Superman: Earth One
Encyclopedia
Superman: Earth One is an graphic novel
series written by J. Michael Straczynski
and penciled by Shane Davis
. Published in the US in 2010 by DC Comics
, and in the UK in 2011 by Titan Books
, Superman: Earth One is the inaugural title of the new ongoing OGN series DC: Earth One
, which, similarly to the Ultimate Marvel
universe, allows creators to tell stories free of cumbersome continuity
and reintroduce classic characters for a new generation.
described the project as a dream come true, as writing Superman was among his intended plans which also included Babylon 5
. The project was alluded to two years prior when Straczynski announced his contract with DC Comics
, as it was obvious he was going to be working on one of DC's "Big Three" that consist of Superman
, Batman
, and Wonder Woman
, but it was unknown to which he was attached. However, before it was announced, he had to keep tight-lipped on the project, while he worked on the Red Circle
characters, as well as his run on The Brave and the Bold
.
As a journalist, Straczynski placed his past experiences within the environment of the Daily Planet
, in order to make it more real. One major example being Jimmy Olsen
, who will be known as Jim Olsen in the book, being seen as tougher and smarter than his mainstream counterpart as he will be seen getting himself in harm's way to get the shot. Straczynski wanted to retell the beginnings of Clark Kent coming out as Superman, but bring in the thoughts of what-if Clark thought of becoming something else instead of being a superhero. As Straczynski stated; "he could have been rich as an athlete, researcher, any number of things. There's a flashback scene to when Martha Kent finishes his uniform and gives it to him as a gift, hoping he'll go that way. He looks at it and says, in essence, "Shouldn't there be a mask?" She says no, that "when people see how powerful you are, all the things you can do, they're going to be terrified... unless they can see your face, and see there that you mean them no harm. The mask... is that what you're going to have to wear the rest of your life."
Among his ideas; the villain featured will be brand new, and have a connection to Krypton
to explain its destruction.
Shane Davis
's approach was to remove all the stereotypes associate with the design of Clark Kent, both in his civilian and superhero identities. As a 21 year old male in the book, Davis had Clark wear layers of clothing, showing that he is trying to blend in; "he doesn't want to stand out" as said by Davis. This of course strayed away from the classic Clark Kent look, wearing the suit, tie, and glasses, since it "didn't make sense" to Davis. He also re-imagined Metropolis. Historically depicted as an art-deco expanse, Davis designed it to look and feel like a more realistic place.
, Clark Kent
thinks back on his and his mother's conversation about how he had years to think about "this", and yet Clark needs more time. Arriving in Metropolis, and renting a room at a hotel (as well as taking care of a gunman meant for himself); Clark goes out the next morning and tries out several jobs: pro football, a major scientific research company, financial, and major league baseball: Clark realizes he can do anything as each job wants him. He calls Martha Kent and tells her what has happened, to which his mother points out that she'll be happy with whatever he wants to be, but urges him to do what he thinks is right for himself; in the end, its Clark's decision to make. His last job stop is at the Daily Planet
, where he meets Perry White
, James "Jim" Olsen
, and finally Lois Lane
. But upon hearing the Planet, like the newspaper industry, is declining, Clark decides not to pursue a job at the Daily Planet, drops the application paper into a garbage bin, and flies away into space as he thinks back to when Martha and Jonathan Kent told him how he was found: hiking through the woods, the Kents saw a sonic booming ship flying pass them before it crashed. Checking for survivors, they found a baby boy instead and left before the ship finally exploded. Then, the Kents decided to keep the child, just after the US government and its military started arriving at the crash site. They only kept a small fragment of debris from the ship where they'd learned it wasn't from this Earth; meaning Clark is an alien. This only connected to Clark being considered a freak growing up, thus at the present, he talks to his late father's grave and says that he can't do it: he now has already "fit in" and that he'll be on the run if he exposes himself. Instead, he decides to get a perfect job or career instead, and hopes that his dad will accept this.
