Superman: Secret Origin #1

[Will.S]

After having read this issue, I must say that this book is off to a very good start.

I'm not going to post a detailed summary or anything since this is an origin issue but I think Geoff Johns' Superman work on the whole has been fantastic and it's a shame that he's not doing more on the books. Moving on, this book had a cavalcade of fun moments as well as many touching ones. I especially liked the scene with Clark and Pa Kent after Clark sees his biological parents and the later end scene with Ma and Clark which very much reminded me of a Christmas story.

Geoff seems to be blending in a lot of things such as the movieverse, the Smallville show's stuff (such as with the trigger for Clark's heat vision), and even some of the Superman Birthright stuff with Lex Luthor. None of it feels like an info-dump at all and it all reads organically and very naturally and I was surprised with how likable Clark is throughout the story and same goes for Lana and Pete.

Gary Frank's art on this gets an A+ for me but then again I think his work on Action Comics has been phenomenal and it just continues to impress with this issue and it's quite a meaty book. He does exceptionally well with emotional scenes and what little action is here is well done.

All in all, definitely check this book out as it welcomes new and old readers alike and blends aspects of the Superman history in a smooth fashion.

10/10

[Munkiman]

Awesome issue. Off to a great start, I'm starving for more. Like the art a lot. Good introductions for Clark, Pete, Lana, Lex, Ma and Pa. Surprised that they're going to bring out the Legion so soon.

I was sort of expecting Jor-El to mention the "I have sent you to them" thing, but it's kinda interesting that he didn't - that the Earth is just a safe haven for the last Kryptonian to this Jor-El, and he thinks Kal-El should always remember his true heritage.

LOVED the last few pages, with the costume. Don't worry Clark, the costume'll grow on you, and you'll grow into it. :P

[Tra-EL]

This book had me from hello. This issue , out of everything I've ever read since All Star Superman, is the one book that had me anticipating and even looking ahead at scenes as I was reading. The art just makes your eyes tingle and certain scenes because of it make it feel at home, and right to the heart.

***MILD SPOILER ALERT***

When Pa was explaining to Clark not to disappoint his mother and when he said that gets him every time and to see Ma's face when Clark came downstairs, hit home for me. I kind of saw a lot of myself in those last couple lines and the way Clark and his family are lovingly bonded. This issue is very heart warming, and we as fans and readers can certainly relate. How fitting was it to use a young Clark's reaction to the suite? Little does he know what meaning that suite will have not only with himself, but the entire world. I am so excited for this series that this month is going to be a long one! Good job all around, standing ovation. Loved every second of it

[NickFury90]

"This is the last time I will ever wear this"

Awesome stuff. I can't believe this is written by the same guy who writes Blackest Night. Gary Frank is super awesome as always.

[ManofTheAtom]

I won't get the issue for awhile but from what I've read online today it sounds like it's rather good.

My only problems with it are Lex in Smallville and Clark


spoiler


becoming Cyclops.

The excuse for him to have glasses as a teen is weak. It's like they worked too hard to try to justify putting glasses on his face.

Even so, I gotta admit that it's a very MINOR gripe I have with it as the justification works.

I don't like that he has glasses as a teen, but I admit that it works.

[PympMyQuinjet]

The only problem I had with this book is the way Gary Frank, an artist I love by the way, draws little Clark. He looks like a forty year old with a kids body.

Otherwise, great great issue.

[Mainline]

Overall, I liked it quite a bit, but the issue did feel a little unnecessarily trivia heavy... I don't think there's anything wrong with leaving things ambiguous, but instead we know his birthdate, his Kryptonian city of origin, his adopted grandma's nationality, etc.

I feel like those kinds of things inevitably get lost to time or outright contradicted so it's better to tell a story around or without such details... but again, so far so good. I still find the Legion controversial but we'll see.

[srhanson]

Fantastic issue. Agree with all the good things said so far.

Interesting observation: I'm assuming "Kenny" is Kenny Braverman, aka Conduit?

Also: Chloe S!

[Will.S]

Fantastic issue. Agree with all the good things said so far.

Interesting observation: I'm assuming "Kenny" is Kenny Braverman, aka Conduit?

Also: Chloe S!
Yeah I noticed that name on Pete's cast as well, very funny.

[The ?]

I thought there were a lot of great moments (Pa Kent and Clark in the corner, that last line is golden) but I'm a little troubled by the fact that it's still going over essentially the same ground that's been done a thousand times. Hopefully as it goes it'll be more of a "secret" origin.

[Will.S]

I thought there were a lot of great moments (Pa Kent and Clark in the corner, that last line is golden) but I'm a little troubled by the fact that it's still going over essentially the same ground that's been done a thousand times. Hopefully as it goes it'll be more of a "secret" origin.
I agree that this is very much treading on covered ground, especially with it being not TOO long after Superman Birthright which has been for the most part disregarded.

But what's good is that the issues are double sized and it seems to be trying to not so much give an "abridged" version of the origin but just the essential stuff along with all the emotional/character developments that come with it.

[BrightestDay]

So this is the new "official" origin for Superman correct? I ask because I'm relatively new to DC (only read Green Lantern and GLC on a monthly basis) but I picked up All Star Superman and Superman for All Seasons and really liked them and I've been looking for a good jumping on point for the current Superman books. I take it this is a good spot to get started?

Also, what are the opinions on the Geoff Johns run overall? I really love his work Green Lantern.

[Jorriss]

I liked it. I thought the writing was pretty poor honestly, not in terms of pacing or ideas just the actual structure. The sentences themselves were kind of bland.

[WorstThingUS]

I'm a Superman fan, so a quality treatment is an automatic "go" for me, but at times it really did seem to be repeating itself. Clark crying and moping to Lana once was enough. It didn't have to happen twice. And we don't need to cover everything so absolute other writers can't throw in other things.

But the art was perfect. And that last page. Wow.

[DarkKnghtJared]

I dug it--it really did combine the best of all of Superman's past origins and mixed them all together. Frank's art was also really good.

[Hullababy]

I absolutely loved this issue. So many nice moments. The last page...wow!

[Duy]

Gary Frank was born to draw Superman and his world.

[Ian J.N.]

I agree that this is very much treading on covered ground, especially with it being not TOO long after Superman Birthright which has been for the most part disregarded.

