greatest Superman story

[datsyuk]

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Agree or disagree and why?

[davids]

you know a story is great when other people start ripping off parts for there own tales. Exsample, end of man of what ever, and bad act of god. Lois and clark and their baby son, act, clark and diana and their baby son.

The other kingdom come, see what happens to the world when superman, gives up and sulks as an exile!

[Josh]

I'm not sure that's THE greatest Superman story, simply because it's not REALLY a Superman story; it was an "imaginary stories" and the disclaimer "aren't they all?" aside, it's just easier to tell a GREAT story when you're disregarding what will come in the future. I could write an AMAZING story where Superman effectively "died" too, but then it would be the end of that Superman. That's why I have to give the title of "Greatest Superman Story" to Superman For All Seasons which fit into a pre-existing story and era and made Superman even more human and relatable and loveable. The story wasn't on the same scale as Whatever Happened... but it really defined Superman in an era (1998) when the mainstream Superman comics focused on everything EXCEPT Superman.

[dancj]

SO basically you're saying that because it's out of continuity it's not a real Superman story? That line of thinking is so strange that I don't even know how to argue against it.

I'd say Whatever Happenned to the Man of Tomorrow is by far the best Superman story I've read. A Superman for All Seasons isn't close (though the art is lovely)

[hondobrode]

There have been tons of good Superman stories over the years. I guess it depends on which Superman we are talking about too. My fav was years ago when Superman was on that exile to outer space and kind of went religiously Kryptonian for a while by Jurgens, Perez, Stern, Ordway, etc.

[Lurker]

SO basically you're saying that because it's out of continuity it's not a real Superman story? That line of thinking is so strange that I don't even know how to argue against it.

I interpreted his/her statement to mean that the type of story "Whatever happened to the Man of Tomorrow" represented disqualified itself from Jack Knight's own personal criteria.

[Supermancho]

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Agree or disagree and why?

Very good story. One of the greatest. But I'd put first "For the man who has everything".

[JCAll]

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Agree or disagree and why?

Disagree. Because "For The Man Who Has Everything" was better.
And this from a man that loathes Alan Moore.

[Adaptoid]

I'm going to say it was the "For the Man Who Has Everything", but I say the TV/Animated adaptation of it was better than the original that appeared in Superman Annual long ago.

[datriadx18]

Kingdom Come... but that wasnt actually a superman story was it?
What's so funny about truth Justice and the American way stands out for me.
I also liked the whole secret identity thing, i thought that was a rather unique slant on superman

[Kid Kyoto]

Kingdom Come... but that wasnt actually a superman story was it?
What's so funny about truth Justice and the American way stands out for me.
I also liked the whole secret identity thing, i thought that was a rather unique slant on superman

Kingdom Come was my first thought too. Yes it was a huge mega thing with everyone in the world but in the end Superman is the protagenist and the center of the action.

Man of Steel by Byrne also comes to mind, that was the first time i really liked Superman.

[Supermancho]

I'm going to say it was the "For the Man Who Has Everything", but I say the TV/Animated adaptation of it was better than the original that appeared in Superman Annual long ago.

Not better for me but that chapter of Justice League is my favorite.

http://www.yelims.com/IPB/Invision-Board-France-234.gif

[pauwoo]

Last son of krypton by Elliot S Maggin - loads of fun, some great moments and nods to the past, the best depiction of Lex ever.

[dancj]

Last son of krypton by Elliot S Maggin - loads of fun, some great moments and nods to the past, the best depiction of Lex ever.
I've just been on holiday and that was in my pile of books to read, but it didn't quite reach the top.

[Cicero]

My favorite Superman comics stories:

1. Kingdom Come
2. Red Son
3. Something very good which I can't seem to remember


I didn't really care for either of Alan Moore's famous Superman stories, but that could be my general dislike of Alan Moore's stories. Aside from Watchmen, which really could have used editorial focusing, but which I loved, I haven't liked any of his comics work. The film version of V For Vendetta was brilliant, though, and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was kind of fun. Really, I don't seem to like the postwar British comics style generally.

Edit: I should note that I really enjoyed the Ultimate work of both Ellis and Millar, as well as Ellis's Planetary and, as noted above, Millar's Superman: Red Son.

[maraxus60]

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow
For the Man Who has Everything
Red Son

in that order.
They are all stories that show the uniqueness of Superman and how IF a writer is on his game they can produce a story that makes Superman little more human as opposed to this big, scary, god like character that in and of hisself is nothing more than a plot device.

[MaxofSteel]

as opposed to this big, scary, god like character that in and of hisself is nothing more than a plot device.

I disagree with this statement. A godlike Superman can be interesting, if not more so than a human Superman IMO. But a balance of the two is necessary as well.

[Dr. Mid-Nite III]

Number 6 of All-Star Superman, for me.

