Mark Waid's classic graphic novel was an attempt to update Superman's origin for a modern audience, and it's considered one of the best Superman stories and the definitive origin tale. It was even used as inspiration for Zack Snyder's Man of Steel movie. And reading it, you can totally see the influences. But I wasn't as smitten with this book as many others were. I found it a bit plodding and at times, actually boring, which is a real crime for a superhero book. I really disliked the art as well, not only ugly in it's detailing and awkward in it's rendering of action, but also failing to provide the sort of iconic imagery that one would imagine would fill a story about the Man of Tomorrow coming to Metropolis. But what I did like was some of the character work on Lex Luthor, which detaile some of his origin as well, and showed what makes him such a great villain in a super-powered world. And the climactic moments in the last act were fairly well done. But overall, I expected much more! But why they hired this artist to work on a Superman book, I'll never understand...

Never in my life did I think that a comic book story would make me ugly cry but by the end this one did. As a matter of fact, it was the last 3 pages that did so. Just incredible stuff from Mark Waid and team. From the first panel to the last. Seriously. Bravo.

I forgot some of the great stuff about this one. I love that superman/Clark is vegetarian. I really love the big Lex background story and Superman's search for identity.
Retreading this has revealed some excellent new ideas about wording and representation.

This is a great book for someone who's never read Superman before.

This book goes through Clark first starting his Superman persona and getting the city to learn who he is (and what he stands for). Watching Superman save people, go head to head with Luther, and of course dealing with the inner turmoil of who he is and what he should do. It has all the elements to make it one of the best comics ever.

Except I read better Superman stories this year. Both had a deeper look into life as Clark. Both had broader look into both Superman and Clark. Both leave you with questions yet satisfaction. This story leaves you with satisfaction but it feels very safe. Very very very safe.

The art is also a bit on the mixed side. The backgrounds, some fights, and certain emotions are all well drawn. But a lot of time everyone looks like they're ready to take a shit. It's a odd design and something I couldn't get over.

So it's a solid book for first time Superman readers, but there is better.

One of the better origins of Superman. I enjoyed reading it, even though I have already read a million re-tellings of the Man of Steel beginnings.

Leggendo recensioni e pareri su questo volume, ho quasi sempre trovato scritto come fosse la miglior storia delle origini di Superman, l'apoteosi del suo personaggio e del suo ideale, ma non so se è proprio quello che ho trovato qua dentro.
Il fumetto è sicuramente godibile e ben scritto, con uno storytelling che sa quando aggiungere una parola e quando bastano le immagini, ma ci mette un po' a carburare in alcuni momenti. Ci sono un paio di occasioni che due capitoli si potevano benissimo riunire in uno, e magari scavare un po' di più nei pensieri e nelle emozioni, soprattutto di Clark, che qua sento quasi superficiali e relegate alle sole email scambiate con la madre, quindi senza una vera faccia, senza un volto che ti faccia capire veramente come sta e cosa pensa Clark in quei momenti.
Un punto molto buono della storia sono i comprimari e il nemico. La vera storia delle origini riportata nel fumetto è quella di Lex Luthor, di cui capisci idee, ideali, e difficoltà, e di come poi diventa quel che si trova a Metropolis. Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, il Daily Planet, tutti hanno una caratterizzazione veloce e puntuale, che ti riporta a ciò che si vedrà nel cosmo di Superman in tutte le altre storie. I coniugi Kent sono perfettamente umani, e si comportano come probabilmente ogni genitore farebbe, amando il proprio figlio.
Un applauso va fatto alla parte del wormhole e il collegamento con Jor-El, molto emozionante.