But what's good is that the issues are double sized and it seems to be trying to not so much give an "abridged" version of the origin but just the essential stuff along with all the emotional/character developments that come with it.
What sets this origin apart, I think, is that it's neither a retelling or a re-imagining. Rather, it's a synthesis (of the Pre-Crisis origin, Smallville, the Donner movies, etc). I can see this story becoming the definitive Superman origin.

[Will.S]

What sets this origin apart, I think, is that it's neither a retelling or a re-imagining. Rather, it's a synthesis (of the Pre-Crisis origin, Smallville, the Donner movies, etc). I can see this story becoming the definitive Superman origin.
That is, until the next couple of years when Didio goes "Ok now this time it's Superman's Origin for REAL" or even better "There were certain things that we never got to show within Superman Secret Origins but will finally be shown and addressed in Superman Secret Origins: Between moments!".

[Ian J.N.]

That is, until the next couple of years when Didio goes "Ok now this time it's Superman's Origin for REAL" or even better "There were certain things that we never got to show within Superman Secret Origins but will finally be shown and addressed in Superman Secret Origins: Between moments!".
Before that, however, will be Countdown to Infinite Superman Origin: The Secret-est.

[Duy]

That is, until the next couple of years when Didio goes "Ok now this time it's Superman's Origin for REAL" or even better "There were certain things that we never got to show within Superman Secret Origins but will finally be shown and addressed in Superman Secret Origins: Between moments!".

Yeah, sure, but who cares?

I pretty much ignore any bit of continuity that I don't like, like Spider-Man Chapter One, for example. If I love Superman: Secret Origin and they revise it later on, I won't care; Superman: Secret Origin will still be the Superman origin in my head.

[StoneGold]

Oh, come on, they swiped both Cyclops and Colossus' origins? Look, I'm sure Clark stopped a wheat thresher or two in his time, but stick it together with the glasses, he should be wearing an X on his chest, not an S.

[Will.S]

Before that, however, will be Countdown to Infinite Superman Origin: The Secret-est.
Heh, good one.

Yeah, sure, but who cares?

I pretty much ignore any bit of continuity that I don't like, like Spider-Man Chapter One, for example. If I love Superman: Secret Origin and they revise it later on, I won't care; Superman: Secret Origin will still be the Superman origin in my head.The thing is that Didio is so indecisive, you never know what he's going to do next. He can't seem to decide what directions "X" character should go and makes some expensive mistakes for people who invest time and money into these books i.e. Countdown & Superman Birthright.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this issue and I can be just as picky and choosy with continuity. I just don't care to see any more origin stories beyond this one in the current regime but since it's Johns more than likely Didio will keep his version of Superman's secret origin more-so than Waid's. Of course, some of the stuff here we've also seen in Johns Action run although it wasn't neccessarily all spelled out perfectly either.

Oh, come on, they swiped both Cyclops and Colossus' origins? Look, I'm sure Clark stopped a wheat thresher or two in his time, but stick it together with the glasses, he should be wearing an X on his chest, not an S.
That is a funny coincidence.

[Duy]

Heh, good one.

The thing is that Didio is so indecisive, you never know what he's going to do next. He can't seem to decide what directions "X" character should go and makes some expensive mistakes for people who invest time and money into these books i.e. Countdown & Superman Birthright.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this issue and I can be just as picky and choosy with continuity. I just don't care to see any more origin stories beyond this one in the current regime but since it's Johns more than likely Didio will keep his version of Superman's secret origin more-so than Waid's. Of course, some of the stuff here we've also seen in Johns Action run although it wasn't neccessarily all spelled out perfectly either.




If I had to choose between this, the Byrne origin, and Birthright, I'd pick this in a heartbeat.

This isn't even 1/6 over yet, and I just think both other origins were well beyond sub-par.

So even if Didio scraps it in a year or so, I'll still consider this the Superman origin, most likely, if the next five issues are as good.

[Ian J.N.]

Oh, come on, they swiped both Cyclops and Colossus' origins? Look, I'm sure Clark stopped a wheat thresher or two in his time, but stick it together with the glasses, he should be wearing an X on his chest, not an S.
Notwithstanding, I like that his Clark Kent persona (dorky glasses, cowardly nature) was an outgrowth of his childhood inexperience with powers, rather than an intentional secret identity.

[Sanlear]

Gary Frank was born to draw Superman and his world. I wish DC could shackle him to a desk and make him churn out more Superman comics. :smile:

[ManofTheAtom]

Notwithstanding, I like that his Clark Kent persona (dorky glasses, cowardly nature) was an outgrowth of his childhood inexperience with powers, rather than an intentional secret identity.

Interesting.

[ManofTheAtom]

I'm sure Clark stopped a wheat thresher or two in his time.

Superman III

[Retro315]

Great issue.

Frank's art shines. Johns blends the right elements of the various incongruous continuities.

Jor-El looks like Chris Reeve with Marlon Brando's hair from the movie.

Lex Luthor looks ... well, just like me.

Chloe Sullivan gets an easter egg. And hey! Kenny Braverman, A.K.A. Conduit!

[Vigilante Man]

Can someone post some scans of the issue? Especially the last page.

[ManofTheAtom]

Lex Luthor looks ... well, just like me.

That's probably because, other than Rosenbaum, no actor has ever portrayed a definite "Lex in Smallville" version of the character in live action, as is the case with Reeve and Brando.

Only two actors have played Lex in Smallville, haven't they? The guy from Superboy and Rosenbaum in Smallville, right?

Since portraying him as Rosenbaum goes against their goal of making Lex and Clark contemporaries to appeal to fans of the Silver Age, they went another route (specially since he needs to have hair).

Then again, they could have based him the kid who played Lex in the first episode of Smallville.

[Maestro]

Superman III

oh yeah, I thought that was familiar

[ManofTheAtom]

oh yeah, I thought that was familiar

I'd be willing to be that you're going to find yourself saying that a lot as you read this series, heh.

[Bevbos]

Liked it, as one would expect from this creative team, but wasn't blown away by it. Let's face it - Supes just has it easier than a lot of other iconic comic book characters. Here's looking at you, Spidey and Bats. Nothing any creative team can do about that, really.

[Carter Hall]

Loved this book. I wasn't expecting a Superman origin story without Krypton exploding to be this good, really. I love the way Johns writes, and Gary Frank is solid. And is there anything more that can be said about Geoff Johns' handling of every character he writes? Absolutely loved it, I've put it on my pull list. Johns does it again!

