Superman: Last Son of Krypton (Action Comics (1938-2011))

So many dismiss Superman as a character impossible to relate to. Common arguments are 'he's too powerful,' 'he's not as cool as Batman,' or 'he's boring.' As much as these statements irk me, everyone is, of course, entitled to their own opinion. I believe that many of the people who feel this way have never read a Superman story which counters these arguments. This book does. This is one of the greatest, most humanizing, engaging Superman stories ever, and it may also be one of the most underrated.Firstly, the art caught my eye. Kubert's work is pleasing, not outstanding, but certainly enjoyable. He is able to capture the power of Superman and Zod, and renders character expression reasonably well. Perhaps the most glaring detraction of Kubert's work is the noticeable differences of quality between panels. Certain places and characters are drawn with exceptional detail and depth at certain points, while later on they seem cartoonish by comparison. What also hurts Kubert's art is the second act of this collection, which is penciled by Gary Frank. Frank's work is astounding. His Superman resembles Christopher Reeve, and looks every bit as heroic as he should. The skill he demonstrates at drawing facial expression may be unmatched. The reader is never in doubt about how a character is feeling. Frank is able to capture triumph and tragedy that can only be expressed through picture. The only con regarding Frank's work is that there is not nearly enough.The writing is superb. Donner and Johns together are able to craft a powerful story that ultimately levels two huge blows to Superman's life. The dialogue is fantastic and the exposition insightful. While this may not be Johns' most groundbreaking work, it is some of his most enjoyable. This book offers an established Superman, one at the peak of his abilities, who still faces convincingly tough opponents. Lois is given numerous points of good dialogue, and she never appears as a damsel in distress. Donner and Johns utilize her character as a protagonist, not a plot point.If someone ever complains that 'there are no good Superman stories,' have them read this. The book never gets boring, it was never a struggle to get through, and the ending is tragic gold. Is it worth the price? Unquestionably.

Well, first of all, I tend to purchase these series in the collector hardback (or paperback)version, so I will review this item alone without consideration to how it stands with other comic storylines. Although I may venture into comparing it (since it is from Richard Donner) to Superman and Superman II, and possibly Superman Returns.The artwork in graphic novels draws me in, and this book proved no exception. The colors recapture the "Superman feel," and the panels remind me of a movie storyboard. Donner and Johns get back to the Superman of the first two movies, and I know I'm not the first to suggest that this felt like a Superman III.Elements of the Superman mythology such as the Phantom Zone, Jor-El, Mon-El, and even Kryptonian history are given a tweaking and reintroduced in ways that renew one's interest in the original cinematic storylines. You should go see the Donner version of Superman II to understand more of what goes on in these books and of the personalities given to the main three Phantom Zone criminals.I didn't like Superman Returns, and felt that the "Superkid" storyline should have been left out altogether. This book gives to me a more plausible version of how there could be a Superkid, and of how he could fit into Superman's universe. I thought that the Superkid idea could have worked in Superman Returns based on the Donner version of Superman II, but the version people saw in the theaters had Superman sleeping with Lois AFTER his powers were removed, thus causing (to me, anyway) some confusion as to how she could've had a child with powers.All in all, a terrific read that stands out, too, for an interesting chapter to be viewed with the included 3D glasses. I wish Richard Donner had made more good Superman movies, but at least he graced us with another good story about the Man of Steel. Enjoy!

IMPORTANT FOR SUPERMAN WORLD

Boas e divertidas histórias. Ótimos desenhos. Tem que ser lido em smartphones por causa das cores, muito importantes para as histórias.

Ero alla ricerca di un fumetto di Superman per un progetto grafico.E' a dir poco stupendo in quanto raffigura Cristhoper ReeveUna vera chicca

Grest quality and my personal favorite superman story

I picked this up first because of the Brainiac storyline - the drawings are a tribute to Christopher Reeve. The storyline is wonderful and smart.Last Son expands on one's knowledge of Zod and you get a deeper sense of Superman's caring feelings for those vulnerable around him.Beautiful and a wonder to read.