Goodman Covers: ‘Superman: Secret Origin #3′
Hey guys! I’m back in a very long and over due edition of Goodman Covers. This time we will take a long at the third issue in the retelling of Superman’s brand new origin in ‘Superman: Secret Origin”. Check out the full review after the jump!
Superman: Secret Origin #3
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank
After two great issues focusing on Clarks’ upbringing in Smallville, Johns and company flash forward to Clark and Superman’s first visit to Metropolis, and it’s an interesting visit to say the very least. Much like he’s known to do, Johns takes concepts and ideas that we are already familiar with and twists them ever so slightly to offer a new and interesting take on an established part of a character’s history. This time, it comes in two different variations; the Daily Planet and Metallo. I won’t spoil them for you, but it appears that Superman won’t only be saving people during his stay in Metropolis, and Metallo isn’t John Corben at all. At least not yet.
Outside of these two new twists, we finally get the introduction of Daily Planet crew, and everyone is here. From Cat Grant to Lois Lane, Johns makes us instantly like these characters, and I for one especially love his take on Lois in this issue. We also get some classic Lois and Clark interaction as the two sneak into Lex Luthor’s press conference. What’s interesting to note here is that Johns and Frank don’t actually show Lex’s face. We get a body shot, but all of Lex’s face is hidden from our view. This is an interesting decision, and I hope the big reveal is as interesting as it’s being made out to be. Of course, the issues ends with the reveal of Superman to the public of Metropolis, and it is every bit as grand and epic as it should be. Also, as I thought would be the case, Gary Frank’s art has much improved with the transition from Clark’s childhood to his manhood. Frank nails Clark/Superman’s resemblance to Christopher Reeve, which is something we’ve all come to expect from him.
It was another strong issue as we reach the half way point in this mini-series. What did you all think? Sound off in the comments below!
I don’t know if anyone else came to these conclusions, but Mr. Gary has drawn Superman/Clark with features from George Reeves, Dean Cain, Brandon Routh, and Christopher Reeve. I see each of these men in terms of the way Clark looks in the image above. Very cool. And the way Lois is drawn here. I see a little bit of Kate Bosworth, Teri Hatcher, Margo Kidder, and most notably Miss Erica Durance in this version of Lois. Perry White, I’m sorry the way he appears to be a cross between Lane Smith (Lois & Clark’s Perry and my favorite Perry White so far) and at least an older Michael McKean. Lastly, Jimmy Olsen totally Aaron Ashmore in this image above. I’m very happy Aaron’s work is honored. I think my fellow SHoEligans already noticed these things I mentioned. I just wanted to point them out to see if anyone noticed the same things I did. I also want to hear Prof. Bailey and Mr. Spencer thoughts about this latest issue, I value their opinions as much as Mr. Russell and Big Honkin’. Can I get these comics on Amazon.com?
I know that it’s considered blasphemy to say this….but I could actually do without depictions of Clark Kent looking like Chris Reeve. Now before anyone blows my head off, obviously I think Chris was an incredible man and he will always be Superman in all of our hearts. But I guess I’m just one of those fans that has grown tired of the silver age portrayl of Clark Kent. I much prefer the modern age portrayl. I actually remember Prof. Bailey talking about this on a recent podcast with Steve. I like the more confident portrayl of Clark Kent ala George Reeves, Dean Cain and now Tom Welling. (I actually think Tom Welling has slowly proven that he also embodies the kind of grace and heroic presence needed to also play “Superman” better than either of the other two but I digress…) Sometimes I just wish that certain comics writers could let go of the silver age. Clark Kent is a much more interesting character when he’s allowed to be confident and snarky and fun. I guess that’s my issue with “Secret Origins”….it just seems like a step backwards in a lot of ways for Clark.
I did like Lois in Secret Origins although Geoff Johns still hasn’t really convinced me that he knows how to write Lois and Clark. (If I’m being picking…calling Lois a part of the “daily planet crew” and actuallly putting her after Cat Grant in yoru review is sort of insane if you ask me. Yes, she works at the Daily Planet. But there’s Lois Lane and THEN there are all of the other supporting characters. You could probably find a pretty big number of Superman fans who would argue that she is the second most important character in the Superman story. She’s on a different level of importance, in my opinion, from those other supporting characters.
Overall, I’m kind of with Professor Bailey on Secret Origins. I’m not overly impressed. It just seems like a rehash and a step back for Clark in terms of his relatability and modern appeal.
I get what you are saying Joe I do, about this version not looking like Chris Reeve so much. As not a new look for Clark just a different version of him. I’m not saying he should look like an older Tom Welling or Dean Cain or something like that. Just a different look if this truly is a reboot, not granted I have not been an extreme comics guy like Mr. Spencer, Prof. Bailey, or maybe even you so when I heard they were doing a new origin story for Superman I was kind of excited if for no other reason. If I’m going to begin with the ground floor of something and Superman being my favorite why not begin with an origin story? I also agree with you on Lois not just being another member of the newspaper staff. This is what I loved about “Lois & Clark The New Adventures of Superman” Clark’s the new guy and Lois is really one step below Perry White and really stays that way for the majority of Season One. It’s not until Season Two Clark and Lois are equal ground. Such as in “Smallville” in Season Eight Lois has a whole list of rules of reporting and Clark’s really is following Lois around for at least the first five or six episodes. So Joe, should I even bother picking up “Secret Origins?”