A look back at All-Star Superman, the 12 issue series by Grant Morrison And Frank Quitely
In his nearly 90 years of existence Superman has become an American icon. Debuting in 1938 in the pages of Action Comics # 1 by co-creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman quickly became one of the most popular comic book characters of all time. He has been written and drawn by some of the greatest comic creators in history, thousands of issues have been made staring him, he has had movies made about him, cartoons, toys, clothes, lunch boxes and so much more. In the publishing world of comics it seemed they had done everything they could possibly do to a character, kill him, brought him back to life, marry him to his long time girlfriend Lois Lane, change his powers, change his costume, split him into two separate beings and the list goes on and on…
In 2006 the unlikely Superman team of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely redefined the character for a whole new generation. Prior to their run on All Star Superman, Grant and Frank had teamed up numerous times on other projects. One of the most successful and memorable projects they worked on was New X-Men from Marvel Comics. Taking these characters with a rich history and turning the whole thing on its head. It worked! It may have been controversial at times and some fans did hate it, but some absolutely loved it and boy were they sure talking about it!
After their Marvel work finished up, it just so happened that DC was looking for a new line of comics that was easily accessible to new readers yet, still enjoyable for life long diehards. The “All Star” line was that line. Often compared to Marvel’s Ultimate universe, The All Star comics were not bogged down with years of continuity and didn’t have to worry about effecting the rest of the comics DC published. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely had the freedom to create the definitive Superman story.
All Star Superman is a story about Superman’s greatest power, his humanity. This heartfelt tale starts with the revelation that Superman is dying. An interesting concept, what would this larger than life hero do in his final days when faced with his own mortality? Something he has not really had to worry or even think about in the past. Superman goes on a mission to save a group of astronauts that tried to land on the sun. The mission was sabotaged by Lex Luthor, knowing Superman would try to save them.
Superman’s cells get super charged by the exposure to the sun, but it’s too much for him to process. The very source of his power is what begins to kill him. This series introduces to a wonderful character named Dr. Leo Quintum, whom I think is similar to the eccentric Willy Wonka. Superman has about a year to live and Dr. Quintum vows to find a cure. Superman wants to keep his diagnosis a secret as he has some things to do. By the end of issue # 1 Clark Kent reveals to Lois that he is Superman.
A reluctant Lois agrees to go on a date with Superman at the fortress of solitude. I really love these issues, it really shows the creativity of Grant and Frank. Not to mention, the colors on the whole series by Jaime Grant are magnificent. They really set the mood for each scene and the colors just pop off the pages. By the end of issue # 2 Superman gifts Lois her very own Super suit and a potion that gives her powers just like Superman for 24 hours. The ultimate gift to the woman he loves, letting her see the world the way he does. The series is filled with beautiful moments just like this.
Subsequent issues would see Superman battle Atlas and Samson, Jimmy Olson turn into a Doomsday monster, Clark Kent interviewing Lex Luther from prison, witnessing the death of Johnathan Kent, a Bizarro invasion and fighting and saving the replacement Supermen.
In the final issues Lex sits on death row, with three weeks before his execution, Supermen tells him that Lex has won. That he is dying and that there is good in Lex. That he could’ve saved the world. The ever defiant Lex spits in the face of this conversation. As Lex sits in his cell, the dying Superman still manages to visit sick kids at the hospital and finish his last will and testament.
Lex survives and escapes his execution by taking a serum that gives him Superman like powers for 24 hours. Much like the serum that was given to Lois. Lex starts with the destruction of Metropolis and with the help of the artificial sun Solaris, compromises the Earth’s sun turning it red. The red sun weakens an already dying Superman. Superman defeats Solaris, but the toll on his body is too much. Clark Kent makes it to the Daily Bugle and as he is writing his final article about the death of Superman, he dies.
The final issue of this epic sees Superman wake in the afterlife on his home planet Krypton. His father, Jor-El gives Superman the choice, remain in the afterlife or return to earth to defeat Luthor. Superman chooses the latter. Confronting Luthor, Superman hits him with a shot from a gravity gun which wraps time for him. This speeds up the process of having Superman like powers and his abilities begin to fade. In a moment Luthor sees the vision Superman has for the world and cries just before his defeat.
Superman tells Lois that he loves her until the end of time. With only moments left to live he flies off into the middle of the sun restoring it and saving the world.
All Star Superman one of the finest comics ever created. Fascinating story with brilliant art and colors that stay true to the core of this beloved character.
