Begin at the beginning...

Somebody I was talking to told me that they hated origin stories. I was confused because doesn't an origin story help set up important characters? Doesn't an origin story take the audience from knowing nothing of what they are walking into, to giving us all the details that we need to form an opinion of the character and their ways? I don't understand how somebody, especially a person that claims to enjoy superhero movies, can even say that they hate origin stories. After all, it all has to begin somewhere. 


I don't mind a good origin story movie when it comes to superhero films. After all, how do you introduce that character to a new audience, or an audience that doesn't know much about that character? Sure, you can take the approach that dropping the audience into the story forthright will make it more appealing. And maybe it could, to some of the audience. However, not giving anybody a place to start with is dangerous, and may lead to even more issues with the movie.

How'd you like a nice Hawaiian punch?

When The Green Lantern came out, I shared my view of this movie in a recent post. It wasn't a bad film, per se. It just didn't have anything terribly good to offer. It was an origin story, showing Hal Jordan's journey from a reckless pilot to a superhero saving the day. This movie had the task of giving us Hal before, during, and after he becomes this new hero. Some of it worked, Sinestro for one, and some of Oa as well. But most of it didn't. And therein lay the problem here. GL is an origin story that causes troubles, because at the end of the film, you still don't really know who Hal is, what the Green Lantern can truly do, and who the Corps really are. There are more questions than answers, and that feels like a cheat and a cop-out of sorts.

Superman: Earth One

J. Michael Straczynski's Superman: Earth One is amazing. However, it is another take on the origin of our favorite Krypton survivor, so if that isn't what you want, then you might want to move on. Also, if you are Superman origin purest, well, you're not going to find a lot here that you are going to enjoy. If you give it a chance, though, you might be able to see the gold that is hidden within the pages.

I remember seeing the cover to this book at one time and I immediately assumed that this was going to be a Twilight version of Superman, with an emo, whiny, boo-hoo superhero who has too many personal issues. Imagine my reaction when I found out that this was not the case. Yes, he is a younger Superman, almost like the Smallville version, but looking younger. He is young enough to know that he has these powers, but he is struggling with the idea of not really using them for much, preferring to use them sparingly. Sure, he wants to do the right thing, but he needs to find out what exactly the right thing is. This Clark can at times be off-putting. He is making what look like selfish decisions while he does his soul searching. In fact, this Clark almost feels like Peter Parker, kind of stumbling through his decisions and sometime rash decisions. He is learning to become Superman.

There is a bit of Smallville background, which is fine, but doesn't have a huge amount of pages, as this is Clark's entry into Metropolis, using his knowledge and abilities to get the good jobs and opportunities. At one point he heads into the Daily Planet, his iconic home, where is given some advice to keep trying, to which he walks away. It shows that for everything that is super about him, this Clark is still learning and still just starting.

Then the world is attacked. He is now forced to make that final decision, does he finally reveal himself to be the hero he can be, or does he stand by and watch the world end?

Okay, so it's Superman, so there is no surprise there, but the struggle to get to that point is important, learning along the way his world's background in the process.

This is just a darn good read. I am not the biggest Superman fan; he's never been a huge draw in my comic selections. The movies are good, for the most part (Superman the Movie, Superman 2, Superman 2: The Richard Donner Cut are standouts, to be sure), and I have read some stories involving him in different situations, such as Red Son, or True Brit. I have even read the Death of Superman, A World Without Superman, and The Return of Superman, not to mention many different stories where Superman makes an important appearance in, like Kingdom Come. So, yes, I do encounter him, but I am still not a huge Superman person. So, with the cover showing an emo-looking Superman in a hoodie, and the promise of yet another reboot, didn't sound appealing, but the reviews kept saying otherwise. Now, I understand why. This is well written, well illustrated stuff. It keeps the reader wanting more, even when it comes to its end. You want to know more about this Superman. How is he different? What will he do when another supervillain threatens his world? These questions may be left open in the end, but the story before gives us enough for the moment.

So is this recommended? I say yes. It's a good read, and an interesting new take on a classic tale. Even purists should find something here to enjoy. One of the few complaints I do have with it is that it does feel like the first part of a much bigger story. However, there doesn't seem to be anything announced that will be following it up. While that is a bummer, this is a good first step.

This is a hardback edition retail price of $19.99

--MGS

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