Since his creation in 1938, Superman has inspired generations of authors and artists, giving birth to major works that have shaped the mythology of the ultimate superhero. If you're not really motivated to play the video games featuring the character (hard to blame yourself), the last son of Kal-El has built his mythology through his numerous glossy adventures. On the occasion of Superman Day, we take a look back at the hero's founding stories.
All-Star Superman
2005-2008, Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely, published in France by Urban Comics
It's hard to find a more iconic character than All-Star Superman. Conceived by the Scottish duo Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, this twelve-chapter masterpiece offers a modern yet timeless reinterpretation of the myth. Morrison breaks free from classic continuity to offer a new version of the steely hero, confronted with his own mortality after an overdose of solar radiation.
This story, a true declaration of love for the character, explores his humanist values, his sense of sacrifice, and his place in the collective imagination. Quitely's illustrations magnify every emotion and every pose of the hero. All-Star Superman is a distillation of everything Superman embodies. A seminal and accessible text, ideal for beginners and long-time fans alike, which reminds us why the hero is a universal symbol.
Superman: Red Son
2003, Mark Millar, Dave Johnson & Kilian Plunkett, published in France by Urban Comics
One of our biggest favorites of recent years, which radically changes perspective. What if Superman had landed in the USSR instead of the United States? This is the starting point of this alternate history story by Mark Millar, which propels the Man of Steel into the heart of the Cold War. Red Son revisits the legend from a geopolitical perspective and questions the very notion of a hero, confronting Kal-El's son with communist ideology. A profound reflection on power, propaganda, and responsibility. The dark and powerful drawings of Dave Johnson and Kilian Plunkett perfectly serve this political thriller atmosphere, as exciting to read as they are intelligent in their deconstruction of the myth.
Superman: Origins
2003-2004, Mark Waid & Leinil Francis Yu, published in France by Urban Comics
With Origins, Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu deliver a modern reimagining of Superman's origins. This twelve-part story focuses on Clark Kent's youth, his doubts, his dreams, and his first steps as Superman. Waid injects a new psychological dimension, exploring Clark's quest for identity, his relationship with his Kryptonian heritage, and his relationship with humanity. Far from the superhero clichés of the first Detective Comics, the story modernizes the founding elements (Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Krypton, etc.) to construct a particularly powerful story. The Origins is a founding text for understanding the essence of the character in the 21st century: a hero torn between two worlds, but guided by his moral compass.
Superman: Secret Identity
2004, Kurt Busiek & Stuart Immonen, published in France by Urban Comics
A true UFO in the production of Superman: Secret Identity takes place in our world. It follows Clark Kent, a Texan teenager who endures the mockery linked to his name, until the day he discovers he possesses the powers of the Superman from the comics. A sensitive and introspective story, far from cosmic battles, but rather focused on the construction of identity and the weight of heritage. Intimate rather than grandiose, this comic is an emotional gem, which questions the place of myth in real life and the capacity of each person to be a hero. A unique text, as much for fans as for novices.
Whether revisiting his origins, projecting him into alternative futures or questioning his humanity, Superman has never ceased to inspire major stories. These comics, all available in France from Urban Comics, are gateways to the richness of a myth that, more than 85 years after its creation, continues to fascinate and question our relationship with heroism.
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