Comic Vine News

121 Comments

Five Biggest Ways DC's 'The New 52' Has Changed the Superman in Action Comics

The DC Universe is no longer the one that we knew. Here are some of the big changes with the Superman. There will be some spoilers.

In the second week of DC's 'The New 52," Action Comics #1 arrives and gives us a very different looking Superman. Set in a his early days, we don't start from the very beginning of Superman's career but in a time before his first run-in with Batman and Green Lantern in last week's Justice League #1.

Grant Morrison and Rags Morales have taken over the reigns on guiding us along Superman's journey to becoming one of the world's biggest superheroes. The stage is being set and this clearly isn't the Superman we've gotten used to over the last couple decades.

No Caption Provided

If you've never read a Superman comic or if you've been reading for years, this is a perfect jumping on point. There will be some minor spoilers below. It's strongly suggested you read the issue to get the full feel of the new experience (I gave the issue a five out of five). Here are the biggest changes Action Comics #1 has given Superman.

== TEASER ==

The costume

No Caption Provided

This isn't the Superman costume we've seen many times. It makes sense that Superman in his early days might have a make-shift costume. He simply is concerned with fighting evil and corruption. He doesn't need a skin tight costume. It always felt odd how easily he got his costume. We know he's going to somehow end up with his Kryptonian armor suit but for now, this makes sense. It adds a tiny bit of realism rather than witnessing him in full costume from the beginning.

Superman's a bit of a jerk

No Caption Provided
No Caption Provided

There's been ongoing commentary that Superman's been a jerk over the years. That was pretty much how he was during the Silver Age. Countless covers have been commented on showing absurd scenes where Superman appeared to have little concern over others.

In the "New 52," Superman is fighting for good. He is determined to put a stop to crime. His methods aren't the ones we've seen lately. Superman has done things by the book. He's a boy scout. He follows the letter of the law.

This Superman does things his own way. He'll barge in and intimidate the bad guys. He'll use his strength and bully those that normally bully others. The biggest change is he doesn't work with the police department. He is a vigilante. He is on the run from them because he chooses to think of himself as above the law. Ironically, Superman was a bit of a super-powered jerk in his very first appearance as well.

Superman can't fly

No Caption Provided

Similar to being a jerk, Superman is back to not being able to fly. Originally Superman could only leap tall buildings in a single bound. Eventually he gained the ability to fly. With that, he was soon flying out into space and doing all sorts of other things he originally couldn't. This is where Superman's character started to decline. Being too powerful made him boring. He had the ability to take on anyone. Writers had to come with new ways month after month. He was depowered slightly but the ability to fly at super-speed still gave him an edge that should make him more than the villains can handle.

There's also the question of how can he fly. How is he able to defy the laws of gravity. Being able to only leap makes more sense. He'll most likely regain the ability to fly. For now, leaping is all he needs.

Superman can be injured

No Caption Provided

If Superman can't be hurt by anything other than Kryptonite, again, the stories can get repetitive. Writers had to resort to creating different varieties of Kryptonite just to add more obstacles in his path. After defeating Lex Luthor and Brainiac time and time again, it took the creation of Doomsday to finally give Superman a real challenge. Even the state of dying was something Superman could easily overcome. We want tough heroes but we need ones that are actually risking their lives when fighting evil. Otherwise it's a given that they will always win and the suspense is thrown out the window.

Lois and Clark aren't working together

No Caption Provided

Shouldn't Lois and Clark always be working together? Isn't that how their relationship develops? They have the competition between each other to try to get the big scoop. Clark also has to sit back and watch Lois swoon over Superman. How well do they even know each other? Clark is clearly friends with Jimmy but Lois seems bitter towards him, most likely because they are not working together. How will Lois eventually fall for Clark if they aren't both working at the Daily Planet?

We have seen a preview for Superman #1, presumably set in the present. Lois and Clark are working together only...Lois now has a new boyfriend. We'll have to keep reading to see how long these differences stick and if Superman will eventually become closer to the version we've had the last few decades.

