Superman For Tomorrow

Geoff Johns first started taking over the DC Universe years ago with Green Lantern: Rebirth. Since then he has redefined some of DC's oldest titles like Teen Titans, The Flash, and Superman. Last week Johns completed his six issue story of how The Man of Steel became Metropolis's hero and the mortal enemy of Lex Luthor. The graphic novel form won’t be out till Christmas, but it will be a great gift for Superman fans. I can't wait to see what the general public has to say when they see just how Johns has shaped The Man of Tomorrow for the new millenium.

In the story we first see young Clark Kent as he is developing his powers. He breaks his best friend Pete's arm just by Pete giving him a football tackle. Clark then almost burns his school down with his heat vision after his first kiss with Lana Lang. Soon Clark's parents have no choice but to tell to him how he came into their care and where he came from. Also, The Legion of Superheroes arrive from the future to meet their idol and show him that being an alien isn't a bad thing.

Years later we see Clark travel to Metropolis, where he gets a job at a failing newspaper, The Daily Planet. Their editor-and-chief has been black listed for bad mouthing the cities self-appointed savior, their photographer is about to quit and move home, and their star reporter can't seem to write a positive word about anything. But after Clark shows the city his alter-ego everything in Metropolis changes. Just as Superman is revealed to the world someone from Clark's past is looking to turn the city against him.

John tale is full of classic Superman characters like Cat Grant, Parasite, Metallo, and Sam Lane. I was amazed at how much Johns was able to keep the cast the same at their core, but change them in a way that makes them seem fresh. The city of Metropolis is almost its own character as you see how Superman's arrival changes the it as well.  Johns also plays to the vunerable side of Clark, which helps us as readers not only relate to him, but make him seem less god-like and more human.
Gary Frank helps draw Johns story together with his terrific artwork. Frank gives each character a distinct look of emotions that helps intensify John's dialogue. At times you can almost see Frank basing his Clark Kent off of the late Christopher Reeves. Clark's first meeting with John Corben is hilarious, General Lane's interrogation of Superman is bone chilling, and Jimmy Olsen brings “the every man” into this world of fantasy.

Johns shows us why these characters have lasted for over seventy years, and will continue for many more. I highly recommend this story to any Superman fan, or any comic book reader. For those who are going to wait till the holidays to pick up the graphic novel I can already tell you that it’ll be a very merry Christmas indeed.