I've read this story more times than I have any other comic book. I have a lot of opinions on it but I'm curious how you feel and what you think about it.

I prefer Byrne's Man of Steel, I don't think Birthright was needed at the time though Leinil Yu did a good work the set up with Lex was too Smallvillish for my taste.

Never read it :/

@dimitridkatsis:

Lex is one of my criticisms of the book as well. I didn't like how they were friends in youth and how lex didn't recognize him. That part of the book was a chore to read, honestly. I think they only did it two have an even 12 issues rather than 11. I would much rather have had that issue be about Clark's relationships with Lana and Pete.

@saint_wildcard:

Dude...shame on you...

B- but I'm broke :(

At some point I'll go back and buy some Pre 52 Superman stories, but I'm not a fan of Waid. (I'll still buy Birthright to see what all the hub bub is about )

@saint_wildcard:

In my opinion it's the most complete Superman origin. Now that I think about it, it may just be the most complete super-hero origin in general. There's good and bad, yes, but it's a good read.

It's the book that really got me into Superman in the first place. Really liked how his "humanity" was demonstrated during his trips around the world. Luthor was awesome in it and his superiority complex was handled very well. Also, this panel almost made me cry:

It's the best Superman story and the last page actually makes me cry.

@fuzzylittlerodent: Almost? That actually made me cry.

P.S. Put some spoilers on that. It would ruined the essence of the book to people who didn't read it yet.

Lex knowing Clark goes back to the Silver Age. It isn't Smallville. Plus, I like how they explained Lex's obliviousness: Lex can't see past himself to recognize other people because he's a tool.

@silverpool: @fuzzylittlerodent: @superguy1591:

I must be different than you guys because I didn't feel anything on that last page

I agree with this. It's one of the best. I've read it so many times. And the last page is beautiful.

How?! It's such a beautiful moment!

I think it is one of the more underrated Superman origin stories. Personally it is my favorite, but I think it came out at a time it wasn't really needed and that's why it flies a little below the radar, although it is still widely known.

@arturocalakayvee:

It just didn't mean anything to me. Idk why but it didn't hit me like it hit you guys.

@superguy1591:

Yeah, I get all that. I do. It's why I've read it so many times. But that last page just didn't have any emotional impact on me.

@sog7dc: have you ever had a teary eyed moment reading a comic then?

Its my favourite superman origin book. The art coupled with the frankly brilliant writing made it a win win for me.

@superguy1591:

Not really. The only comic to ever have an emotional impact on me was "Logan" by. Brian K Vaughan.

Birthright >>>> Man of Steel and Secret Origins imo.

While there are some things which I don’t like (for example, soul-vision, Lex), still, Birthright is must-read story for all Superman’s fans.

Love it. There are some things that I don't like but as an overall story it is very strong. My favorite part is the pre-Superman years of travelling. Its one of the most intriguing and untouched periods of Superman's life.

@squalleon: yeah I definitely agree

@sog7dc: explains a lot then.

Meh, modern age was more to my liking, Lex was this arrogant self made genius already when he met Supes and he actually discovered his secret identity only to disregard the information as "why would a Superman pose as human?", this really show his detachment from feelings.

That it was one of those moments I am torn about, it took away from the tragedy of the situation and while it made me feel good about them I feel like a necessary element of Supes origin was taken needlessly. Again I am still torn so depending on the day I can see it both ways.

I thought it was awesome.

@squalleon: there's no tragedy on the El's part though. Usually, the El's know Clark will make it. Him being able to tell them he made it is much better IMO.

Τhere is always tragedy. Its different dying knowing that your child will live a happy life than hoping that it will live one. Its not about him reaching earth, its about him leaving happily.

Don't have a copy myself, but did read it through in a book shop recently and felt it was a very good origin story...Its on my list to buy at some point, pretty much the only big name Superman book I am missing.

@squalleon: but why do I need the El's to suffer a tradegy? I'm not trying to relate or feel sorry for them, I'm here for Superman.

I feel like, as a relatively new but strong fan of Superman, I should read this...

You definitely should.

