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

~ (Author), Curt Swan (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An unforgettable hardcover collection of WATCHMEN writer Alan Moore's definitive Superman tales that is sure to appeal of readers of his BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE graphic novel. Moore teams with Curt Swan, the definitive Superman artist from the 1950's through the 1970's, to tell the final adventure of the Man of Steel featuring his last stand against Lex Luthor, Brainiac and his other foes in "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW?". This volume also includes Moore's classic early collaboration with WATCHMEN illustrator Dave Gibbons, "FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING", in which Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman find Superman held captive by the villain Mongul in the Fortress of Solitude and dreaming of an idyllic life on Krypton courtesy of a wish-fulfilling parasitic plant known as the Black Mercy. Both tales are considered two of the top five all-time best Superman stories among fans.

The rare first team-up adventure between the Man of Tomorrow and Swamp Thing, the character that first brought Moore to notoriety in the United States, is included as an additional bonus.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics; Deluxe edition (July 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401223478
• ISBN-13: 978-1401223472
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,068 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:

4.0 out of 5 stars A reprinting of a classic plus some bonus items, August 5, 2009

By	Don from SF "coach41" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

As someone who still has the original issues of the two part "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?", I was a little surprised to see this reprinted in a hardcover edition. The original issues were intended to be the final stories of the "Silver Age" Superman before the comic was rebooted with the six part (which I have also) "Man of Steel" mini-series. Besides this, the hardcover includes two other Superman issues:

Superman Annual #11: "For The Man Who Has Everything"
DC Comics Presents #84 - Superman & Swamp Thing: "The Jungle Line"

I still have the DC Comics Presents #84 issue around the house. I never read the Superman Annual #11. However, the comic was adapted into an episode for the Justice League Unlimited comic series on Cartoon Network.

The main appeal of this release may be for readers like me who read the original releases but may not have the issues around anymore. Newer readers should also find the comics good reads but older readers will likely get much more nostalgia out of this collection.

As someone who has read most of the material, the mix of issues is a little unusual. The only thing tying these issues together is that writer Alan Moore penned these issues. In fact, all of the comics in this release are available in another DC Trade paperback entitled: "DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore". This collection includes other NON-Superman stories that Moore wrote during the 1980's including a Green Lantern tale "Tygers". "Tygers" (among other work by Moore) has been used by current Green Lantern writer Geoff Johns as a spring board for the current Green Lantern mini-series "The Blackest Night".

Despite the fact that none of the stories really have anything to do with each other, the hardcover release of "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow" is solid. The preface gives good insight into how and why "Whatever Ever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow" was written and help newer readers understand the significance of those two particular issues. I recommend checking it out!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unforgettable Superman Event, August 4, 2009

By	D. A. Yurkovich (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Alan Moore's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" story was an instant classic when it was first published. Finally it's given the deluxe hardcover treatment. This is a gem of a story by Moore and artist Curt Swan. Wonderfully illustrated and lavishly written. Man of Tomorrow is easily among my top-10 favorite super-hero comic stories of all time. The bonus stories that round out this tale are nothing shy of perfect. Moore and Gibbons shine in a story originally presented in a DC annual, whilst the Swamp Thing-Superman tale is from the long-running series DC Comics Presents. Can't recommend this book highly enough for Moore and Superman fans alike.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Ever "Imaginary" Superman Story, September 28, 2009

By	Traboulsi Sami (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I did review this story in a previous letter, when i bought this book in his older version. Anyway, i still have the Superman #423 (1986 - last issue) and Action Comics #583 (1986) that hold the story in that time.
I have also, for the record, the first issue of Superman in Arabic, published 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon.
Again, i will say that this was a realy a novel, putting a dramatic end to the more than 40 years of Superman and all his fellows around him.
Enjoy that book, i did.