Superman: Secret Origin

I really enjoyed this rendition of Superman's origin story. On the whole I think that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank really hit a home run with this one! I am a long time Superman fan, since I grew up watching the Animated Series on Saturday mornings every week, and I have been a strong supporter of Smallville since the first season as well. There have been a lot of origin stories in the last 20 years about Superman, and let's face it, a lot of people are sick of them, at least long time fans are. I have to admit though, I am a sucker for a good origin story, and after hearing that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank were going to be writing the new "definitive" one, I was ecstatic. I loved Johns run on Action Comics, and I was glad to get more of that magic in a Superman story again. Not to mention that Gary Frank is, in my humble opinion, one of the BEST artists that the character has ever had.When I read this story, I was not disappointed in what I read. To me, it was one of those stories I literally couldn't put down, and after reading it in its entirety, I had to sit back and reflect on what I had read. There has only been 2 other Superman books that have been able to do that to me, "For all Seasons" and "All-Star Superman". I felt that this version of the origin is true to who Superman is, a man gifted/cursed (whichever way you see it) with powers far beyond those of mortal men, who uses those powers to help his fellow man however he can, not expecting reward or compensation. Now, a lot of the origin stories do that, but I think that what drives that home for me is Gary Frank's Art. His Superman captures the look of Christopher Reeve in the original 1978 film, heroic, genuine, modest, and compassionate.One of the things I like best about this story is how simple it is. This is not a complicated story by any stretch. Basically, two chapters in Smallville showing the awkward teen years, 4 in Metropolis as Superman showing his first adventures in Metropolis. It's as simple as that. While details are in there, Geoff Johns strips down the story to some of the bare essentials, maybe not as basic as the All Star Superman one page version, but simple enough to where it isn't bogged down by details that are irrelevant to the story. Although there are things I wish that Johns would have put in the story that would have made me really happy, such as showing Clark's travels around the world before becoming Superman, like in Birthright, and a few others, but otherwise it made sense to keep everything the way that it is.I did enjoy the way that Metropolis itself was portrayed in the third chapter when Clark is there for the first time looking up. It made Metropolis seem like it was crumbling under the reign of Lex Luthor until Superman came and was the beacon of hope that he should be. This, as well as the interactions with the Legion, show how much of an impact Superman has on the things around him for the better. It makes him seem like the hero he should be portrayed as, not as a second stringer he has been shown to be lately.The Daily Planet was done very well, as were all of the characters in it. I loved the way they showed Lois, compassionate, fiery, independent, sexy, and yet still feminine all at the same time. That is the way that Lois Lane should be done. Jimmy Olsen was done fantastic, as I could really see the elements of a Superman's Pal in him, while the rest of the Daily Planet were done true to the way they should be done as well. The interactions between Perry White and Lois are what I imagine it would be like if I ever worked as a reporter.Finally, the villains. Lex Luthor's portrayal here has been fantastic. He was intelligent, arrogant, vain, and manipulative, exactly the right blend between the Silver Age Lex and the Post Crisis Businessman Lex, which makes for a perfect villain. And while you don't get a direct fight between Superman and Lex, you see Mr. Luthor controlling things from behind the scenes like an evil puppet master. That is the way I would imagine a man like Lex to be in real life. Metallo and Parasite were great additions to this book, and I loved the way Clark used his head to defeat them rather than just pound the snot out of them. It was a very silver age way of dealing with the villains, and I think that is the best way to show Superman, smart as well as strong. Metallo's new revised origin was definitely a step above the old one, and as much as many people criticize his new costume, I actually kind of like it. It may look a little cheesy, but hey, if a superhero gets a costume why can't one of his villains right? Parasite's origin was a little corny and predictable, but not terrible.For all of the things I liked, there are a few nitpicks I have to point out. First off, Lex Luthor has a very strange leap in logic when it comes to kryptonite. Read the book and you'll understand, but it just seems strange that based on such little information he can assume that Clark is 1) an alien, and 2) vulnerable to the rock. It just kind of comes out of nowhere. Another thing I found was that teenage Clark's head seems a little big for the rest of his body in certain panels. Not a major thing but it looked a little strange. The last thing is how surprisingly supportive Clark's parents are about his decision, and considering that Clark is just in high school when he starts off helping people, it seems odd that parents like Ma and Pa Kent are not even a little worried about him. I am in a career that is dangerous myself, and my parents understand it, but they still are visibly worried about what I do and the situations I end up in. So speaking from my own personal experience, it just seems a little odd that any good parents would have no problems with what Clark does.All in all, Johns and Frank do a very good job in telling a definitive, basic origin story that will last for awhile. Johns writing is great, and Frank's art is phenomenal. I rate this 5 stars. It was a great book that is worth adding to your library. Now the only thing I can say to Johns and Frank is to please start writing Superman again soon!

