As a whole, Year One hit the usual basics of Superman’s origin. A little too on the nose with some things, some things taken way out of proportion, some things I would’ve reduced or cut out completely. However, Superman/Clark/Kal-El was written as he should. By no means was it perfect but it set a base. There were good ideas there...execution was off on parts. The main thing is that Superman had confidence, swagger, and embraced his heritage. He loves his powers but it’s not that he thinks he is better or sees himself as a God. We got space “Moses” instead of space “Jesus”. Clark Kent was the “mask” to blend in, not fit in. He does have his own ties to humanity, growing up in Smallville, friends, and people he has come across etc. etc...but he sees the world in a unique “alien” perspective. The good, the bad and the ugly.
It kind of reminds me of “The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.” anime. Born with all manner of psychic abilities, Saiki faces all kinds of hardships and tries to avoid attention as much as possible. Not surprised if this premise is inspired by Superman. The main character even wears glasses. However the difference is, the series is not afraid to delve into the insanity of being extraordinary while living in an ordinary world and delving into some controversy that the character should face as well as the main character himself having missteps with some of his thoughts and actions. All to often the idea of what makes a character human or what being human means is misconstrued. Superman needs a few fires lit.
He wasn’t the government stooge everyone thought which is directly pointed out. He was put on the spot by Lex during a live open press conference whatever. But he figured it out and just played along just barely.
The Wonder Woman rebirth suit is totally throwing this off to be DK Universe, however maybe the suit is now universal. Who knows....
It seemed that parts of this meeting was missing. Quite possibly there was probably a last minute “let’s do massive hint droppings” to solidify the fact that this is set in DK universe as well as hurry to set up the next phase “Year Two”.
Diana is written far better than All-Star. Possible Azzarello influence from DKIII? Stopping Clark and Bruce from fighting was good. Nothing radical only reacting to Lex as she should have. Lex was the one talking about Diana needing to be tamed while wanting to control Clark. He is the one portrayed as the xenophobic, sexist, misogynistic a-hole. There is no indication of Diana herself wanting to be “tamed”.
The melodramatic scene again comes down to rushing to solidify this is DK Superman. The forehead kiss is cute solely by the actual meaning it pertains in general.
Romita art was okay overall. Some really good scenes, some rushed, some needed to be cut down, unnecessary splash pages. Given that this was 3 issues, there should’ve been more planning and organizing how to fit all of this in better.
Miller seems to be trying to course correct and do his own revisions that make sense to his own verse sense it’s expanding. There’s no need to rush and would also like to have Diana’s POV. Looking forward to “Golden Child” seeing what else might be changed in perspective and/or given more depth.
Also big ups to Superman not getting punked by Batman. It only confirms everything before was written with Batman’s POV but no matter who’s POV it is, Miller’s Batman is still a psychopath.