Goodman Covers: “Superman: Secret Origin #2″
It’s time for another installment of “Goodman Covers”. This time we’ll look at the second issue of Superman: Secret Origin to see how the second issue compares to the first issue. The full review after the break.
Superman Secret Origin #2
Written by Geoff Johns with art by Gary Frank
What continues to amaze me about this mini-series is just how well Geoff Johns gets Superman and his supporting cast. There are few writers in the comic book industry who can write Superman as effortlessly as Johns. This same trend continues forward into the second issue, as we see the Legion appear to Clark and take him on a whirlwind adventure into the future. For those of you that enjoyed “Legion” last year, there are some more great moments with these characters, and it’s a great feeling to see Johns write Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, and Saturn Girl again. Much like last issue, Johns is taking cues from all sorts of Superman mythos and incorporating it into this new origin, and there are plenty of Smallville references in this issue for fans of the show, and each one is done in such a way that even to hint at them would ruin the surprise and fun each moment brings.
On the art side, Gary Frank’s work looks better than last issue, but some of his faces still come off as weird and awkward. I hope by the next issue that some of these problems go away.
If you didn’t get a chance to pick up issue #1, don’t fret. Issue #2 is a great jumping on point for those that want to get in on the series. It’s hard to find mini-series now a days were you can jump in and still feel like you haven’t missed anything, and Secret Origins does a great job of accomplishing this fact. Another fantastic issue by a fantastic writer and a fantastic artist. If you call yourself a Smallville fan, heck, if you call yourself a Superman fan, you owe it to yourself to pick up this issue and go a head and get on board with what potentially might be the year’s best mini-series. You won’t be disappointed.
I am enjoying this series so far and the first two issues were really nice looks at Superman’s origin. The art is not my favorite, but it’s not ruining the series for me. I feel like I am watching a child grow up with the head of adult Christopher Reeve on his shoulders. Since this is going to be the official origin of Superman, I feel it is required reading.
Thanks for the review William!
I’m really curious about the Smallville references, can’t you give a little teaser? please!!!!!
Does anything about a bridge and a truck jog your memory? =)
is it me or does saturn girl look like Tricia Helfer(#6 on Battlestar Galactica)? As for the issue I thought the Legion was a waste of space. If you only have 6 issues to explore Clark’s orgin use it on his life in Smallville or College, hell I would even take an entire issue devoted to Krypton.
I think Johns almost had to include the Legion, for a couple reasons. The previous origin of Superman (Man of Steel) erased Superboy from continuity and from what I understand Superboy was a huge part of Legion history. The other reason is that John’s LOVES the Legion and this will tie in to Legion of 3 worlds. I have read somewhere that this meetup with them will have more meaning in 2010.
I think Clark and Garth have the same face. Saturn Girl does look like Six.