121 Comments

Avatar image for jerfro23
jerfro23

98

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By jerfro23

I like this new superman taking law into his hands
Avatar image for sevangrim
SevanGrim

2192

Forum Posts

8056

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 49

User Lists: 9

Edited By SevanGrim

i didnt want to read this before i bought the issue, but i couldnt help skimming. im cringing now that i saw that Injury picture... and im probably about to skip class and go get my comics...

Avatar image for jordanstine
Jordanstine

943

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Jordanstine

So basically they turned young Superman into Batman...  
 

No Caption Provided

Or actually, they turned young Superman into another Hal Jordan.
 
What young Superman is growing up to be in an alternate non-flashpoint universe.  Maybe in this alternate world, Hal Jordan is the big green boy scout.
What young Superman is growing up to be in an alternate non-flashpoint universe.  Maybe in this alternate world, Hal Jordan is the big green boy scout.


Avatar image for jonny_anonymous
Jonny_Anonymous

45773

Forum Posts

11109

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 32

Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

Something people should take note of is that Superman is only a jerk to the bad guys and the people that are trying to stop him from helping, your average Joe one the street still see him as a hero its only the government that doesnt trust him.

Avatar image for fnz
Fnz

42

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Fnz

I never liked Superman in any of his stories and maybe this is the reason why I'm so suprised how good this new one is. 
Vulnerable, cocky and taking justice in his own hands - that's the way he should be.

Avatar image for deactivated-60d8e8271946e
deactivated-60d8e8271946e

11901

Forum Posts

2488

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 5

Did Superman kill anyone in this Comic???? 
 
I'm not sold on Jerky-Superman. 
 
Anyway, is this out now? Where can I buy it?

Avatar image for themess1428
TheMess1428

2211

Forum Posts

7470

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 2

Edited By TheMess1428

Don't forget there is a 5.5 year gap between the story in Action Comics #1 and the story in Superman #1.

Avatar image for lordtaronji101
LordTaronji101

332

Forum Posts

5555

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 6

Edited By LordTaronji101

My teacher would HATE this kind of superman and he loves superman... but me i kind of like it

Avatar image for gmanfromheck
gmanfromheck

42524

Forum Posts

259238

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 472

User Lists: 2

Edited By gmanfromheck

@Grim: NO! You have to buy it!!

Avatar image for or35ti
Or35ti

1133

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Or35ti

I think it's good that they're finally writing Superman as a superhero with insane power but who's not afraid to use it. They just need to find the balance between that and the iconic 'good guy' he's always been. I love how young him, Lois and Jimmy all look/are, I just think it's really cool

Avatar image for turoksonofstone
turoksonofstone

15045

Forum Posts

279813

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 18

User Lists: 24

Edited By turoksonofstone

He's a "Jerk"? , was a Jerk in the Golden Age? No, he just shows backbone and deeper ethics IMO. 
Actually DC is not using flight to be Jerks, since it was one of the things DC retained in the lawsuit.. 

Avatar image for jonny_anonymous
Jonny_Anonymous

45773

Forum Posts

11109

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 32

Edited By Jonny_Anonymous
@comicdude23 said:
Did Superman kill anyone in this Comic????  I'm not sold on Jerky-Superman.  Anyway, is this out now? Where can I buy it?
No he didnt kill any one and he's really not a jerk. any place that sells comics or comixology
Avatar image for innervenom123
InnerVenom123

29886

Forum Posts

1786

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 1

Edited By InnerVenom123

I really loved this comic. Great stuff. 

Avatar image for burnstar1230
Burnstar1230

232

Forum Posts

21

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 7

Edited By Burnstar1230

Just looking at his costume and now finding out that he can only Super-Jump as opposed to flight,  I keep thinking Marvin from Superfriends. Nevertheless, it was a pretty good issue.

Avatar image for malonius
Malonius

925

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Malonius

Looks like this Superman goes all the way back to the 1938 era Supes.