The next day, Major Sandra Lee, working at a US Military base on advanced technology, goes and sees again the crashed spaceship from twenty years ago: the same ship that brought Kal-El to Earth. So far, the ship has managed to regenerate its damaged and lost parts, and the scientists working there have found symbols inside the very atoms of the ship. Just as this is being done, Clark finds out his apartment is on fire, and superspeeds in and out, grabbing the fragment and a red and blue outfit his mother made for him from the Kryptonian
cloth he was wrapped in as an infant. Alone, Clark checks the fragment with his vision, when suddenly he is hit with energy and becomes unconscious, falling from the sky. The fragment talks and connects itself back to the ship in order to download more information. Just as this is happening, an invading alien force suddenly arrives and attacks Earth's major cities. The military quickly jumps in to fight back, but the alien attack ships defeat Earth's fighter jets. Jim and Lois decide to be where the story is, and are almost killed because of Jim wanting the best photos from the invasion possible. Clark, still unconscious, is fed information he couldn't remember before: the last moments of the planet Krypton
, his home. He, named Kal-El, is the son of Jor-El
and Lara, who waited til the last minute to send him off as the shockwaves would hide his escape. Lara refers to someone who would follow him, however her words are left incomplete as Kal-El's ship lifts off into the sky just as the city falls. Just then, Clark wakes up. The alien leader reveals himself to the entire world Tyrell. He decides not to talk about who or what he is, and cuts to the chase by revealing the ultimatium: the Earth will be destroyed, and millions will die, if a certain
someone he's been looking for doesn't reveal himself and surrender to him. Lee and the scientists agree that the person Tyrell is looking was in the ship, just as Clark goes at invisible speeds to grab a piece of the alien attackers by not revealing himself, but it doesn't work as Jim catches a human shaped red and blue blur. Clark goes for help at the same research company he was going to get hired for, but he ends up seeing how corrupt they are during the invasion. He thinks back to when his father told him how there are times when we have to step up and do something, and brings up the outfit Martha was making as something Clark probably won't need, but he should have it just in case. Tyrell notices Jim taking pictures while others are running and he almost kills him until Clark, who can't stand and watch anymore, goes and destroys a robot before superspeeding back. Tyrell now knows he is on the planet and
prepares to attack even more violently. Clark looks at the outfit, and remembers his first reaction: wondering why there wasn't a mask, and his mother wondering if Clark wants to hide for the rest of his life. He also remembers why the "S" in on the shirt and cape; because Jonathan coined the name "Superman." Clark finally decides to wear the outfit and reveal himself to the world and stop the invasion as Superman
.
Superman lands on the ground and starts destroying the robots and the ships just as Tyrell reveals himself to him. Proving himself to be stronger and deadly, he brings up that Krypton's destruction wasn't an accident but was in fact an "assassination." Tyrell comes from the planet Dheron: his homeworld and Krypton were bitter enemies who fought in several wars that finally ended with a Dheronian war machine, designed to destroy Krypton's core, provided by an unknown alien race. But one failure to this was the escape of one survivor, a scientist's son that Tyrell had been charged with a mission to find, and kill: the Last Son of Krypton, Kal-El. Tyrell proceeds with the activation of several war machines to do to Earth what it did to Krypton and hits Superman hard wth a red solar energy field that pins him down, preventing him from stopping Tyrell. Tyrell explains the nature of their powers and leaves to make final preparations, and because of the invasion happening because of him, no one in Metropolis wants to help Superman. He then remembers his father teaching him that once he realizes who he is once he's tested, that those will come to his side because of it, Lois and Jim get Superman out of the field using a truck; they succeed, and Superman stands back up in full power. Superman and Tyrell fight again, this time with Superman winning because he's fighting just as aggressively and gains the upper hand due to him having more abilities. Superman's ship becomes fully regenerated and takes off to where he is, knocking Tyrell from behind. Superman knows he came in that ship, and remembers Tyrell mentioning that his spacecraft is only nearly as impervious as Kryptonian metal, which Superman's ship is made out of. Jumping to the controls Superman enters Tyrell's now not strong spacecraft and destroys it from the inside. Tyrell tries to stop him but is ultimately defeated. He warns Superman that others like him will come to finish what he's done and Superman knows they will when he jumps off the ship. Tyrell laughs because Superman still doesn't know about the mysterious race who gave the Dheronians the world-destroying technology, but the ship explodes and he dies before he finishes his sentence. The invasion is over, and the day is saved, and Superman smiles as he flies away. At a government base, Lee wonders who Superman is and what he wants, just as much as she wonders if him on Earth means more trouble to the planet. The general puts her in charge of learning all that can be learned about Superman and his origin. He also tells her one other thing: he wants Superman found.
