Superman

I noticed there is a new Superman movie coming out this summer. Here is a review I wrote for a graphic novel featuring Superman. It was never published so I thought I'd share it with you...

Superman: Secret Identity Review

This graphic novel, Superman: Secret Identity is a compilation from the four part miniseries published by DC comics in 2004. The story follows a young man named Clark Kent who awakens one day with the amazing superhuman abilities of the fictional Superman character. The concept sounds unusual and it is but this reinvention of the Superman myth works on profound new levels.

When you begin reading, Superman: Secret Identity, you will not be able to put it down. This comic chronicles a life. This particular depiction of the life of Clark Kent/Superman will have you wanting to share every moment of it. Kent is human and that is what makes this Superman more real. A sympathetic connection is immediately established and never lost with the Clark Kent character. He is one of us with imperfections and fears and lives an extraordinary life both human and super human.

Comic readers have long lived in the secret identity metaphor. Many creators work day jobs and at home become their authentic selves vicariously saving the world page-by-page, panel-by-panel. Superman: Secret Identity intelligently exploits this metaphor of comic creation with the Clark Kent character’s dual life. Kent tries hard to make a living in the journalism field or as a writer but when he is off the clock he uses his gifts. In his case it is his “Superman” powers. In the example of independent comic creators it is their true talent.

The sequentials orchestrate the story in such a cinematic manner that your mind will recall this story as if they were scenes from a motion picture rather than a graphic novel. The art completed by, Stuart Immonen, evokes both wonder and emotion. There are many scenes where Kent flies to solitary serene vistas and contemplates nature. This resonates with the philosophical aspect of humanity contemplating its relationship with nature and divinity.

Todd Klein’s lettering is superb in that you remember the character’s words as their own rather than as letters or fonts in a bubble. This is an example of what a good lettering is.

The curtain of heroism is there yet drawn back so we see more human nature. In making Superman imperfect, Kurt Busiek achieved perfection with this character. Busiek’s Superman is human. He has struggles and dreams (Both human and super human). He fears persecution for being different and ultimately it is that quality that allows readers to relate so well to the main character. The writing or storytelling in this book is skillfully woven as each of the four chapters focus on significant moments in the main characters’ life.

There has never been a Superman with more introspection. I was never a Superman fan but I am of this, Superman, This is a classic. This is art in that you will feel as though you experienced something after reading this. That “something” is the true secret in Superman: Secret Identity.
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Reviewed by Kevin Trivedi. Fine artist and President of ArtistScape (www.artistscape.com). Kevin describes comic making as the art form with the most innovation and the most possibilities.


Superman: Secret Identity
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Art: Stuart Immonen
Letterer: Todd Klein
Publisher: DC Comics