Man of Steel

[The Laughing Fish]

While everybody (myself included) had been going off-topic, there are new stills released such as this one:



Martha Kent: "You don't need to be so angry. Focus on my voice. Pretend it's an island --"
(*Faora suffocates her out of boredom and frustration *)


...I'll get my coat...

Source: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=78027

[Batman88]

Guys, what's the most memorable SuperMan comic book I can buy ?

Would love to delve deeper into Supes once more now that I am more of a mature human being: as I kid I was into him but then growing up, the Batman took over  , so now I'd love to reacquaint myself with the Son of Krypton.

[Batman88]

While everybody (myself included) had been going off-topic, there are new stills released such as this one:



Martha Kent: "You don't need to be so angry. Focus on my voice. Pretend it's an island --"
(*Faora suffocates her out of boredom and frustration *)


...I'll get my coat...

Source: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=78027

Nah, Mr. Brooks would come and slit the villain's throat with a shovel. 

[The Joker]

Guys, what's the most memorable SuperMan comic book I can buy ?

Would love to delve deeper into Supes once more now that I am more of a mature human being: as I kid I was into him but then growing up, the Batman took over  , so now I'd love to reacquaint myself with the Son of Krypton.

Best to just go with a trade if you don't mind spending extra. Many of them have already been mentioned already. 

[Bobthegoon89]

^Yes, good movie. A fun movie. A sequel is being made.

bobthegoon, you're the one who unnecessarily set the tone here. Nobody else.

You are the user that said colors was a 'retard', creepy, a daft f*** who needs psychiatric help, a smart arse, a prick, is wasting his life, a sh!t stain and a forum twat. And you've just gone on and called me a bugger, a 'f**** dickhead who has a 'big snout'.

And hey we're all wasting our lives so to speak arguing about this comic crap needlessly.

You are the one throwing all the insults. I threw one back at you – a word that you brought into play, not me. And your behaviour warrants it. Your type of behaviour is not cool around here. This conduct affects everybody. Get in line or leave.

Except I hadn't brought that word into play against yourself. That's where you got deluded. Unless your colors twin or something...Seriously though I did send a message offering an apology to this colors member. I simply mistook his tone and intent. Having spoken to some jokers on imdb I simply figured he was deliberately knocking down my opinion and whatever I was trying to explain.

On the contrary, I'd like you to say this stuff to our face. You are in no position to preach morality. I don't recall you behaving like this before.

I really don't think you'd want that mate lol Fair enough I said some things I regret and didn't really mean anyway (I don't even know the guy or yourself remember). However alternatively you don't know me either. Rather than asking me to explain my actions you immediately suggested my posts should be forever used to "name and shame" me lol Now if you'd like to do that go right ahead, be my guest, I couldn't give a f*** in all respects but it annoyed me when I've spoken with you many times before and when this disagreement had no malicious intent toward yourself. We all make mistakes. I don't think your in any position to preach about how I should be represented by this site (or anyone else for that matter) for a total misunderstanding. And I don't recall you "sharpening your knives" for a vendetta so quickly either...

Anyway, moving on from that...episode.....I'm looking at purchasing some Superman graphic novels. What are the ones I should be looking at?

Going back to my argument buy "Secret Origin" a Superman comic with Christopher Reeve's image used as a basis (finally) because any Superman's quality increases with some 1978 movie inspired imagery...nuff said. (kidding). No, I take it you'll have "Man of Steel Vol 1" by John Bryne? If not might wanna pick one up for some new movie inspired tie-ins. Superman Earth One might be important. I own a copy and haven't read the thing but this will surely be the biggest source of inspiration next to Bryne's work. If you want pure fun try "Krisis of the Krimson Kryptonite" or go for one of the DC Archive editions (the one featuring the first Mxylptlk appearance as well as early Lex Luthor). See I'm all heart.

[Paul (ral)]

Well, the trailer featured a line from issue 1 of Secret Origin...so it's a good bet ;-)

[Silver Nemesis]

Henry Cavill names four comics that have inspired his performance as Superman:

• The Death of Superman (1992)
• The Return of Superman (1993)
• Superman: Red Son (2003)
• Superman/Batman: The Search for Kryptonite (2008)
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/04/21/man-of-steel-four-superman-comic-books-inspired-henry-cavill/


A few of my own favourite Superman comics:


The Return of Superman

I was never mad on the whole Doomsday trilogy. The Death of Superman is just one big fight scene with very little plot, and World Without Superman is just plain depressing. For me, The Return of Superman is the most intriguing part of the story. The concept of the four imposters each representing different facets of Superman's identity is really interesting. They tried doing something similar for Batman during the Battle for the Cowl arc, but the Superman writers did a better job of it if you ask me.


