Superman for All Seasons [Paperback]

Jeph Loeb (Author), Tim Sale (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Superman (DC Comics) | Publication Date: October 1, 2002

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Recounts some of Superman's earliest adventures including leaving Smallville for Metropolis and battling his enemy, Lex Luthor. Reprint.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeph Loeb is a screenwriter/producer, and Tim Sale is an acclaimed artist. Their credits together include the award-winning Batman: The Long Halloween and its sequel, Dark Victory. More recently, they have collaborated on Daredevil: Yellow and Spider-Man: Blue for Marvel Comics, with The Hulk: Gray planned for the forthcoming year. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics; Reprint edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563895293
• ISBN-13: 978-1563895296
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.4 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent, September 9, 2001

By 

Hassan Galadari (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Superman for All Seasons (Hardcover)

When Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale come together, they create magic. Both creators have callaborated time and time again and every time they do so, the work becomes legendary in the comic book hallowed mythos. Though most of their work has been with the Batman character, this Superman story shines like nothing else.

The poignant story showcases Supes in the four seasons of the year,with each one season narrated by one of the many supporting characters. The differing perespective is not only seen with the style of writing, but also the lettering, the coloring and the art. Superman's origin has always been very well established and has been revisited many many times. With this work, however, Loeb revisits Supes and makes us look at his upbringing through the years and how he established the values that makes him the man he is today. For the first time, we look at Supes during his teen years and feel the angst when his powers slowly start to come through. We fall in love when he does the same, and feel our heart break when his heart is broken. Loeb can be funny and he deals with that side of the character truthfully. It was after this rendition of Supes that Loeb was finally given the helm of the monthly Superman comic.

When it comes to art, Tim Sale is the man you would want to feast your eyes on his work. His basic pencils and inks flourish even more when you look into how the way he draws human emotion. His work can be sexy, especially noticed with the introduction of one hot Lois Lane. No wonder Superman falls in love with her and eventually gets married to the woman. She really is a presence.

Through it all, Superman for All Seasons is one heckuva good read. The hardcover format give it an even richer, more hansome feel to it. Loeb and Sale are the dream team. Working so well together that comic publishers just can't get enough of them. Which is a good thing, really. It leaves us readers feel great, truly enjoying the story and all its contents.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superman for Non-Superman Fan or Superman: Year 1, October 16, 2000

By 

Britt Schramm "Comic Book Columnist" (Reston, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Superman for All Seasons (Hardcover)

While I am not a tremendous fan of the man in blue, I was taken aback by this tale of how Superman first started out (through the eyes of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale). Unlike their earlier collaborations in the Batman mythos (The Long Halloween, Dark Victory) which further perpetuated the dark isolation of Dark Knight's dedicated vigil, this story actually gives Superman a sprawling landscape and a sense of humanity that was not normally found in the regular series. Loeb, now writing for one of Superman's regular titles, showed great care in handling a pop icon and allowing him to show his faults (awkwardness, naivete, even brooding). Loeb also gives the inklings of a little romance for the Man of Steel. Tim Sale's work fits Loeb's words like hand in glove as he exhibits an adaptive quality. The scenery is beautiful and the characters look friendlier versus the dark claustrophobic view of Gotham and the sinister scowls of the Batman cast. If you haven't read it, give this funny book a try. You might like it, even if you're not a Superman fan.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Kent Goes to Metropolis, April 23, 2002

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Superman for All Seasons (Hardcover)

"Superman for All Seasons" is a comic book as directed by Frank Capra. Smallville is an easy swap for Bedford Falls, and the Kents could easily be the steadfast Bailys. (In a direct homage, Pete Ross says "I wish I had a million dollars!" at the soda fountain.)

It's a good fit. Jeph Loeb captures the 1940's idealistic dream of the 1930's perfectly, while still managing to set the series in modern times. Lex Luthor makes a nice glowering Mr. Potter, greedily lusting after the only thing his money can't buy. This optimistic writing style comes as quite a surprise from the pen of a writer most known for giving us the darkest side of Batman.

Keeping with the theme, Tim Sale borrows heavily from the Fleischer Superman cartoons of the early 1940's including a brilliant adaptation of the Fleischer's flying effect for Superman. The art is very stylized, and suits the story. Superman is huge, in the way that a big brother is huge to a small child. His size is comforting, rather than intimidating.

There are few comics that deserve the hardback format. "Superman for All Seasons" is one of them.