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Gary Franks art is amazing. Geoff Johns has made some very good choices early on.

Johns has taken bits and pieces here and there from every incarnation of Superman, across every medium and mixed them all together.

I particularly like the choice to emphasize how young this kid looks and acts. He's a boy, not a slightly smaller looking man.

Frank is one of the few artists out there that can really nail facial expressions. He is up there with Maguire and Hughes.

[Karl O'Neill]

Absolutely loved this first issue of secret origins!

Book of the week. detective comics is a close second.

Not much Action in this issue but all the character moments and human interraction scenes were so spot on. I felt so good reading this comic.

The bit at the end with Him walking down the stairs with his superman costume on! :biggrin:

Count me in as one of the fans who loves the way gary frank draws superman and jor el as looking like their movie counterparts from the superman movies.

Having clark help make the costume and cut it with his heat vision is clever. Makes sense, You cannot make a superstrong costume out of a scissors!:mad:

Lex is still one of my favourite Dcu villains. Looking forward to seeing more of him in this mini. Anybody notice the cover (variant) portrays him as the machivellian Luthor, and not the mad scientist that is appearing in adventure comics? maybe this is just a pose kinda thing and not an actuall story version to be used in the johns era.

Next-The Legion of superheroes!

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Oh, come on, they swiped both Cyclops and Colossus' origins? Look, I'm sure Clark stopped a wheat thresher or two in his time, but stick it together with the glasses, he should be wearing an X on his chest, not an S.

Superman begat Spider-Man which begat X-Men which begat right back to Superman again.

Sounds about right to me.

[ManofTheAtom]

Superman begat Spider-Man which begat X-Men which begat right back to Superman again.

Sounds about right to me.

Hmmmm.... which Golden Age comic had Clark Kent use super glasses to shield from his heat vision the way Cyclops does it?

I know that in the Bronze Age the glasses allowed him to hypnotize people so that he looked different to them when he was wearing them as Clark than he did when he wasn't wearing them as Superman.

[Seven_Ride]

So this is the new "official" origin for Superman correct? I ask because I'm relatively new to DC (only read Green Lantern and GLC on a monthly basis) but I picked up All Star Superman and Superman for All Seasons and really liked them and I've been looking for a good jumping on point for the current Superman books. I take it this is a good spot to get started?Absolutely. You can also start with the book he did with Kurt Busiek, Up, Up and Away. It starts off with Superman de-powered, but it's a good jumping on point too. From there you could pick up later trades by either writer.

Also, what are the opinions on the Geoff Johns run overall? I really love his work Green Lantern. Johns run on Action was surprisingly good. The arcs with Gary Frank compare well with his GL work. Just great stories.

[Gef]

I was really looking forward to this, but I have to say the art is putting me right off immediately. It's terrific and very well drawn and coloured, that's not a problem. But the Christopher Reeve Superman likeness is just creepy as hell. Especially the panels where it looks like an adult Reeve's head is stuck on a child's body.

I realise I'm probably the only Superman fan on the planet who hates the Christopher Reeve movies, so I guess I'll just try and ignore the art and focus on the story!

[daveageallen]

anyone got a scan of the final page that everyone is raving about?!

[Karl O'Neill]

All I can find is the scenes leading up to it.

http://asylums.insanejournal.com/scans_daily/998184.html#cutid1

[StoneGold]

Superman begat Spider-Man which begat X-Men which begat right back to Superman again.

Sounds about right to me.

So if the new origin revolved around Clark getting bitten by a radioactive alien and not stopping Pa Kent's murder, it's OK because the character was created first?

[Maestro]

wasn't it weird how a tornado just popped out of nowhere?

that was pretty weird!

[Karl O'Neill]

Oh, come on, they swiped both Cyclops and Colossus' origins? Look, I'm sure Clark stopped a wheat thresher or two in his time, but stick it together with the glasses, he should be wearing an X on his chest, not an S.

Ah C'mon.

If I was your grandma I would be telling you Pish posh!

These two tiny things and you relate them to stealing x-men characters origins!

Bravo sierra!

[BrightestDay]

Absolutely. You can also start with the book he did with Kurt Busiek, Up, Up and Away. It starts off with Superman de-powered, but it's a good jumping on point too. From there you could pick up later trades by either writer.

Johns run on Action was surprisingly good. The arcs with Gary Frank compare well with his GL work. Just great stories.

Thanks. Looks like I'll be picking this up when I go to my LCS tomorrow.

[mike627]

It was ok but I guess I did not really enjoy it because we all know Superman:SO will be retconned in about a year or so.

[Karl O'Neill]

It was ok but I guess I did not really enjoy it because we all know Superman:SO will be retconned in about a year or so.

Not true.

1) We had the original superman from 1939 up until crisis on infinite earths.

2) Byrne revamped him after that crossover ended.

3) mark waid's story was fun but very odd in parts, I view this as a separate graphic novel, A stand alone tale.

4) Now johns is giving the new revamp after 20 years or so, Because that was when byrne did his story.

[Walter West]

Oh, come on, they swiped both Cyclops and Colossus' origins? Look, I'm sure Clark stopped a wheat thresher or two in his time, but stick it together with the glasses, he should be wearing an X on his chest, not an S.

Perhaps the writer was subconsciously influenced by Clark stopping the wheat thresher in Superman 3? It does seem to be borrowing elements from the movie and tv series.

[Walter West]

Hmmmm.... which Golden Age comic had Clark Kent use super glasses to shield from his heat vision the way Cyclops does it?

I know that in the Bronze Age the glasses allowed him to hypnotize people so that he looked different to them when he was wearing them as Clark than he did when he wasn't wearing them as Superman.

They have used pieces of the spaceship to explain aspects of Superman before...like the piece of mirror from the ship that he used to shave his face when he was a lumberjack during the Conduit storyline.

[Ian J.N.]

They have used pieces of the spaceship to explain aspects of Superman before...like the piece of mirror from the ship that he used to shave his face when he was a lumberjack during the Conduit storyline.
And actually his Pre-Crisis glasses were made from his rocket's windshield (although that was to facilitate). Johns took that idea, combined it with Smallville's heat vision origin, and came up with a wholly reasonable explanation for the nerd glasses. That's largely why the (small) Cyclops parallel doesn't bother me--it's not a lazy ripoff.

