SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGINS
Last week, I picked up the second issue of Geoff Johns’ and Gary Frank’s wonderful re-imagining of Superman’s origin story, SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGINS.
At the end of the first issue, young Clark’s (looking to be around 14) red-booted foot is shown on the stair step of the Kent home in Smallville. His doting mother has made a uniform for him, mostly so he won’t keep tearing his clothes in the rough-and-tumble of his burgeoning powers. Off-panel, Clark speaks to his parents who’ve been waiting at the foot of the stairs for the great unveiling: “You’d better take a good look…” Then comes the last page, a full-page spread: “…cuz this is this last time you’re ever going to see me in this!” Clark stands in a skin-tight blue costume with a red S on his chest. He is not happy. He thinks the super-suit is ridiculous.
(The scene reminds me of the one in A CHRISTMAS STORY where Ralphie appears on the stairs in the bunny pajamas his aunt sent for a present. His dad, played by Darin McGavin, murmurs in astonishment: “He looks like a deranged easter bunny.” Thankfully, Pa Kent doesn’t share his contempt for his boy’s new playsuit!)
With the second issue of SO, however, Clark changes his mind about the costume. That occurs when he’s visited by members of the Legion of Super-Heroes–Lightning Lad, Cosmic Boy, and Saturn Girl. The youngsters have come from the 31st century to meet their great hero, the inspiration for the Legion. Now, among kids his own age who have super-powers and wear costumes and capes, Clark at last feels at home.
The episode is enjoyable for a number of reasons, not the least of which being artist Gary Frank’s depiction of Clark and the Legion as the kids they are. From its inception, the SMALLVILLE television show blurred the line between teen and adult (when Tom Welling started, he wasn’t a high school Freshman, but a 23-year-old). But, thanks to Geoff Johns’ thoughtful dialogue and Frank’s realistic pencils, the “Lads” and “Girls” look, sound, and act like real lads and girls–except that they can hurl lightning bolts, read minds, and so forth.
If you haven’t looked at any Superman titles in a while; if you haven’t looked at comic books in a while, do yourself a favor. Find your nearest comic book shop and latch onto SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGINS.
