is. I started it when my enjoyment for all things superhero was starting to wain anyway and I could not finish because I just don't care anymore. I am good on superhero anything for a while.

Aquí llega por primera vez la historia que condujo a la apocalíptica batalla con Juicio Final y los oscuros días que siguieron al funeral de Superman, cuando el mundo entero se paralizó; y que trata de las misteriosas apariciones de Superman en Metrópolis; y del destino de Clark Kent, Lois Lane, mamá y papá Kent, la Liga de la Justicia América y todos los que estuvieron involucrados en este magnífico drama. También se halla aquí la verdad sobre los cuatro superseres que aparecieron simultáneamente en la ciudad poco después de la muerte del Hombre de Acero para anunciar el Reino de los Superhombres, proclamando cada uno de ellos ser el auténtico último hijo de Krypton.