Superman for All Seasons

Last updated

Superman for All Seasons
Superman for All Seasons.jpg
Cover to Superman for All Seasons #1, art by Tim Sale.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Format Limited series
Genre
Publication dateSeptember – December 1998
No. of issues4
Main character(s) Superman
Lois Lane
Lana Lang
Lex Luthor
Creative team
Written by Jeph Loeb
Artist(s) Tim Sale
Letterer(s) Richard Starkings
Colorist(s) Bjarne Hansen
Editor(s) Joey Cavalieri
Collected editions
Hardcover ISBN   1-56389-528-5

Superman for All Seasons is a 4-issue comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. [1] It was originally published by DC Comics in 1998, after their previous success, Batman: The Long Halloween . After that story's theme was holidays, this one's theme dealt with seasons. The artwork contains many influences from that of Norman Rockwell. [2] The story also parallels the events from Superman's then-origin story John Byrne's The Man of Steel , though it can be read on its own.

Contents

Publication history

Superman For All Seasons was conceived, like all of the Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale books from DC Comics and rival Marvel Comics, as a stand-alone, self-contained story that gave a sense of the character of Superman and his supporting cast.[ citation needed ] The title is not an origin story, but it picks up on who the character is and how he came to be.

As explained by Loeb, one of the things that he wanted to capture was the grandeur that is Superman, and that was to have double-page spreads with big sky shots.[ citation needed ] Sale and Bjarne Hansen were on the art and colors, and everyone was speechless once Loeb saw the pages, and when those same pages came in the DC office.[ citation needed ] One of the most powerful examples of this artistic choice is near the end of the first issue, featuring a double-page spread of Clark Kent and Pa Kent looking out at a radiant Kansas sunset from their farm as Clark prepares to leave home for Metropolis.

The key element to the series was the narration. Originally, Loeb never intended to have a narrator, but he did not want to do the story from Superman's point of view. He explained that he didn't feel comfortable being inside the head of an icon. [3] It was decided to allow other characters to narrate and give their individual points of view on Superman, with one narrator per volume. Pa Kent gives his life as a father to a super-powered son. While not knowing what lay ahead of Clark, he has confidence that his son would be all right. This, in turn, came from Loeb himself as the father to his son, Sam Loeb. Narration by Lois Lane represents the impact of Superman's presence in Metropolis and comments on Superman as an idea. Lex Luthor explains how his rivalry with Superman is like a love story between him and Metropolis, and Lana Lang helps Clark reconcile his two identities as mild-mannered reporter and Superman. [4]

Plot synopsis

Spring

Narrated by Jonathan Kent, he thinks back on his son Clark's roots as a farm boy in Smallville, Kansas. At the end of Clark's last year in high school, Jonathan tells him that he and his wife Martha found him in an alien rocket when he was an infant, raising him as their son, and that he can do things "other boys can't". Clark overhears his parents discuss their uncertainty about his future, and struggles with his growing powers. When a tornado strikes the town, Clark discovers he can fly and rescues a neighbor, but wonders if he could have done more. After graduation, Clark reveals his powers and his desire to use them to help people to his best friend Lana Lang, who urges him to leave Smallville. Clark says goodbye to his parents and leaves for Metropolis, becoming a reporter at the Daily Planet with a crush on rival Lois Lane, and donning a costume his mother made him to do some good.

Summer

Narrated by Lois Lane, she muses that her rules as a journalist have been disrupted by the arrival of the costumed hero she dubs "Superman", unaware he is her colleague Clark. Superman saves the city from a nuclear missile and rescues Lois from the rogue submarine responsible, delivering the terrorists to the authorities and confronting billionaire Lex Luthor for his involvement. Lois finds herself intrigued by Superman. Clark returns to Smallville to visit his parents and friend Pete Ross, and learns Lana has left to travel the world; he feels out of place in the city and sad that his home has changed, but Martha assures him he will find his way. Back in Metropolis, Luthor's exosuit-powered "Guardians of the City" respond to a fire at Chemco Labs. Superman arrives and saves a scientist, Jenny Vaughn, trapped inside, before single-handedly dousing the fire. Luthor later meets with Vaughn, who has become obsessed with Superman, for his own plans.

Fall

Narrated by Lex Luthor, he considers his control of Metropolis "a love story… between a man and a city". After spending a night in jail, Luthor plans revenge on Superman; he brainwashes Vaughn with images of Superman, declaring her biochemical expertise will prove useful. At the Daily Planet, Clark watches helplessly as Lois and everyone in the building falls unconscious. As Superman, he races through Metropolis to find the entire city afflicted, and stops a runaway train. At S.T.A.R. Labs, Professor Crosby informs Superman the city has been struck by a mysterious airborne virus. He confronts Luthor, quarantined in his skyscraper, and is forced to ask for his help. Luthor presents Vaughn, transformed into "Toxin"; she and Superman seed the clouds above Metropolis with chemicals and the antidote rains down, curing the city, but Toxin succumbs from overexposure to the virus and dies in Superman's arms when they return to LexCorp. Luthor convinces Superman that he is not enough to save everyone, and Clark returns to Smallville.

