Verheiden's Superman or Rucka's Adventures of Superman Question

[sabongero]

Hello everyone. I've just re-started reading comics again just last month. I want to read up on Superman. I've read the "Man of Steel" by Byrne and "The Man of Tomorrow" by Moore.

I would just like to start reading current Superman from a couple of years back. Can anyone recommend if I should buy the Rucka run on Adventures of Superman or the Verheiden run on Superman.

Has anyone read these comics ? Can anyone share information on the difference between the two runs ? And any opinion and comments are welcome. Thanks everyone.

- Ken

" Carpe Diem"

[Sean Whitmore]

Both had their problems, but I think ultimately Rucka's Adventures was the better read. It had an overreaching arc with the mystery villain Ruin, introduced the new Parasite, and did something interesting with Mxyzptlk. All I really remember from Verheiden's Superman was an uninteresting recurring villainess named Blackrock.


SEAN

[sabongero]

Both had their problems, but I think ultimately Rucka's Adventures was the better read. It had an overreaching arc with the mystery villain Ruin, introduced the new Parasite, and did something interesting with Mxyzptlk. All I really remember from Verheiden's Superman was an uninteresting recurring villainess named Blackrock.

SEAN

Sean thanks for your input. Can I just ask how was Greg Rucka's approach to the character of Superman ? Was it more slugfest characterization while Superman ? Or was it more catered towards characterization as Clark Kent ?

By the way what was ultimately wrong with Verheiden's take on Superman ? I did some looking in the internet and he worked on "Smallville".

- Ken

"Carpe Diem"

[shyguy]

I'm a big fan of Verheiden's run on Superman. A lot of the issues are stand-alone reads that have some interesting stuff going on in them, and Verheiden tends to use Silver-Agey concepts without being obnoxious about it. You also have very nice Ed Benes art in the Verheiden issues.

Skip that awful issue where Supergirl leaves Earth and they fight the female Blackrock though. Yeesh.

I haven't read all of Rucka's Adventures, but what I have read strikes me as pretty similar to everything else of Rucka's I've read - boring and drawn-out.

[sabongero]

Hi Shyguy. I swung by a comic books store earlier today prior to going to the office and came across some of Verheiden's work on Superman and pencilled by Ed Benes. All I can say is WOW ! Now that is one of the best ways to draw Superman. He doesn't come out as wimpy. I liked Ed Benes' art, especially the way he pencils Big Blue's eyes. After the coloring it looks like a nuclear reactor about to burst directly towards you. I haven't read some of the books though. I'll have to find some time this weekend hopefully.

Can anyone advise the issues on Verheiden's run on Superman ? And what was the last issue of the Superman comic books as they somehow I think cancelled it.

I also came across Superman/Batman # 28. I see Verheiden is writing it as well. Let's see where he takes this to. One thing about Superman/Batman # 28 you have Ethan Van Sciever pencilling. I loved his work in Green Lantern.

- Ken

"Carpe Diem"

[shyguy]

I actually hate how Benes drew Superman himself and most of his supporting cast (when did Brainiac steal Sleepwalker's outfit?), but the rest of his work is good as usual. If you really want to see some good Benes art, check out the Many Happy Returns story from Supergirl (last 5 issues of the PAD series). He can draw women like nobody's business, and the story itself is fantastic.

Verheiden did Superman #217-225. Issue #226 was a tie-in to that weird Earth 2 Superman story that ran through all 3 Superman titles that month, and the series was cancelled afterward.

A nice thing about Verheiden's run is that many of his stories take place in single issues, which makes the run easy to pick up. The only difficult thing about them is all the Infinite Crisis garbage that mucks up the works, but if you have an idea what went on in IC, it's not that bad.

[sabongero]

I actually hate how Benes drew Superman himself and most of his supporting cast (when did Brainiac steal Sleepwalker's outfit?), but the rest of his work is good as usual. If you really want to see some good Benes art, check out the Many Happy Returns story from Supergirl (last 5 issues of the PAD series). He can draw women like nobody's business, and the story itself is fantastic.

Verheiden did Superman #217-225. Issue #226 was a tie-in to that weird Earth 2 Superman story that ran through all 3 Superman titles that month, and the series was cancelled afterward.

A nice thing about Verheiden's run is that many of his stories take place in single issues, which makes the run easy to pick up. The only difficult thing about them is all the Infinite Crisis garbage that mucks up the works, but if you have an idea what went on in IC, it's not that bad.

Hi Shyguy. I just went through 4 comic book shops in Queens, and two in Manhattan this past weekend. And I finally, got Superman # 217-222, 224-226. Unfortunately, I cannot find issue # 223 anywhere. I'll let you guys know what I thought about it.

Let it be known that until the new Green Lantern series, I have not really read any comic books for the last 15 years.

By the way Shyguy you were saying check out the "Many Happy Returns" story pencilled by Ed Benes and to check out the last 5 issues of PAD ? Pardon my ignorance in regards to comic books history but what did you mean by that ? Did you mean Supergirl comcs ? And what issue numbers ?

Thanks.

-Ken

"Carpe Diem"

[sabongero]

I have read two issues so far on Verheiden's take on Superman. Another "wimpy-like" take on Superman. It doesn't come out and just grabs you I AM SUPERMAN. Plus I didn't like the brooding Superman who's quiet and sitting on his crystal-mad chair. Just put a cowl on him and he's Batman.

Superman should be written for the great plot lines. It's the story. You can only go so far with the ontrospection bit with this character. Perhaps they can try the introspection on the new Supergirl instead of Superman.

All I can say is the stories of Verhedien is not that bad. However, Ed Benes pencilling is OUTSTANDING! I like his rendition of Superman on flight rushing to where he has to go. It really conveys speed. Awesome ! Plus I can't recall Lois being drawn like a Victoria Secret model before. His portrayal of Lois is nothing short of alluring.

I haven't reached out to read my Greg Rucka Superman stack as it has been busy here at the office.

- Ken

"Carpe Diem"

[shyguy]

By the way Shyguy you were saying check out the "Many Happy Returns" story pencilled by Ed Benes and to check out the last 5 issues of PAD ? Pardon my ignorance in regards to comic books history but what did you mean by that ? Did you mean Supergirl comcs ? And what issue numbers ?

Yeah, that'd be Supergirl #75-80 of the last series. I think it's some of Benes' best work. Both of his Supergirls are gorgeous. It's available as a trade paperback.

Sorry you're not liking Verheiden's run that much so far. Hope things pick up. I thought Supes was way wimpier in Rucka's run, but see what you think.

[sabongero]

Yeah, that'd be Supergirl #75-80 of the last series. I think it's some of Benes' best work. Both of his Supergirls are gorgeous. It's available as a trade paperback.

Sorry you're not liking Verheiden's run that much so far. Hope things pick up. I thought Supes was way wimpier in Rucka's run, but see what you think.

Verheiden's run is not bad. I just thought he could have written Superman more as "I AM SUPERMAN" the tougher more confident version. I really dislike the "wimpy" Superman version that is out there since the 90s.

I will say I love Ed Benes art so much and thankful for that. I picked up some of his work with Bird of Prey. The man can draw appealing women real well. And I thought Tucci's women in his SHI run were the best drawn women.

I've been reading Verheiden's two issues in Superman/Batman. It's okay so far. Let's see where he runs with this.

[Azrael52]

I really enjoyed both runs. Verheiden did a superb job there, and he's really doing well on Superman/Batman. I've always enjoyed Rucka, and he really had some good Superman issues.