Avatar image for spongeman
Spongeman

21

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Spongeman

These changes were much needed, he actually used to be my least favorite hero of all.  But now that he can actually have a challege, I actually want to see how this goes.

Avatar image for suuperman
suuperman

49

Forum Posts

177

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By suuperman

I do NOT agree with the jerk comment. Just because he stands up for what he believes does not make him jerk. He is doing what he feels needs to be done, what he knows he has to do to cause change. Following the system to the letter doesn't help anyone, criminals even in real life have long since found ways around, and through the system. Someone has to come and shake things up. Show that the good guys don't always have there hands tied, they aren't always the weak and the blind. The good guys can have a symbol of strength, and intolerance. 

Batman is the boogieman of the night, Superman is the new sheriff in town that dares the bad guys to come out an face him. In doing so, he will inspire others the way Batman can't.

Avatar image for donovan_montgomery
Donovan Montgomery

5751

Forum Posts

2822

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 17

..even a teenage boy knows the cape doesn't work.....so far that's my only complaint.....

Avatar image for ulviar
Ulviar

29

Forum Posts

120

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Ulviar

That's just great! Action Comics #1 is the best Superman comic I've ever read!

Avatar image for jekylhyde14
Jekylhyde14

907

Forum Posts

5322

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 28

User Lists: 10

Edited By Jekylhyde14

It's interesting that they decided not to put him at the Daily Planet to begin with. In the Golden Age, Clark worked for the Daily Star newspaper edited by George Taylor who Clark seems to be talking to over his cell phone in this issue. It eventually turned into the Daily Planet edited by Perry White by the Silver Age. This new universe has them existing side by side as competitors which is an engaging way to go about it. I wonder who the co-workers were that stopped by Clark's apartment complex looking for him were? One of them might have been George Taylor and the blonde woman could have very well been Cat Grant. Any other guesses? Maybe George Lombard? Ron Troupe?  
 
I'm honestly getting pretty sick of the Batman comparisons. Superman made his first appearance in the original Action Comics #1 almost a whole year before Batman came about. No one's claiming Batman stole Superman's interrogation techniques. It's not like either one invented them. The whole boy scout routine we've seen Superman pull over the years is really more of a modern construction. He was a vigilante in the Golden Age, an arrogant braggart in the Silver Age, and even took the time to torture corrupt businesses with the help of vikings in the late Bronze Age. It was only after John Byrne and Dan Jurgens that he became this stiff, humble, non-confrontational boy scout who followed every rule to the letter and sat on the fence of every major issue. AND THAT STUFF WAS BORING. I think the sales and generally positive reception of this issue help prove Morrison's direction to be more genuine and interesting. 

Avatar image for danhimself
danhimself

21433

Forum Posts

36958

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By danhimself

I was really worried that Morrison's Superman would be as cerebral as his Batman run....but it really just lives up to the title of ACTION Comics....I think the best part is going to be watching him get stronger and more powerful

Avatar image for z3ro180
z3ro180

8778

Forum Posts

171

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By z3ro180

i didnt like it at first but now its awesome cause in this book he isnt overpowerd and his powers are still devolping and eventualy he will be the superman in his current seris so yea this will work.

Avatar image for deactivated-5a4e0e8ea3dfb
deactivated-5a4e0e8ea3dfb

796

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0


I like everything that this revamp on a young Superman offered but with two hesitations. One, I don't like the cape. I just don't find it necessary for a guy that can't fly and think it's a symbol (though I recognize even in 1938 he had a cape) of his ability to fly and the full useage of his powers. I think without the cape the idea of a young Superman would have still worked (though maybe people would associate too much with the Kon-El version of Superboy). Two, while I enjoy the fact he isn't as powerful (can be hurt by enough force just like in 1938) and can't fly (my guess is because he hasn't reached full adulthood by kryptonian standards yet) I'm afraid that future writers will ignore these solar power limitations and any other kryptonians stepping onto earth for the first time will have the full array of abilities rather than gradual increase. For example, if the DCnU has a revamped version of Lor-Zod and the kid has all of his kryptonian abilities at the age of 8 yet Action Comics clearly showed Clark didn't have them until he reached full adulthood. But the point of the revamp is to fix continuity so hopefully that won't happen. 
 
