Superman: Earth One

Superman: Earth One is the first in a new line of graphic novels exploring Earth One stories. This is the way for DC to wipe the slate clean much like Marvel did with the Ultimate line and tell stories that either the long time comic reader could enjoy, or someone completely new to the medium.

This first outing is by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis and really fits the bill for the second of the goals as a story for newer readers. In fact this seams like it would have been a great fit to launch with a new movie. The other goal, to be for long time Superman fans will probably be a lot more hit or miss depending on personal tastes.

The story starts with a 20 year old Clark Kent. He isn't quite sure what he wants to do with his life, but he has just moved to Metropolis. He is done with school. He succeeds at business, football, baseball, you name it. The only place he doesn't succeed is at the Daily Planet.

It is here that we get a quick introduction to staples Perry White, Jimmy "Jim" Olsen and Lois Lane. And it is quick. And it may be the weakest sequence in the story, as it really seems added in just so we don't go the whole story without seeing them.

Through some flashbacks and phone conversations we are brought up to speed on what Clark's parents would want for him. But what does he want? That is kind of the crux of the entire story, and the answer may well disappoint some fans.

Unfortunately due to a new villain he isn't given much of a chance. This new enemy was a neighbor of Krypton and it is his job to wipe all Kryptonians out, including Clark. Cue big fight scene. Clark looks like he may lose. Unexpected friends help out...well you get the rest.

This seems to be an absolutely fantastic story for a new comics reader. The artwork is great with vibrant colors. The production details are great and you get a real nice hardback to add to your shelf. The story is very solid and the final climax seems to be about right for this type of story.

There are several things the long time readers may notice though, and may not like. Many of these I think make perfect sense, but seem almost out of place in a Superman comic, even a totally new Earth One Superman. There is no Lex. Not even a hint. I actually think this is O.K. as he has to be the most overdone Superman villain ever. I think it is actually a nice move leaving him out, but some people are missing him.

And Superman just seems off. He isn't quite as heroic as you may remember. He doesn't even really go that willingly into the fight until he realizes it is basically his fault that these invaders are here. I think he seems pretty typical for a 20 year old, not knowing quite what he wants or what he wants his future to be, but it just seems so anti Superman. Clark doesn't even come off as that nice of a guy just trying to make money.

Lois is very weak in the story, and this one I agree with. She is barely there, and there is no spark or even a long look Clark's way. I am actually O.K. with this as I remember back to the early days of their relationship he always seemed a little more interested than him. But he barely gave her a second glance. She almost could have been left out of the story, or he just bumped into her in the last panel or something, but she really was a weak link, and there relationship, well it just doesn't exist.

The final thing, is Clark seems to be a super genius solving math problems that haven't been solved in two years. This might seem really out of place to the long time reader.

This is still a great story for a new Superman fan to jump into. It starts out a little slow but then builds to an exciting and climatic ending with plenty of room for a sequel. For long time readers it will be either hit or miss. If you can leave your previous ideals of Superman behind and not take this as a retelling, but a totally new Superman from a different world entirely, or are able to take this as a Superman story you would find at the movie theatre as a summer blockbuster, I think you could be in for a treat. If you like your 70 years of history or like your retellings to be slight changes to this history you may want to stay away.