A very good read and art combo. If you love Superman, then you will love this story. It's heartwarming and beautifully illustrated. Check it out today!

This one has superior artwork and inking, a plausible story line, and nice length. All combine to make this an excellent read.

Book is in Excellent condition and the artwork is fantastic, I think this is what every comic book should look like its perfect. havent read the story yet but ive heard its one of the best Superman stories.

Geoff Jones and Gary Frank are the dynamic duo when it comes to Superman. I'm fresh of reading Superman and the Legion of Superheroes and now this, Superman: Secret Origin. I normally take my time to read new book but this one, I had to keep reading and tasting the writing and the art. What a story!!.First of, Jones makes an UMBELIEVABLE work on writing Superman. It was like having a Superman story with all the ingredients Superman: The Movie had. I'm not saying that the book is based on the movie, but it have the "flavor" and it's given in such a sutil way that it made me smile every now and then.The art by Frank is FANTASTIC. Combined with Jones writing, is like seying Christopher Reeve making his thing one more time. It was so unique!. An experience that I haven't had with no other artist.What makes this story so damn good is how Geoff Jones makes Superman believable. His Superman is not doll nor out of fashion. He's as confused as you and I would be if we try to save the world alone. He have doubts. He's not perfect, but reachs a point where he knows what to do and what NOT to do.Smallville portion was all about the parents and the true friends. The Legion of Superheroes portion was a breath of fresh air, and the Metropolis portion was a big bang bum!. Funny, touching, action, characters introduction.Like I said, I can't stop loving this book.

I am a really big fan of anything Geoff Johns writes and this is no exception. I am also a big fan of Superman and while I appreciate the more grounded and serious tone of Superman in the films and even the comics as of late, this take on Superman is still my favorite. Geoff does a great job of taking from the past Superman stories and the Christopher Reeve films while still making this feel fresh and exciting. You can tell Geoff and Gary Frank really love that classic Reeve Superman just by the way he is drawn. The story is, not surprising, very well written. From the Legion, Lex to Metallo I enjoyed myself immensely while reading this book. In my opinion this is my favorite and best Superman origin. It really makes you want this characterization back on the big screen one day soon.

The DC Secret Origins titles of the late aughts were an attempt to soft reboot their major characters by incorporating a "greatest hits" of all the extant mythologies of each character - from all eras and from all types of media (including animation and movies) - into the current "canon." This strategy had wildly uneven results and was quickly scrapped for a drastic, highly controversial hard reboot just a few years later with The New 52.But I think the best of these attempts was Superman's Secret Origin. For its portrayal of Clark/Superman it leans almost entirely on the imagery and tone of 1978's Superman: The Movie, even incorporating the actual likeness of actor Christopher Reeve. It succeeds in this where the film "Superman Returns" failed by borrowing some situations yet not slavishly quoting them verbatim.

Great combination of Author and Artists/Illustrators that use 1978's Christopher Reeves Superman as inspiration and reference material . The storyline makes sense, hangs together, and is character consistent. If you enjoy graphic novels, love the Superman origin story, and are a fan of quality work, read this one.

One of the first Superman stories I've ever read. It's a really good read. It is one of the best Superman stories.

INCREDIBLE Superman book!! Really love it! Good art and good story!! 5 STARS!! :)

La reliure est à l'envers

El origen definitivo de Superman, que nos demuestra que Clark Kent siempre s eha sentido como alguien solitario por los dones que posee, y cuando llega el momento de mostrarse al mundo, comprende que lo importante no es que tan fuerte es, sino a motivar a los demás a ser mejores personas. Eso nos muestra que Geoff Johns conoce muy bien la escencia del personaje. Todo se complementa con el Arte de Gary Frank, que recuerda bastante al Superman de Christopher Reeve.

I am just amazed by the writing & the artwork of this graphic novel., it’s so cinematic & so brilliant., that again…, I’m just wowed