Surprised G-man didn't put a 6th change in the status of the Kent's because that plays such a huge role into the reason this Superman has a more aggressive and cocky attitude compared to the others that it really is worth pointing out.
Avatar image for primmaster64
Primmaster64

21668

Forum Posts

16273

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By Primmaster64

Nice.

Avatar image for thelastlantern
TheLastLantern

59

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

Edited By TheLastLantern

Am I the only one who thought this didn't feel like Morrison's usual writing?
Avatar image for xaviersx
Xaviersx

86

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By Xaviersx

I'll wait several months, reserving my judgement. A good beginning is just that, and subject to personal criteria. Sales should help qualify the run, past the speculators and gawkers. At this time next year will be an interesting place for the anniversary reflections.

As for storytelling, I agree that a less godly Superman presents opportunity for being relateable like in the good ole days of his decades past. But the past also had some questionable behaviors and pitfalls of human reasoning . . let's hope for the best of the old and new. I liked to see this succeed if not only to humble the not so friendly competition. I favor Marvel characters over DC, but can't stand the tactics of its managers and this reboot maybe what the industry and the competitors need to grow an audience for the books, not just the movie properties derived.

Avatar image for labarith
labarith

730

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By labarith

Epic failzors!

Avatar image for jekylhyde14
Jekylhyde14

907

Forum Posts

5322

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 28

User Lists: 10

Edited By Jekylhyde14
@labarith said:
Epic failzors!
Ha! Epic denial. 
 
Every review I've read of this book has been positive from fans of Superman, reviewers new to Superman, fans of Morrison, and people who say they've never been into his writing before. All in all, I think its safe to say this issue was really good. The only people who have had negative things to say about it have yet to give a concrete reason why. I'd wager most of you didn't even read it and are still only sore over losing Post-Crisis continuity (though lord knows why). 
Avatar image for labarith
labarith

730

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By labarith

This was a love letter to Action Comics #1.  If you want to see old comics with new art, this is your thing. 
 
However, if you grew up with DC's Superman - Clark Kent, working with Lois Lane, their romance, Superman FLYING, etc, etc... this is IS YOUR FATHER'S SUPERMAN. 
 
The irony, of course, is that the original Superman was supposed to be just that - a super MAN.  The superman we've grown up with can fly.  To have him, or a time-travel redux version of him, NOT being able to fly is to deny certain things about what has been established as Kyrpotonian physiology. 
 
This isn't Ultimate Marvel... you can't just do random shit for fun.  Cable's Wolverine!  This is the DCU, twisted because of time travel. 
 
You can't de-age characters because you'd like to. 
You can't ignore established history (pre-time travel shit - see what authors have said about Slade) 
You can't ignore established biological, psychological, and physical laws. 
 
Well, you can... but if you do so you're Bendis-writing.  "Hey, is that Anti-Venom?  I never met him before! LOLZROTFC" 

Avatar image for jekylhyde14
Jekylhyde14

907

Forum Posts

5322

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 28

User Lists: 10

Edited By Jekylhyde14
@labarith:  
 
You do know that comic books are fictions, right? They don't have to obey the same physical laws and linear time pull that we do. If they did then there would be no Superman to begin with. What you're saying is that you only can enjoy these stories if they follow a reality system as strict as our own. I don't think I've seen that in any work of fiction, and certainly not in a comic book. Guys like Mark Gruenwald and Jim Shooter tried to establish a "set reality system" for comic universes where you kept track of everything and kept all the rules and the world these characters live in as constant as possible. They failed because no one keeps track of all this stuff unless they read  every series a publisher puts out. No one does that. Not every writer wants to deal with every bit of minutiae that forms around these characters. It also limits the amount of imagination or creativity you can put into a piece. So chill out. I did grow up with Post-Crisis Superman. He was supposed to be my Superman. I'm telling you I like this one better. 
Avatar image for johnny_spam
johnny_spam

