Recommended Reading - Superman: American Alien

Superman: American Alien

(w) Max Landis (a) Various including Nick Dragotta, Francis Manapul, Ryan Sook & Jock

Superman will always be the original Superhero.  He debuted in 1938 in Action Comics #1 (officially now the most expensive single issue comic in the world.  In 2014, a copy was sold via eBay for $3.2 million), and has never looked back since.

He was created by two high school students, writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and sold to DC comics.  Within a few years, Superman was everywhere - comics, newspaper strips, radio serials, tv programmes; you name it, and there was some tie in material or merchandise!

Everyone knows his backstory at this point - his parents send him to Earth from the planet Krypton, as it is on the brink of destruction.  He is found on Earth and taken in by Jonathan and Martha Kent who raise him as their own, giving him the name Clark.  Early on in his childhood he displays superhuman abilities, which, upon reaching maturity, he decides to use for the good of humanity, creating the Superman identity to protect those close to him.

But with almost 80 years of history and countless stories about him, where on earth do you start?

For me, it is actually a recent title that serves as the best introduction for Superman, a title written by Max Landis, the son of the legendary filmmaker John Landis (best known for The Blues Brothers and An American Werewolf in London) - Superman: American Alien.

This is a title that feels fresh and original right from the get go.  It was published as a 7 issue miniseries with a different artist tasked with penciling each issue.  Instead of it being one straightforward arc, the series looks at 7 pivotal points in Clark's life.  One issue might focus on the first time he uses his powers for good.  In another, he saves the city of Metropolis for the first time, while another sees his introduced to Lex Luthor.

It's an approach that suits the multi artist idea as they are essentially illustrating short stories as opposed to a multi issue arc.

The way Landis writes Clark / Superman is inspired as he deals with interesting situations.  For example, in one issue Clark is mistaken for reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.  He is not yet the mature character we know he becomes so he actually just goes with it and enjoys himself.  Well, until Bruce Wayne shows up!  A bit of a twist on the first time Superman and Batman meet.  It even throws in a duel with Deathstroke for good measure, as he was hired to kill Bruce Wayne.

As I stated before this is an excellent starting point to Superman as it essentially condenses 80 years of history into one story, yet it doesn't feel rushed or lazy, instead being fresh and original.

We always keep the hardcover edition in stock as it is one of our very favourite titles.

Until next time...