Clark, after the ordeal, walks home when the boss of the research company finds him and finally offers him the job; he declines. Meanwhile, one of the Dheronian battleships crash-lands in an indoor football field. He does some clothes shopping and comes up with a "Clark Kent disguise
" and heads back to a more enthusiastic and successful Daily Planet because of how they covered and captured the invasion and Superman than the other rival news groups did. Perry doesn't know how to name their new sensation until Clark comes in with the name "Superman," along with his interview he claims he did with Superman; Clark is hired. Jim and Lois ask him afterwards why he chose to come to the Daily Planet with his exclusive interview, and Clark answers that he saw them and while others ran for their safety, they didn't and others would've died if they did. Lois wonders why she didn't see him, and puts that aside and gives him good luck while Jim welcomes Clark "to the Asylum." In the days that followed, the opinion of Superman is mixed: some like him and see him as a hero, others don't trust him because he is the source of the invasion, his powers, etc. In the arctic, Superman is in a secret cave where he has hidden his ship, and its sentience activates and tells him his mission: to survive, use his powers well and wisely, and to avenge the murder of his homeworld. In the end, Lois and Jim are on the Daily Planet rooftop and discussing how Superman has changed the world just as Jim grabs a shot of Superman flying into the sky.
gave the book a positive review, saying it "delivers the 'why' behind the what" in terms of the Superman mythos. They also praised the attack on Earth for providing a reason for Clark to become Superman, and for its 9/11 imagery. iFanboy
posted two reviews of the book; giving it a 3.5 and a 4 out of 5. Both reviews concluded that the book was a competent retelling of the Superman origin story. Newsarama
also gave the book a positive review; calling Earth One's version of Superman an "unconscious reaction to Grant Morrison
's invulnerable, easy-going All-Star Superman." The review praised the artwork that gave Superman a "iconic and cinematic" overhaul, and called Clark's conflict with his Kryptonian birthright some of the best moments. The review also gave praise for the creative use of an entirely new villain.
Other reviewers responded negatively to the book. IGN
gave the book a 'poor' rating, saying it was "riddled with creative decisions" such as the depiction of Clark/Superman as "an angst-ridden cliche" and the "forgettable and shallow" villain. IGN also called the artwork "dull." Comic Book Resources
followed suit. While praising Clark’s search for a purpose, they objected to the idea that Clark would only become a hero due to the environment around him, and not as a personal choice. Comic Book Resources also disliked the villain, calling him a cross between Lobo
and David Bowie
, but without any of the positive qualities from either of them." In the end, they saw the book as nothing more than a "pitch book" for the new movie.
The redesign of Superman in Earth One also received notice in a number of major news publications, such as the New York Post
, Entertainment Weekly
, and Yahoo!
. However, the articles primarily focused on images of Clark wearing a hoodie
as opposed to the Superman outfit, and compared the look to that of Robert Pattinson
of the Twilight series
.
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
series written by J. Michael Straczynski
J. Michael Straczynski
Joseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
and penciled by Shane Davis
Shane Davis
Shane Davis is an American comic book artist, currently under exclusive contract for DC Comics.-Career:Davis broke into the industry in 2003 by illustrating Robin #110 and a spot illustration in JLA-Z #3...