[ManofTheAtom]

They have used pieces of the spaceship to explain aspects of Superman before...like the piece of mirror from the ship that he used to shave his face when he was a lumberjack during the Conduit storyline.

Oh,. he did that long before the Conduit arc. He used the piece of the ship because it's the only material he could find that would reflect his heat vision.

Thanks for reminding me about that. though. It makes its use here more consistant with Post Crisis continuity, which is a nice nod.

[ManofTheAtom]

And actually his Pre-Crisis glasses were made from his rocket's windshield (although that was to facilitate). Johns took that idea, combined it with Smallville's heat vision origin, and came up with a wholly reasonable explanation for the nerd glasses. That's largely why the (small) Cyclops parallel doesn't bother me--it's not a lazy ripoff.

Well, it's a clever idea, but it still does come off as a cheap attempt to try to justify putting glasses on Clark when he is a teen.

Even having said that, it is a very clever justification, so it doesn't bother me too much.

[TheBoTT]

I've said it before and i'll say it again, I love Gary Frank working on Superman. I really miss pre-new krypton Johns/Frank's Action Comics.

[Ian J.N.]

3) mark waid's story was fun but very odd in parts, I view this as a separate graphic novel, A stand alone tale.
That's a good way to put it. Mark Waid, aided in no small part by Yu's art, presented Superman as a modern day humanist, and while it was a great interpretation---"fresh" as the kids say--it was idiosyncratic and at odds with super-pets and bottled cities. Had Waid continued writing his Superman in the monthlies as Byrne did, I think his origin would have had staying power. As it was it died on the vine.

Oh well. Time marches on. I love italics.

[Super Buddies Forever]

Well we'll have to agree to disagree. Byrne's version, despite having a few rough spots, still contain my favorite origin elements.

That being said, I didn't hate this like I thought. It wasn't the complete Silver Age/Donner/Smallville lovefest that I feared it would be, and the parts that were were logically built in.

[WorstThingUS]

So if the new origin revolved around Clark getting bitten by a radioactive alien and not stopping Pa Kent's murder, it's OK because the character was created first?

Sorry, but referencing Marvel to everything says more about where your mind is than the creators of the book.

[LtMarvel]

Not true.

1) We had the original superman from 1939 up until crisis on infinite earths.

2) Byrne revamped him after that crossover ended.

3) mark waid's story was fun but very odd in parts, I view this as a separate graphic novel, A stand alone tale.

4) Now johns is giving the new revamp after 20 years or so, Because that was when byrne did his story.
I disagree. Waid's story tried to incorporate some Smallville story. John's story is keeping that vibe. (Behold the power of TV). Waid's is the revamp of Byrne's to reflect TV. John's is...too soon to tell.

[NYGiants167]

Gary Frank's art is excellent and masterful, I can't wait till his next project. Johns does a good job in capturing the spirit and essence of the characters especially Clark and the Kents. When Clark discovers his true origins and when he sees the holographic display of his doomed planet Krypton and his lost parents was also realistic in that he freaked out and traumatic for his character and his sense in the world. I also like the fact that Lana knows Clark has his powers and has saved her multiple times from the machine in the field to the tornado. I can't wait for the Legion, Metropolis, Lois Lane, etc.

[Karl O'Neill]

Sorry, but referencing Marvel to everything says more about where your mind is than the creators of the book.

He does love his Marvel :biggrin: !

[Sanlear]

I can't say enough good things about this issue. Absolutely loved it.

[West Mantooth]

I have to agree. This was pretty spectacular.

I wasn't going to give it a shot since I had read Birthright and liked it, but this was familiar without being repeatitive.

[Mat001]

So this is the new "official" origin for Superman correct? I ask because I'm relatively new to DC (only read Green Lantern and GLC on a monthly basis) but I picked up All Star Superman and Superman for All Seasons and really liked them and I've been looking for a good jumping on point for the current Superman books. I take it this is a good spot to get started?

You should read this, Action Comics Annual #10 and Action Comics #850. The latter two feature the origin of Zod, Ursa and Non and the last days on Krypton. All three are co-written by Geoff Johns. That's why those issues along with Superman Annual #13 which depicted the day the Kents found Clark. The early material not used here.

Also, what are the opinions on the Geoff Johns run overall? I really love his work Green Lantern.

A lot of people liked his run on Action Comics, most notably with "Superman & The Legion Of Super-Heroes", "Up, Up, & Away" and "Brainiac".

That's probably because, other than Rosenbaum, no actor has ever portrayed a definite "Lex in Smallville" version of the character in live action, as is the case with Reeve and Brando.

Only two actors have played Lex in Smallville, haven't they? The guy from Superboy and Rosenbaum in Smallville, right?

Three actors, actually. On Superboy, Scott Wells played Lex in season one, but was let go at the end of the season as part of the big shake up. Sherman Howard joined in season two through season four. To explain the difference in appearence, they wrote an early episode where it was revealed that Lex had a facelift to pass himself off as a scientist to lure Superboy into a deathtrap. Howard was older than Wells. Rosenbaum has played Lex on "Smallville", as we know. Though his stunt double filled in for him last season.

[ManofTheAtom]

Three actors, actually. On Superboy, Scott Wells played Lex in season one, but was let go at the end of the season as part of the big shake up. Sherman Howard joined in season two through season four. To explain the difference in appearence, they wrote an early episode where it was revealed that Lex had a facelift to pass himself off as a scientist to lure Superboy into a deathtrap. Howard was older than Wells. Rosenbaum has played Lex on "Smallville", as we know. Though his stunt double filled in for him last season.

I didn't mention Howard because he wasn't playing Superboy's contemporary, he was playing an adult Lex Luthor.

The changeover from Wells to Howard proves that Lex in Smallville as Clark's contemporary doesn't work.

[bongoes]

And actually his Pre-Crisis glasses were made from his rocket's windshield (although that was to facilitate). Johns took that idea, combined it with Smallville's heat vision origin, and came up with a wholly reasonable explanation for the nerd glasses. That's largely why the (small) Cyclops parallel doesn't bother me--it's not a lazy ripoff.

The pre-crisis version actually had him use the windshield pieces because of the heat generated from his X-ray vision. (I have the pre-crisis origin right in front of me) This is a great mix, still because of his powers but in a way that makes more sense. The Cyclops thing has been there since before Cyclops.

Oh and I loved the last page and the Chloe reference too.

