Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: N/A
Written by: Mark Waid
Penciled by: Leinil Francis Yu
Inked by: Gerry Alanguilan
Colored by: Dave McCaig
Lettered by: Comicraft
Editors: Tom Palmer Jr. & Eddie Berganza
Publisher: DC Comics
I have enjoyed Mark Waid’s retooling of Superman’s origin for the most part. At twelve issues the series seems a bit long, but overall I do like the changes that Waid has made. The last few issues have picked up the pace quite a bit, and with this issue everything begins to fall into place.
Waid has successfully updated the Man of Steel for the new millennium, and his changes while liberal, have been reasonable in scope. While some of the changes have been geared toward integrating the look and feel of the hit television series Smallville they have been done in the proper context and will work to open up the world of Superman to a plethora of new story possibilities. DC’s aim is to sell more comics and the changes that have been made are respectful of the past and should lead to a better future.
The second half of the series has focused on an interesting retcon, and the one that moves the series more closely to Smallville, the idea that Lex and Clark Kent knew each other during their teen years. Mixing this new Lex/Clark relationship in with some interesting tweaks of Clark’s Kryptonian origins and you get the most interesting elements that will carry the Superman franchise on for the next decade or more. Before we worry about the future we need to focus on the concluding chapters of this series!
Lex Luthor is trying his best to discredit Superman, and cast him as the first step in a Kryptonian invasion of Earth. I like the xenophobic element that Waid is using in his storytelling. After initial awe at Superman’s accomplishments, it makes sense that society could easily be made to believe that he poses a threat. Waid has built Luthor up as an evil genius and his plan is a stroke of brilliance befitting Superman’s number one enemy. Obviously, as things progress, we will see Superman moving out of this pall that has been cast by Luthor, but it makes for a near impossible hurdle to overcome and a strong way to close out the new “origin†for the hero.
As issue #10 begins, Superman is fighting an enormous spider-like creature that looks like it came to Earth by way of Starship Troopers. In the ensuing conflict, an army of “Kryptonians†show up and begin subjugating Metropolis. These aliens are, of course, shams that have been sent to discredit The Man of Steel and allow Lex Luthor to save the day.
The issue’s best scenes occur at the Daily Planet, after Superman is forced to retreat from his conflict with the “Kryptonians.†Here Waid stacks the deck so completely against both Superman and Clark that the hero literally gives up. One of my favorite continuing threads in the series has been Clark’s instant messaging back to the Kent’s in Smallville. Through his conversation this month, Clark believes there is nothing left that he can do. His attempts to be a hero are a failure due to blind hysteria. Clark believes it is in his best interests to head home, with his tail between his legs. This certainly isn’t the Man of Steel we are used to! Waid’s made this series center on a character with boundless potential, but who has not reached his peak. Superman is far short of his prime, and Waid has captured this still somewhat flawed Man of Steel brilliantly.
Of course, events transpire, events that bring out the truly heroic Superman, the indomitable hero that we knew would emerge at series end. There are two more issues remaining now in this series and we’re finally going to see Superman confident in his powers, growing into the hero we all know. The final conflict with Lex Luthor will be a thrill ride for sure. I can’t wait to see just what else Waid has planned as the series closes out.
Leinil Francis Yu jumped out at me a couple of years ago when he worked with J. Scott Campbell on the Wildstorm mini-series, High Roads. That was one of the most enjoyable mini-series that I have read in some time, and he’s been on my radar ever since. Yu has been masterful in translating Superman’s grand origin throughout. I hope to see him move onto a regular monthly series after Birthright concludes.
I’ve moved back and forth on how much I like this book. Part of me thinks that it has been drawn out a bit too far. I do enjoy each and every installment, but I’m never completely satisfied. Waid’s is certainly writing outstanding Superman stories, and Yu is putting out some amazing pencils, but things seem a little too decompressed. Thus, I’m always left wanting more. This series does fall a little short as a monthly, but will read wonderfully in trade!