. Published in the US in 2010 by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, and in the UK in 2011 by Titan Books
Titan Books
Titan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
, Superman: Earth One is the inaugural title of the new ongoing OGN series DC: Earth One
DC: Earth One
DC: Earth One is a series of graphic novels published by DC Comics. The series is set in its own universe, separate from the DC's mainstream universe and is set in the alternate universe "Earth-1" of a rebooted/reimagined DC Multiverse...
, which, similarly to the Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
universe, allows creators to tell stories free of cumbersome continuity
Continuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
and reintroduce classic characters for a new generation.
Publication history
Writer J. Michael StraczynskiJ. Michael Straczynski
Joseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
described the project as a dream come true, as writing Superman was among his intended plans which also included Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
. The project was alluded to two years prior when Straczynski announced his contract with DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, as it was obvious he was going to be working on one of DC's "Big Three" that consist of Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, and Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, but it was unknown to which he was attached. However, before it was announced, he had to keep tight-lipped on the project, while he worked on the Red Circle
Red Circle Comics
Red Circle Comics was an imprint used by Archie Comics Publications, Inc. to publish non-Archie characters, especially their superheroes, in the 1970s and '80s.-Phase 1: 1970s:...
characters, as well as his run on The Brave and the Bold
The Brave and the Bold
The Brave and the Bold is the title shared by many comic book series published by DC Comics. The first of these was published as an ongoing series from 1955 to 1983...
.
As a journalist, Straczynski placed his past experiences within the environment of the Daily Planet
Daily Planet
The Daily Planet is a fictional broadsheet newspaper in the , appearing mostly in the stories of Superman. The building's original features were based upon the AT&T Huron Road Building in Cleveland, Ohio...
, in order to make it more real. One major example being Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character who appears mainly in DC Comics’ Superman stories. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane, Clark Kent/Superman and Perry White...
, who will be known as Jim Olsen in the book, being seen as tougher and smarter than his mainstream counterpart as he will be seen getting himself in harm's way to get the shot. Straczynski wanted to retell the beginnings of Clark Kent coming out as Superman, but bring in the thoughts of what-if Clark thought of becoming something else instead of being a superhero. As Straczynski stated; "he could have been rich as an athlete, researcher, any number of things. There's a flashback scene to when Martha Kent finishes his uniform and gives it to him as a gift, hoping he'll go that way. He looks at it and says, in essence, "Shouldn't there be a mask?" She says no, that "when people see how powerful you are, all the things you can do, they're going to be terrified... unless they can see your face, and see there that you mean them no harm. The mask... is that what you're going to have to wear the rest of your life."
Among his ideas; the villain featured will be brand new, and have a connection to Krypton
Krypton (comics)
Krypton is a fictional planet in the DC Comics universe, and the native world of the super-heroes Superman and, in some tellings, Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog. Krypton has been portrayed consistently as having been destroyed just after Superman's flight from the planet, with exact details of...
to explain its destruction.
Shane Davis
Shane Davis
Shane Davis is an American comic book artist, currently under exclusive contract for DC Comics.-Career:Davis broke into the industry in 2003 by illustrating Robin #110 and a spot illustration in JLA-Z #3...
's approach was to remove all the stereotypes associate with the design of Clark Kent, both in his civilian and superhero identities. As a 21 year old male in the book, Davis had Clark wear layers of clothing, showing that he is trying to blend in; "he doesn't want to stand out" as said by Davis. This of course strayed away from the classic Clark Kent look, wearing the suit, tie, and glasses, since it "didn't make sense" to Davis. He also re-imagined Metropolis. Historically depicted as an art-deco expanse, Davis designed it to look and feel like a more realistic place.
Plot summary
On a train to MetropolisMetropolis (comics)
Metropolis is a fictional city that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is the home of Superman. Metropolis first appeared by name in Action Comics #16 ....