[Super Buddies Forever]

I admit that the thing that won me, a die-hard fan of the Man of Steel concepts (if not the mini-series itself, since I'm more of a fan of the foundation than the execution and the later Triangle years under Jurgens and the rest) was the inclusion of Kenny Braverman. He's been overlooked far too long, especially considering how Smallville never utilized the character and brought Lex back into the Smallville lore.

What I really want to see is a new World Of Krypton mini-series. I'm still curious how all of the various concepts from Byrne's Krypton that are essential to continuity now fit in (Doomsday, the so-called Eradicator sqauds, and even what the birthing matrix now is since it's still tied into Hank Henshaw's origin). Hell, I'd like further elaboration on the various states of Krypton clothing, since all eras are now in continuity.

[bongoes]

Hell, I'd like further elaboration on the various states of Krypton clothing, since all eras are now in continuity.

It's different guilds.

[Ian J.N.]

The pre-crisis version actually had him use the windshield pieces because of the heat generated from his X-ray vision. (I have the pre-crisis origin right in front of me)
I remember it as heat vision in The Superman Story (http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/pre-crisis-reviews/pre-crisis-mmrs-intro.php?topic=c-review-pc-supstory), but we're both probably right. Heat vision, before it was called that, used to be focused x-ray vision.

[Mat001]

I admit that the thing that won me, a die-hard fan of the Man of Steel concepts (if not the mini-series itself, since I'm more of a fan of the foundation than the execution and the later Triangle years under Jurgens and the rest) was the inclusion of Kenny Braverman. He's been overlooked far too long, especially considering how Smallville never utilized the character and brought Lex back into the Smallville lore.

What I really want to see is a new World Of Krypton mini-series. I'm still curious how all of the various concepts from Byrne's Krypton that are essential to continuity now fit in (Doomsday, the so-called Eradicator sqauds, and even what the birthing matrix now is since it's still tied into Hank Henshaw's origin). Hell, I'd like further elaboration on the various states of Krypton clothing, since all eras are now in continuity.

Doomsday is the same as refered to in both the villains files in "Countdown To Final Crisis" and in Acton Comics #871. The only change is that he was intended by Berteron (sp) to be the ultimate weapon and was known as the Doomsday weapon. The Eradicator appears to the be the same according to Superman Annual #14 and "Tales Of The Sinestro Corps Presents: Cyborg-Superman". Instead of the birthing matrix, it was just Clark's ship.

[Duy]

I also want it said that I love Gary Frank's lean Superman, as opposed to the steroid freak we see in most Superman comics today.

[Slaughter]

Instead of the birthing matrix, it was just Clark's ship.

Needs more handwavium. The birthring matrix had Kal-El's DNA. Henshaw's cyborg bodies are clones of Kal-El with cyborg parts. I can't see why a normal ship would contain Kal's DNA.

[Duy]

Needs more handwavium. The birthring matrix had Kal-El's DNA. Henshaw's cyborg bodies are clones of Kal-El with cyborg parts. I can't see why a normal ship would contain Kal's DNA.
The DNA could always be found elsewhere.

[bongoes]

I remember it as heat vision in The Superman Story (http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/pre-crisis-reviews/pre-crisis-mmrs-intro.php?topic=c-review-pc-supstory), but we're both probably right. Heat vision, before it was called that, used to be focused x-ray vision.

Yeah, I have a reprint of his origin from Superman #146 way back in 1961.

[srhanson]

The DNA could always be found elsewhere.

A strand of baby Kal-El's hair from the ship, perhaps. It's not as cool as the leftovers of a genetic matrix, but it could work.

[lawman]

I enjoyed it. Didn't love it, but didn't hate it. To a large extent I'm just grateful that we're finally, after too many years of ambiguity, getting a reasonably definitive take on Superman's origin again.

The art was the unqualified high point (and great coloring, too). Gary Frank has a clean, clear style that really fits this kind of story.

Geoff's storytelling was more of a mixed bag. As everyone has been pointing out, this was a mashup of all kinds of influences... the Byrne version, the Silver Age, and perhaps more significantly the Donner movie(s) and the Smallville TV show. (Of course, Byrne himself drew on the '50s TV series... but I digress.) He blended all these elements in a fairly effective way, but there wasn't really much of anything new here.

Plotwise, this wasn't much to write home about... mostly just a way of working in important bits of exposition. The character notes felt emotionally genuine, though. (And they were also the most evocative of the mass-media sources... this reluctant, unsure Clark was much more like the screen versions than any past comics version.)

Continuity-wise, this doesn't actually seem to change as much of post-Crisis history as some people seem to think. The revised Krypton (not seen here so much as in other comics) is probably the most drastic change, but even so we know that it has to be similar enough to retain the familiar elements of Superman's death-and-resurrection story (Doomsday, Eradicator, etc.) in some fashion. As far as this particular story goes, we see that just as has been the case since the '80s, Clark developed his powers as a teen, and Lana knows his secret from early on (although the exact details differ slightly on both points).

My biggest reservations revolve around Luthor's presence -- I loved the Bryne/Wolfman version, I don't think he belongs in Smallville at all, and I don't much care for the characterization here so far -- and the return of a costumed Superboy (although it's not yet clear how significant that role will be).

Overall, I'd say a B-minus. But that's just a first impression; there are five more issues to go.

[Mat001]

A strand of baby Kal-El's hair from the ship, perhaps. It's not as cool as the leftovers of a genetic matrix, but it could work.

Yep. Hair works just as well for DNA purposes as opposed to a blood and skin cell sample. Action Comics #850 depicts a few strands of hair on Clark's head. We know Kryptonian metal exists alongside Sunstone crystal. So Henshaw is still the same.

As to the outfits, as mentioned their the clothing representative of each guild. Obviously Jor-El, Non and Alura have a choice in what they wear, as their outfits have varied from the Byrne design. But are still Science Guild. They represent the coldness of their Guild, whereas the Artists Guild are exotic looking and rather outlandish. We know that Clark's costume is inspired by a similar costume from said guild.

and the return of a costumed Superboy (although it's not yet clear how significant that role will be)

Johns and Busiek have already told us in previous issues. Clark was Superboy, but he wasn't public in the late 30th century. He was a suburban legend. People had heard of a flying boy, but no one really believed it. When Clark finally goes public it is as Superman. We already know this from "Final Crisis: Legion Of 3 Worlds", Action Comics Annual #10 and Superman #654.

