Superman comicbooks

TomSweeney

Hi,
I always liked Superman but never got comic books of him, can anyone recommend a good series ?



Is the original best, or have they been rebooted like the films ?

Mjolnir

TomSweeney wrote: »

Hi,
I always liked Superman but never got comic books of him, can anyone recommend a good series ?



Is the original best, or have they been rebooted like the films ?

Dc has rebooted more times than I can actually remember in recent years, its a bit of a habit at this stage.
Look up comicstorian on YouTube he does run downs of different comics and runs.
It'll give you an idea of what one you actually want to jump into.
I think the recent ones with his young son have been well recieved, don't keep up to much with dc.

JayRoc

TomSweeney wrote: »

Hi,
I always liked Superman but never got comic books of him, can anyone recommend a good series ?



Is the original best, or have they been rebooted like the films ?

Personally, for complete newcomers to Superman in comic book form, I would probably recommend something along the lines of jumping in at John Byrne's Man of Steel miniseries from 1986 and then his work on the self-titled Superman comic that immediately followed.

It might seem a little dated nowadays but I still reckon it's a winner.

jface187

Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid

All-Star Superman: Grant Morrison.

Geoff Johns run on Superman.

God Fall forget who wrote it but it good fun.

TomSweeney

JayRoc wrote: »

Personally, for complete newcomers to Superman in comic book form, I would probably recommend something along the lines of jumping in at John Byrne's Man of Steel miniseries from 1986 and then his work on the self-titled Superman comic that immediately followed.

It might seem a little dated nowadays but I still reckon it's a winner.

Thanks, wow it's expensive, €36 is the cheapest I can find it ...

JayRoc

TomSweeney wrote: »

Thanks, wow it's expensive, €36 is the cheapest I can find it ...

You should be able to get a one-volume collected version (called a Trade Paperback) of basically any of the suggestions made here... for a fraction of the price of the original comics.

Edit: in fact, the run of comics in my suggestion is available as a series of trade paperbacks.

https://superman.fandom.com/wiki/Superman:_The_Man_of_Steel_(trade_paperbacks)

Str8outtaWuhan

Red Son is amazing

and I read "what ever happened to the man of tomorrow" at least once a year

banie01

Str8outtaWuhan wrote: »

Red Son is amazing

and I read "what ever happened to the man of tomorrow" at least once a year

I was coming here to suggest Red Son also as odd as it may seem to someone new to the comics The Dark Knight Returns.
Despite its being primarily a Batman title.
Is a fantastic Superman story and one that highlights IMO how much of a balls the DC movie made of the DC universe (The cartoon movie is quite good too).

TomSweeney

Str8outtaWuhan wrote: »

Red Son is amazing

and I read "what ever happened to the man of tomorrow" at least once a year

hmm had a look at that, whats the whole Russian hammer and sickle thing ? , It's not communist propaganda is it ?



I'd rather not woke stuff to be honest, probably will get the 1986 MOS one...

Mjolnir

TomSweeney wrote: »

hmm had a look at that, whats the whole Russian hammer and sickle thing ? , It's not communist propaganda is it ?



I'd rather not woke stuff to be honest, probably will get the 1986 MOS one...

Literal case of don't judge a book by its cover haha
It's a what if story
Spoiler alert Instead of landing in kansas he lands in Russia and becomes the communist version of Americas greatest hero.

You'll find references to different time periods and groups in most comics, there are some pure woke b.s in modern ones but most are grand.

JayRoc

TomSweeney wrote: »

It's not communist propaganda is it ?

Oh, my.

Ridley

https://www.comixology.co.uk/Superman-The-Man-of-Steel-1991-2003/comics-series/5118

Sale on the Man of Steel collections (and others) if you don't mind digital.

Makes a change from the usual Where To Start On Batman? thread.

TomSweeney

Got the man of steel 1986 John Byrne collection, really nice comic book ...

MarkHall

TomSweeney wrote: »

I'd rather not woke stuff to be honest, probably will get the 1986 MOS one...

What does that even mean? It's Superman! Can't get more "WOKE!" in the world of Superheros. But the notion of Mark Millar Writing "Woke!" books is hilarious.
Man once had a familly of Hillbillies have at their Sibling who had been turned into Chickens.
But Red Son is a fun elseworld tale that still captures some of Supermans Appeal.

Second or Third at this point All Star superman. Lovely stand alone series.

One of my favourite Superman tales is actually about Lex Luthor.

The Lex Luthor Man of Steel is superb.

TomSweeney

YEah Red Son looks great, I'll get that next, also Death of Superman by Jurgens, and Man of Tomorrow have also been recommended to me ...

Fysh

TomSweeney wrote: »

YEah Red Son looks great, I'll get that next, also Death of Superman by Jurgens, and Man of Tomorrow have also been recommended to me ...