, Clark Kent
Clark Kent
Clark Kent is a fictional character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Appearing regularly in stories published by DC Comics, he debuted in Action Comics #1 and serves as the civilian and secret identity of the superhero Superman....
thinks back on his and his mother's conversation about how he had years to think about "this", and yet Clark needs more time. Arriving in Metropolis, and renting a room at a hotel (as well as taking care of a gunman meant for himself); Clark goes out the next morning and tries out several jobs: pro football, a major scientific research company, financial, and major league baseball: Clark realizes he can do anything as each job wants him. He calls Martha Kent and tells her what has happened, to which his mother points out that she'll be happy with whatever he wants to be, but urges him to do what he thinks is right for himself; in the end, its Clark's decision to make. His last job stop is at the Daily Planet
Daily Planet
The Daily Planet is a fictional broadsheet newspaper in the , appearing mostly in the stories of Superman. The building's original features were based upon the AT&T Huron Road Building in Cleveland, Ohio...
, where he meets Perry White
Perry White
Perry White is a fictional character who appears in the Superman comics. White is the Editor-in-Chief of the Metropolis newspaper the Daily Planet.White maintains very high ethical and journalistic standards...
, James "Jim" Olsen
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character who appears mainly in DC Comics’ Superman stories. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane, Clark Kent/Superman and Perry White...
, and finally Lois Lane
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
. But upon hearing the Planet, like the newspaper industry, is declining, Clark decides not to pursue a job at the Daily Planet, drops the application paper into a garbage bin, and flies away into space as he thinks back to when Martha and Jonathan Kent told him how he was found: hiking through the woods, the Kents saw a sonic booming ship flying pass them before it crashed. Checking for survivors, they found a baby boy instead and left before the ship finally exploded. Then, the Kents decided to keep the child, just after the US government and its military started arriving at the crash site. They only kept a small fragment of debris from the ship where they'd learned it wasn't from this Earth; meaning Clark is an alien. This only connected to Clark being considered a freak growing up, thus at the present, he talks to his late father's grave and says that he can't do it: he now has already "fit in" and that he'll be on the run if he exposes himself. Instead, he decides to get a perfect job or career instead, and hopes that his dad will accept this.
The next day, Major Sandra Lee, working at a US Military base on advanced technology, goes and sees again the crashed spaceship from twenty years ago: the same ship that brought Kal-El to Earth. So far, the ship has managed to regenerate its damaged and lost parts, and the scientists working there have found symbols inside the very atoms of the ship. Just as this is being done, Clark finds out his apartment is on fire, and superspeeds in and out, grabbing the fragment and a red and blue outfit his mother made for him from the Kryptonian
Krypton (comics)
Krypton is a fictional planet in the DC Comics universe, and the native world of the super-heroes Superman and, in some tellings, Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog. Krypton has been portrayed consistently as having been destroyed just after Superman's flight from the planet, with exact details of...
cloth he was wrapped in as an infant. Alone, Clark checks the fragment with his vision, when suddenly he is hit with energy and becomes unconscious, falling from the sky. The fragment talks and connects itself back to the ship in order to download more information. Just as this is happening, an invading alien force suddenly arrives and attacks Earth's major cities. The military quickly jumps in to fight back, but the alien attack ships defeat Earth's fighter jets. Jim and Lois decide to be where the story is, and are almost killed because of Jim wanting the best photos from the invasion possible. Clark, still unconscious, is fed information he couldn't remember before: the last moments of the planet Krypton
Krypton (comics)
Krypton is a fictional planet in the DC Comics universe, and the native world of the super-heroes Superman and, in some tellings, Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog. Krypton has been portrayed consistently as having been destroyed just after Superman's flight from the planet, with exact details of...
