All-Star Superman – 2005-2008 (DC Comics) – Super-Hero, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Author: Grant Morrison
Art: Frank Quitely
Series Contents: All-Star Superman #1-12
If you are looking for a Superman story to read which is free from continuity and safe to jump right into as a new reader, look no further than the superior All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.
Twelve self-contained issues tell an exciting and creative tale of wonder and woe, brought to life with exceptional art and touching emotion. The awesome space opera madness that is All-Star Superman is not to be missed for any fan of comics, Sci-Fi, or Superman.
Story:
Disclaimer: I am a Grant Morrison fan, so I may be a bit biased towards his writing. This story was published separately from the main ongoing DC continuity as a stand-alone adventure in its own contained universe. To avoid spoiling the core story, I am going to skip over some plot details that are best discovered on the page.
All-Star Superman tells of our titular hero performing a colossal feat and saving a space craft from its collapsing orbit towards our solar system’s sun. The craft was part of P.R.O.J.E.C.T., a research exploration mission led by Dr. Leo Quintum, however sabotage brought the mission to a close.
As Superman gets back to his regular life, a ticking clock is introduced and he must reconcile with many major emotions and people in his life. The excitement never slows and the emotion continues to build over the tale, as issues are delivered with expert pacing and craft. Dialogue is inspiring and memorable, and Superman remains a bad ass of total truth and justice.
Enter the core Superman world of Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Jimmy Olson, Krypto, Parasite, Jor-El, Bizarro, Atlas, The Daily Planet and more. Familiar concepts are used in new and interesting ways, as the adventure nearly takes off from the pages themselves. The imagination runs deep, and the fantastic concepts contained fit the world of superman perfectly.
While most every issue is distinctly different than the other, the core story that unfolds between each one feels cohesive and continuous. Even if an issue is told from another character’s perspective or internal narrative, the Superman element remains a focal point at all times as a constant reminder of the hero’s importance to the surrounding society.
While the story eventually builds to an impending doom which only Superman can solve, the story and its resolution should hang with the reader long after the pages are done turning.
This story is an interesting study on Superman, society and villainy. It is a rewarding book to return to with multiple readings. The plot is expertly structured and crafted, and full of insanely cool sci-fi concepts and comic madness.
Art:
Frank Quitely’s art is detailed and dynamic. His distinct style is capable of reflecting emotion, movement and crazy sci-fi worlds. He has worked with Morrison on many titles, superhero or otherwise, all to strong results.
I also feel like the more of his work that you see, the more you appreciate it. At first it almost seemed “cartoony” to me in a classic sense, but at this point I absolutely love his work. It is very nuanced and the design and attention to detail is always impressive. Some of the page layouts must have been an absolute blast to plan out and then execute.
Reasons to Read:
All-Star Superman is a flat-out great time and story, even for people relatively unfamiliar with comics. It is very easy to read, and only 12 issues long, and fully self-contained. The concepts are cool and the art is fun, let the red cape wow you in a classic tale.
Similar Titles:
Superman, Action Comics, Batman, Detective Comics, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash