Superman for All Seasons | |
---|---|
![]() Cover to Superman for All Seasons #1, art by Tim Sale. | |
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
Schedule | Monthly |
Format | Limited series |
Genre | |
Publication date | September – December 1998 |
No. of issues | 4 |
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.
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]
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 the truth – that Jonathan 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.
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.
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.
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.
The series has been collected into an individual volume:
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]
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]
The mini-series was the inspiration for the television series Smallville . [10] Jeph Loeb served as the writer and executive producer on the show.
This four-issue prestige-format series was a bright counterpoint to Loeb and Sale's noir Batman collaborations.
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.
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. He has since endured as the archenemy of the superhero 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.
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, most often associated with Superman.
Superboy is the name of several fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. These characters have been featured in several eponymous comic series, in addition to Adventure Comics and other series featuring teenage superhero groups.
Peter Joseph Ross is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published 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 so-called comic book time; 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.
Morgan Edge is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Originally a supporting character, he is a media mogul who acquires The Daily Planet and employs Clark Kent as a television journalist for his WGBS TV network. After the Crisis on Infinite Earth series which led to a revision of the DC Universe, the character was a leader of Intergang.
Superman/Batman is a monthly 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.
The Toyman is the name of three supervillains and one adolescent superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, as an adversary for 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.
Superman and Lois Lane are a fictional couple and the first superhero comic book romance. 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, they are among the best known fictional couples and have appeared in multiple media adaptations.
Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman is a 2006 documentary film from executive producers Bryan Singer and Kevin Burns which details the history of the Superman franchise, from comic book, to television, to the big screen. The story of Superman is told through archival footage, as well as interviews with many of the actors, directors, and producers involved with the Superman media over the years. The closing credits feature outtakes from the Christopher Reeve Superman films, including an outtake of Marlon Brando improvising during the recitation of a poem in a scene deleted from the original version of Superman II.
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.
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.
Superman: Secret Origin is a six-issue monthly American comic book limited series published by DC Comics. The series was written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank, featuring the superhero Superman. The story featured the "definitive" origin of Superman for the modern, post-Infinite Crisis DC Universe continuity, starting with Clark Kent in his pre-teens as Superboy. Within the series he goes on to meet a young Lex Luthor and the Legion of Super-Heroes in Smallville, Kansas, and soon heads to Metropolis where a young adult Clark debuts as 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, and Elizabeth Tulloch.
Lois Lane is a fictional character in the DC Extended Universe, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. As with her comics counterpart, Lane is a reporter for the Daily Planet and the love interest for Clark Kent / Superman. She is portrayed by Amy Adams and appears in almost all films in the DCEU featuring Superman: Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as well as Justice League and its director's cut. Lois's character was designed to be a modern-day reporter in a world with superheroes.