2187

Forum Posts

32795

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By johnny_spam

He's not a jerk how is he one? Did he offend the corrupt business man or people trying to demolish a building with men and women still in it? He is even seen chatting for a second with people he saved and talking to his land lady. I think being a jerk is different than being intimidating to criminals which as pointed out he was in the original comics.

Avatar image for pspin
pspin

1081

Forum Posts

15126

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 182

User Lists: 0

Edited By pspin

It doesnt seem like he is a jerk so much as he is no longer the super boy scout that fence-sits every issue, but he could be a jerk, that would be a nice but out of character twist, he is supposed to be the hero who actually has a good life and doesnt sit around brooding and living in moral ambuity. (Batman, Suicide Squad, 90% of Marvel)
Avatar image for labarith
labarith

730

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By labarith
@Jekylhyde14 said:
@labarith:   You do know that comic books are fictions, right?
There's always some sap who says "continuity doesn't matter" - well, that's fine.  FINE! 
 
But there's a WAY to tell a story where there is no previous continuity - in an alternate universe.  I hear DC thinks they have 52 such worlds, FYI.  Do as Marvel did when they printed Ultimate Spiderman, etc.  No continuity, no reason to complain when things are different.  In fact, every reason to NOT complain! 
 
I'm not saying you can't like this Superman.  I'm telling you that this Superman comic has continuity issues that DC is committed to avoiding.  Saying "it's just fiction" doesn't help - you're the same jackwagon who likes Bay's transformers movies, aren't you?  Aren't you?
Avatar image for kal_smahboi
Kal'smahboi

3976

Forum Posts

12376

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 1

Edited By Kal'smahboi

I saw him as less of a jerk and more cocky. He's strong and he knows it, and he has a youthful brashness. I like this version of Superman but only if it exists in his past, at his start.

Avatar image for venomoushatred1001
venomoushatred1001

12469

Forum Posts

111

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1


I'm loving this new Superman. SOOOOOOOOOOO much better than Post Crisis.
Avatar image for crimsontempest
CrimsonTempest

340

Forum Posts

409

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 30

User Lists: 0

Edited By CrimsonTempest

Ladies, contain your orgasms and periods. I read Action Comics #1 today, and hate it or love it, Grant Morrison did a great job in introducing this new version of Superman. He didn't even need to completely reference the original Action Comics #1 in this issue, he did a great job of telling a story with Rags Morales on pencils. Think of this as Superman: Year One, if anything. I'm definitely looking forward to #2 next month.

Avatar image for herx
Herx

532

Forum Posts

624

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 86

User Lists: 1

Edited By Herx

Why, oh why did you guys have to make this issue sound soooo good. Out of the 52 new titles, and the 19 that i've set up a standing order for, Action Comics was not one of the ones that attrackted my attention. But now you've all made it sound soooo good.... and i'm streatching my wallet going for those other 19, much less a 20th. :( 
 
But, it dose seem that our big blue boy scout hasn't recived all of his merrit badges then (and is actually acting like most normal scouts.... being jerks and burning things just because they can :P ).

Avatar image for frozenedge2
frozenedge2

1465

Forum Posts

164

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By frozenedge2

I like this new Superman. He's not afraid to do what he needs to do unlike the previous Superman. I never really liked his boy scout status, I mean for a guy who can fly to the sun and back, supposedly destroy mountains with a few punches, it always seemed like he always held back in a fight even against guys as strong as him. I just hope this Superman doesn't do that

Avatar image for jekylhyde14
Jekylhyde14

907

Forum Posts

5322

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 28

User Lists: 10

Edited By Jekylhyde14
@labarith said:
@Jekylhyde14 said:
@labarith:   You do know that comic books are fictions, right?
There's always some sap who says "continuity doesn't matter" - well, that's fine.  FINE! 
 
