REVIEW: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Vol. 1) by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness
Publishing information: Paperback; 160 pages
Publisher: DC Comics; 1 April 2005
ISBN 10: 1401202209
ISBN 13: 978-1401202200
Series/ story arc
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "In Public Enemies, a huge remnant of Superman's home planet, Krypton, menaces Earth. Lex Luthor, U.S. president in current Superman stories, accuses the Man of Steel of complicity in the threat and commissions a squadron of superheroes to bring him in."

I am a fan of Jeph Loeb's work, he tends to write a compelling story for the few graphic novels that have featured his writing. In this case we have to iconic superheroes, Superman and Batman. They both have the same goal to bring the guilty to justice. Superman the boy scout and Batman the ruthless detective team up when the President of the United States, Lex Luthor, accuses Superman of being the vanguard from Krypton who are planning to attack and enslave the Earth.

The only issue I really had with the concept was that Superman was a fairly well established hero at this time and why he would now change his stripes made very little sense to me but again it is a comic book so, some suspension of disbelief is required. On top of the impending invasion there is also a very large Kryptonian meteor heading on a collision course with Earth which is weakening Superman. With Luthor putting a price on Superman's head, Batman steps in to work along side the Man of Steel.

The best thing about the graphic novel is that through out story arc are the thoughts of both Batman and Superman and while their methods may be completely opposite there is an understanding between then and it shows how well they work together. Superman the most powerful being on the planet and Batman, the World's Greatest Detective create a fairly powerful team, even if their methods vary greatly.

Knowing that Superman is a tough adversary, Luthor puts together his own super powered bounty hunters which are charged with bringing in Superman and anyone else that is harboring or associate with him. The team plays to win and again we see how well Superman and Batman work together. There are some unexpected surprises along the storyline as well as a lot of cameos. It makes for a exciting read and as I said before a fun storyline.

Ed McGuinness' artwork is colorful and bold. It has his own style and flair while doing its best to show of the classical images we associate with Superheroes. Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Vol.1) is a highly charged graphic novel with a lot to look forward to as you read it. It packs a lot of adventure in only a few pages. Recommended.

Plot 8
Characters 9
Style 8
Artwork 8.5

Overrall 8.5/10

REVIEW: Superman Birthright by Mark Waid

Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid

Publishing information: Graphic Novel paperback; 314 pages

Publisher: DC Comics; 1 October 2005

ISBN 10: 1401202527

SIBN 13: 978-1401202521

Standalone

Copy: Out of Pocket

Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Superman's origins have been imagined and reimagined over the years. Here is a new take on the character's roots. Superman: Birthright retells the early chapters of Superman's story, from escape as an infant from the doomed planet Krypton to arrival as reporter Clark Kent at the Daily Planet and his first public exploits. Writer Waid puts his own spin on the legend, rethinking nearly every aspect of the venerable character while remaining respectful of his established history. Waid wisely integrates ideas from the popular TV series smallville but doesn't slavishly follow its innovations; for instance, a young Lex Luthor befriends Clark in high school, but unlike in the series, his sinister nature is clear even then. Waid similarly tweaks the rest of the well-known cast, from Lois Lane and Clark's other Planet colleagues to Ma and Pa Kent. Ironically, though he updates the character, Waid evokes Superman's pre-World War II incarnation, whom his Depression-reared creators kept engaged in righting society's ills. Leinil Francis Yu's stylized artwork is expressively dynamic to the point of caricature, but this larger-than-life visual approach befits the retelling of a myth."

Superman has been re-invisioned many times, but coming of the tails of the successful television series Smallville DC must have wanted an updated version. There are a few changes. Befriending Lex Luthor during his time as a teenager is new; However, Lex is an evil genius even then. I did like some of the dynamic presented. It showed Clark as a helpful person even then, but he was rather naive as he still had not figured out that Kryptonite could weaken and possibly kill him. Even though Lex had figured it out within seconds. I know that as a teenager Clark is suppose to not know much about the world but he should also be a fairly good student with the ability to quickly think things through and act even quicker. Many of the other characters were also present and they all had slight re-imaginings but nothing really stood out. I was surprised that Waid did not take advantage of adding Chloe or Pete, but then again Lana Lang played a very small role and if I recall only had one or two panels dedicated to her. The overall story arc is the beginning of Clark's rise to become Superman and Lex Luthor's nemesis.

The artwork is impressive. It has a touch of the Superman of old, while also keeping it closer to the present. Overall Superman: Birthright is a great read and earns its spot on the shelf as a retelling of Superman's origins. Birthright does not shock the readers with anything drastic and plays well to those who are super fans. It updates without deviating too far from what we are use to. It would have been nice to see something new to add to the legend it decided to play it very straight laced. While not necessary to read to gain anything new or insightful about Superman or Lex Luthor it is a great story arc and features some nice artwork.

