I was a Batman Girl, growing up. But lately, Superman has my heart.
It probably began when I saw Superman Returns last summer. Some of my guy friends were all grumbly, but I was really excited about it being so Chick Flick-y with all the Lois Lane stuff.
A few months ago, as a special treat, I got myself the boxed set of the Superman movies, with Christopher Reeve.
Once again, I was fascinated, especially in Superman II, with the relationship between Superman/Clark Kent/Lois Lane. That moment when he gives up his powers to be with Lois and Lois overheard it and let him do it. It blew my mind. It was clear I needed to get reading to understand the heart and soul of what made this relationship between the Man of Steel and this sassy girl reporter tick!
I got a bunch of suggestions from friends and have been voraciously reading.
I’ve really enjoyed some recent issues of Kurt Busiek’s Action Comics – most specifically – Last Son
–Secret Identity by Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen
–Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar
–Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid
–and Grant Morrison’s All Star Superman.
I even made my dad read it when he was here visiting last week for my book launches. And I’m wanting to read more! more! more!
So, please, enable my Superman crush! And bring on the Superman must reads to complete my education!
May 25th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
You want a Superman must-read? The novel ‘Miracle Monday’, by Elliot S. Maggin, published back in the ’70s. I think the text of it is supposed to be available online someplace, but if you can’t find that you should be able to track the paperback down used without too much trouble.
May 25th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
This page — http://superman.ws/Maggin/monday.php — has links to both the book on Amazon and the online text.
May 25th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Yes, “Miracle Monday”, essential Superman reading!
May 25th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
I guess I have to state the obvious…Byrne’s Man of Steel mini-series (as well as his early issues of Superman paticularly # 2 and # 9) and Alan Moore’s Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow. If you can try and pick up any of the Gil Kane Action Comics from the early-eighties…there’s some fun stuff there. Plus get a copy of Action Comics # 544-when Luthor and Brainic get their new looks…that’s a comic I’ll never forget.And as an addendum to ‘Miracle Monday’ try and find DC Comics Presents annual # 2 with a great appearance by “Superwoman”. For some reason I loved those issues.
May 25th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
It’s Superman! by Tom De Haven is a WONDERFUL recent novel chronicling a young Superman’s adventures in the 1930s. De Haven stuffs the thing with ’30s cultural references, and it’s incredibly well-written and engaging.
As far as actual comics go, the current Cooke/Sale Superman Confidential arc is a really good one. And I’ll second the Byrne and Moore stuff, most of which has been collected in one form or another.
May 26th, 2007 at 1:00 am
I concur with the praise for “It’s Superman!” by Tom De Haven. I’d also suggest “Kingdom Come” by Mark Waid and Alex Ross along with “Superman: Peace on Earth” by Paul Dini and Alex Ross.
Also any of Grant Morrison’s “JLA” run will provide you with plenty of Superman goodness.
May 26th, 2007 at 2:05 am
Thanks peeps! I am very much looking forward to reading these!
Y’all rule!
May 29th, 2007 at 12:43 am
For a lot of different looks, you can check out Superman: Man of Steel, the Superman: Chronicles collections, and Showcase Presents: Superman. I’d also look for Superman for All Seasons, and the suggestions above.
May 29th, 2007 at 6:19 am
It’s A Bird by Steven Seagle and Teddy Kristiansen.