There's not really much point in reading Death of Superman without reading the (much longer and convoluted) return. Also worth noting that it's not a particularly good story (IMO) but very much reflects how much impact a good marketing campaign can have.

TomSweeney

OK .. Return of SM added to wishlist

https://www.amazon.es/Superman-Return-TP-Gerard-Jones/dp/1401266622/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=return+of+superman&qid=1621324451&sr=8-1

MarkHall

Fysh wrote: »

There's not really much point in reading Death of Superman without reading the (much longer and convoluted) return. Also worth noting that it's not a particularly good story (IMO) but very much reflects how much impact a good marketing campaign can have.

13 year old me will Fight you over these words.

But middle age me totally agree with your points.

But at the time It hit me like the Death of Optimus Prime. How do you let Superman Die? And Watching Doomsday just shrug off anything the Hero's could throw at him. Probably had my Favorite Guy Gardener moment.


For some solid Stand alones. I'd put forward Superman/Aliens.
It Captures a lot of Supes Core while also featuring a Standard Xenomorph tale.



And While Kingdom Come is a combined cast. It's brings us an amazing Superman take. Plus it looks Beautiful.

TomSweeney

Superman Aliens .. wow seems a crazy combo, but I can't imagine how xeno's would have even a chance against him ...

Fysh

I'll hold my hand up and admit that Superman mostly isn't my cup of tea. But there are a few excellent stories about the character that I've really liked. The only ones I haven't seen mentioned already are Alan Moore's "Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?" and his Superman/Swamp Thing crossover. Both are included in the TPB "The DC Universe Stories of Alan Moore" which also has a really good standalone Vigilante story in it, and the excellent "Mogo Doesn't Socialise" Green Lantern Corps short story.

TomSweeney

Fysh wrote: »

I'll hold my hand up and admit that Superman mostly isn't my cup of tea. But there are a few excellent stories about the character that I've really liked. The only ones I haven't seen mentioned already are Alan Moore's "Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?" and his Superman/Swamp Thing crossover. Both are included in the TPB "The DC Universe Stories of Alan Moore" which also has a really good standalone Vigilante story in it, and the excellent "Mogo Doesn't Socialise" Green Lantern Corps short story.

Out of interest what comic books do you like ? - post recommendations as even though I have never been into comics, and this MOS one is the 1st I've ever bought - as I always did like Superman as a kid.

Have to admit it is really nice, even though traditionally seen as something for kids.

JayRoc

Fysh wrote: »

Alan Moore's "Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?" .

Surprised this wasn't mentioned sooner actually.

Edit: My bad. Str8outtaWuhan recommended it a month ago.

MarkHall

TomSweeney wrote: »

Superman Aliens .. wow seems a crazy combo, but I can't imagine how xeno's would have even a chance against him ...

There in lies the fun of the story.

The follow up was a mess of plot points. But the first captures the Superman I have in my head.

In my top 3 of Aliens Crossovers. Edged out by the pure Balls of Aliens/Wildcats and what they did in that story.

Fysh

TomSweeney wrote: »

Out of interest what comic books do you like ? - post recommendations as even though I have never been into comics, and this MOS one is the 1st I've ever bought - as I always did like Superman as a kid.

Have to admit it is really nice, even though traditionally seen as something for kids.

I like sci-fi, horror, some newspaper-style comic strips (my all-time favourite is Calvin & Hobbes) and some humour/slice-of-life things, and the occasional historical/documentary thing. I do still enjoy some action and superhero comics, but I generally prefer them to be self-contained rather than ongoing.

The Stormwatch series by Warren Ellis and Tom Raney is a good blend of superheroics and sci-fi, including a nice take on what the contemporary equivalent of Superman in the late 30s (as in, two-fisted justice, going after dodgy landlords etc Superman) might look like if he were starting out today. I think it's 4 or 5 volumes, and then the series turns into The Authority, which is something a bit different.

Actually - the original series of Dragon Ball manga might appeal to you as well, as its central character Goku is quite similar to Superman in a few ways (innocent and optimistic/naive super-powerful alien taken in by a kindly human). I've always had a soft spot for Dragon Ball, as it was a staple part of childhood viewing. It's a bit more of a wild adventure series than straight-up superhero (although after 16 volumes it turns into a sequel series, Dragon Ball Z, which has lots of spacefaring aliens and superheroic fights to save planets or even galaxies from being destroyed).

JayRoc

Right so, just so we're clear...no one is gonna take the piss out of someone asking if a Superman comic book is Commie Propaganda?

Fysh

JayRoc wrote: »

Right so, just so we're clear...no one is gonna take the piss out of someone asking if a Superman comic book is Commie Propaganda?

Now now, be nice Just because we know what it's about (and what amount of edgelord-like writing Mark Millar's has been prone to), doesn't mean that folks who are unfamiliar with superhero comics will make the same assumptions

MarkHall

JayRoc wrote: »

Right so, just so we're clear...no one is gonna take the piss out of someone asking if a Superman comic book is Commie Propaganda?