, his home. He, named Kal-El, is the son of Jor-El
Jor-El
Jor-El is a fictional character, an extraterrestrial in the . He was created by the writer Jerry Siegel and the artist Joe Shuster, and he first appeared in a newspaper comic strip in 1939 as Superman's biological father....
and Lara, who waited til the last minute to send him off as the shockwaves would hide his escape. Lara refers to someone who would follow him, however her words are left incomplete as Kal-El's ship lifts off into the sky just as the city falls. Just then, Clark wakes up. The alien leader reveals himself to the entire world Tyrell. He decides not to talk about who or what he is, and cuts to the chase by revealing the ultimatium: the Earth will be destroyed, and millions will die, if a certain
someone he's been looking for doesn't reveal himself and surrender to him. Lee and the scientists agree that the person Tyrell is looking was in the ship, just as Clark goes at invisible speeds to grab a piece of the alien attackers by not revealing himself, but it doesn't work as Jim catches a human shaped red and blue blur. Clark goes for help at the same research company he was going to get hired for, but he ends up seeing how corrupt they are during the invasion. He thinks back to when his father told him how there are times when we have to step up and do something, and brings up the outfit Martha was making as something Clark probably won't need, but he should have it just in case. Tyrell notices Jim taking pictures while others are running and he almost kills him until Clark, who can't stand and watch anymore, goes and destroys a robot before superspeeding back. Tyrell now knows he is on the planet and
prepares to attack even more violently. Clark looks at the outfit, and remembers his first reaction: wondering why there wasn't a mask, and his mother wondering if Clark wants to hide for the rest of his life. He also remembers why the "S" in on the shirt and cape; because Jonathan coined the name "Superman." Clark finally decides to wear the outfit and reveal himself to the world and stop the invasion as Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
.
Superman lands on the ground and starts destroying the robots and the ships just as Tyrell reveals himself to him. Proving himself to be stronger and deadly, he brings up that Krypton's destruction wasn't an accident but was in fact an "assassination." Tyrell comes from the planet Dheron: his homeworld and Krypton were bitter enemies who fought in several wars that finally ended with a Dheronian war machine, designed to destroy Krypton's core, provided by an unknown alien race. But one failure to this was the escape of one survivor, a scientist's son that Tyrell had been charged with a mission to find, and kill: the Last Son of Krypton, Kal-El. Tyrell proceeds with the activation of several war machines to do to Earth what it did to Krypton and hits Superman hard wth a red solar energy field that pins him down, preventing him from stopping Tyrell. Tyrell explains the nature of their powers and leaves to make final preparations, and because of the invasion happening because of him, no one in Metropolis wants to help Superman. He then remembers his father teaching him that once he realizes who he is once he's tested, that those will come to his side because of it, Lois and Jim get Superman out of the field using a truck; they succeed, and Superman stands back up in full power. Superman and Tyrell fight again, this time with Superman winning because he's fighting just as aggressively and gains the upper hand due to him having more abilities. Superman's ship becomes fully regenerated and takes off to where he is, knocking Tyrell from behind. Superman knows he came in that ship, and remembers Tyrell mentioning that his spacecraft is only nearly as impervious as Kryptonian metal, which Superman's ship is made out of. Jumping to the controls Superman enters Tyrell's now not strong spacecraft and destroys it from the inside. Tyrell tries to stop him but is ultimately defeated. He warns Superman that others like him will come to finish what he's done and Superman knows they will when he jumps off the ship. Tyrell laughs because Superman still doesn't know about the mysterious race who gave the Dheronians the world-destroying technology, but the ship explodes and he dies before he finishes his sentence. The invasion is over, and the day is saved, and Superman smiles as he flies away. At a government base, Lee wonders who Superman is and what he wants, just as much as she wonders if him on Earth means more trouble to the planet. The general puts her in charge of learning all that can be learned about Superman and his origin. He also tells her one other thing: he wants Superman found.
Clark, after the ordeal, walks home when the boss of the research company finds him and finally offers him the job; he declines. Meanwhile, one of the Dheronian battleships crash-lands in an indoor football field. He does some clothes shopping and comes up with a "Clark Kent disguise
Clark Kent
Clark Kent is a fictional character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Appearing regularly in stories published by DC Comics, he debuted in Action Comics #1 and serves as the civilian and secret identity of the superhero Superman....