Winter

Narrated by Lana Lang, she reveals that she was in love with Clark, but the revelation of his powers and his departure to help the world ended her dreams of a life with him. In Metropolis, Luthor regains his power over the city, and Lois ponders the disappearance of Superman and Clark's absence. In Smallville, Clark reunites with Lana and Pete, who chastises them for having ended up back home. Lana has dinner with the Kents when news comes of a flood. With Lana's blessing, Clark sets out as Superman to rescue the town, damming the flood. Lana and the Kents are swept away, but Superman arrives in the nick of time. He returns to Metropolis, infuriating Lois with a front-page story and Luthor with Superman's reappearance, as Lana finds peace with a new life in Smallville.

Collected editions

The series has been collected into an individual volume:

Reception

Superman For All Seasons was highly praised by fans and critics. Readers found that it was the themes and messages from the writing and art that really hit home. Some examples include its use of metaphor to illustrate the coming of age, the end of childhood and the acceptance of your place in the world. [7] It was voted the third best foreign comic book published in Japan in the Gaiman Award. [8]

Continuations

The Clark Kent/Superman from For All Seasons has reappeared three times since the series ended, all in other Loeb/Sale stories. First, in a short story from Superman/Batman: Secret Files & Origins 2003 (Nov. 2003) titled "When Clark Met Bruce", depicting the first meeting of Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent as young boys in Smallville. Solo #1 (Dec. 2004) featured "Prom Night" which depicted Clark picking up Lana Lang as his prom date. Finally, a short story in Superman/Batman #26 (June 2006) titled "Sam's Story", Superman recounts his friend from high school who died of cancer when he was very young. The "Sam" character is based on Jeph Loeb's son, Sam, who died from the same illness. [9] Those stories were included in the 2023 hardcover and paperback editions published after Tim Sale's passing.

In other media

The mini-series was the inspiration for the television series Smallville . [10] Jeph Loeb served as a writer and executive producer on the show.

Notes

  1. ↑ Manning, Matthew K. (2010). "1990s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 284. ISBN   978-0-7566-6742-9. This four-issue prestige-format series was a bright counterpoint to Loeb and Sale's noir Batman collaborations.
  2. ↑ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 284: "Clark explored the picturesque Norman Rockwell setting of Smallville with his high school sweetheart Lana Lang".
  3. ↑ Loeb, Jeff. "About Superman for All Seasons". Superman Through the Ages!. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  4. ↑ "superman-through-the-ages.com". www.superman-through-the-ages.com.
  5. ↑ Superman For All Seasons hardcover, DC Comics
  6. ↑ Superman For All Seasons softcover, DC Comics
  7. ↑ Superman For All Seasons Review, Line of Fire Reviews, Comics Bulletin
  8. ↑ "ANIME NEWS: 'Taste of Chlorine' voted No. 1 translated foreign comic in 2013". AJW. Asahi Shimbun. December 5, 2013. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Jeph Loeb On "Sam'S Story"". Newsarama . Archived from the original on August 1, 2009.
  10. ↑ DC Universe Infinite: Superman For All Seasons. October 9, 2012.

Related Research Articles

The Daily Planet is a fictional newspaper appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Superman. The newspaper was first mentioned in Action Comics #9 – Underworld Politics, War on Crime. The Daily Planet building's distinguishing feature is the enormous globe that sits on top of the building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lex Luthor</span> Fictional supervillain appearing in DC comics publications and related media

Alexander Joseph "Lex" Luthor is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Lex Luthor originally appeared in Action Comics #23. Lex Luthor is considered to be "The World's Greatest Criminal Mastermind", and has since endured as the archenemy of the superhero Superman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smallville (comics)</span> Fictional US hometown of Superman

Smallville is a fictional town in American comic books published by DC Comics. The childhood hometown of Superman, Smallville was first named in Superboy #2. The town, long in an unnamed US state that was first defined as Kansas in Superman: The Movie (1978), is the setting of many Superboy comics where Superboy defends Smallville from various threats. Since the 1978 appearance in Superman: The Movie, Smallville has been a setting in other non-comic book productions featuring Superboy / Superman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolis (comics)</span> Fictional city in the DC Universe, best known as the home of Superman

Metropolis is a fictional city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, best known as the home of Superman and his closest allies and some of his foes. First appearing by name in Action Comics #16, Metropolis is depicted as a prosperous and massive city in the Northeastern United States, in close proximity to Gotham City. In recent years, it has been stated to be located in New York.