[Alex Dragon]

Over the past five or so years I've watched DC add back elements to the Superman continuity that John Byrne and DC threw out the window with his reimagining of the Superman origin in Man of Steel and the other Superman books being put out at the time. Each time they reintroduce discarded Silver Age concepts back into current continuity, I can't help but shake my head, but I am even more amazed by how much people seem to approve of this.

I knew this was going to happen and I'm surprised most of Byrne's Superman elements lasted as long as they did. Almost from the time Byrne left the book writers have been trying to move back to the original outdated version simply because that was the version they grew up with not because it was better.


Listen, I'm cool with them reintroducing Supergirl, the Phantom Zone villains, and Kandor, but when they start bringing back multi-colored kryptonite and Krypto the Super-Dog, then it just looks like either hacky marketing to get people interested in Superman again or misguided nostalgia because people think that's what made Superman great back in the day. I mean, really - a race of humanoids on another planet I can believe, but the fact that somehow Krypton was able to spawn not only humanoids, but dogs as well? I have no doubt they'll be introducing Streaky, Comet, and Beppo in no time, which would make the odds of both Earth and Krypton having evolved five of the same species astronomical.

It's that bad combination of nostalgia and lack of creativity from many of the writers who wrote Superman stories after the Byrne version. Much of that silver age stuff was goofy and made no sense and that was the reason it was gotten rid of in the first place. Instead of moving foward and coming up with new stuff many writers kept going back to the old stories and rehashing stuff.

I think Byrne did away with lots of the unneccessary and silly elements of the Superman mythos and made the character stronger.

I realize Byrne is seen as callous with his approach to Superman's origin, but I really think just starting over with a clean break was great. Most of this Silver Age stuff was fun at the time, but it's 2009 and it's nonsense at this point.



I think this yet again new retelling of the origin is an okay read but it's just so totally unneccessary. I understand it's an easy sell to fans and it's fun for a writer to tell their version of a classic story but usually with the retelling of Superman's origin the changes are usually so small it's hardly worth telling over in the first place. Byrne's was easily the most radical, took the most chances and in many ways made the most sense. There isn't/wasn't really a need to mess with that version because DC should be more worried about moving foward with the character and getting past...the past.

[ManofTheAtom]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y220/ManofTheAtom/matrixcyborg.jpg

The ship the Cyborg used is still the matrix.

What you should ask is whether or not it's still the same ship that brought Kal-El to Earth.

If it is, then why doesn't the one that appears in 850 the same ship that appears in Tales of the Sinestro Corps_

If it's not, then how did Kal-El's DNA get there?

As for how the DNA could be there if it wasn't the matrix, any explanation they come up with will be lame.

"It's pee!"

"It's hair!"

"It's drool!"

"It's a piece of the cord!"

No matter what the explanation, it'll be a stretch and not as clean as the matrix idea.

[SuperPool]

My issue finally got delivered today, I really liked it. I thought it was a clever way to explain the glasses, that it stops his heat vision, and loved that he wears blue and a red jacket like Smallville. His face is based on Christopher Reeve's by the look of it which is a nice tribute but it did look weird in some panels having Christopher Reeves head on a child's body. Will be getting the next one, and re-reading it tomorrow I think to look for the "Chloe S" mention I heard was in it.

[Ilash]

It's interesting, I think that this is some of Johns' absolute best writing in a good long while but I'm still not convinced that the actual series is really all that neccessary. How many times do we really have to read the same story with only slight variations?

Oh, also, Lex Luthor coming from Smallville is still a freaking moronic idea. Do what you wnat with Byrne's Superman origin but you leave his treatment of Luthor the hell alone!

[Captain Jim]

I agree with everything said by the OP and so many others. Absolutely wonderful issue. I liked Byrne's revamp back in the day, but we've obviously moved a long way from that. I can't imagine anything better for now.

[Kasper Cole]

Was a good issue but I have to reiterate what someone else said about the art. Sometimes Frank draws Clark with this creepy looking grown man head that takes me out of the story at times.

[bongoes]

I think that the main problem in the last decade is that the only story most writers who come on the Superman titles want to tell is the origin...

or having absolutely nothing new to say about the character, as is the case with Busiek, Johns, and Robinson.
They do have new things too say, they've been writing Superman for several years(Robinson and Rucka are still doing new things)and now they're re-telling the origin because it's confusing what as to what actually happened and what didn't. Yes it's needed because of ret-cons, but that happens all the time, especially with Superman.

re-reading it tomorrow I think to look for the "Chloe S" mention I heard was in it.

If you want to know it's on Pete's cast.

[lawman]

Johns and Busiek have already told us in previous issues. Clark was Superboy, but he wasn't public in the late 30th century. He was a suburban legend. People had heard of a flying boy, but no one really believed it. When Clark finally goes public it is as Superman. We already know this from "Final Crisis: Legion Of 3 Worlds", Action Comics Annual #10 and Superman #654.
I take it you meant "late 20th," and if so... yes, but that still leaves things a bit ambiguous. Even in the Byrne version, after all, he traveled the world doing good deeds, which could certainly have led to some "urban legends." But how much did he do in Smallville? Apparently he wore the costume in the Legion era, but to what extent (if at all) did he do so in the 20th century? Did anyone actually use the name "Superboy" for him before his adult debut?

IMHO the less of all this the better; if we must have Lex meeting Clark as a teen, then I'd prefer as little as possible "super" activity that we have to pretend he couldn't make sense of later.

(Interestingly, BTW, Johns seems to have introduced a minor time-loop re: the costume... if Clark didn't like it at first, as shown here, but then met the Legion and was presumably inspired by their costumes... while the Legionnaires themselves were originally inspired by Clark's costume... we have a tidy circle.)

I think this yet again new retelling of the origin is an okay read but it's just so totally unneccessary. I understand it's an easy sell to fans and it's fun for a writer to tell their version of a classic story but usually with the retelling of Superman's origin the changes are usually so small it's hardly worth telling over in the first place. Byrne's was easily the most radical, took the most chances and in many ways made the most sense. There isn't/wasn't really a need to mess with that version because DC should be more worried about moving foward with the character and getting past...the past.
I pretty much agree, except that I wouldn't go so far as to say Byrne's "made the most sense." Making Krypton emotionally cold, having Clark "born" on Earth... these were aesthetic choices, not logical ones, and you can go either way without really damaging future story possibilities. The one big mistake he made, IMHO, was making Clark popular -- a football player, even -- and I can see why writers have been trying to dial back that aspect ever since.

