6 replies to this topic

[Darren]

I read this book over the weekend. Now, I'm not the biggest JMS fan out there; in fact it takes a special sort of talent to turn me off my favourite comic, and I pretty much found Spider Man unreadable for the duration of JMS' all-too-long tenure, as writer of Amazing. That said, I didn't mind this book at all. It was a pleasant enough read.
But after I was finished I found myself thinking, if I didn't already know Supes' origin story, would I have enjoyed it at all? I know that's an impossible question to answer. Everyone knows Superman, even the kids here, who have never read a single issue of any of the many books out there devoted to him. So to a certain extent, writing an origin story which doesn't insult our intelligence by pretending we don't already damn well know who Clark Kent is, makes a certain sort of sense. But on the other hand, why write an origin at all, if you're just going to rely on everyone knowing the story already? It's hard for me not to consider that laziness, and the worst sort of laziness. Getting a chance to cut your teeth on a Supes origin is not something you phone in. Which, in hindsight, is how this book felt.

[Riddle Me This]

My store just got these in. I'll scout (read in the breakroom) and get back to this thread.

[Dark Knight]

It was uninspired. The artist called this the 'best thing JMS has ever written' or something to that effect.

Is JMS always so... dull?

[M'onel]

One reviewer called this 'Marvel's version of Superman', in that most heroes in the DCU, Superman amongst them, become heroes because they feel that is the right thing to do whereas in Marvel, some heroes are so reluctantly or feel their powers are a burden or a heavy responsibility. Here, the reviewer was saying JMS' story made Clark feel like a Marvel hero. Interesting angle, but I have yet to read the story.

I'm more worried about this:

"DC Comics has officially announced a sequel to the best-selling "Superman: Earth One" from the original's creative team of writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis in a move that will see the writer step back from his ongoing monthly comics work for the publisher."


"In a brief statement, Straczynski announced he'll be leaving his scripting duties on both "Wonder Woman" and "Superman" earlier than expected, with writer Chris Roberson stepping in to finish the "Grounded" story arc with "Superman" #707 and Phil Hester taking over the reins on "Wonder Woman" with #605. However, the writer stressed that he isn't simply walking away from his stories. "I’ll dive in on occasion as needed for important story points. It’s still my story, I’m involved in both books, and they’re going to continue in the direction we set up. I’m looking forward to seeing what Chris and Phil have in store."

Source


Normally I like JMS, but if it's still 'your story', why don't you write it instead of a ghost writer?? Bothersome......

[Con-El]

I honestly loved the book and I also believe that this was partially DC's 'test-run' for what turned into the DCnU. True, it wasn't entirely original, took elements from other origin stories and came off as a little dull and even rushed in some other areas; but it did get me thinking about a young Superman. Particularly how others would look at him. The book got me thinking about how Batman or others who have been at the trade for a while would take to the sudden appearance of a young-adult super-powered Alien.. now that's not exactly the route DC is going with the DCnU considering they've stated that Superman was the first Superhero but you can see some elements of it in DCnU interactions...

I enjoyed the book for what it was, I've even decided to get the sequel and Earth One: Batman when it comes out.
Though I do find it annoying that DC led critics to believe that 'DC: Earth One' was supposed to be their version of Marvel's Ultimate universe but then after the Superman book comes out they reboot their entire universe (something I'm still slightly suspicious about and not completely convinced will be permanent).

[Darren]

Well, nothing is "permanent" in comics. Certainly nothing involving the whole universe. Those are the first to go.

[robert925]

i love it