Many graphic novels have attempted to ground in reality the notion of superheroes living in the real world, but very few have done so with such finesse and skill. Named after the famous comics character by his parents, Laura and David Kent, Clark has grown up detached and alienated by his stupid moniker. Then one night, life imitates art and Clark, like the bane of his life, can fly. Suddenly he has superpowers. Suddenly he is Superman! And suddenly the small boy from a small town is thrown into a big, big world that may be far more demanding than even he can handle. Heaped with praise, this new and brilliant alternate reality for the Man of Steel takes all that has gone before, throws it in the blender and creates something beautiful.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Superman's origins have been imagined and reimagined over the years. Here is a new take on the character's roots. Busiek and Immonen start with mild-mannered teen Clark Kent, who, after years of being kidded about his name, suddenly discovers that he has powers like those of his fictional namesake. He feels obligated to use his capabilities for good but realizes that, to live a normal life, he has to operate in secret, performing his superfeats covertly. His precautions prove insufficiently protective, however, and government agents investigating the existence of a real-life superhero have ominous plans for him. Busiek here uses the same trick--setting characters with fantastic powers in a "real-life" world closely resembling that of readers--that has made his Astro City a critical favorite, and Immonen greatly aids him with quietly powerful, realistic artwork. Superman has remained popular for nearly 70 years because of the appeal of having powers "far beyond those of mortal men." Busiek gives us a glimpse of what actually possessing them would probably entail, taking a cue from the contemporary superheroic slogan, "With great power comes great responsibility." Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Review
SFX Magazine Feb 2005: "...moving, smart and stirring."; The Leeds Guide 26th Jan-10th Feb 2005: " ..a fascinating story...Immonen's artwork suits the story perfectly..."
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Let me start by saying that I have never and will probably never read Superman comics. I don't really like Superman as a character that much. Why did I pick this up? I read Busiek's Astro City and enjoyed the human drama approach to his writing in "the tarnished Angel". I see this as somewhat similar in story telling approach. There is a definite melancholy to his writing in Superman SI, but it's not depressing. He talks about mortality, identity, our inherent weaknesses and how this conflicts with our desire to do good. If one needed a movie equivalent I guess you could say it's in the same vein as the Shawshank redemption in tone. The story's greatest strength I believe is it's ability to convey something that we comic book readers have always wanted/day dreamed about/wished for: super powers. What would it be like if suddenly we had super powers like that of Superman? How would we use them? What would happen to us? Unlike many superhero stories, this is grounded in our real world. Not Gotham or Metropolis. And as such we get to see what might happen in the case of powers suddenly thrusted upon us. It's detailed story telling with an emphasis on minutiae that ultimately do make a difference. there isn't a lot of action, so beware if you are expecting a rock 'em, sock 'em Superman. But, I found myself unable to put the book down. And although (as i said before) there is a certain elegy to the story, it's beautifully written and quite uplifting. One of the best "in the life and times of" stories I have ever read. And the artwork is excellent and well suited to the tone of the book.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I just want to say that this is the best graphic novel I've read to date. As stated in the book's excellent intro, it is simply a collection of "stories" rather than a "series" that focuses on more of the reality of being Superman rather than the powers. There are no battles with super villans or anything you're normally used to, however, the book is so good and so well paced that the normalities you may be used to are not even missed. As a matter of fact, it's this aspect that contributes to the masterpiece it is. I usually read through other comics very quickly, one after the other. After reading this one, I just want to sit back and take it in. It truly is that good and deserves to be up there with the best of them. This one is a must have. Own it.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is basically a stand alone story that has no ties whatsoever to the DC Universe or any other superheoes for that matter. It is basically a story of an unfortunate young man in real life who is comically named Clark Kent. He later on discovers that not only does he share the comic book character's name but that he also has superpowers. The story follows Clark from his high school years and concludes with him growing old. The end result is you have a very moving and poignant story. A lot of credit muct be given to the writer Kurt Busiek who writes the entire story from the POV of Clark Kent and writes it in real-time. He manages to draw the readers into his direction of story-telling, so that you eventually stop caring and questioning the whos and whys of Clark's powers. And instead of being concerned with the past, you are eager to follow Clark Kent into the future. This is a surprisingly good story that has nothing to do with Superman and would have worked just as well with anyone names Frogman, Garbageman etc. But naming him Superman, just gives you a hint of familiarity. Do youself a favor and pick this up.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A modern reinvention of a classic.
What if Superman existed in our time and in our modern world?
This comic basically deals with a modern retelling of the Superman story. Read more
This comic basically deals with a modern retelling of the Superman story. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Findedeux
One of my Favorites
This has to be one of my favorite Superman stories. It is an alternate story of the origin and life of Superman. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Steve
Easily one of the best Superman stories ever!
I just recently read Superman Earth one and was struck by the similarities in approach to Kurt Busiek's Superman: Secret Identity. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Merlin63
Now THIS is a re-imagining of Superman!!!
I'm a big Superman fan. I love the mthyos, I love his "do-no-wrong/can not tell a lie" integrity.
But I'm very open to turning my favorite superhero's legend on its ear. Read more
But I'm very open to turning my favorite superhero's legend on its ear. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Tom Reagan
Great art slow plot
This story can easily be done under the AstroCity series. So what is Superman doing in Astrocity?
Published 19 months ago by danny boy
Teh freshest approach yet!
I love Superman and was skeptical about another take on him, but this is the best graphic novel I'v read for a long time. Read more
Published on December 26, 2009 by A. Miller
One Of The Best
This is one of the finest comic series, and graphic novels, I have read. Right there with Batman:Year One. Read more
Published on May 5, 2009 by Richard A Schauer
This book is NOT about having super-powers; it's about LIFE.
What previous reviewers don't seem to have picked up on is the book's THEME. Believe me, I'm no lit-crit guy who goes around looking for the symbolism in everything... Read more
Published on January 9, 2009 by Perry Beider
I Hated It
This is not even the Superman that we all know and love. The character looks nothing like Superman because he's not supposed to be the Superman we know. Read more
Published on November 1, 2008 by dasn0wman
Up, up, and far away one of the most delightful comics ever
"Superman: Secret Identity" was originally published in four issues, running about 48 pages each, from January to April 2004. Read more
Published on August 17, 2008 by Tom Benton
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