Customer Reviews

Superman: The Death of Clark Kent

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, sure it ends, but SUPERMAN: THE DEATH OF CLARK KENT is one heck of a tedious read. In Superman's Silver Age adventures, it seemed that every character, hero or villain had some connection to Smallville. Crisis on Infinite Earths did away with this, but now we are presented with Kenny Braverman, former childhood friend of Clark Kent, now his bitter rival. Kenny knows that Clark and Superman are one and the same, and this makes all of Kenny's second-place finishes to Clark that much worse. Through an interesting course of events, Kenny has the ability to emit kryptonite radiation, so he becomes the supervillain Conduit, somehow amassing an army of armored assassins, robot doubles, and spies to destroy the lives of Superman and those he loves. What ensues is a 300-page mindless string of battles, with deceptive outcomes and flimsy twists shoving the story to a conclusion about which I was hard-pressed to care. What's more, throughout the story, Clark doesn't seem to care all that much, either. If Superman's life and loved ones are at risk, then by thunder, have him show a little emotion! As far as Clark knows, Lois has been killed in a collapsing building, but he sure doesn't seem too concerned. He'd rather dance around with numerous robotic doubles of Conduit than actually do something to safeguard the people that mean the most to him... but then I guess no one would be at risk and DC wouldn't have been able to get enough mileage out of this story (again, it's THREE HUNDRED PAGES!!!). The bottom line on the story is that it's lazy, uninspired, turgid writing from Dan Jurgens, Louise Simonson, Karl Kesel, Roger Stern, and David Michelinie. Sturdy art is provided by the standard crew of mid-`90s Superman artists Jurgens, Jon Bogdanove, Stuart Immonen, and Jackson Guice, plus the legendary Gil Kane. So just based on the writing, THE DEATH OF CLARK KENT is the only Superman trade from this period that I can't recommend.

The recent European edition of THE DEATH OF CLARK KENT is a handsome hardcover published by Planeta De Agostini. What makes me wonder is: it boasts 664 pages, more than twice the American edition! Is anyone out there capable of guessing what they could have added? (And no, I'm no fan of THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN, I don't mind the MARRIAGE and am quite in line with the opinions expressed in some of the previous reviews...)

This book is absolutely horrible. I bought it on SALE in a local comic shop and thank God it was discounted! I went home and read it and haven't reread it since. I wouldn't re-open this graphic novel if I was super-bored! This is absolutely the worst Superman trade paperback (well, The Marriage of Superman is also Horrendous) so ONLY buy this if it is discounted. I am not a fan of Dan Jurgen's Superman. He killed Superman, remember? And brought him back. He married Superman. And he killed Clark Kent? Geez, if he's trying to make his mark on Superman, I'd suggest he come up with something creative. Now, he's not the prime writer in this trade paperback, but you can see the indecision around here. There is no unity or solid storytelling with this whole group of writers. Superman never looked so confusing and lost and the writers go off and kill his identity?? This is a major no buy. Buy it if you are a die-hard Superman fan. Buy it if you are missing these issues and cannot find them in the .50 cent bin. Buy this if you are a collector of graphic novels. Buy this if you are curious. But if you are looking for a great read, I'd suggest you look elsewhere (ie, anything NON-Dan Jurgens)

After killing Superman and before marrying him, what else could Dan Jurgens do? Kill Supes' human alter ego that's what! The Death of Clark Kent finds the Man of Steel under siege by Conduit; a super villain who emits Kryptonite radiation. Back in the day, Clark and Conduit, AKA Kenny Braverman, were friends, but poor old Kenny got tired of always being second fiddle to Clark, so he devises a plot (if that's what you want to call it) to ruin Clark's life. Whether that means killing his beloved Lois, his parents in Smallville, or anyone else associated with him. And even though Clark gets notes and messages saying "I Know", he doesn't seem too concerned with any of this; even when Lois goes missing and is presumed dead. Yeah, as you can tell by now by reading that synopsis, Death of Clark Kent is far from the best Superman title you'll read. Like he did with the Death of Superman trilogy trades, Jurgens has a cadre of writers and artists here like veteran Roger Stern and Karl Kesel; which explains the inconsistent tone present throughout the story and art. Not to mention that the overall tone of the story doesn't grip you whatsoever. We know that no matter what, Superman will come out on top and everything will be okay. The one good thing to say about Jurgens' Death of Superman books was that at least they are gripping. This TPB on the other hand, is about as far from gripping as it could get. For completests only; there are far more better Superman collections out there that are more worth your time and cash.

This is a great story because in this book, there is a new twist. Clark Kent's old rivle in school- Kenny Braverman a.k.a. Conduit, finds out Kent and Earth's Greatest hero- the big S are really the same people. This book is a spelbounding comic book collection that fetures Mettalo, Captain Marvel, and Martha and Johnathon Kent. A must-buy for anyone.

I loved this comic, not really being a fan of the Superman comics - but more of the Lois & Clark - I have to say I loved this book. A Must buy.

Now don't get me wrong. It was as enjoyable as any other mediocre comic book, but not worth the money. Read the 'Death of Superman' et al series if you really want to see Clark die! ...and die he does!

Don't get me wrong; I love the TPB. The only thing is that it left too many questions unanswered. Q1: What happened to Jimmy? His kidnapping was never resolved. Q2: Who was that guy that looked a lot like Conduit that we see in the comic after Braverman's death?

OK. Not that many questions. But I think I've cracked the shell. If there's one thing I don't like it's open endings. I know the Luthor bit at the end make it open, too, but that I can accept.

Other than these things, the comic was great.