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Superior #1-7
Superior
Simon Pooni had it all going for him - plenty of friends at school and good looks, and his coach called him one of the most talented basketball players he's ever seen. But that was when he could still move his legs. Now, he's living with multiple sclerosis, missing all the little things he used to take for granted, and escaping into the world of movies and comics with his best friend. Then...SUPERIOR entered his life. It's the newest smash super-hero comic from Mark Millar and SECRET INVASION artist Leinil Francis Yu!
Collecting SUPERIOR #1-7
Collecting SUPERIOR #1-7
200 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2012
7 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
About the author
Mark Millar
1,514 books2,561 followersMark Millar is the New York Times best-selling writer of Wanted, the Kick-Ass series, The Secret Service, Jupiter’s Legacy, Jupiter’s Circle, Nemesis, Superior, Super Crooks, American Jesus, MPH, Starlight, and Chrononauts. Wanted, Kick-Ass, Kick-Ass 2, and The Secret Service (as Kingsman: The Secret Service) have been adapted into feature films, and Nemesis, Superior, Starlight, War Heroes, Jupiter’s Legacy and Chrononauts are in development at major studios.
His DC Comics work includes the seminal Superman: Red Son, and at Marvel Comics he created The Ultimates – selected by Time magazine as the comic book of the decade, Wolverine: Old Man Logan, and Civil War – the industry’s biggest-selling superhero series in almost two decades.
Mark has been an Executive Producer on all his movie adaptations and is currently creative consultant to Fox Studios on their Marvel slate of movies.
His DC Comics work includes the seminal Superman: Red Son, and at Marvel Comics he created The Ultimates – selected by Time magazine as the comic book of the decade, Wolverine: Old Man Logan, and Civil War – the industry’s biggest-selling superhero series in almost two decades.
Mark has been an Executive Producer on all his movie adaptations and is currently creative consultant to Fox Studios on their Marvel slate of movies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
December 12, 2025
(B+) 79% | Good
Notes: On flex appeal and deadly deals (trial period's free), bit story-sterile, could use more peril and more present enemies.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #1-3 ◦ Issues #4-6 ◦ Issue #7
Notes: On flex appeal and deadly deals (trial period's free), bit story-sterile, could use more peril and more present enemies.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #1-3 ◦ Issues #4-6 ◦ Issue #7
September 30, 2024
I give this book, a hardcover collection of the Superior miniseries five stars for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is based on the individual reputation of the creative team and my preference for their past work. I’ve also considered the character they created for this story.
The writer, Mark Millar is currently one of the comic book industry’s top writers because of his ability to widescreen action-adventure epics with a filmmaker’s sensibilities and yet maximizes the almost limitless possibilities afforded by comics as a visual storytelling tool. One would just have to sample his work on Authority and Ultimates to get an idea of his talent. Though he has made his mark at both Marvel and DC, it appears he has saved his best ideas for his own properties as evidenced by the commercial success of Wanted and Kick-Ass in both comic book form and its big-screen adaptations. One interesting fact about Millar is that when he was a relative unknown is comic books, he was once slated to take over one of the titles in the Superman line in the late 90’s. That never came to pass and here he is now, writing his own Superman analogue. A wasted opportunity for DC but not for Millar as he owns this character outright and stand to make a financial windfall from it as a movie adaptation is the works.
Leinil Yu is one of the top comic book artists today. His scratchy style gets a lot of criticism, but his predilection for excess lines obscure his knack for anatomy and strong storytelling skills, especially for drawing action scenes. His star is on the rise lately, in part due to his work on Secret Invasion and now this, a best-selling property he shares ownership with Millar. I‘ve followed his progress ever since his early days in Wolverine and not just because we share the same last name, because the flashes of his talent then that is in full display now was enough for me to believe in the potential of the artist.
So what is Superior? It is Millar’s take on the superhero being a wish fulfillment fantasy as embodied in Siegel and Shuster’s Superman and Parker and Beck’s Captain Marvel. These stories have at its core, orphans who can turn into super powered men with a simple gesture as removing spectacles or saying a magic word. Millar’s tale starts with a boy named Simon who has multiple sclerosis and fervently wishes to be able to walk again and just lead a normal life and leave his wheelchair behind. It seems that somebody has heard his prayers and appears to Simon as a talking monkey. The simian grants him the power and appearance of Superior, a comic book hero with powers beyond those of mortal men. But the twist is the dark reflection of a granted wish; gifts all have a price to pay and is Simon willing to pay it?
This story is not just about a superhuman being doing great feats of strength and heroism, although there is a lot of that here, Millar takes the time to develop the main characters beyond their dialogue and visual design. He gives them depth, with enough back-story integrated in the narrative to determine and gauge their motivations.
The visual appearance of the character Superior is very simple, simple red tights accentuated by black gloves, boots and cape. But that is offset by the imposing and intricately rendered belt he wears which was clearly swiped from the World Heavyweight Championship belt of WWE. The artist did well in choosing this particular hardware to integrate into a superhero’s costume.
This is a well polished story, crafted by a writer in his prime and done with a motion picture adaptation in mind. Yu’s panels can easily serve a storyboard in its production. A modern take on the Superman mythos is nothing new as hundred of writers and artists have done their version of that story. But Millar knows how to package it ready for consumption by viewers on the big screen. This is a story a newbie can enjoy without the baggage of knowing decades long continuity and experienced readers can appreciate it as homage to the original stories.