It adds to the strength of the Els and is one of the mainstays of the origin of Supes, an origin of hope, the El's died knowing, which is very heartwarming I don't say , I felt very good for them but it takes away from the main theme in Supes origin which is hope and dispair. To sum up it felt like fan-service.

That is you though, I personally feel for the Els. The Els are a huge part of Superman's lore, that you are not here for them doesn't mean they shouldn't connect to the reader. The supporting cast is what turns a good world into an alive one and a mediocre story into a good one. If I have learned one thing in comics, is that the supporting characters some times matter more to a good story than the hero himself and without a good cast, the hero's emotion and personality can't evolve or be explored. There is a reason Batman is the strongest franchise in DC at the moment and Green Lantern the second one.

@squalleon: originally, Birthright was only a stand alone series, maybe that's why you thought it was too much of a fan service. As far the El's are concerned, they usually know that Clark is going to make it to Earth. In Superman: The Movie, Jor-El even sent him to Earth to play Jesus to us.

Man of Steel, too. I've never read Bryne's Man of Steel, but Secret Origins had the Jor and Lara well aware of that Kal would make it to Earth, too.

Usually, Superman origins don't usually have an ounce of doubt. I like that Waid decided to make Superman Moses again and not Jesus. Moses is sent away because he needed to be saved from suffering, Jesus is sent to us to save us from ourselves. I don't like that Superman is portrayed as this knight of a prophecy. I also like that their hope was rewarded instead of their faith. Hope implies uncertainty, but the will to push on. Faith is more about belief.

Too many Superman stories have him being the embodiedment of faith and not of hope. Maybe that's why I like Birthright so much. Clark had to figure out how to do things on his own without Jor-El playing God and guiding him along the way.

Being standalone or not doesn't matter either way and yes I knew it.

Making it to earth isn't the problem, but making it to earth and having a happy life, becoming a hero etc. As far as the El's were concerned Kal was sended in a world that could fear him because of his power, he could be a weapon, experimented or even killed at a young age before his powers were awaken, he was send into the unknown, yet that world was their best hope. Thats what I am trying to make you understand for a while now.

And again that is an element that I either like or not depending on my mood as I said before.

@squalleon: well, technically I'm not really arguing with you. Just trying to see why our opinions differ. Put the gun back in holster. =)

Anyway, I've never read Man of Steel, but if I have read some WhatIf stories based on that origin where I remember Jor-El sending a probe to Earth and knowing that Earth has good people on it. Anyway, if it is anything like Man of Steel or S:TM, I don't see how hope is a part of those origins.

Jor-El: They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you...my only son.

This doesn't sound like doubt, this sounds like a prophecy.

Man of Steel Lara: Oh, Jor, what if he grows up all alone? What if no one finds him? What if they kill him?

Jor-El: how? He will be a god to them.

See? If Bryne's MoS is anything like those two movie...err. I think that was part of the reason why I didn't love Man of Steel. They made Superman: The Movie Begins instead going the Birthright type origin for a new generation.

I never meant to attack you but you didn't see my point for more than two replies or so I thought. Byrne's version doesn't feature the El's for more than 5 pages, but Lara thinks they are "like savages" and the world is too primitive but again they are their only hope.

Well, in almost every version I know Jor-El does give the planet a quick check but never does he know his son will be happy among them. He always says they have the potential for good, never states it as a fact, he wishes, he sees the potential, he hopes his son will live happy among them because they can be great people.And the "he will be a god to them" from MoS was a comment on his power, not how earthlings will look at him.

That story is the first one i usually recomend to a guy who is new to the character. To me Birthright is superior even to All Star Superman.

@toptom: how DARE you

Though I agree with him, I have to reread All-Star though.

@superguy1591: ASS made me understand the universe.

@thecowwasdelirious: oh, you meant All-Star Superman? I thought you meant actual...

@superguy1591:

@thecowwasdelirious: indeed, that kind of @$$ made me understand the universe.

@superguy1591: Wanna see my ass? <3

You are derailing the thread and you are posting inappropriate content, I don't think you have to take this any further :P

Inappropiate? No one is nude. And @thecowwasdelirious, not unless you're a chick.

@squalleon: <3

@superguy1591: I can be a chick if you want to