The Big Red “S” doesn’t just stand for Santa.
If you’re looking for a gift idea for the Superman fan on your shopping list, there are plenty of options this holiday season…
“Superman: Earth One” (Hardcover Graphic Novel; $19.99)
Writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis join forces for this impressive graphic novel that does the seemingly impossible: It reinvents an iconic character in a convincing way, shedding more than 70 years of back story to create a modern take on the Man of Steel. It also adds a new twist to the destruction of Krypton, something that must be hard after so many interpretations of Supes’ origin. If the makers of the next Superman theatrical film don’t use this story as a blueprint, they need to be thrown into the Phantom Zone.
“Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali” (Two Hardcover versions: Deluxe Edition, $19.99, or Oversized Edition, $39.99)
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee dipped in kryptonite. This 1978 comic from writer Denny O’Neil and artist Neal Adams has not been reprinted until now, telling the story of Superman and The Greatest Of All Time joining forces to thwart alien invaders. Along the way, they have to fight each other because, hey, that’s what the title says. Granted, even the world’s greatest boxer should be no match for a dude who can push the moon out of its orbit. And it’s curious that Lois Lane thinks an interview with one of the aliens is a big scoop, considering she hangs out with that alien Superman all the time. But it’s a fun, tongue-in-cheek take on a meeting of icons.
The oversized edition is reprinted in the 10-by-13-inch size of the original 1978 comic, from a time when DC wowed kids with extra-large comics. The “Deluxe Edition” is the standard 7-by-10 ¾ scale of most comics, but includes a few pages of sketches that are not found in the oversized edition.
“All-Star Superman” (Available in paperback in two volumes, $12.99 each; also available in a oversized hardcover Absolute Edition with a slipcover and bonus pages for $99)
Writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely’s take on Superman dazzled readers several years ago in the poignant 12-issue miniseries “All-Star Superman.”
Unlike “Superman: Earth One,” the idea behind “All-Star Superman” is to pay homage to the style of storytelling from Superman comics of yore rather than reinvent the character. The result is at once nostalgic and fresh, with a gee-whiz factor that is missing from most modern comics. A scheme by Lex Luthor results in Superman’s powers going into overdrive, threatening to burn his cells up from the inside. Sensing he doesn’t have much time left, Superman sets out to get the world ready for his impending absence.
An animated straight-to-video film is in the works and due out in early 2011.
“DC Superheroes: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book” (Hardcover, $29.99)
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and other superheroes are featured in this elaborate — to the point of near-absurdity — pop-up book, which has six pop-up scenes depicting various heroes, and fold-outs with other, smaller pop-ups as well. Granted, it’s a bit silly and since new comics come out every month, the information quickly gets out of date (Wonder Woman’s costume has already changed from what’s in here), but it’s a fun look at the colorful heroes and villains of the DC Universe. Fold the pages back carefully or you may crease the characters.
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