But on the whole, yeah -- no Superboy, corporate Lex, surviving Kents... those were all good moves.

As well-told as Secret Origin seems to be, in the end it's not something new. It's just a puzzle made out of piezes culled from the different versions of Superman that already exist.
I wouldn't be quite so harsh about the recent writers... Busiek in particular really did seem to have some novel ideas about where to take the character, and in particular he wrote the only version of Lois I've found likable in years... but yeah, I agree there's not much that's really "new" in this retelling.

[Seven_Ride]

One issue in, this story works for me because it's structured around the emotional journey of Clark/Superman, rather than a rote retelling of past events for the sake of continuity. Despite fusing and retelling elements of history we've all seen before, Johns hits familiar beats with fresh eyes.

Like For All Seasons, which was more about the character and his world. SO also reminds me of Johns JSofA, with its Rockwell-Americana sensibility.

As for influence and lasting impact, it's a crapshoot. I think it's clear that every 10-20 years there's a need to refine and update these characters. I like Waid's writing, but I think DC sensed early on Birthright wasn't going to stand up as a definitive take on Superman. Whereas Secret Origins has all the makings. So far, at least.

[Munkiman]

I really don't see why people have to be on separate "teams" like this, either pro-Silver Age or pro-progress. What DC is doing is reviving old, cool elements from previous ages, and mixing it in with more modern stuff.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

So if the new origin revolved around Clark getting bitten by a radioactive alien and not stopping Pa Kent's murder, it's OK because the character was created first?

No, that would be radically altering Superman while adding nothing.

Superboy was created by Superman's own creator in 1949. There were plenty of stories about young Clark Kent's mishaps with his various vision powers and saving many damsels in distresses from many pieces of farming machinery. Long before Cyclops or Colossus were thought up.

Art feeds upon itself.

[ManofTheAtom]

No, that would be radically altering Superman while adding nothing.

Superboy was created by Superman's own creator in 1949. There were plenty of stories about young Clark Kent's mishaps with his various vision powers and saving many damsels in distresses from many pieces of farming machinery. Long before Cyclops or Colossus were thought up.

Art feeds upon itself.

The issue is not that simple, if it were there wouldn't be a lawsuit over it.

The Superboy that Siegel created and the Superboy that DC published are not the same Superboy. At the very least they are similar, but not the same (though I haven;t seen a defnite definition of what Siegel's Superboy would have been like, other than he would have been a prankster who used his powers mischeviously).

[srhanson]

Does the costume stretch? Is it made of unstable molecules? No, wait, this is DC, not Marvel.

During the Pre-Crisis years, his Superboy suit was made of a Kryptonian material that would grow with him as he grew into a man.

I hope the suit being made of blankets found in his ship is just for the first incarnation. They can't expect us to believe that Superman only has and only will ever have one suit. I'd like to think that the first one Martha made from Kryptonian cloth is just the template for the suits he'll have to keep remaking throughout his career.

[Inactiveman]

Hmmmm.... which Golden Age comic had Clark Kent use super glasses to shield from his heat vision the way Cyclops does it?

I know that in the Bronze Age the glasses allowed him to hypnotize people so that he looked different to them when he was wearing them as Clark than he did when he wasn't wearing them as Superman.

At one point the glasses were said to have been made from the cockpit of his rocket.

Johns is just bringing this back (and it possibly pre-dates Cyclops), though originally this was just the explanation as to why his glasses didn't melt when using heat vision.

[ManofTheAtom]

At one point the glasses were said to have been made from the cockpit of his rocket.

Johns is just bringing this back (and it possibly pre-dates Cyclops), though originally this was just the explanation as to why his glasses didn't melt when using heat vision.

Convenient.

[Inactiveman]

Another thought:

Traditionally Lana replaced Lois as the inquisitive lady trying to learn his secret identity.

However in Secret Origins this Lana knows he has powers.

Seeing as how it has been hinted that Chloe Sullivan exists in SO, will she replace Lana as the inquisitive girl trying to prove that the mysterious "flying boy" urban legend is true?

[Vigilante Man]

No offense to anyone who likes this series, but it really dosen't interest me. I am a big fan of Birthright and Waid's portrayal of the character and his origin. I grew up on Man of Steel but I ended up liking Birthright even more. It took some of Byrne's concepts and added the Silver and Bronze age aspects that really work as well as mixing in cool new twists. This series has way too many references to the Donner version for me. I think Birthright only had a few. This series is like Donner overload. If I want to see his version I'll just watch the movies. I think it is always good to keep comics and movies separate. Comic writer's are some of the most imaginative people so they should come up with their own new ideas or/and put new spins on old ones. I think this makes for good progression and it can surely make for a great future for the comics industry. It also bother's me when artists draw character's to resemble their film version. Don't you guys think it would be weird if Batman was drawn to look like Bale or Spidey was drawn to look like Maguire? I wish Birthright could have been the new origin for a new continuity but if it had to get the boot in favor of Secret Origin, I would have rather have seem something dramatically different than Secret Origin. It seems like it is a rehash of ideas we've seen many times before. It would have been cool to see a new series that was based on Siegel and Shuster's version but with a modern update. One thing I liked about Birthright is that Waid tried to bring back some of Superman's Golden Age grit and social concerns.

[Sean Whitmore]

Seven pages is a lot better for a thread about a specific issue, I think.

The Pre-versus-Post-Crisis discussion has been moved to its own thread, and anyone who'd like to continue discussing it may do so:

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=288642


SEAN

[Primemao]

Can someone post some scans of the issue? Especially the last page.

http://i37.tinypic.com/nwnbe8.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/14dmute.jpg

[paulski]

Man, looks even better on the screen. :eek:

[dupersuper]

http://i37.tinypic.com/nwnbe8.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/14dmute.jpg

Pretty picture.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

In many ways, this issue is an interesting counterpoint to Byrne's first issue of Man of Steel.

Can anyone post the last two pages of Man of Steel #1 from 1986.

The parallels are interesting, as are the contrasts.

I love that the first shot we see of Clark in the suit, he is embarrassed beyond belief.

[Seraku]

I liked this a lot. personally never finished MoS and I just loved Birthright, not saying this is better, too early to call, but it's off a good start to being able to stand side by side with those stories.

