The Man of Steel Comparisons - Part 4
Well, as a recap, we have described the contents of the two Men of Steel series so far, and both stories contain a lot (for comic stories, anyway). Below is the best cover from both series, as far as I'm concerned:
I begin by saying, that although both stories are about different parts of the Superman mythos, there is some commonality. The first series completely met its goal of introducing a new backstory to Superman, and eliminating all of the factors that DC was wishing to with regards to the new continuity of the DC Universe going forward. With a history spanning almost fifty years at the time (and with the character of Batman who was only a year "younger" having a major part of his story remain) Byrne did a heck of a job redefining the important parts going forward, especially establishing that the Kents live on to Clark's adulthood. (I have to say that as one of my not-so-favourite things about Pre-Crisis Superman, they had managed to de-age the Kents by alien means and they still died when Clark had just turned eighteen.) The series also met Byrne's wish that Superman end up being an established hero by the end so that there wouldn't be lingering questions when the regular series picked up again.
The second series es more about establishing a new backstory for two of the other parts to Clark's life. With the introduction of Rogol Zaar as the man who destroyed Krypton (and has now destroyed Kandor, I don't like this part but it does set up the return of the Supergirl series by giving Kara a new storyline to establish the book) and the Jor-El /Jon trip (with Lois) in order to have Jon discover his Kryptonian side and roots. This part seems to be the common thread; both "Supermen" have had to discover their roots from a dead civilization, that has been tempered by their humanity. Clark had to learn from absorption when the Jor-El entity set him to receive all the information, where Jor-El himself will be teaching Jon.
From Clark's perspective there are some similarities between the two stories as well. In the first series, Lana has loved him forever, and was hoping he would propose. Instead, he had to let her go so he could serve humanity in the capacity he wanted to. This was a loss of a love that could never be the same again, because Clark would be forever changed by the work he would do. In the second, Superman has to let Lois and Jonathan go with Jor-El, knowing that when they returned, they would never be the same again through the new experiences that they would encounter. Also, Clark has new insights into who he is in both, as an alien on a strange planet with strange powers, but loved by his old family, and his new. In the second series, the determination he has to make sure that he doesn't lose the Earth is a powerful image, especially after Zaar destroyed almost everything left from Krypton's existence that was on Earth (except, probably the kryptonite). In the second series we also see how devoted and inspired (again) that his comrades in the Justice League are to him, while in the first series we see that he and Batman are, well, polar opposites in their methods but they do have a grudging respect for each other.
Another thing that stands out for me in the second series, is how much the staff of the Daily Planet respects Lois, while Clark is a little bit of the office whipping boy. (If they only knew who they were teasing.) I also like how they took advantage of the series to possibly add another full time first-responder, so that it's not always Maggie Sawyer and Dan Turpin on the scene (especially since she seems attracted to him, and not in a creepy, stalkerish way like Cat Grant or Maxima.) Also, we see just how much Clark treats Lois as an equal partner in their relationship, by letting her reason with him about letting Jonathan go with Jor-El. But again, we see how much he is willing to lay on the line to defend this planet.
If I may go back to the first series now, my insight is that this series should have stood as the definitive origin of Superman for the rest of time. It is that good. Yes I know that Superman: Birthright changed things up a bit again, but that could have been easily declared non-canon. The vision of Krypton and the destruction of the planet outlined here was well-thought out, and placing it a mere fifty light-years from Earth could make the assumption that Superman was actually conceived in April 1938 (see what I did there?) and that it was a relatively (star distance-wise) short trip, as opposed to even the movie, where it takes three years to travel through 12 galaxies and from a relativity perspective, thousands of our years to arrive on Earth (also around 1938 if the timeline having Clark at sixteen around 1954 stands). The story of Clark getting his powers gradually makes the most sense, as he would not have been collecting yellow sunlight on his journey and the previous incantation of having him arrive fully powered as silly. (I also like the touch from Man of Steel, The Movie, where he had to adapt to the atmosphere of Earth.) He grew up and had a relatively normal childhood, giving him the grounding he needed to be the man he is. That is something that he wants for his son, but it's complicated by the life he leads.
As for the second series, I feel that it lost a little sight by only introducing the Jonathan/Jor-El plot line slowly, and could have been expanded upon greater within the bounds of the comic. Not everyone is going to continue with the two main series afterwards, and I feel there could be a lot more to discover yet. Having Supergirl come up with the idea of the Phantom Zone projector and placing Rogol Zaar in there steals a little bit from the story because this is a Superman story after all (and I love Supergirl and believe she is the smarter of the two.), but it is a great way to introduce her back as a potential main character again. The comic also made me truly feel their loss of the Kandorians as well. The heartfelt tribute the cousins did for them at the end was as realistic a moment you can get in comics.
In conclusion, both series ere great, but the first one still stands out better and I feel can transcend the test of time (it has been over thirty years already, so perhaps it has.) I recommend that if you haven't already, grab copies of both (the second one recently was printed in trade form, and there is going to a new printing of the first one), and read it for yourself.
Ottawa News and Notes - Summer is in full swing and the events have slowed down a little, but will pick up again in September. The Comic Book Shoppe (both stores) is having a massive 2,00 $ back issue sale (more info on their Facebook pages.), and of course, this Sunday is the big Geek Garage Sale on Knoxdale Road.
