All Star Superman, Vol. 2 (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Frank Quitely (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Morrison, Quitely and Grant conclude their fresh and compelling take on the most iconic superhero in comics. Recently, grittier modern-day reinterpretations of classic characters, set outside normal continuity, have become the popular way to do a limited series such as this one. Morrison's Superman, however, is the same defender of truth, justice and the American way recognizable to generations of comics readers. Now, however, his days are numbered. Slowly dying from overexposure to solar radiation, Superman is faced with the dilemma of how to do the most good in his final days and how to prepare the people and planet he loves to carry on without him. Morrison's feverish style is both a blessing and a curse, as the overwhelming deluge of ideas thrown at the reader confuses even while creating a parallel with Superman's own constant supersensory information overload. Yet Morrison's writing recaptures the sense of simple wonder and virtue essential to a classic Superman tale. Quitely and Grant's art is evocative of the earliest images of the character, a refined evolution of the bright costumes, skylines and chiseled jaws that adds a dignity and humanity to the characters beyond their cartoonish origins. (Feb.)
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* There’s nothing like a cute kid to steal the limelight, which is why W. C. Fields gave Baby Leroy such a hard time. Kochalka’s elder son, Eli, ages two to four in the third collection of dad’s graphic diary, is cuter than most buttons (see the photos on the last two pages to gauge how much), and by Thanksgiving 2007, he had a brother. Stiff competition for Kochalka, whose childlike wonder at and amusement with life and the world make his self-portrayal as an elf, complete with pointy ears and buck teeth that he doesn’t really have, utterly appropriate. So far, he is up to the challenge, though his wife, Amy, seems more ancillary than in previous volumes of his one- to four-panel daily comics, and fatherhood definitely preempts his rock band and his horniness as subject matter (more prominent than before, however, is getting his children’s books published). The color premiered in American Elf, Book 2 (2007) continues to be just about perfect, warm rather than bright, and his draftsmanship’s ballpark resemblance to that of Schulz’s Peanuts remains essential for pointing up the naughtiness that makes Kochalka charming as the dickens, even when the subject matter gets pungently earthy. --Ray Olson

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (February 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401218377
• ISBN-13: 978-1401218379
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,104 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Superman Story You May Ever Want To Read, February 16, 2009

By	Greg Rivera (Miami, Florida, US) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, taken as a whole in its twelve-part entirety, is quite possibly the finest Superman story ever produced. I don't make this statement lightly, as up until now that honor was held by Superman For All Seasons by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, which would make an excellent pre-read before diving into All-Star Superman. But whereas Superman For All Seasons was an intimate character study as seen from four different points of view which served to define the man of steel's identity, and established his purpose for being who he is, All-Star Superman sees that purpose fulfilled in a work that is the most loving and respectful tribute ever created about the greatest and most enduring superhero icon of all time.

Freed from the constraints of the monthly book's regular continuity, Morrison and Quitely have crafted a simply-told tale with complex-yet-never-complicated story elements which work simultaneously on different levels: science-fiction, fantasy, mythological and super-heroic, which we learn is less about Superman's great powers and physical invulnerability than it is about his unwavering belief in humanity's inherent goodness, and how far he is willing to go for his adopted world, even unto his final breath and beat of heart. As I neared the end, I had tears in my eyes, for the emotion and sheer focus that has been poured into this story is palapable, unsparing and clear, unapologetically tugging at our heartstrings without descending into over-sentimentality. Thank you, Misters Morrison and Quitely. Mark Waid caps the introduction to Book 2 stating that he "...Really Has Read Every Superman Story and Never One Better." I agree, unreservedly.

If you ever get to read just one Superman book (and that would be be a sad choice, as there are some other great ones out there, such as the aforementioned Superman For All Seasons, as well as Superman Birthright by Mark Waid and Leinil Yu) make it this one. I have only two minor complaints:

1) DC needs to release the entire twelve-issue story in one volume, maybe an Absolute edition, but preferably a more affordable deluxe edition hardcover or trade paperback, and

2) This story is so good, and so bittersweetly satisfying, I may never want to read another Superman story again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concluding what is single-handedly the best Superman story ever told, February 18, 2009

By	N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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Regardless of what you may think of his work on Final Crisis and Batman R.I.P., there's no denying that Grant Morrison (New X-Men, JLA, Animal Man, Doom Patrol, The Invisibles, The Filth, WE3, and much more) has weaved pure magic with All-Star Superman. Collecting the final six issues of Morrison and artist Frank Quitely's universally acclaimed series, we witness what may be Superman's final moments as he finds his powers fading and his life winding down, but all that doesn't mean too much as all sorts of chaos unfolds around Superman and his supporting cast, especially Lex Luthor, who may be on death-row, but a little thing like that naturally doesn't curtail more fiendish plans. A highlight of this volume finds Superman trapped in an uber-Bizarro world that must be read to be believed, and the book concludes with a showdown that is both startlingly poetic as well as poignant; something which All-Star Superman has been from its first issue onward. Morrison's New X-Men and WE3 collaborator Frank Quitely provides more spectacular artwork that manages to be both subtle and dynamic in scope, presenting a rendering of the DC icon that is a sight to behold. All in all, believe the hype when it comes to All-Star Superman. Grant Morrison has crafted a modern-day classic that captures the spirit and sense of wonder that is supposed to accompany the character, and regardless of whether you are a Superman reader or not, All-Star Superman is something that wholeheartedly deserves every bit of your attention.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid ending., February 19, 2009

By	J. Park (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

All-Star Superman is one of the stronger superhero comics I've read in a while, and the second half does not disappoint. Quitely's art is elegant and Morrison is in top form.