The Sense Of Wonderment Is The Key

Superman: Secret Origin tpb
DC Comics
Geoff Johns, writer
Gary Frank and Jon Sibal, artists

When this miniseries debuted, I was still of a mind to try anything and everything I might possibly like (if I could afford it). My thoughts at the time and for a few years prior were that, sure, I would end up buying some stinkers, but I would miss far fewer gems. In the interest of saving some money, however, I would often try to trade-wait limited series such as this one rather than buy the individual issues. Then, once the trade for this series was solicited, I had shifted my mindset to reflect my new conservative attitude toward buying. I don't necessarily intend to keep every single issue or trade I buy now, some will still be sold, either because I don't ultimately care for them or because they were good, but not likely to be reread so why take up space by keeping them, but I'm definitely buying a lot fewer books these days. So I almost didn't buy this trade. Do I really need another retelling of the origin and early days of Superman? Even folks who don't read comics know that basic story, right?

I'm glad I decided to take a chance on this one anyway. Johns and Frank had a solid run on Adventures of Superman prior to this series coming out, and it was partially on the strength of those issues that I took a chance here. And they didn't let me down.

Johns skips over the parts of the story most people can quote verbatim, instead focusing on key moments in Clark Kent's early childhood -- re-establishing his time as Superboy into the character's continuity along the way -- and debut in Metropolis. And there's something about the way Johns handles the character that brings out the sense of wonder at someone discovering he can fly and deflect bullets and help people. This book and Johns' characterization of not only Superman, but the other characters around him, help the reader rediscover what it was like to be a kid and enjoy such adventures from that perspective. From Clark's first learning of his true origins, learning to cope with his emerging powers, his first encounters with Lex Luthor and the Legion of Super-Heroes to his first day at the Daily Planet and his public debut in costume -- this book is pure fun and wonder.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Frank's art is nice to look at, too, but I especially love the way both his depictions of Clark Kent and Superman are modeled on Christopher Reeve, the true Superman of my generation. I've enjoyed old episodes of "The Adventures of Superman" with George Reeves, and the more modern "Lois & Clark" with Dean Cain and "Smallville" with Tom Welling, but I was 11 when "Superman the Movie" debuted, and Christopher Reeve is "my" Superman brought to life. It doesn't hurt that this character looks and feels like him.