Is All-Star Superman..

[FailureByDesign]

..an essential DC purchase, what with its success and being one of the best superman stories around?

[dumbstruck]

That depends on you. Personally I hated it and dropped it after the third issue.

[Darrell D.]

I would recommend it. It encompasses the myth and wonder of Superman, and is brilliant in its execution.

[NickFury90]

Its my favorite comic book of all-time. Period.

That said, there is a Superman Suggestion thread at the top to avoid these kind of threads.

[Mat001]

It is for newcommers who aren't familar with the Superman lore, they can get the basics in 12 issues.

[Flash's Lightning]

It's a very interesting story that introduces the Superman mythos in a "breath-of-fresh-air" way, in that we are introduced to the elements necessary to the mythology, but without any of the continuity or excess baggage.

Main characters are full of energy, and personality; even secondary characters like Jimmie Olsen are given a classic blast of energy to their person. Storylines are contained in each issue and yet still continue into the next, giving the feel of completeness while still leading into the next.

The affect is to deliver a self-contained, high energy, science fiction based story, that feels important, though really it isn't, in the grand scheme of "continuity".

If that's your cup of tea, then yes, it is what you describe it as. If not, then avoid it. It's very much a story people love or hate, with no middle ground.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

While the earliest installments are nice, my personal impression reading the book during it's run was that it got even better as went along.

[MythicBrawn]

I wouldn't say it's an essential purchase. I still don't see what was so special about it.

[FlyingFox]

That depends on you. Personally I hated it and dropped it after the third issue.

Second for me!

[Bodhi M.]

I read the first issue, but was severely underwhelmed, and never went back to it. Maybe I'll have to give the whole thing a try some time in the future, but I don't really care for Morrison's writing, so that will likely be far into the future.

[Action Ace]

Essential and brilliant.

If Black Lantern Curt Swan could just redraw the whole thing, it would be perfect.

[Karl O'Neill]

Excellent excellent comic.

Go buy it or else!

[The Batman]

It's only an essential purchase if you're the type of person that loves great superhero comics.

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

It's the best thing written for mainstream comics this decade.

[Hullababy]

All Star Superman is effing brilliant. Its the best Superman story I have ever read.