Le 4 stelle sono piene, e probabilmente anche qualcosa di più. Non ho trovato però la poesia e l'emozione che cercavo e che speravo, e che ho trovato in altre opere in cui Clark capisce chi è Superman. Un ottima storia delle origini, forse però non quella che reputo mia

Superman Birthright is my personal favorite origin story for the Man of Steel. Written by Mark Waid who has many great books under his belt already and luckily for me I got my copy signed and personalized by Mark Waid so that was awesome. It is the retelling of Superman’s origin in a modern world. Now I know there are many stories of superman’s origin but to me this sticks out the most. Where other origins make superman jump into action by a grand threat this time around Mark builds up to it. It becomes something Clark wants to do by choice. Early on in this 12-issue story he is out in the world trying to find his place in the world. What I really like is that this isn’t like every other Clark that feels isolated and alone. Instead he has loved ones and only feels alone because he sees the beauty in the world that others cannot. Elements from the television show Smallville are also incorporated into the book because when this came out was when Smallville was in its early seasons. It was what the new generation knew and I think they wanted to show some connection between the two. Things like the Kents being young and influential to Clark’s choices and Lex Luthor and Clark being friends are a few elements shared by both. But for me the main reason I enjoy this graphic novel is because it leaves me with a sense of hope every time I read it. It is a story that lifts the spirit as only the man of steel can do. This graphic novel is highly regarded in the comic world so much that even the man of steel (2013) took some scenes from the book. Which brings me to the art. I love the art work. Absolutely admire it. It might not be the individual art but when you put the pencil, ink, and the colors together it creates magic. Having everything bright and full of color gives off a hopeful feeling. The watercolor vibe makes it feel unique and fresh. Page 50 offers an amazing throw back to action comics # 1 that shall please any fan. The danger Clark faces is real and threatening. The ending feels very true to Superman and Lex Luthor. To the men they are in the eyes of billions. This might not be a status quo changer but it a great way of seeing how Superman becomes the man he is meant to be.

Мисля, че няма как някой да не е чувал за Супермен, дори и да не е фен на тази вселена. Всеки поназнайва по-нещо. Аз не съм от най-върлите фенове, но знаех основни неща от историята на Кларк Кент и също така съм гледала филмите с Хенри Кавил.

Но, бих искала да ви споделя, че това издание, този комикс е страхотен, бижу за всяка една библиотека в която би се намирал. Не само, че илюстрациите са красиви, но цялото оформление допълва цялостната картина.

Историята ни запознава изцяло с Кларк Кент или така нареченият Супермен. Започва още от разрушаването на Криптон и как биологичните родители на Кент, биват принудени да го изпратят на друга планета и малкото момче попада точно на нашата планета Земя. Продължава с това как пораства и се превръща в един стойностен човек, призван да помага на хората чрез своята дарба.

Мисля, че няма как някой да не е чувал за Супермен, дори и да не е фен на тази вселена. Всеки поназнайва по-нещо. Аз не съм от най-върлите фенове, но знаех основни неща от историята на Кларк Кент и също така съм гледала филмите с Хенри Кавил.

Но, бих искала да ви споделя, че това издание, този комикс е страхотен, бижу за всяка една библиотека в която би се намирал. Не само, че илюстрациите са красиви, но цялото оформление допълва цялостната картина.

Историята ни запознава изцяло с Кларк Кент или така нареченият Супермен. Започва още от разрушаването на Криптон и как биологичните родители на Кент, биват принудени да го изпратят на друга планета и малкото момче попада точно на нашата планета Земя. Продължава с това как пораства и се превръща в един стойностен човек, призван да помага на хората чрез своята дарба.

Disclaimer: I have two Superman figurines on my bookshelf, and two Superman posters on my wall. And I am currently wearing Superman pajama pants. All that to say, I am not remotely objective when it comes to Superman; he is my absolute favorite character across all my nerd fandoms (MCU, DC, Star Wars, LotR, et al).

