Superman: Secret Origin # 2 (of 6)
Oct 31st, 2009 | By Ben Gilbert | Category: DC, Reviews
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal
After a fantastic recap of Superman’s origin in the first issue of this mini-series, Geoff Johns delves even deeper into the mind of the Boy of Steel as he tries to cope with the truth about who he is and where he came from. Committing random acts of heroism around Smallville while trying to keep a low profile, Clark confides only in his adoptive parents while driving everyone else away, even Lana Lang, who became aware of his powers in the previous issue. Meanwhile, Johns adds a new layer of evil to teenaged Lex Luthor, who stops at nothing to find a way out of his accursed hometown and start a new life in Metropolis.
Convinced that he is all alone in the universe, Clark is soon confronted by three members of the Legion of Super Heroes, who tell him all about how his actions have inspired the future. The three Legionnaires soon take him back to the 30th Century with them, so he can catch a glimpse of just how influential he was. Gary Frank and Jon Sibal completely nail the look and mannerisms of Superman as an awkward teen and perfectly render his awe when observing events that for him will soon become the norm. It’s a wonderful combination of story and art that makes this mini-series truly remarkable.
Since I’ve never been a huge fan of Superman, this book really shocked me with how good its first issue was, and the second issue was just as great. Even though it seems that Johns is writing nearly half of DC’s books right now, it’s good to know that his insane workload still hasn’t hampered his ability to tell a quality story, in or out of current continuity. This issue gets 5 out of 5 Bad Lightning Puns.
I used to love Frank’s art on Supreme Power and it fitted the mood of the book, yet on “regular” superhero stories it looks bizarre. My favorite complaint I heard about his style is that all his characters look like they’re on cocaine…
I can kind of see that, but Frank’s style really works on this book. His teenaged Clark Kent is appropriately awkward and gawky, with hints of Chris Reeve in his face. His Luthor is a little less subtle but it works within the confines of the story.
I didn’t read this, nor do I plan to. While I’m willing to believe it’s a good book, I’m no huge Superman fan, and the story this is based on is a huge part of it. To me, the “heroism” of Superman is greatly diminished by the fact that as a teenager, he was shown how important he is to the future.
In Star Trek: First Contact, it works. You have a total sleazebag who, given the motivation, is redeemed, and who becomes an architect of the future. And we’re seeing the story that shows us he really WASN’T that great to begin with. In Superman’s lore, it just reduces him to a whiny bitch going through the motions because of some sense of destiny. I don’t like it. Never have, never will.
Good point, Jason.
I thoroughly enjoyed this issue.
I’ve never liked the idea of Clark being Superboy. I preferred it when he never donned a costume until he was adult. Also, I really don’t like it where he knows Lex as a kid (I liked that in Smallville, but since that show has nothing to do with actual continuity that made it okay). But, despite not liking those things, Johns’ writing and Frank’s art are so good that I didn’t care.
I do find it weird that Frank’s teenage Clark looks damn near identical to my best friend.
I really enjoyed this issue as well. When did Lex die though? Or that that a future omen?