Close second: For The Man Who Has Everything.

[captainsneverdead]

The All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison. Excellent across the board. I picked up both the issues and the hardcover I loved the run that much.

[MaxofSteel]

The All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison. Excellent across the board. I picked up both the issues and the hardcover I loved the run that much.

I may do that too. I've been itching to get the hardcover for this.

[Dr. Mid-Nite III]

I may do that too. I've been itching to get the hardcover for this.

I have the single issues, now I wait for an Absolute Edition. It will come, sooner or later...

[jesse_custer]

Of course I love Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? and For the Man Who Has Everything.

John Byrne's Man of Steel miniseries is also awesome.

[dupersuper]

I agree with all the stories mentioned so far, and, off the top of my head, I'll add Superman Adventures 11&12.

[TROUBLEZ]

I didn't like "Whatever Happened..."

It had it's moments like when Supergirl asked Superman if she grows up to be pretty and Superman not having the heart to tell her she dies in the future.
Or when it's revealed that Myztplk is the true mastermind, and he actually looks evil.
And also when Superman goes into the gold-kryptonite vault, and says "even a Superman can't kill."

Aside from that, too many deaths, not that great of a battle considering he's fricking Superman, the ending with a Superman in mustache disguise was a bad note to leave off on...

It's a fun read, because usually I imagined Pre-Crisis Superman stories to be bland, but IMO far from the greatest. "For the Man Who Has Everything" is more enjoyable but in a different way. It's not as shocking as "Whatever..." but works really well as a good self contained story. When Kal-El tells his son what he's thinking as the world around them is vanishing is pretty sad.

I haven't read a whole lot of Superman stories, but from what I've read here's my opinion of greatest:

1) All-Star Superman #6. Very iconic looking cover, great art, good story, sad but positive, some twists, the death of a someone important, the Smallville Superboy days, all in one comic. Probably the most perfect single issue of Superman I've read.

2) Red Son. First off, the fresh new take on Superman was really great, but also the battles were good, this Lex Luthor seemed a very worthy opponent to Superman, the art was great, and even though Superman is the villain in this book (not because of his allegiance to a different country but because he has people lobotomized) he has some touching moments in dialogue. Like his last words to Luthor.

3)Adventures of Super-man #500. I really liked Superman's father Pa Kent trying to bring back his son from death. With that said, I didn't like the Death of Superman or the Reign of Superman that much

?) Supreme - Story of the Year. This story made me like the classic/Silver Age Superman. In fact I would place it as number one, but Alan Moore had the advantage of making Supreme very, very similar to the SA Superman and yet added his own really unique touches. And most of those touches add to the greatness of that story.

[nuclearman]

... I don't mind all the stories mentioned but my favorite superman tale is Superman 2 the movie ... I just loved Terence Stamp as General Zod and the whole Superman getting his powers back and kicking their backsides was great ... - there are many flaws but as it got me into reading superman comics I can still watch it today ... look out for Harry Potter's uncle dropping the hydrogen bomb ...:eek:

... I didn't mind "For Tomorrow" either ..

[NotSuper]

"For the Man Who Has Everything," followed closely be "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?".

However, at the rate it's going, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN might actually be able to surpass them. Maybe.

Honorable mentions: both Maggin novels, KINGDOM COME, and SUPREME.

[Trey]

"For the Man Who Has Everything," followed closely be "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?".

However, at the rate it's going, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN might actually be able to surpass them. Maybe.

Honorable mentions: both Maggin novels, KINGDOM COME, and SUPREME.

Well it has one issue left, and the best Superman story i've read. Why? The art puts it over the top.

[Froggy]

i gues i'm the only kid who liked action comics 775

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

i gues i'm the only kid who liked action comics 775

No, that's a fave of mine. Next up would be Moore's stories (except maybe the "The Jungle Line" Swamp Thing team-up, which feels more 'honorable mention' to me); the Hitman guest-shot, "Of Thee I Sing"; the Lex Luthor one-shot in the Jurgens run*; and a lot of All-Star (the trip to Bizarro World, Clark & Lex in prison, his last will and testament).

*perhaps the only 'Minty Fresh Superman' issue that I'll shout from the rooftops that I own.

[stealthwise]

All-Star Superman. Unless the last issue really blows it, the entire story is brilliant. Likely the best Superman stuff ever.

[Beta Ray Bill]

Superman #149 is, I think, the greatest Superman story ever. It's one of those “Imaginary Stories" that Mort Weisinger was so fond of at that time. It is even written by the co-creator of the Man of Steel himself, the great Jerry Siegel. I don't want to spoil it so I won't go into any details here but if you wanted to check it out for yourself it should be in the Showcase Presents Superman Volume three. At least I think it should, seeing where Vol. 2 left off.