" and heads back to a more enthusiastic and successful Daily Planet because of how they covered and captured the invasion and Superman than the other rival news groups did. Perry doesn't know how to name their new sensation until Clark comes in with the name "Superman," along with his interview he claims he did with Superman; Clark is hired. Jim and Lois ask him afterwards why he chose to come to the Daily Planet with his exclusive interview, and Clark answers that he saw them and while others ran for their safety, they didn't and others would've died if they did. Lois wonders why she didn't see him, and puts that aside and gives him good luck while Jim welcomes Clark "to the Asylum." In the days that followed, the opinion of Superman is mixed: some like him and see him as a hero, others don't trust him because he is the source of the invasion, his powers, etc. In the arctic, Superman is in a secret cave where he has hidden his ship, and its sentience activates and tells him his mission: to survive, use his powers well and wisely, and to avenge the murder of his homeworld. In the end, Lois and Jim are on the Daily Planet rooftop and discussing how Superman has changed the world just as Jim grabs a shot of Superman flying into the sky.
Reception
Superman: Earth One received mixed to positive reviews. Before its release, various websites were given copies of Superman: Earth One to post reviews; out of all of them, the graphic novel received reviews with mostly positive reactions. Ain't It Cool NewsAin't It Cool News
Ain't It Cool News is a website founded and run by Harry Knowles, dedicated to news, rumors and reviews of upcoming and currently playing films and television projects, with an emphasis on science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic-book and action genres...
gave the book a positive review, saying it "delivers the 'why' behind the what" in terms of the Superman mythos. They also praised the attack on Earth for providing a reason for Clark to become Superman, and for its 9/11 imagery. iFanboy
IFanboy
iFanboy is a weekly video podcast and audio podcast produced by Revision3 which both focus on comic books, comic book publishing, and comic book creators. It stars Josh Flanagan, Conor Kilpatrick, and Ron Richards....
posted two reviews of the book; giving it a 3.5 and a 4 out of 5. Both reviews concluded that the book was a competent retelling of the Superman origin story. Newsarama
Newsarama
Newsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...
also gave the book a positive review; calling Earth One's version of Superman an "unconscious reaction to Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
's invulnerable, easy-going All-Star Superman." The review praised the artwork that gave Superman a "iconic and cinematic" overhaul, and called Clark's conflict with his Kryptonian birthright some of the best moments. The review also gave praise for the creative use of an entirely new villain.
Other reviewers responded negatively to the book. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the book a 'poor' rating, saying it was "riddled with creative decisions" such as the depiction of Clark/Superman as "an angst-ridden cliche" and the "forgettable and shallow" villain. IGN also called the artwork "dull." Comic Book Resources
Comic Book Resources
Comic Book Resources, also known as CBR is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book-related news and discussion.-History:Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1996 as a development of the Kingdom Come Message Board, a message forum that Weiland had created to discuss DC...
followed suit. While praising Clark’s search for a purpose, they objected to the idea that Clark would only become a hero due to the environment around him, and not as a personal choice. Comic Book Resources also disliked the villain, calling him a cross between Lobo
Lobo (comics)
Lobo is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Omega Men #3 , and was created by Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen. An alien, Lobo works as an interstellar mercenary and bounty hunter...
and David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, but without any of the positive qualities from either of them." In the end, they saw the book as nothing more than a "pitch book" for the new movie.
The redesign of Superman in Earth One also received notice in a number of major news publications, such as the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
, Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, and Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
. However, the articles primarily focused on images of Clark wearing a hoodie
Hoodie
A hoodie is a sweatshirt with a hood. The characteristic design includes large frontal pockets, a hood, and a drawstring to adjust the hood opening. They are sometimes worn with sweatpants. Some hoodies have zippers on them to allow easy removal much like a jacket...
as opposed to the Superman outfit, and compared the look to that of Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson
Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson is an English actor, model, musician, and producer. Born and raised in London, Pattinson started out his career by playing the role of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...
of the Twilight series
The Twilight Saga (film series)
The Twilight Saga is a series of supernatural romance fantasy films from Summit Entertainment based on the four Twilight series novels by the American author Stephenie Meyer. The films star Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. The series has grossed over $2 billion in worldwide...
.
External links
- Superman Earth One, DC ComicsDC ComicsDC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...