Though a fairly straightforward and self-contained storyline, Superman: Birthright fleshes out the character of Superman and Clark Kent so well, it feels fresh. The story starts with the familiar sending off of Kal El by his parents before jumping to a young journalist Clark Kent interviewing a West African political activist. We see the roots of his charge to defend people and freedom. When he returns home, we get glimpses of how his newfound charge to do good and protect others impacts his family. We see Clark’s first time in Metropolis, as well as a backstory into his complicated relationship with Lex Luthor. As Lex’s plan to defeat Superman unfolds, we get to see Superman’s heart and willingness to sacrifice self for humanity, even as earth sees him as an alien (in every sense of that word). Waid does a terrific job of crystallizing Superman’s wrestling with his own identity. Again, all these Superman tropes have been explored before, but Birthright does it so well, it makes me giggle with glee. There are so many small moments/scenes that stick out: a panel that shows Clark Kent flying low over an African plain filled with zebras, with this joyous fully-enjoying-life smile on his face; a scene where Superman first sees videos of his parents before Krypton explodes; the climactic scene where Superman decides to risk himself in order to ensure that the Kryptonian S is remembered for what it is. Artistically, there is a brightness to the colors, and a vibrancy in every panel. If I had to recommend one stand-alone story arc that captures the essence of Superman, this is the one I’d recommend.

Just incredible on every level. I’m so glad this was my comic introduction to Superman (not counting TDKR) as it’s such a fresh retelling of his origin.

I just read Superman: Birthright for the first time. It is the new origin story of the Man of Steel. As I wrote previously, I am new to graphic novels. I know the basic story of Superman, and from what I understand it is not much different, but it is has been modernized. Small details bring it up to date. Clark Kent works for a newspaper which, as we know, is becoming obsolete in our instant media society. When Clark went to work for the Daily Planet, there was discussion of their online news reporting. It is just a small detail, but one example of the modernized storyline.

The new movie, Man of Steel, is based on this new version. I really understand why the story takes the point of view it does. In this version of Superman’s introduction to humans, we are afraid of him. I know what you’re thinking, he’s Superman, why be afraid of him? Well, if we had never heard of this hero and a stranger showed up who could perform these amazing feats (flying, immunity to gun fire and lasers from his eyes!) it would be understandably terrifying.

Clark’s human father has been afraid for the world to find out the truth about his son. He knows as a people, we are afraid of what we don’t understand, of what’s different. There’s also a lot of debate today about whether there is life outside of Earth. Having undeniable proof of that could cause any number of problems. This could shake the core beliefs of so many people. It could cause panic, riots or worse from a society not yet ready for that reality.

I don’t think the credits for the movie listed Lex Luthor, but he plays an important role in the book. We also learn about the history and relationship of the young Clark and Lex. This helps us understand how and why the young Lex becomes the maniacal man he is today.

The story has some real emotion. It is excruciating for his Kryptonian parents to say goodbye to their only child. Not knowing what kind of life he will have so far away, knowing that his differences will isolate him from the people of Earth, but sadly recognizing this as his only chance. We see the conversation in which Clark explains to his human father that he is the man he is because of him. We feel the longing Clark has to learn the truth of his past. Where is he from? Where are his birthparents? Why was he sent to Earth? We understand the fear of Ma and Pa Kent when they watch their son grow up, always wondering when his other parents will come for him, and knowing they would be unable to stop them. This is really great story telling. This first installment (originally in 12 parts) of the Big Blue has a really touching ending. I am looking forward to reading his next adventure!

As far as the art, I did not like it for the telling of Superman. I did not think I liked it at all, but when I looked at some of the pictures in and of themselves I enjoyed many of them. There are numerous sketches that are beautifully done, however, throughout the book several illustrations of people’s faces were kind of creepy. At the beginning of the book when Kal-El’s parents are sending him to Earth, some of the drawings of little baby Kal were quite hideous (one with his iconic curl was cute). It was one of the ugliest baby faces I’ve seen. Many times Clark Kent had some buck tooth thing going on. I know he acts a bit dorky as his cover, but that was way too much. I guess I have a specific image of the characters and many of the styles in the novels just don’t match up.

Любимият на милиони хора Супермен.