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Next up, another exciting Random Books My Son Picks. Until then, have a good reading time.
I begin by saying, that although both stories are about different parts of the Superman mythos, there is some commonality. The first series completely met its goal of introducing a new backstory to Superman, and eliminating all of the factors that DC was wishing to with regards to the new continuity of the DC Universe going forward. With a history spanning almost fifty years at the time (and with the character of Batman who was only a year "younger" having a major part of his story remain) Byrne did a heck of a job redefining the important parts going forward, especially establishing that the Kents live on to Clark's adulthood. (I have to say that as one of my not-so-favourite things about Pre-Crisis Superman, they had managed to de-age the Kents by alien means and they still died when Clark had just turned eighteen.) The series also met Byrne's wish that Superman end up being an established hero by the end so that there wouldn't be lingering questions when the regular series picked up again.
The second series es more about establishing a new backstory for two of the other parts to Clark's life. With the introduction of Rogol Zaar as the man who destroyed Krypton (and has now destroyed Kandor, I don't like this part but it does set up the return of the Supergirl series by giving Kara a new storyline to establish the book) and the Jor-El /Jon trip (with Lois) in order to have Jon discover his Kryptonian side and roots. This part seems to be the common thread; both "Supermen" have had to discover their roots from a dead civilization, that has been tempered by their humanity. Clark had to learn from absorption when the Jor-El entity set him to receive all the information, where Jor-El himself will be teaching Jon.
From Clark's perspective there are some similarities between the two stories as well. In the first series, Lana has loved him forever, and was hoping he would propose. Instead, he had to let her go so he could serve humanity in the capacity he wanted to. This was a loss of a love that could never be the same again, because Clark would be forever changed by the work he would do. In the second, Superman has to let Lois and Jonathan go with Jor-El, knowing that when they returned, they would never be the same again through the new experiences that they would encounter. Also, Clark has new insights into who he is in both, as an alien on a strange planet with strange powers, but loved by his old family, and his new. In the second series, the determination he has to make sure that he doesn't lose the Earth is a powerful image, especially after Zaar destroyed almost everything left from Krypton's existence that was on Earth (except, probably the kryptonite). In the second series we also see how devoted and inspired (again) that his comrades in the Justice League are to him, while in the first series we see that he and Batman are, well, polar opposites in their methods but they do have a grudging respect for each other.
Another thing that stands out for me in the second series, is how much the staff of the Daily Planet respects Lois, while Clark is a little bit of the office whipping boy. (If they only knew who they were teasing.) I also like how they took advantage of the series to possibly add another full time first-responder, so that it's not always Maggie Sawyer and Dan Turpin on the scene (especially since she seems attracted to him, and not in a creepy, stalkerish way like Cat Grant or Maxima.) Also, we see just how much Clark treats Lois as an equal partner in their relationship, by letting her reason with him about letting Jonathan go with Jor-El. But again, we see how much he is willing to lay on the line to defend this planet.
If I may go back to the first series now, my insight is that this series should have stood as the definitive origin of Superman for the rest of time. It is that good. Yes I know that Superman: Birthright changed things up a bit again, but that could have been easily declared non-canon. The vision of Krypton and the destruction of the planet outlined here was well-thought out, and placing it a mere fifty light-years from Earth could make the assumption that Superman was actually conceived in April 1938 (see what I did there?) and that it was a relatively (star distance-wise) short trip, as opposed to even the movie, where it takes three years to travel through 12 galaxies and from a relativity perspective, thousands of our years to arrive on Earth (also around 1938 if the timeline having Clark at sixteen around 1954 stands). The story of Clark getting his powers gradually makes the most sense, as he would not have been collecting yellow sunlight on his journey and the previous incantation of having him arrive fully powered as silly. (I also like the touch from Man of Steel, The Movie, where he had to adapt to the atmosphere of Earth.) He grew up and had a relatively normal childhood, giving him the grounding he needed to be the man he is. That is something that he wants for his son, but it's complicated by the life he leads.
As for the second series, I feel that it lost a little sight by only introducing the Jonathan/Jor-El plot line slowly, and could have been expanded upon greater within the bounds of the comic. Not everyone is going to continue with the two main series afterwards, and I feel there could be a lot more to discover yet. Having Supergirl come up with the idea of the Phantom Zone projector and placing Rogol Zaar in there steals a little bit from the story because this is a Superman story after all (and I love Supergirl and believe she is the smarter of the two.), but it is a great way to introduce her back as a potential main character again. The comic also made me truly feel their loss of the Kandorians as well. The heartfelt tribute the cousins did for them at the end was as realistic a moment you can get in comics.
In conclusion, both series ere great, but the first one still stands out better and I feel can transcend the test of time (it has been over thirty years already, so perhaps it has.) I recommend that if you haven't already, grab copies of both (the second one recently was printed in trade form, and there is going to a new printing of the first one), and read it for yourself.
Ottawa News and Notes - Summer is in full swing and the events have slowed down a little, but will pick up again in September. The Comic Book Shoppe (both stores) is having a massive 2,00 $ back issue sale (more info on their Facebook pages.), and of course, this Sunday is the big Geek Garage Sale on Knoxdale Road.
\
Next up, another exciting Random Books My Son Picks. Until then, have a good reading time.
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