I'm more curious about his concern about Wokeness in a Superman comic TBH.

JayRoc

Fysh wrote: »

Now now, be nice Just because we know what it's about (and what amount of edgelord-like writing Mark Millar's has been prone to), doesn't mean that folks who are unfamiliar with superhero comics will make the same assumptions

I don't mean that. I meant why would anyone be worried about communist propaganda in a comic book. It was a mad thing to say.

TomSweeney

MarkHall wrote: »

I'm more curious about his concern about Wokeness in a Superman comic TBH.

Don't worry about it, I got some great ones thanks to recommendations here ... all good!!

Ridley

MarkHall wrote: »

I'm more curious about his concern about Wokeness in a Superman comic TBH.

Like Hark, A Vagrant's Lois Lane webcomic isn't better anyway.

Fysh

JayRoc wrote: »

I don't mean that. I meant why would anyone be worried about communist propaganda in a comic book. It was a mad thing to say.

Spoken like someone who's never encountered the wild & wacky world of Jack Chick Tracts

JayRoc

Fysh wrote: »

Spoken like someone who's never encountered the wild & wacky world of Jack Chick Tracts

I have now! That was some rabbit hole I just went down.

MarkHall

If you wander town during certain marches or protest you may find two individuals giving these out to the lost souls.

TomSweeney

I did enjoy Man of Steel (the 2013 film) and Batman v Superman - even if it were a little too crowded bringing wonder woman and that mad monster thing into it.

I only found out about Justice league yesterday, I see HBO have the extended cut and have watched about 1 hour of it, it is actually really decent!!

This Darkseid character, has he appeared in Superman comic books before ?

Fysh

TomSweeney wrote: »

I did enjoy Man of Steel (the 2013 film) and Batman v Superman - even if it were a little too crowded bringing wonder woman and that mad monster thing into it.

I only found out about Justice league yesterday, I see HBO have the extended cut and have watched about 1 hour of it, it is actually really decent!!

This Darkseid character, has he appeared in Superman comic books before ?

If you pick up The Death Of Superman you'll find out

Edit: Nope, I'm being daft and confusing Darkseid with Doomsday.

Darkseid has cropped up a bunch of times in the comics, and - according to Wikipedia - was originally introduced in a cameo in... Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen? I would not have guessed that.

JayRoc

Fysh wrote: »

If you pick up The Death Of Superman you'll find out

Edit: Nope, I'm being daft and confusing Darkseid with Doomsday.

Darkseid has cropped up a bunch of times in the comics, and - according to Wikipedia - was originally introduced in a cameo in... Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen? I would not have guessed that.

Jack Kirby came in and took over one of DC's worst performing titles (Jimmy Olsen) presumably so he could unleash all the mad ideas he wanted without them worrying about sales being affected and trying to stifle his creative control.

All the 4th world stuff Kirby would become famous for at DC (like Darkseid) began in Jimmy Olsen. It was surreal stuff. I have picked up a good few of them over the years.

TomSweeney

https://www.amazon.es/dp/1779505914/?coliid=I1LLAKPMYGUXJ3&colid=2N7DMFNHS69YB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Is vol 2 of MOS good ?


edit - and should I read all of MOS first before "whatever happened to man of tomorrow", "death of superman" etc ?

TomSweeney

wow ... am I glad I got the 1986 MOS comics....

Brief_Lives

question on a superman graphic novel, I had when I was a kid... 30 years ago now.

In it there were 2 superman'.... one in a red superman outfit, one in a blue superman outfit. no capes (I think). I remember it being so vivid and colourful. I wouldn't mind finding it again.

Anyone any idea what it was? My attempts on google, just lead me to some wikipedia stuff. Not what I was looking for.

Sarn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120950036#Comment_120950036

I think this is it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_Red/Superman_Blue

Edit: This was the one I remembered. Maybe it’s the original one you were thinking of.

Brief_Lives

yea, thanks for the comment. I was looking at that. You could be right, maybe it was the original. It was fascinating for me way back then as I was just a Batman X-men fan at that stage.

JayRoc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120950036#Comment_120950036

I'm gonna bet it was a UK titan books large size reprint of Superman Red and Superman Blue.

(DC Superheroes Presents No. 1, off the top of my head )

JayRoc

Can't find an image of that particular issue but I think this is the preceding one

https://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/4963441.jpg

Brief_Lives

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120951496#Comment_120951496

Holy Crap, thats ringing all sorts of distant memory bells.....

JayRoc

I was sufficiently interested to see if I had a copy, and I do. Having looked at the story I would lay odds that's the comic you remember reading as a kid.

Brief_Lives

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120952591#Comment_120952591

et Voila

Brief_Lives

and it just landed

JayRoc

A good news thread on Boards 😊