Before
the New 52, DC had been long trying to capture some of the magic that
Marvel unleashed with their Ultimate Line. They wanted
something new and bold that could grab new readers. Several
attempts were made (like the not-so-great First Wave), but without
much success.
But
they decided to try something a little different with their Earth One
books. Like the Ultimate comics, it would having younger
versions of familiar heroes. The difference would be that
instead of a regular monthly series, they would produce hardcover
graphic novels.
The
first two entries have been spectacular. Superman Earth One
Volume One was smart and exciting. Reading it, I couldn't help
hoping that the upcoming Man of Steel would be half as action-packed.
Batman Earth One gave us a beautifully drawn book with an
amateur Batman tackling problems too big for his abilities.
Now,
we continue the story with Superman Earth One Volume Two.
The
results?
There
is no doubt that this book is good. Shane Davis's art gives the
world a young, fresh look. And again J. Michael Straczynski
tells a story that is both large and intimate.
In
this book, the world is trying to react to the presence of a
"Super-Man" and how they can defend against him, should he
go rogue. Clark is still trying to find his place in the world,
both as a journalist and as Superman. Straczynski really makes
him feel like an alien by showing him as alienated. He wants to
connect to people but cannot. He wants to help the people of
the world, but is stymied by global politics.
And
yet while he is isolated from the other characters, the readers have
immediate empathy. Clark tells the story of his pet cat that
might be one of the most touch animal stories ever in comics (in only
2 pages!).
He
also deals with Clarks, um, intimacy problem that was addressed with
great humor by Brody in Mallrats and the writers on Smallville. But
Straczynski acknowledges the awkwardness while using it to really
feel Clark's loneliness When an attractive neighbor tries to
seduce him, he resists no matter how much he wants to. Of
course as a Catholic, I wasn't happy about him complaining to God
that he missed out on an opportunity for a random hook-up.
But
the book has 2 weaknesses: First, the villain is not that
compelling. In the first volume, the alien invasion was a
direct result of Clark's presence on Earth. In this, a familiar
Superman foe has his origin retold, but it doesn't tie in to the
overall story. He seems to be a means to tell a story about
Clark's relationship to his power.
The
second is that the story does not feel complete in and of itself.
The first could survive as a stand alone graphic novel. This
one is not only a continuation of the story, but it is a set up for
the next. It feels like a transition story, getting us ready
for the bigger, more important story to come. That is fine in a
regular comic book series. But when you are shelling out
premium cash for a hardcover, you expect a little more.
My
last note isn't a weakness with the story, but a problem I have with
the interpretation of the character. In the book, Superman
wants to help the poor people who are living under a dictator. The
evil leader blackmails him into leaving. Superman imagines
cutting loose and killing him, which is a fascinating insight into
his self control. But he later returns to the country with his
solution. I won't spoil what it is, and while it does make
sense for the character as Straczynski is writing him, it is not what
I would have expected. As I said, this doesn't make the story
worse, but it doesn't sit right with my tastes.
All
in all, I would recommend picking up this book. If not as a
hardcover, then at least in paperback.
4
out of 5 stars.
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