Plot 7/10

Characters 7/10

Style 7/10

Artwork 8/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: It's Superman by Tom De Haven

It's Superman by Tom De Haven
Publishing Information: Paperback; 432 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; 29 August 2006
ISBN 10: 0345493923
ISBN 13: 978-0345493927
Standalone
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "Coming of age in rural 1930s America with X-ray vision, the power to stop bullets, and the ability to fly isn’t exactly every boy’s story. So just how did Clark Kent, a shy farmer’s son, grow up to be the Man of Steel? Follow young Clark’s whirlwind journey from Kansas to New York City’s Daily Planet–by way Hollywood. This ace reporter is not the only person leading a double life in a teeming metropolis, just the only one able to leap tall buildings in a single bound–a skill that comes in handy when battling powerful criminal masterminds like scheming Lex Luthor and fascist robots. But can Clark’s Midwestern charm save the day and win the heart of stunning, seen-it-all newspaperwoman Lois Lane? Or is it a job for Superman? Look deep into the soul of a pop-culture legend brilliantly reimagined in this novel, which is as inventive and thrilling as it is touching and wise."

Not sure how this book got past my radar when it initially was released but It's Superman is yet another spin on the most famous superhero of them all. Since I missed it when it first came out, I can only imagine that it was released along side the popularity of Smallville. The difference is that Smallville centers on a present day Clark Kent where It's Superman takes us back to the 1930's.

In this origins story we find Clark and his family with no knowledge of his Kryptonian past and that was a minor complaint. Clark and those that encounter his abilities simply assume that he is gifted that he is somehow an anomaly. That the good lord smiled upon him and that is how his powers came to be. I was hoping for some insight into his heritage and came to find that his spacecraft was destroyed upon landing. It was a minor issue but I looking forward to his arrival on earth. Clark and his adopted family cannot explain his gifts and as the novel progresses he adjusts to them in his own way. De Haven also allows Clark to have a much looser moral compass. Throughout It's Superman Clark is constantly going against what we normally see in previous installments of his origin. Clark Kent and his family are ahead of their time when it comes to race issues but Clark is not going to sit idly by and watch racist actions. He uses his heat vision to destroy private property and while he has an anger management issue he knows he is in the wrong but still feels good about his actions. I like the idea of Clark having a troubled past but then again it bothered me as his luck at finding the Kents as his parents were the reason he grew up with such a strong moral compass in the first place and that seemed to get lost in this retelling.

De Haven does a great job of nailing the 1930's. There are a lot of famous events and people that are brought up and intertwined into the story. Lex Luthor is Superman's nemesis in this book and we gain a lot of insight into his beginnings. Instead of having a multi billionaire father this Lex Luthor does everything he can to separate himself from his humble past and make a name for himself by playing both sides of the street. He has political ambitions and uses his ill-gotten gains from his various criminal enterprises to help him politically. While the majority of the book dealt with Clark Kent, Luthor really steals the show as he is constantly juggling both of his personas and still steering towards his future goals. He is seen as cunning, ruthless, and maniacal which made his portions of the book much more enjoyable to read.

Lois Lane is also slightly changed. She is very progressive and she is a very determined individual. There were a few things I did not care fore as far as her new personality. She smokes and drinks and has more than a few men walk through her door. I know that Lois is suppose to be a worldly woman but I had a problem with some of her actions on a personal level. When it came to showing Lois as a reporter was where she really shined. She was all business and very level headed which was how I like to see her portrayed.

It's Superman is interesting since it is told from the 30's so there is a lot more going on besides Clark growing into the man and superhero that he will become. When Lex decides to build robots for every home in the world it quickly becomes obvious that Superman will have to face the mechanical menace before the book reaches it's conclusion. The fight really started out very good but then ended a little to quickly and I would have liked to have seen more of the altercation. Even though the build up was getting there it failed to deliver but the final confrontation between Lex and Superman was well worth the wait.

It's Superman is a slightly different origins story that is not that cut and dry. There is a bit of moral ambiguity built into its story. It was both frustrating and refreshing. There were times when I found myself saying that is not in the spirit of Superman on several occasions and then I would just relax and enjoy this new interpretation. There is not much of Superman until the very end of the story but it is a very well done building up to the final confrontation and it is left open for a sequel if De Haven desired to do so. It's Superman is a more mature look at the Man of Steel and on a fluke I picked it up and I am glad I did. Recommended for Superman fans and those that want a slightly grittier origins story.

I would also like to point out the cover of the novel. I really liked the look of it as it is quite subtle and also nostalgic.

Plot 8
Characters 7.5
Style 7

Overall 7.5/10

Lex Returns to Smallville

It was reported and rumored that Michael Rosenbaum was not joining the homecoming on Smallville, but it looks as if a deal has been reached. Lex Luthor will be making an appearance on the series finale scheduled for 13 May 2011.

Rosenbaum said he was "delighted" to return for the series finale. "I'm simply doing it for all of the fans out there who made Smallville the great success it is," he said. "I appreciate all of their passion, their relentlessness and even their threats. Ha ha. I can't wait to hug the old crew back in Vancouver one last time and see all of my old friends once again..... Oh, and for Lex to become the badass he's destined to be."