Lana Lang is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She is a Superman supporting character, a childhood friend and love interest of the young Clark Kent. She was created by writer Bill Finger and artist John Sikela, and first appeared in Superboy #10. The character has occasionally gained superhuman powers and assumes the superhero identities of Insect Queen and Superwoman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Ross</span> Fictional character in the DC universe

Peter Joseph Ross is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lionel Luthor</span> Fictional character from Smallville

Lionel Luthor is a fictional character portrayed by John Glover in the television series Smallville. The character was initially a special guest in season one, and became a series regular in season two and continued until being written out of the show in season seven. The character returned to the show in season ten again in a special guest role as a parallel universe (Earth-2) version of the character. In Smallville, Lionel Luthor is the father of Lex Luthor, and founder and CEO of LuthorCorp. Lex Luthor's father was first introduced in Superman comics by Jerry Siegel in 1961 and has since appeared in other Superman-related media under different names. Smallville is the first appearance in which the character has been an intricate part of a Superman adaptation. Series developers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar created Lionel Luthor for Smallville to provide an antithesis to the parenting style of Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent. In the DC Comics, Lex Luthor's father was originally named Jules Luthor, but later was renamed Lionel Luthor some time after Smallville. He debuted in Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane #23 and was created by Jerry Siegel and Kurt Schaffenberger.

<i>Superman & Batman: Generations</i> Comic book series by DC Comics

Superman & Batman: Generations is the umbrella title of three Elseworlds comic book limited series published by DC Comics in the United States, written and illustrated by John Byrne. A major concept of the series is the avoidance of the floating timeline; it places Superman, Batman, and the other members of the DC Universe in a single timeline, showing the characters aging and being replaced by their progeny.

Superwoman is the name of several fictional characters from DC Comics. Most of them are, like Supergirl, women with powers similar to those of Superman, such as flight, invulnerability, and enhanced strength.

<i>Superman/Batman</i> 2003-2011 superhero comic book series

Superman/Batman is a monthly American comic book series published by DC Comics that features the publisher's two most popular superheroes: Superman and Batman. Superman/Batman premiered in August 2003, an update of the previous series, World's Finest Comics (1941–1986), in which Superman and Batman regularly joined forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyman</span> Comics character

Toyman is the name of three supervillains and one adolescent superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, as an adversary for Superman.

<i>The Man of Steel</i> (comics) Comic book limited series featuring Superman

The Man of Steel is a 1986 comic book limited series featuring the DC Comics character Superman. Written and drawn by John Byrne, the series was presented in six issues which were inked by Dick Giordano. The series told the story of Superman's modern origin, which had been rebooted following the 1985–1986 series Crisis on Infinite Earths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superman and Lois Lane</span> Fictional couple in DC Comics

Superman and Lois Lane are a fictional couple. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, both characters, including Superman's alter ego Clark Kent, first appeared in DC Comics Action Comics #1. They have remained in a complicated relationship ever since. A supercouple and the first superhero comic book romance, they are among the best-known fictional couples and have appeared in multiple media adaptations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Lane (comics)</span> Fictional character

Samuel Lane is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the father of Lucy Lane and Lois Lane and the father-in-law of Clark Kent / Superman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superboy (Kal-El)</span> Superman in his preteen and teen years

Superboy is a superhero that appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Don Cameron and is based on the character of Superman that Siegel co-created with Joe Shuster. Superboy first appeared in the comic book More Fun Comics #101 in 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superman (Earth-One)</span> Comics character

The Superman of Earth-One is the incarnation of Superman that existed during the Silver Age and Bronze Age publications of DC Comics. He is also known by the following names: Silver Age Superman, Bronze Age Superman, and Pre-Crisis Superman.

Lois Lane is a fictional character first appearing in DC Comics Action Comics #1, an intrepid reporter commonly portrayed as the romantic interest of the superhero Superman and his alter-ego Clark Kent. Since her debut in comic books, she has appeared in various media adaptations, including radio, animations, films, television and video games. Actresses who have portrayed Lois Lane include Noel Neill, Phyllis Coates, Margot Kidder, Teri Hatcher, Erica Durance, Kate Bosworth, Amy Adams, Elizabeth Tulloch, and Rachel Brosnahan.

Clark Kent (<i>Superman & Lois</i>) Fictional character in Superman & Lois

Clark Joseph Kent, also known by his birth name Kal-El or superhero alias Superman, is a fictional character and a superhero in the 2021 The CW television series Superman & Lois; originally developed as a part of the Arrowverse franchise of television series, first mentioned in the 2015 pilot of Supergirl, based on the character of the same name created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and adapted for television by Glen Winter, Greg Berlanti and Todd Helbing from the previous Arrowverse adaptation of the character by Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, and Jessica Queller. Clark Kent had been portrayed by Tyler Hoechlin in the Arrowverse since 2016 prior to the development of Superman & Lois as a spin-off of Supergirl, in which Hoechlin reprised his role as co-headliner, initially said to be playing the same incarnation of Superman he had played in Supergirl, before the series was retroactively established to be set in its own continuity, on an Earth other from Earth-Prime, in its second season finale.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.