Superman: Last Son

This was the storyline that reintroduced Zod into the modern comics. Co-written by Richard Donner, it reimagines a lot of elements from Superman 2. So if you don't like Donner's films, you probably won't enjoy his comics either. But if you like Donner's take on the mythology then you'll love this. It's arguably the best General Zod comic to date. Another Donner story, Escape From Bizarro World, is also worth checking out. It helps if you read Action Comics Annual #10 before reading either of these stories, though it's not essential.


Superman: Red Son

I bought this years ago but only recently got around to reading it. I wish I'd read it earlier now, because its top notch stuff. In many ways it feels like the Superman version of The Dark Knight Returns; a gripping character portrait of a hero caught in the political crossfire of the Cold War. It's definitely up there with Gotham by Gaslight as the best the Elseworlds series has to offer. The artwork's excellent too.


All-Star Superman

I'm not a massive fan of Grant Morrison, but he really knocked one out of the park with this series. At first it appears to be a bit disjointed and unfocused, but the pieces quickly come together in a very satisfying manner. It's funny, it's nostalgic, it's exciting, and it all builds up to a moving finale that leaves you admiring Superman more than ever. Excellent stuff.


Superman for All Seasons

Not only is this my favourite Superman comic, it's quite possibly my favourite comic featuring any character ever. It's a brilliant coming-of-age story that grounds Clark Kent's transition into manhood in very relatable human terms. The artwork is beautiful and gives the story a heady Norman Rockwell-esque feel of Americana. This comic, probably more than any other I can think of, really gets to the core of what Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman is all about. It doesn't dwell on spectacle or superpowers, instead keeping the focus squarely on the man beneath the cape and the people who helped shape him into the person he is. 10 out of 10.


A few others worth reading: Superman Chronicles Volume 1, Tales From the Phantom Zone, the 1983 Brainiac 'Rebirth' storyline (Actions Comics #544-547), Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (overrated IMO, but worth reading), Superman: The Man of Steel, Kingdom Come, Superman: Brainiac, Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes, and Superman: Secret Origin (sorry colors).

[Batman88]

Henry Cavill names four comics that have inspired his performance as Superman:

• The Death of Superman (1992)
• The Return of Superman (1993)
• Superman: Red Son (2003)
• Superman/Batman: The Search for Kryptonite (2008)
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/04/21/man-of-steel-four-superman-comic-books-inspired-henry-cavill/


A few of my own favourite Superman comics:


The Return of Superman

I was never mad on the whole Doomsday trilogy. The Death of Superman is just one big fight scene with very little plot, and World Without Superman is just plain depressing. For me, The Return of Superman is the most intriguing part of the story. The concept of the four imposters each representing different facets of Superman's identity is really interesting. They tried doing something similar for Batman during the Battle for the Cowl arc, but the Superman writers did a better job of it if you ask me.


Superman: Last Son

This was the storyline that reintroduced Zod into the modern comics. Co-written by Richard Donner, it reimagines a lot of elements from Superman 2. So if you don't like Donner's films, you probably won't enjoy his comics either. But if you like Donner's take on the mythology then you'll love this. It's arguably the best General Zod comic to date. Another Donner story, Escape From Bizarro World, is also worth checking out. It helps if you read Action Comics Annual #10 before reading either of these stories, though it's not essential.


Superman: Red Son

I bought this years ago but only recently got around to reading it. I wish I'd read it earlier now, because its top notch stuff. In many ways it feels like the Superman version of The Dark Knight Returns; a gripping character portrait of a hero caught in the political crossfire of the Cold War. It's definitely up there with Gotham by Gaslight as the best the Elseworlds series has to offer. The artwork's excellent too.


All-Star Superman

I'm not a massive fan of Grant Morrison, but he really knocked one out of the park with this series. At first it appears to be a bit disjointed and unfocused, but the pieces quickly come together in a very satisfying manner. It's funny, it's nostalgic, it's exciting, and it all builds up to a moving finale that leaves you admiring Superman more than ever. Excellent stuff.


Superman for All Seasons

Not only is this my favourite Superman comic, it's quite possibly my favourite comic featuring any character ever. It's a brilliant coming-of-age story that grounds Clark Kent's transition into manhood in very relatable human terms. The artwork is beautiful and gives the story a heady Norman Rockwell-esque feel of Americana. This comic, probably more than any other I can think of, really gets to the core of what Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman is all about. It doesn't dwell on spectacle or superpowers, instead keeping the focus squarely on the man beneath the cape and the people who helped shape him into the person he is. 10 out of 10.


