Superman: Earth One ongoing GN discussion

[Bslythegamerguy]

I just picked up a copy of Superman : Earth One and man......I was truly blown away. This is exactly what I wanted out of an "Ultimate" like treatment of Superman and unlike some of the reviews I've seen I'm so happy JMS took the liberties he took with changing some of the Superman mythos. If you're not going to make changes and create a new "earth" for these heroes than why even reinvent the character to begin with, so excellent job by the creative staff on this book on making some background changes to the characters. I really thought DC was really in need to take their core characters and give them the "Ultimate" treatment and was kind of upset that it took them as long as they did to do it, but now that they did I'm completely hooked and can't wait to read the other two Earth One chapters Superman has out. Hopefully the 4th installment won't take as long to see release as they have in the past.

Thoughts on this book?

EDIT: Superman: Earth One v1 review http://bslydarksky.blogspot.com/2015...-superman.html

[Auguste Dupin]

Isn't there already a discussion thread about this?
Whatever, at worst, I guess the moderators can always fuse the two or something.
The first Earth One book was okay, if somewhat underwhelming. I don't mind the liberties, if anything I feel like JMS has been playing it mostly safe, or at least, I can't think of any real groundbreaking change right now. The fact he's feared, perhaps? But even that has been done before, if anything, that's a stample in your Superman origin since Birthright. Krypton being intentionally destroyed has also been done before by Johns during his Brainiac arc. But upon further rereadings, it just appeared to me that the script had several weaknesses in its execution that hurt some potentially cool ideas. For instance, Clark Kent trying out different jobs and showing how his powers make him good at them was a very good idea. The problem is that it ends up leading to not much (Clark Kent can be rich and famous, but he's not quite sure that's what he wants. The end)., but it also sets up one hell of a plot hole. What I mean is, when Clark is trying out to be a football player, he signs up using his real name. He is shown doing clearly superhuman feats, sending guys twice his size flying, which lead to the coach wanting to hire him at all cost. Then, he moves on, the alien invasion happens, and a full shot of Superman's face is on the front page of the Daily Planet in an edition of the newspaper that ended up being so popular that it saved the Planet financially. Who looks exactly like the surprisingly strong football player Clark Kent. Who is also the name of the guy who interviewed Superman on the same edition of the paper. So, by all logic, the coach should totally have figured out Superman's secret identity (and most likely sold it to the newspapers for lots of money).
The book also tends to set up elements and not use them. For instance, Clark is very smart. Smart enough to figure out in a couple of minutes a formula that a bunch of top scientists were trying to crack for years. And the book never does anything with it (at least during the first two books). It's become almost infuriating when Clark tries to convince the boss of he scientific company to put his guys to try to analyze a piece of the invaders' tech, and the guy tells him it's not his problem. That scene has two big incoherences:
-Someone as smart as Clark should know it could take years to take anything out of a piece of technology unlike anything any one has ever seen, a time they did not have.
-He's a super genius. He can figure out incredibly complex formulas in a matter of seconds. He doesn't need the scientists' help. All he needs is an access to their lab, something they have no reason to refuse him, since they're trying to escape the end of the world.
The book also suffers from a "tell, don't show" problem. For instance, at one point, Clark makes a big speech at his dad's grave about how he doesn't want to be Superman (understandable so far), but that he will keep "fighting for the little guy in secret". Except we have never seen do anything that would even imply he has helped any one, in secret or not. So either Clark is purposely made into a hypocrite who would lie to his own dead dad to escape his own guilt, or the book just assumes telling us Clark is helping others is enough. Which it isn't.
Also, that interview Clark makes of Superman in addition of being incredibly unethical, actually manages to make Superman sound like a jerk who woud prioritize an interview with a reporter over helping people trapped in the ruins of their own houses.....despite the whole situation being completely made up by Clark to make it look like he made an actual article. He's just that bad of a writer.
Finally, it's ultimately little more than a generic alien invasion (something very common in Superman stories) with a very generic alien bad guy whose main defining feature is that the looks like a Kiss member. But it has a cool Jimmy Olsen, and a few good moments here and there. The seconc volume is a piece of cr.p, though (don't know about the third).

[Dispenser Of Truth]

I've made my feelings on Superman: Earth One clearly enough on here before, so for the sake of brevity, I'll just repost Chris Sims' review:

[Flash Gordon]

They're almost hilariously bad but miss the funny line by like two inches and sadly are just shite.

[titansupes]

I was very, very, very excited about the concept of continuity free OGN's when it was announced in late '09. Very excited. But the first one was - while fun - very underwhelming and poorly drawn and written at times. It set up some unique things though, and I liked the world. I was interested to see where it was going.

Second one... was shit.

