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Absolute All-Star Superman (2011)

by Grant Morrison(Favorite Author)

4.37 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1401229174 (ISBN13: 9781401229177)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

DC Comics

review 1: The Sphinx: What happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object?Superman: They surrender.A warning for those who think that Superman is overpowered: All Star Superman is Superman at his most powerful, having literally taken a sun dip at the start of the series (Though, in an ironic twist, the same is killing him slowly like cancer). This isn't Superman getting his a** kicked (well, except for one instance), or Superman trying to be in control or being modest about his powers. This is Superman unleashed. This is Superman trying to leave his legacy behind in his adopted world that he has sworn to protect. Yes, this Superman is still a boy scout, but he is also ensnared by common human trappings: like revealing his identity to Lois Lane just because he is dying... more, feeling jealous when Samson is hitting on Lois Lane. This is Superman finally getting his most innate wish granted in the most bizarre way: to feel human. This is Superman's version of the 'Twelve tasks of Hercules'.Grant Morrison weaves a tale which many have come to regard as the finest Superman story ever told. While I would still consider Red Son slightly better, this is definitely the best one I've read which involves the 'original' Superman. This may not be the first time that Superman has 'died' (technically, he's not really dead), but this is definitely more tragic than 'Death of Superman'. In 'Death of Superman', it was one earth-shattering punch that took down Superman. It was sudden and unexpected, but brief. It was more shocking than tragic. In 'All Star Superman', the basic theme adopted is that even Gods can run out of time.As has been seen often before, once again, the man responsible for Superman's greatest predicament is Lex Luthor. Smart and conniving as ever, the idea to kill Superman using his strength is something that only Luthor could have thought of. And while the excuse offered is the same (ridding the world of Superman), this time, Lex Luthor is portrayed more evil, less of a philosopher. As I mentioned earlier, the theme adopted is Superman finally facing his mortality, watching helplessly as the very things that made him a near God are slowly killing him. The quandary of whom to tell about his impending death. However, there are several smaller themes pursued throughout the series. One of them being the insatiable human desire to give external form to their highest, unattainable desires; this being demonstrated perfectly when, in an artificial Earth created by Superman (to experience a world without Superman), one of the citizens creates a character similar to Superman (a nod to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster I guess). There are a few more themes explored which make the entire series worth reading. The artwork by Frank Quitely is quite engrossing. One of the features that separates this series from the rest is the portrayal of Clark Kent. While in most other comics, the only distinguishing factor between Clark and Superman are the specs, in this series Clark Kent is shown to be a hunched backed, slightly paunchy, bumbling fool who occasionally, accidently, ends up saving people. This is something none of the other artists/writers have been able to capture: Superman having two separate versions of Clark Kent, the one who is the son of Jonathan and Martha Kent (and probably the his most original self), and the bungling-yet-old-school-brilliant reporter of Daily Planet.Who should read this book? Well, Superman fans for sure. DC and comics fans in general too can read this. Those who think of Superman as a boy scout, over powered, and boring, however, may not necessarily enjoy this book.
review 2: Superman es uno de los personajes más difíciles a la hora de escribir un buen guión, no solo por la invulnerabilidad que lo hace inherentemente aburrido, sino por las siete décadas historia que lo preceden; es difícil que alguna historia no se haya contado ya en tiempo y forma; no obstante continúa siendo el ícono más acabado de la mitología moderna del imperio americano y el más fiel exponente del "american way of life". Esta problemática es conocida incluso puertas adentro de DC comics, la empresa que mantiene la licencia del personaje, incluso suele bromearse con ella; los lectores seguidores de la continuidad DC habrán sonreído cuando en uno de los últimos macroeventos de la empresa los guionistas escupieran al rostro del personaje poniendo en boca de Batman la siguiente afirmación: "¡Se supone que sos un símbolo, que tenés que inspirar a la gente, y la última vez que inspiraste a alguien fue con tu muerte!".En efecto, desde aquél guión que contara el deceso del personaje allá por 1992, difícilmente se narrara alguna historia de interés a no ser alguna reversión de su incombustible origen. Grant Morrison, el genial guionista escocés de Batman: Arkham Asylum, Animal Man y New X- men logra dar un nuevo aliento al último kryptoniano con la miniserie All Star Superman, tan sólo doce números en los que encumbrar nuevamente al personaje en el podio más alto de la mitologética americana.Morrison levanta el guante arrojado por los otros guionistas, decidido a llevar al personaje a una nueva edad dorada, y no duda para ello en recuperar el candoroso espíritu de lo fantástico de la década del 50 matizado por los elementos posmodernos que hicieron famosas series como The Filth y Los invisibles. Incluso recupera el mencionado carácter inspiracional cuando, dejando a un lado las hazañas superheróicas Superman se toma el tiempo para abrazar a una adolescente suicida en una cornisa, murmurándole al oído la frase "Eres mucho más fuerte de lo que crees".La historia: Superman está muriendo envenenado de radiación solar por una estratagema de su némesis Lex Luthor. Antes de su muerte debe completar los 12 trabajos anunciados por Sansón, el viajero temporal, los cuales serán algo así como su herencia a la humanidad; entretanto, enfrentado a su propia motalidad, el hombre del mañana confecciona su testamento personal... "Y a Clark Kent... le dejo el titular del siglo." less

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