Comic Review: Superman Earth One Vol.1, 2 & 3

While exploring my local library, I stumbled across many DC comics. In this collection, I found these unlikely Earth One comics starring Superman. I have never enjoyed Superman. The idea of a superhuman who is pretty much invulnerable seemed dull to the younger me, so I avoided them. Instead, I was drawn to Judge Dredd or Batman, characters that could ultimately be beaten. But I thought, hell with it, I can read these and see if I can't be swayed.

Superman Earth One Volume One.

Fluff: Forget everything you know about The Man of Steel and brace yourself for a staggering new take on the world's most famous superhero.

Best-selling, Hugo Award-winning writer J. Michael Straczynski (Thor, Babylon 5) and red-hot rising star artist Shane Davis (Green Lantern, Superman/Batman) team up for this exciting Earth One graphic novel series launch. Set in an all-new continuity re-imagining DC's top heroes, Earth One is a new wave of original, stand-alone graphic novels produced by the top writers and artists in the industry. The groundbreaking new line rockets into effect right here with the superhero who started it all – Superman!

What would happen if the origin of The Man of Tomorrow were introduced today for the very first time? Return to Smallville and experience the journey of Earth's favourite adopted son as he grows from boy to Superman, as you've never seen before!

Review

How to put this nicely...It wasn't bad. It also wasn't great. Having read this, I am left with the feeling of meh. Maybe when I was young, I was right, and Superman is just too one-dimensional; where is the fear, the danger? The story suffers from being rushed; we aren't introduced to the character. We are expected to know, which seems pointless, to create a new world if nothing is explained. The artwork was great and very enjoyable. The artwork saves this book. My fingers crossed for Volume Two.

Superman Earth One Volume Two.

Fluff: Following the events of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel by acclaimed writer J. Michael Straczynski and superstar artist Shane Davis comes to the long-awaited sequel!

Young Clark Kent continues his journey toward becoming the World's Greatest superhero but finds dealing with humanity a more significant challenge than ever imagined! From a ruthless dictator to a new love interest who's not Lois Lane, things are never easy for this emerging Man of Steel.

And the worst is yet to come, in the form of a man-monster with an insatiable appetite, the Parasite! The only thing that might appease his hunger is The Last Son of Kryptonian! But that will also mean he will have Superman's powers without his conscience, and Kal-El cannot come anywhere near him, even though he has to stop him!

Review

Following hot on the subparness of Vol.1 comes Vol.2. Overall, this was a better comic. The pace was improved and a lot more interesting this time. The villain Parasite was sadly one-dimensional, the same issue you always have with Superman. The real highlight of this issue was the end and the appearance of Lex Luthor—finally, a real villain.

Superman Earth One Volume Three.

Fluff: WHO WILL SAVE SUPERMAN? Earth has turned its back, leaving Clark Kent at the mercy of the Luthors and Zod. Invulnerable? Maybe. Alone? Definitely.

Clark Kent has run a gauntlet of the world's most deadly and monstrous villains in his brief stint as a costumed superhero. However, his most dire threat may come from two powerless human beings. Both happen to be the two most intelligent people on the planet. Lex and Alexandra Luthor have been paid very well to find a way to cancel Superman's powers. The world governments welcomed and invited the man who destroyed Krypton to complete his mission with the murder of Kal-El. Betrayed, at his most vulnerable, there is no place to hide and no one he can trust. The newcomer from Smallville who would be Superman faces his greatest challenge as the world he fought to save sells him out.

Review

Volume three gets off to a stagnant start. The plot starts speeding up as more plot threads get answered. We see how the military grows to fear Superman, we watch the Lex brother and Sister duo grow, and we finally find out what threat is coming from space (and it's disappointing). I found this volume pretty dull. Once I realized it was Zod more than the Luthors that would be the villain, I switched off. I had hoped that volume three would win, but it disappointed me. Not as bad as Vol. 1, but damn near close! This is not a series I need to revisit.

Save yourself the boredom and just read the Batman Earth One series.