Superman Meets Samuel
DC’s reboot of Superman continues in Action Comics #5. Writer Grant Morrison retells the old, old story so dear to the hearts of us Superman fans–the destruction of Krypton and the launching of baby Kal-El to earth. The basic elements are there–the prototype ship, Lara’s declaration that her place is at her husband’s side, a young farm couple finding the infant. But that’s where the similarities stop and the twists begin.
Writer Grant Morrison revisits the Phantom Zone, the dreadful “antiverse” in which Krypton’s worst criminals were imprisoned. Jor-El and Lara briefly consider saving themselves by entering the Zone–only to be threatened by General Zod who, in a heart-stopping scene, reaches through the supposedly impenetrable barrier with one clawed, robotic hand. Remember Superman’s little white dog, Krypto? He’s onhand too, but this dog is large and a bit frightening himself. Finally, the spaceship into which the babe is placed, the lifeboat, the interstellar cradle for Krypton’s last son, receives a personality all its own. In fact, it tells the story from its point of view or, more correctly, from the point of view of the ”Brainiac A.I.” computer which powers the craft.
Perhaps the most interesting, and amusing, scene takes place shortly after the Kents find the babe wrapped in swaddling cape (a red S-shield cloak worn by Jor-El’s father), lying in its Kryptonian manger–”on a cold winter’s night that was so deep” yet! Alerted to the presence of the alien craft, the military closes in. How will Jonathan keep the soldiers from finding the orphan? His solution (hinted at in issue #2) is, shall we say, unique.
All this is illustrated in compelling, heroic style by Andy Kubert.
So far, so good. The remaining pages of the story, however, are marred by by a muddy and complicated narrative introducing new events and characters but not explaining anything. Hopefully, that will be rectified in issue #6.
I liked the first five pages of the lead story. I liked every page of the back-up tale. Sholly Fisch (who’s doing a great job with the more kid-friendly Batman: The Brave and The Bold) has written a little gem in which he explores the Kents’ childlessness. I was particularly taken with the young couple’s visit to a minister–presumably their own pastor–for counsel. It was gratifying to hear the man quote from 1 Samuel about the childless Hannah. Later, after searching to no avail for a way to cure their childless-condition, Jonathan good-naturedly quotes Hannah’s husband, Elkanah: “Am I not worth more to you than ten sons?” The minister has told them, however, that something wonderful is coming their way and, of course, we all know that it’s true.
It seems we can’t get away from the spiritual dimension of this red-cloaked savior from the heavens. The myth of Superman is the dream of destiny, of mighty purpose, of power and glory. It’s the dream we all have, funnybook fans or not. The gospel therein is crude, but, after seventy years, still going strong. That’s because Superman’s story is a shadowy reflection of the One True Tale, the story of redemption.
As, indeed, are all the great stories.