But there's a WAY to tell a story where there is no previous continuity - in an alternate universe.  I hear DC thinks they have 52 such worlds, FYI.  Do as Marvel did when they printed Ultimate Spiderman, etc.  No continuity, no reason to complain when things are different.  In fact, every reason to NOT complain!  I'm not saying you can't like this Superman.  I'm telling you that this Superman comic has continuity issues that DC is committed to avoiding.  Saying "it's just fiction" doesn't help - you're the same jackwagon who likes Bay's transformers movies, aren't you?  Aren't you?
Actually, I hate Michael Bay. 
 
Look, there was a time when DC didn't allow for any alternate universes at all because they felt it interfered with the sanctity of your precious continuity. They got rid of the multiverse and it took them years before they allowed for the weak concession of "Elseworlds" stories. The hypocrisy of all this and with what your saying is Crisis on Infinite Earths in itself wiped out nearly 70 years of an established DC universe continuity. By your logic, wouldn't this be a bad thing? It changed history and rewrote the world to establish the one your grew up with. Doesn't that make your DC Universe an alternate universe story? Or what about when the Zero Hour rewrote aspects of DC's history or Infinite Crisis. Are those bad too? I like continuity to a point. I enjoy having a collected universe where characters interact with each other just as much as the next guy. However, I hate when it becomes such a preoccupation that people are willing to ignore perfectly good stories or plots just because it doesn't perfectly follow the comic book world as they see it. That's ridiculous. If continuity acted in any way that was strict and couldn't be revised then Batman would have died of old age by now and we'd all be dealing with fourth generation heroes. Universes get revamped to prevent this AND to keep things fresh. You should be thankful it works that way or you would've never had your DC universe at all. 
Avatar image for mrdirector786
MrDirector786

44708

Forum Posts

23241

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 4

Edited By MrDirector786

Interesting. I'll try to pick this up soon.

Avatar image for primmaster64
Primmaster64

21668

Forum Posts

16273

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By Primmaster64
@MrDirector786:
No Caption Provided
Avatar image for timandm
Timandm

3393

Forum Posts

12

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

Edited By Timandm

I like all these changes EXCEPT for the costume... Let's be honest; the costume is just stupid...

Avatar image for jekylhyde14
Jekylhyde14

907

Forum Posts

5322

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 28

User Lists: 10

Edited By Jekylhyde14
@Primmaster64:  
LOL! That's priceless... 
Avatar image for primmaster64
Primmaster64

21668

Forum Posts

16273

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By Primmaster64
@Jekylhyde14: Indeed. Is anything goes wrong in this new Universe, Superman could just throw it to the sun.
Avatar image for thor_shammer
Thor'sHammer

74

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Thor'sHammer

This just speaks to the Superman is a jerk thing.  I'm sure most of you have seen it.  
 
http://www.superdickery.com/

Avatar image for the_impersonator
The Impersonator

10209

Forum Posts

23956

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 31

User Lists: 50

Edited By The Impersonator

Slight Tights with No Flights.

Avatar image for labarith
labarith

730

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By labarith
@Jekylhyde14 said:
@labarith said:
@Jekylhyde14 said:
@labarith:   You do know that comic books are fictions, right?
There's always some sap who says "continuity doesn't matter" - well, that's fine.  FINE! 
 