[Will.S]

In many ways, this issue is an interesting counterpoint to Byrne's first issue of Man of Steel.

Can anyone post the last two pages of Man of Steel #1 from 1986.

The parallels are interesting, as are the contrasts.

I love that the first shot we see of Clark in the suit, he is embarrassed beyond belief.
It seems like after Infinite Crisis, Johns and Didio's plan was to seed some things back into Superman's origin and saw a chance to re-establish Clark's connection to the Legion with the little shards seen at the end if IC, the Superman Legion story, and showing Clark's first meeting with the Legion in the next issue.

Byrne's initial reboot didn't include the Legion (that is until a much later time) and Birthright didn't mention them either so it looks like it's re-embracing the Silver Age stuff but just basically updating it for today. I'm generally of two minds with that sort of thing since I wished that they would stop mining the Silver Age stuff and put a more fresh stamp on the book but when it's done this well and the Legion are as well portrayed as they have been it's much harder to criticize.

I have to wonder what else Johns is going to bring back throughout this mini series though.

[Phaedrusnyc]

I don't have any real problems with the comic, itself- it's well-written and somewhat clever. it's just hard for me to get enthusiastic about something that I've seen before, and that serves mainly as a reminder of a direction DC's been going in for five years that I simply don't like.

You're not going to catch me whining about the loss of "my" superman (that would be the guy who showed up after the Crisis, because the time comes for change every decade or so, and I can acknowledge that. But that's precisely why I'm getting increasingly frustrated with DC's nostalgia-centeredness. Like it or not, Man of Steel moved the character forward. It was a genuinely different take on the character, from its depiction of Krypton, to his childhood, to his personality and psychological motivations, to Lex Luthor. Birthright was a lot less progressive, but it was still a new take on the character in the sense that Clark was for the first time estranged from one of his parents and was also being presented in a much more pacifistic, New-Agey, self-doubting light. But this is just another example of the apparent DC mandate to "bring back the Silver Age." It's kind of disheartening.

I would have loved a TRULY "new" origin- and contrary to current arguments, there is still a lot that could have been altered while keeping the core of the character intact. To me, making Superman look like the actor that played him nearly thirty years ago is not "new"- it's just self-referential and nostalgic. Why not make him look like George Reeves, for that matter? Clearly, though, TPTB have no interest in doing so.

[Phaedrusnyc]

Giving Superman back his super-costume is completely unnecessary. And it's going to make it a lot harder to do beefcake shots of him with his clothes half torn.

[Mat001]

It seems like after Infinite Crisis, Johns and Didio's plan was to seed some things back into Superman's origin and saw a chance to re-establish Clark's connection to the Legion with the little shards seen at the end if IC, the Superman Legion story, and showing Clark's first meeting with the Legion in the next issue.

Byrne's initial reboot didn't include the Legion (that is until a much later time) and Birthright didn't mention them either so it looks like it's re-embracing the Silver Age stuff but just basically updating it for today. I'm generally of two minds with that sort of thing since I wished that they would stop mining the Silver Age stuff and put a more fresh stamp on the book but when it's done this well and the Legion are as well portrayed as they have been it's much harder to criticize.

I have to wonder what else Johns is going to bring back throughout this mini series though.

I think Johns is going to do less bringing back and more adding new material as this goes along. Certain story elements will be reused to fit the overall vision, while others will just remain the way they were doing under Byrne and company.

[Will.S]

I think Johns is going to do less bringing back and more adding new material as this goes along. Certain story elements will be reused to fit the overall vision, while others will just remain the way they were doing under Byrne and company.I hope so.

One thing I have to add that I'm surprised Goeff Johns didn't do yet. After having read Steve Gerber's brilliant Phantom Zone mini series, I always thought that Nam-ek would be a great character to tie Doomsday with given how much they share in physical appearance and to some degree their powers of adaptability.

[Seven_Ride]

Like it or not, Man of Steel moved the character forward. It was a genuinely different take on the character, from its depiction of Krypton, to his childhood, to his personality and psychological motivations, to Lex Luthor.At the end of the day, these are details. Important details, yet they change from interpretation to interpretation. It's still the same character and concept regardless of which deatils are presented.

As for moving things "forward". Byrne's reboot also incorporated prior elements from the Golden Age, the Christopher Reeve films, and from other sources as well. It was a synthesis of prior elements with his own stamp on the character. Which was a progressive approach, at least for its time.

And now, so is this.

I would have loved a TRULY "new" origin- and contrary to current arguments, there is still a lot that could have been altered while keeping the core of the character intact. To me, making Superman look like the actor that played him nearly thirty years ago is not "new"- it's just self-referential and nostalgic. Why not make him look like George Reeves, for that matter? Clearly, though, TPTB have no interest in doing so.Probably because the Christopher Reeve Superman film was such a phenomenon, and crystalized a believable, adult Superman for the world. The Donner/Reeve film is just...definitive. In the same way Sean Connery will always be James Bond, despite many other fine interpretations in the last 30 years.

[TJ Shoun]

Did anyone else think Clark came off as a little too whiney, awkward, and annoying?

And that the whole "Awww, shucks" aspect of Clark's family life was a bit overdone and heavy-handed?

I probably should preface that by saying that I love nearly everything Johns writes, and I think Frank's art is amazing. Even Brad Anderson's coloring was beautifully vibrant and captured the essence of Superman's world perfectly.

Still, I felt this first issue was too Mayberry-esque -- to the point of being almost hokey. Even the first few seasons of Smallville the TV show (which I'm not a fan of) didn't depict Jonathon, Martha, and Clark's early years quite so 50's-sitcom-ish.

[bongoes]

Still, I felt this first issue was too Mayberry-esque -- to the point of being almost hokey. Even the first few seasons of Smallville the TV show (which I'm not a fan of) didn't depict Jonathon, Martha, and Clark's early years quite so 50's-sitcom-ish.

Smallville was teen-drama-ish.

[Primemao]

In many ways, this issue is an interesting counterpoint to Byrne's first issue of Man of Steel.

Can anyone post the last two pages of Man of Steel #1 from 1986.

The parallels are interesting, as are the contrasts.

I love that the first shot we see of Clark in the suit, he is embarrassed beyond belief.

http://i38.tinypic.com/2n6c3ye.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/idudf8.jpg

Compare to Superman: Secret Origin #1.

http://i37.tinypic.com/nwnbe8.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/14dmute.jpg