Customer Reviews

Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (Superman)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So, I gave this book five stars, but I have a very important stipulation to go with that rating: Be sure which Superman you are a fan of. Here's the deal - Alan Moore is my favorite author of all time, heck, my favorite artist of all time - in any medium. That's quite an accomplishment. Moreover, this is a story that Moore felt so impassioned about that when he first heard the concept, he (or so I'm told) lept up and demanded that he be the one to write it. Again quite impressive. And while this is not his greatest work (go read Watchmen or Promethea for that) it definately is Moore quality writing. However, if you are not a fan of that age of comics, you will not fully appreciate this story no matter how fantastic the writing is. An example: as I described this book to a friend of mine he grew very excited about reading it - until I got to the part about Krypto the Superdog (who does make an apperance). At the mention of Krypto, my friend adamantly refused to read this book, and honestly I can't blame him. Krypto is from a different age of comics which, if you can't appreciate, you can't appreciate. That being said, this book works as an incredible eulogy for an age of comics now forever gone. If you miss that age, this book is for you. If you're glad it is gone and wish it had never existed - you will not like this book. Personally, I loved it :)

This is a collection of the final Pre-Crisis issues of "Action Comics" and "Superman". It's an "imaginary story" (meaning it wasn't canon) that takes place after the Crisis on Infinite Earths but without the revamp by John Byrne. It includes many of Superman's friends and enemies. I won't spoil the plot, but it's a very moving story, and a few good guys and bad guys get killed. Remember, though, it's not an official story. There's a very touching scene between Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes when the Legion arrives in the present with Kara (Supergirl), who had died in the Crisis. The covers are included, and there's a nice written introduction. Even though it never was canon, it's a very nice story and should be in every Superman fan's collection.

One of the troubles I find in reading highly regarded works such as this one is that all the praise sets up incredibly high expectations that are often impossible to live up to and often leave the reader (or viewer) disappointed. However in the case of Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow had no such preconceived notions. For while I had heard of Alan Moore's sterling reputation, influential work (and his impressively long beard,) I had never read any of it or heard about this little gem until I started reading it in local comic shop. I was riveted from the first few pages. Though I thought (and still think) 6 bucks is a rather hefty sum for a reprint of just two comic books, this comic is one of the most brilliantly done superman stories ever.

Upon my first reading I knew very little about pre-crisis Superman history, but more manages to make even an unfamiliar read learn it quite quickly and even come to appreciate it. Moreover the book manages to evoke all the huge "It's all coming to an end" feelings one gets during high school or college graduation.

In this tale we learn the final fates of Bizzaro, Luthor, Jimmy Olson, and all the other key players of the Superman mythos and the identity of the Man of Steel's greatest foe. I won't give, but I will tell one thing: it ain't Luthor! This story is considered an "Imaginary Tale", yet because all Pre-Crisis Superman was wiped out anyway one could easily "count" it and thus accept the final story in the huge cannon of superman stories. Although many of the Pre-Crisis superman stories that I have read were rather childish and the whole Superboy bit seems rather silly to me, this story makes appreciate many aspects of the old mythos and makes one wonder if there wasn't some better alternative to just erasing decades worth of stories.

A note on where in continuity this story fits even though it's not considered as such: After the Crisis the old continuities still remained intact. The John Byrne revamp did not occur until several months after "Crisis". This is why Superman is able to refer to Supergirl's death in the story, because it takes place after "Crisis" but before Byrne's revamp.

This is a truly magnificent work and I recommend every one to go out and buy it as soon as possible!

Before the infamous Death of Superman hit, legendary writer Alan Moore (Watchmen, From Hell, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) was enlisted to write this final tale of the original pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths Superman. Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow is a mroe satisfying, fitting, and touching end of Superman as we see the hero pushed to his limits when the whole world is seemingly against him. He faces off against a plethora of his old enemies including Bizarro, Brainiac, Lex Luthor, and a surprise villian who is pulling all the strings. The art by Curt Swan and George Perez is superb, and Moore's writing is some of the best that ever hit the Man of Tomorrow. All in all, even though it is a bit short, I strongly suggest tracking this down; you won't be disappointed.

