Neal Bailey from Superman Homepage wrote: Neal's Review:
3Story - 3: This is not a bad story. I think the problem is, it's not a DC Superman story. This is a Marvel Superman story.
The hallmark distinction between DC and Marvel (generally, with exceptions), is that the characters in the DC Universe choose to be heroes because it's the right thing to do, and they do it because they want to, while the Marvel characters have their powers thrust on them, and they use them only because they have to, or because it benefits them personally.
Superman chooses to use his power to do good because it's the right thing to do. Batman makes a solemn vow to essentially defeat evil because his parents were killed, and does so despite having no superpowers. Wonder Woman wants to make the world a better place, so she uses her gifts as an ambassador and a positive role model. Green Arrow, James Robinson's recent stories aside, uses his riches to stand up for the little guy because he cares to. Martian Manhunter, despite losing an entire race, seeks to understand and aid the humans. On and on and on. Sometimes you get a Booster Gold, but it's generally to throw the others into stark perspective.
Wolverine is cursed with his claws, and spends his surly days kind of accidentally falling into doing good. Spider-Man initially wanted to throw his costume away, and has done so many times since, and one of the big storylines he keeps coming back to is why he keeps doing what he does, and if it's worth it. The X-Men run and hide from the public, and cynicism pervades. Most don't want their powers, and many wish for a cure. It's considered almost a curse. The Hulk is constantly on the run, and I can't remember the last time he set out to do good as opposed to dealing with the problems his curse drops on his head.
Superman of Earth One clearly doesn't want to be Superman, and only becomes Superman when it's absolutely essential, after many lost lives and begrudgingly. He's more Spider-Man than Superman. He doesn't look for his opportunity to do good and slip into it like a glove when the opportunity arises, he comes to Metropolis a greedy little emo kid who is pissed off that he can spit fire from his eyes, and he crumples his costume in the closet like it's something to be ashamed of. He tries to make money by cheating at sports, cheating at science, and just generally doing dishonorable, disreputable things. The story resolves this, of course, making him realize his own selfishness and renounce it, but that's not the point, really, the point is that this is a Marvel mentality, not a DC mentality, and when I see a Superman that starts from a point of selfishness, it just never, ever rings true to me.
It seems he takes joy in scorching a robber. The Superman I know and love wishes he could help that robber first, and doesn't burn his face, he takes his gun and drops him at a homeless shelter with a warm meal.
The Superman I care for doesn't stand in an apartment building while it burns, picking up his clothes and running off while leaving the place to burn to the ground. He ignores his clothes, puts the building out, and finds the person who started the fire to bring them to justice.
There are easy, cheap shots I could take at this book. The fact that it's just another retelling of the origin that doesn't offer much new (which it is). The fact that the villain's motivation is rather paper-thin and odd (genocide for... what, exactly? Endless war with no motive?). There's the whole "Is Superman a menace? Should the public trust him?", but then again, in this case it's finally warranted, because I'd be afraid of this guy I see on the cover. I wouldn't want him protecting me. I'd flee from him. Then there's the suit made from barely enough clothes to half-swaddle a baby, but that's neither here nor there.
There are also many beautiful things. Though I disagree with the story design and many of the pieces of dialogue that were too clever for the panel they were in (IE, too many bubbles), the writing itself was exquisitely well paces, well executed, and the mark of a master at work, clearly. From the top to the bottom, this story ticked like a clock in terms of making the beats resonate, and even if I don't like the story, I will take a lot personally as a writer from the good work present in its construction.
There are elements which add to the mythos that I hope will be preserved. The idea of Martha and Jonathan finding Clark in the woods (where there are few people) is brilliant, even if I'm a bit perplexed by mountains in Kansas (as ever). I like the idea of a self-repairing ship to describe how it isn't noticed until it's ready for Clark to need it.
A giant alien invasion was done already, in Birthright, just recently, and though this is a better rendition, it's also repetitive. It also serves up cliché, which is unfortunate.
This is also the first actually supporting-cast Superman story we've seen in YEARS, and in that, I give a lot of the story a pass, in that it's incredible to see Lois, Jimmy, Perry, and Clark interacting again. God, I miss it, and I hope they do more of it in the future. The fact that it's in an alternate universe and only after most of a year's wait, and in one shot, is frustrating as hell, but that doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the fact that it simply is.
All in all, this is a story that is very easy to read, but ultimately, it's just another retelling of an origin that has been so repeatedly retold (and only last year, no less) that there should be a truly compelling reason to do so. I don't find the extra-terrestrial villain or an angsty, reluctant Clark sufficient reason to do so.
He's hip, sexy, and moody, just like Dan DiDio proffered in his misguided attempt at promotion, but he's also reluctant, bitter, and violent. That's not my Superman, sadly, even if the writing was top-notch.
