Comic Book Review: Superman Secret Origin #1

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank


Plot: Geoff Johns teams up with artist Gary Frank in another revamping of the Superman origin story. We revisit the relationship Clark Kent had with Lana Lang back in school, how he first met Lex Luthor, and the difficulties that Clark faced as he gradually developed unique abilities that caused him to wonder about his life and his beginnings. The answer is frightening, yet not unexpected.

My thoughts: When I first heard of Johns writing this new revamping of the Superman origin story, I couldn’t help but wonder “why now?” It’s a valid question right? Wasn’t it in 2004 when Mark Waid wrote Superman: Birthright? I thought that was to be the definitive revamping of the Superman origin story. Now it’s nearing the closing of 2009 and here we are in the pages of another twist in the Superman story. I’m excited about it, but still pondering on the reasons for doing this so soon.

This first issue is good, nothing bad about it all actually. I felt like I was reading a comic that came out of the Silver age, yet it still maintained a lot of the modern aspects and sensibilities. Clark Kent grows up not knowing what the heck is happening to him and begins to ask questions and begins to believe he isn’t normal, and that’s all he really wants out of life, to be normal.

Now, we don’t actually learn anything new with this first issue. The story hasn’t had a real chance to develop enough quite yet for any new realizations to be put in its foreground. However, we do get a new look at how Clark reacts to learning of his alien heritage. His refusal to accept it at first is quite terrifying, and his adoptive mother Martha and the look of horror bestowed upon her face at how much pain this is bringing to Clark is incredibly emotional and moving. I’m really anxious now to learn about the “secret” part of this origin story.

Gary Frank took an interesting twist on the whole artistic aspect of this book as well. Instead of creating a new face for Clark, we find ourselves looking at a boy who resembles Christopher Reeves in almost every way. Frank did a great job a giving that “Reeves” look to Clark, but making him look young and boyish. The idea of making this a tribute to the recently passed actor is interesting, creative, and hard to do! Every panel of every page of every book now has to look like Reeves, and what a challenge that will be for Frank to do.

Overall, a fun and moving issue. Geoff Johns started doing Secret origins with Green Lantern, and now he has Superman at his finger tips. I hope Johns will do a few more secret origin stories and help bring the continuity of the DC universe back to a place where it makes sense. Because God knows DC’s continuity level is definitely at the “WTF” stage.

4 out of 5 stars

Next Month: Superman Secret Origin #2

Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's exploration of the origin of the greatest Super Hero of all time continues! In this second issue, readers will witness young Clark Kent's initial journey into the late 30th century as Superboy and see how meeting the Legion of Super-Heroes shapes the Superman he will one day become! Plus, more on the beginnings of the young Lex Luthor!