But there's a WAY to tell a story where there is no previous continuity - in an alternate universe.  I hear DC thinks they have 52 such worlds, FYI.  Do as Marvel did when they printed Ultimate Spiderman, etc.  No continuity, no reason to complain when things are different.  In fact, every reason to NOT complain!  I'm not saying you can't like this Superman.  I'm telling you that this Superman comic has continuity issues that DC is committed to avoiding.  Saying "it's just fiction" doesn't help - you're the same jackwagon who likes Bay's transformers movies, aren't you?  Aren't you?
Actually, I hate Michael Bay.  Look, there was a time when DC didn't allow for any alternate universes at all because they felt it interfered with the sanctity of your precious continuity. They got rid of the multiverse and it took them years before they allowed for the weak concession of "Elseworlds" stories. The hypocrisy of all this and with what your saying is Crisis on Infinite Earths in itself wiped out nearly 70 years of an established DC universe continuity. By your logic, wouldn't this be a bad thing? It changed history and rewrote the world to establish the one your grew up with. Doesn't that make your DC Universe an alternate universe story? Or what about when the Zero Hour rewrote aspects of DC's history or Infinite Crisis. Are those bad too? I like continuity to a point. I enjoy having a collected universe where characters interact with each other just as much as the next guy. However, I hate when it becomes such a preoccupation that people are willing to ignore perfectly good stories or plots just because it doesn't perfectly follow the comic book world as they see it. That's ridiculous. If continuity acted in any way that was strict and couldn't be revised then Batman would have died of old age by now and we'd all be dealing with fourth generation heroes. Universes get revamped to prevent this AND to keep things fresh. You should be thankful it works that way or you would've never had your DC universe at all. 
Oh, I'm all for sliding timelines, de-aging super heroes, etc. 
 
But what you seem to ignore is that continuity matters - even if it is a sliding continuity, time-travel-paradox-created continuity, etc, etc. 
 
The sad fact is they dropped the ball in Flashpoint - giving us a "Barry did it", not a "Barry did it by doing X"... 
 
Some people wanted to know why things changed into Flashpoint.  And they got no answer.  (Actually, pretty much everyone did...). 
 
I'm all for changing things, "glossing over" simpler times heroics, retconning them in one way or another. 
 
This is not that.  This is a full on love letter to Action Comics #1 with some "here's something different to keep you guessing". 
 
But there are plenty of people who buy ASM who don't buy USM.  And DC seems like they don't want to risk it - so they're doing a quasi-Ultimate Superman hoping to get all the same new readers and lose none of the old readers.  So it's up to you to say THIS SHALL NOT STAND DC, otherwise you lose everything about the DCU that makes it worthy competition for Marvel. 
 
Marvel needs a strong DC to do well.  If DC is screwing up it's Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman franchises... that's bad news.  If DC dies, Marvel will be the only big comic company out there.  This will severely hurt comic shops early after DC's death, which will likely cause them to close, collapse smaller companies (IDW, Image, etc.), and probably cripple Marvel, who will seriously need to scale back their comic line and probably have to do some direct marketing, and thus get back to the mail away system that dominated the 80s and early 90s. 
 
So yeah, DC jumped the shark.  How many people buy Ultimate comics now?  That'll be the # of guys who buy DC comics next year.
Avatar image for rarecheshire
RareCheshire

192

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By RareCheshire

I'm still not liking the choice in clothing. It looks like he's wearing flood pants, and the shortened cape, its wrong, all wrong. Aside from the aesthetically unappealing look, I thought most of the changes were welcomed. 

Avatar image for jekylhyde14
Jekylhyde14

907

Forum Posts

5322

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 28

User Lists: 10

Edited By Jekylhyde14
@labarith said:

Oh, I'm all for sliding timelines, de-aging super heroes, etc. 
 
But what you seem to ignore is that continuity matters - even if it is a sliding continuity, time-travel-paradox-created continuity, etc, etc. 
 
The sad fact is they dropped the ball in Flashpoint - giving us a "Barry did it", not a "Barry did it by doing X"... 
 
Some people wanted to know why things changed into Flashpoint.  And they got no answer.  (Actually, pretty much everyone did...). 
 
I'm all for changing things, "glossing over" simpler times heroics, retconning them in one way or another. 
 
This is not that.  This is a full on love letter to Action Comics #1 with some "here's something different to keep you guessing". 
 