Third one (which I just read for the first time two nights ago) was better than the second, but still suffers from flat drawings and seriously bad writing.

And I don't think they've done enough to capitalize on their unique format, either. It never feels like an epic event - just another episode. The first one came close, but fell short.

And on the topic of setting up things and never following through, remember when Tyrell (such a stupid space villain name) said Kryptonian's were bestowed different powers depending on which sun they're were nearest? I wanted to see THAT, damn it! More of that, and less cringe-worthy attempts to sound hip and young (constant, shoehorned pop culture references) or seem edgy and progressive (Superman is dating an escort... like... really?).

Is the line continuing, by the way? Superman, I mean. I know Davis didn't do the third, and I seem to recall JMS saying the third would be his last. Has there been any word on what might happen with the fourth?

Apparently, though I haven't read them and can't say for myself, the rest of the Earth One line is in the same continuity. Which is really disappointing. I would have made it so that the next team could come and with a clean slate do their ULTIMATE Superman/Batman/whoever story. Free on continuity restrictions. It could be wholly original, something based on a previous work (Golden Age, Donner's Superman etc). Whatever. Sort of like what the All-Star line was going to be, back in the day.

[adkal]

As far as I can recall, there is a fourth one in the works. Volume 3 was just the end of an arc.

[Auguste Dupin]

As far as I can recall, there is a fourth one in the works. Volume 3 was just the end of an arc.

Kind of disapointing one, I gotta say now that I've read it. I mean, it was a better story than the second book (although it was nothing to write home about), but....that's it? That's the explannation for youknowwhat? Booooriiing.

[adkal]

Apparently, he was writing it around the time Man of Steel was being done and was worried there may be overlap/clash with the movie...but, frankly, in both cases there was so much potential that was just...squandered.

Alas.

[Auguste Dupin]

Apparently, he was writing it around the time Man of Steel was being done and was worried there may be overlap/clash with the movie...but, frankly, in both cases there was so much potential that was just...squandered.

Alas.

Well, it would have been less of an overlap had he not written Superman fight his villain in the middle of Metropolis, causing mindless destruction, for the 3rd time in a f.cking row.
Seriously, at this point, JMS should have been less worried about overlaping MOS and more worried about overaping himself.

[evangelionofasgard]

Well, it would have been less of an overlap had he not written Superman fight his villain in the middle of Metropolis, causing mindless destruction, for the 3rd time in a f.cking row.
Seriously, at this point, JMS should have been less worried about overlaping MOS and more worried about overaping himself.

to be fair in vol.1 the entire invasion was taking place in the city, he could try and take Tyrell himself away from the city, but his ship and forces would still be there destroying crap.

[Auguste Dupin]

to be fair in vol.1 the entire invasion was taking place in the city, he could try and take Tyrell himself away from the city, but his ship and forces would still be there destroying crap.

Well,actually, my point was less about Metropolis being destroyed (alien invasion, hard to avoid and all that) than about the 3 books having pretty much the exact same climax.

[Bslythegamerguy]

Wow, lots of hate for Earth One. Personally I enjoyed the writing and liked the art just as much, but I guess it's all a matter of taste and this book fits my taste more than it does for others. Can't wait to get all caught up with Superman Earth One, but it'll be bittersweet due to the probable long wait for the 4th volume.

[Superlad93]

Yeah I don't really think the books are a good time. I'm more than down for the idea of a 'Ultimate' Superman take. But this has been pretty bland and repetitive. I feel like it just goes through the motions and never builds to anything. It's like bad TV that tries to pass itself off as more that it is. It pushes the right buttons for some but I think it's all superficial with no substance in the end.

[manofsteel1979]

Yeah I don't really think the books are a good time. I'm more than down for the idea of a 'Ultimate' Superman take. But this has been pretty bland and repetitive. I feel like it just goes through the motions and never builds to anything. It's like bad TV that tries to pass itself off as more that it is. It pushes the right buttons for some but I think it's all superficial with no substance in the end.

Pretty much my feelings on EARTH ONE.I don't love it or hate it...it's just there.

The only thing I'm mildly interested in is the twist with Luthor in vol 3. That was somewhat original.

It's still better than JMS's GROUNDED run. At least Superman doesn't spend the story WALKING everywhere just because he's sad over New Krypton.

I also find it ironic that out of all the various versions of Superman out there, EARTH ONE is the only one featuring him in what is essentially the "classic" look, while main continuity Superman is about to undergo a (temporary) complete visual overhaul in June.

Despite my Meh-ness, I still think it's great people enjoy it. Any sort of Gate way into the character, whether it be this, New 52, or MAN OF STEEL, is a good thing even if I personally have some issues with all of the above.

[BBally]

I've only read the first volume and I enjoyed it for what it was, an alternative take on the character.