A rocket ship. An explosion. An alien child lands on Earth. The child has powers that manifest with age. The boy becomes a man and goes to the big city. He uses his powers for good and becomes the city’s protector. And then the world’s.
All the beats are familiar and have been told time and again. But not here and not this way. I think this is what makes J. Michael Straczynski’s Superman: Earth One a success. While it is not perfect, this book is absolutely worth a read.
Straczynski has taken the Superman story and told it in a wholly different manner, while introducing some familiar concepts, the writer has brought just about the freshest take on the Man of Steel’s story that I have ever read. The book is not bogged down in continuity and Straczynski takes full advantage of this by presenting twists to his Superman tale.
We open with a younger Clark (early 20’s perhaps) traveling to Metropolis for the first time. He’s still undecided about his future and whether his destiny is to wear the iconic costume Ma Kent has sewn for him. Clark ponders the opportunities presented to him; he is both smart and strong and there are men who are eager to take advantage of this.
Naturally Clark eventually finds himself at the Daily Planet, meets with Perry White, takes an application, then throws it in the trash. What? Yes. This is only one of many scenes that are unexpected but refreshing. I did not miss those familiar beats. What I loved about Straczynski’s approach to the material is that it felt as though he was not obligated in the least to reference the original material and, rather, was determined to write the story that he wanted to tell.Add to this, beautiful artwork by Shane Davis. There is nothing that feels rushed in any panel in this book. Clark’s initial steps into Metropolis, the first scene of Clark flying which culminates in him hovering over his adopted planet, the battle between Superman and Tyrell—Davis’s work is astonishing from cover to cover. The artwork is enhanced by Sandra Hope’s painstaking inks and gorgeous colors by Barbara Ciardo. This artby Davis, Hope and Ciardo feels like a labor of love.
Additionally, the story felt as though it was missing an act in the middle. I believe in the importance of at least two showdowns with the main villain. This could be a matter of taste, but I believe by introducing and thwarting the bad guy over two different acts, the characters are allowed to ruminate over their fate and the reader becomes more invested in how the heck the hero is going to fix what seems unfixable.
Make no mistake though, Superman: Earth One is a really strong read. Straczynski, who understands pacing from a film and television standpoint, brings a cinematic quality to the story and it is absolutely effective.