But there are plenty of people who buy ASM who don't buy USM.  And DC seems like they don't want to risk it - so they're doing a quasi-Ultimate Superman hoping to get all the same new readers and lose none of the old readers.  So it's up to you to say THIS SHALL NOT STAND DC, otherwise you lose everything about the DCU that makes it worthy competition for Marvel. 
 
Marvel needs a strong DC to do well.  If DC is screwing up it's Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman franchises... that's bad news.  If DC dies, Marvel will be the only big comic company out there.  This will severely hurt comic shops early after DC's death, which will likely cause them to close, collapse smaller companies (IDW, Image, etc.), and probably cripple Marvel, who will seriously need to scale back their comic line and probably have to do some direct marketing, and thus get back to the mail away system that dominated the 80s and early 90s.  So yeah, DC jumped the shark.  How many people buy Ultimate comics now?  That'll be the # of guys who buy DC comics next year.
I think you missed my point. Crisis on Infinite Earths was a major revamp for DC back in its day and worthy of being mocked as an "Ultimate DC" kind of retool. It created the universe you're so angry about losing. I'm saying its hypocrisy for you to hate this reboot for being the same kind of change. Let me also point out that you're not losing all of DC's Modern Age continuity. Batman's history remains more or less the same and you still get the Death and Return of Superman in continuity (Superman mentioned as much in Swamp Thing #1). Keep in mind that some character's continuities have never stayed consistent like Wonder Woman's or Power Girl's. Superman, himself, had three different origin stories Post Crisis on Infinite Earths (Man of Steel, Birthright, Secret Origin). Jeph Loeb even retooled the history of Krypton to change it from the John Byrne version. I really do think continuity changes and revamps are just part of the DC Universe. To hate this one more than the rest really does seem like stubborn hypocrisy. 
 
I also really don't like the Post-Crisis version of Superman. I've always felt that John Byrne and Dan Jurgens got it wrong with his personality and he's maintained that personality from 1987 right up until now. He's been stiff and boring. Without this Action Comics #1 revamp he would have been likely to remain that way. I think this issue is more than "just a love letter" to the original Action Comics #1. It's returning Superman to his old personality while making him relevant again for today. Our current economic problems bear many similarities to the depression of the 1930's. Don't you think it's fitting that Superman's resumes being the kind of hero he was back then? He's certainly more recognizable to me as Superman with a cocky, brash attitude than the Post-Crisis boy scout. In my opinion, Grant is putting him back on track.  
 
So far the new 52 has been a sales boom for DC. Justice League #1 has gone into a third reprint. The first reprint of Action has almost sold out. Even the first print of Hawk and Dove has sold out (repeat that out loud: Hawk and Dove has sold out). DC has even started to reclaim some of the market share from Marvel since announcing this reboot. So far, it seems your prediction of doom and gloom for DC is wrong. It seems like this shall stand. Granted, they may lose some sales after the initial excitement and hype wears off, but, historically, that's to be expected with these reboots. Somehow I really doubt this will lead to DC's economic downfall in any way, shape, or form. When the dust settles they may even be left holding a larger portion of the market than they had before. I liked DC's Post-Crisis continuity, but, in all honesty, I think they had lost the game on it since Infinite Crisis. The editing staff dropped the ball keeping everything in line with Final Crisis, they got way too comfortable shifting Geoff Johns everywhere to revamp everyone, and Superman has been pulled in every different direction possible. I'm glad they did this. It freshens things up and allows them to take hold of the reins again. I think all this complaining over losing bits and pieces of a scant two decades of continuity (in a 73 year old universe) is an overreaction by a stubborn group of fans who want things to stay their way forever. Times change people. Comic book history proves me right on this. Get with the new direction. 
Avatar image for slick23
slick23

461

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By slick23

I dont know about you guys, but if DC remake him to be a boy scout again, then why reboot him at all? You guys are nitpicking way TOO MUCH. Superman is younger here, and being young comes with being reckless and just getting the job done. I'm excited for this!