Perhaps the most wonderful period of Superman stories were in the silver ages (1971-1986), very fine arts, classic stories, and piece of greatness.
Julius Schvarts editing was the best, the modern arts and stories that came after were less beauty.
This novel,maybe the best "imagining" story ever published, for me, the best story for me was "the final days of Lois and Lana". I remember that i was so sad in the end of this story, almost pay a tear,and that's for two things, the story itself, and knowing that DC comics will stop publishing the silver age books, and start their what they called "Modern books".
It, for me, looked like that Superman really dead, reviewing all the wonderful stories were told in the seventies and the first part of the eighties, any way, Every golden period has an end.
Enjoy reading that book, a Novel believe me, under the editing of the greatest, Julius Schvartes.

For those of you who might be interested, this same story is also in "DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore", which you might possibly prefer instead, as it includes additonal material, including Moore's classic Batman-Joker story, "The Killing Joke".

Even people who have never read a comic book have heard of the Death of Superman series where Superman fights Doomsday and wins, but dies and of course, several months later, is brought back to life. However, few have heard of this "death of Superman" story. This is the story of the Superman that no longer existed after Crisis; this is the story of the original Superman, the Man of Tomorrow and how he died. The illustrations are a par above the norm and contain within them the melancholy of the tale. The writing is superb, carrying with it a ton of emotion that swells and builds until the unexpected conclusion at the end. Many characters are brought into play and all loose ends are tied up. It's a great story and a fitting final tribute to the original Superman.

I admit that I'm not the biggest superman fan in the world. But this story is probably going to make me one. Alan Moore writes one hell of a story. Superman is pushed to his limits, played with. We get to see so many things that we could never usually see. Basically, it's a great cheap book, make sure you read it.

I grew up on the 1970's Superman and it all seems very nostalgic now. He seemed so good and all powerful. Compared to the more 'down to Earth' Marvel characters, he appeared quite boring to most of my friends. To me, though, he was always my favorite. This final story is a touching look at what might have happened. It is a final bow for the Superman up til that time, a fitting tribute to the great mythical character of America, as intriguing and wondrous as any in Greek or Roman mythology. It is very inexpensive and worth the cost. If you can get a copy, read it and enjoy it. You wont regret a moment.

This is another book review by Wolfie and Kansas, the boonie dogs from Toto, Guam. When DC Comics decided to erase about 50 years of continuity with the Crisis on Infinite Earths, it was decided to at least have some closure to the original Superman legend. "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow" reveals the final fate of the original, pre-Crisis Superman. . . . Of course, the highlight of this graphic novel is the return of Krypto the Superdog. Just as we like to leave our yard every now and then to roam around Toto and chase cars, Krypto had left Earth to roam around the galaxy and chase flying saucers. Krypto returns to aid Superman in the latter's greatest crisis. In one particulary poignant moment in mid-story, when Superman needs to be alone with his best and most trusted friend to mourn the deaths of Pete Ross and others and contemplate the coming showdown with the remaining supervillians, the Man of Steel is shown in a full-page panel alone with Krypto, not Lois Lane or Jimmy Olsen. During the final assault on Superman's Fortress of Solitude, the Kryptonite Man breaches the Fortress defenses and is searching for Superman to finish him off. The day is saved by Krypto, who basically turns the Kryptonite Man into a large lump of green, glowing Alpo. Alas, as a result, Krypto dies of kryptonite food poisoning. We think this would have been a happier book if the roles had been reversed, and the noncanine superbeing of primate derivation had been the one to make the ultimate sacrifice, in order to save the dog. Nonetheless, the Krypto-Kryptonite Man showdown is inspiring. . . . This book does not reach the literary heights of Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns". This is because the writer, Alan Moore, who did reach such heights in "Watchmen", is in this case working within Silver Age conventions, rather than trying to stretch or shatter them. This is a superb graphic novel given its purpose and self-imposed limits. "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" is a must-have item for any serious comic collector, and for anyone who grew up reading Superman comics in the 1940's, '50's, '60's or '70's