A few others worth reading: Superman Chronicles Volume 1, Tales From the Phantom Zone, the 1983 Brainiac 'Rebirth' storyline (Actions Comics #544-547), Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (overrated IMO, but worth reading), Superman: The Man of Steel, Kingdom Come, Superman: Brainiac, Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes, and Superman: Secret Origin (sorry colors).

THANKS A LOT - That was absolutely insightful and I am now looking forward to buying those comics that you have mentioned.

[thecolorsblend]

The Return of Superman

I was never mad on the whole Doomsday trilogy. The Death of Superman is just one big fight scene with very little plot, and World Without Superman is just plain depressing. For me, The Return of Superman is the most intriguing part of the story. The concept of the four imposters each representing different facets of Superman's identity is really interesting. They tried doing something similar for Batman during the Battle for the Cowl arc, but the Superman writers did a better job of it if you ask me.

True as that all may be, I view the whole Doomsday/Funeral For A Friend/Reign of the Supermen thing something of a love-letter to fans. Back in those days, it was common for people to look at you sideways for reading Superman. Sometimes they'd actively make fun. But then this story comes out and not only did they have a hard time getting their hands on it, they had an even harder time following it since it's so steeped in continuity they had intentionally ignored and poked fun at other people for absorbing. Tragic irony or poetic justice? You tell me.

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (overrated IMO, but worth reading)

Mmm, I think I agree with that. "Overrated" to me doesn't mean bad; it just means that people have talked it up waaaaaay too much. Still, it's the conclusion to the Pre-Crisis era. Alan Moore did a great job in making the villains threatening. If I have a criticism of the story, it's that it comes out of nowhere. I'd rather the foundation have been laid for it in prior months so that Moore's storyline feels less like it comes out of freaking nowhere.

The people who say this is their favorite Superman story ever... I mean, wow. First, it makes me want to ask them for nine other stories they really love and second, it makes me want to ask them why the story where Superman gives up is their favorite.

Superman: Secret Origin (sorry colors).

Hey man, if you like it, it's cool. No big deal. Speaking of, did you ever read One Year Later/Up, Up & Away? It's out there in trade. It's pretty good too. Nobody is going to tell me that it isn't DC Comics giving Bryan Singer the middle finger though. What, a very similar storyline comes out in the comics at about the same time as Singerman and I'm supposed to assume one has nothing to do with the other? Please. For sheer cojones if nothing else, the UU&A trade is worth checking out.

[Silver Nemesis]

THANKS A LOT - That was absolutely insightful and I am now looking forward to buying those comics that you have mentioned.

I'm glad to hear it, old chum. And I'll be interested to hear your opinion on these stories once you've read them. I think our message boards could use more discussion on the Superman comics.

Mmm, I think I agree with that. "Overrated" to me doesn't mean bad; it just means that people have talked it up waaaaaay too much. Still, it's the conclusion to the Pre-Crisis era. Alan Moore did a great job in making the villains threatening. If I have a criticism of the story, it's that it comes out of nowhere. I'd rather the foundation have been laid for it in prior months so that Moore's storyline feels less like it comes out of freaking nowhere.

I get the impression it was thrown together at fairly short notice. Maybe if they'd planned it further in advance they could have gone for something larger in scale. But for what it is – a two part story to wrap up the adventures of the Pre-Crisis Superman – it's not at all bad. And Moore's depiction of Mister Mxyzptlk has to be the most menacing take on the character to date.

I can't help wondering what it would have been like if Julius Schwartz had managed to get Jerry Siegel to write it, which I understand was his original plan.

The people who say this is their favorite Superman story ever... I mean, wow. First, it makes me want to ask them for nine other stories they really love and second, it makes me want to ask them why the story where Superman gives up is their favorite.

I'm tempted to make an analogy here about people saying a certain Batman film is their favourite, but I'll rise above it. Ba-dum-tshhhh!

Speaking of, did you ever read One Year Later/Up, Up & Away?

I haven't actually, but I will do now you've recommended it. At the moment I'm reading Showcase Presents: The Trial of the Flash (it's almost 600 pages long, and I'm barely 200 pages into it!), but sometime soon I'm going to start reading Superman comics nonstop in the run-up to Man of Steel's release date. Up, Up & Away is now at the top my reading list.

Incidentally, what are your favourite Superman comics, colors? You must have read more of them than anyone else on the site. Are there any that really stick out in your mind as being special?