The writer, Mark Millar is currently one of the comic book industry’s top writers because of his ability to widescreen action-adventure epics with a filmmaker’s sensibilities and yet maximizes the almost limitless possibilities afforded by comics as a visual storytelling tool. One would just have to sample his work on Authority and Ultimates to get an idea of his talent. Though he has made his mark at both Marvel and DC, it appears he has saved his best ideas for his own properties as evidenced by the commercial success of Wanted and Kick-Ass in both comic book form and its big-screen adaptations. One interesting fact about Millar is that when he was a relative unknown is comic books, he was once slated to take over one of the titles in the Superman line in the late 90’s. That never came to pass and here he is now, writing his own Superman analogue. A wasted opportunity for DC but not for Millar as he owns this character outright and stand to make a financial windfall from it as a movie adaptation is the works.
Leinil Yu is one of the top comic book artists today. His scratchy style gets a lot of criticism, but his predilection for excess lines obscure his knack for anatomy and strong storytelling skills, especially for drawing action scenes. His star is on the rise lately, in part due to his work on Secret Invasion and now this, a best-selling property he shares ownership with Millar. I‘ve followed his progress ever since his early days in Wolverine and not just because we share the same last name, because the flashes of his talent then that is in full display now was enough for me to believe in the potential of the artist.
So what is Superior? It is Millar’s take on the superhero being a wish fulfillment fantasy as embodied in Siegel and Shuster’s Superman and Parker and Beck’s Captain Marvel. These stories have at its core, orphans who can turn into super powered men with a simple gesture as removing spectacles or saying a magic word. Millar’s tale starts with a boy named Simon who has multiple sclerosis and fervently wishes to be able to walk again and just lead a normal life and leave his wheelchair behind. It seems that somebody has heard his prayers and appears to Simon as a talking monkey. The simian grants him the power and appearance of Superior, a comic book hero with powers beyond those of mortal men. But the twist is the dark reflection of a granted wish; gifts all have a price to pay and is Simon willing to pay it?
This story is not just about a superhuman being doing great feats of strength and heroism, although there is a lot of that here, Millar takes the time to develop the main characters beyond their dialogue and visual design. He gives them depth, with enough back-story integrated in the narrative to determine and gauge their motivations.
The visual appearance of the character Superior is very simple, simple red tights accentuated by black gloves, boots and cape. But that is offset by the imposing and intricately rendered belt he wears which was clearly swiped from the World Heavyweight Championship belt of WWE. The artist did well in choosing this particular hardware to integrate into a superhero’s costume.
This is a well polished story, crafted by a writer in his prime and done with a motion picture adaptation in mind. Yu’s panels can easily serve a storyboard in its production. A modern take on the Superman mythos is nothing new as hundred of writers and artists have done their version of that story. But Millar knows how to package it ready for consumption by viewers on the big screen. This is a story a newbie can enjoy without the baggage of knowing decades long continuity and experienced readers can appreciate it as homage to the original stories.
September 10, 2014
I really enjoy Millar's writing, but honestly, it can end up being a little dark for me sometimes. Not just grim, but nihilistic.
I found this comic to be kind of a nice change from that. There were a few dark elements, but the story, overall, was what I like to think of as "hopeful." By which I mean that after reading it, I feel like maybe people are basically good, and maybe the world might not be spiraling endlessly into shit and madness.
I liked that this book was hopeful. I think we need more hopeful books.
I found this comic to be kind of a nice change from that. There were a few dark elements, but the story, overall, was what I like to think of as "hopeful." By which I mean that after reading it, I feel like maybe people are basically good, and maybe the world might not be spiraling endlessly into shit and madness.
I liked that this book was hopeful. I think we need more hopeful books.
February 29, 2012
Simon Pooni was a regular kid once, captain of the school basketball team, until something life changing happened to him - he contracted multiple sclerosis. Confined to a wheelchair and barely able to use crutches his future looks bleak. That is until a space monkey appears out of nowhere and gives him superpowers! Gone is Simon Pooni, Superior is here!
In a twist on the body swapping premise made famous by "Big" and "Freaky Friday", a disabled boy finds himself with a new body that not only looks exactly like his favourite fictional superhero but can fly, has super strength, super speed, laser vision, the whole lot! Except the space monkey is not who he appears and Simon is about to realise the true cost of a wish fulfilled.
Mark Millar writes a great story most of us who read superhero comics have dreamt of - what would it be like to have superpowers? But more than showing the benefits of having someone like Superior in real life - stopping terrorism, averting natural disasters, saving millions of lives - Millar does a fine job of putting a disease that can afflict anyone, multiple sclerosis, in the spotlight.
One of the best lines in the book is when Simon becomes Superior and says something like "Looking back, I could fly, I had super strength, I could shoot lasers from my eyes, but when people ask me what I liked best about being a superhero?, it was being able to move my toes again". It's a heart-breaking snapshot of what people with MS must feel like every day. The tribute to Christopher Reeve at the back is touching too.
But enough touchy-feely stuff, has the book got the action superhero fans crave? Of course, it's Mark "Ultimates" Millar at the helm. Superior finds his own Lex Luthor (the book is a very thinly veiled riff on Superman) and huge battle scenes commence, skilfully drawn by Lenil Yu who did great work with Millar on their last collaboration, "Ultimate Avengers".
It's a really fun book to read but, in contrast to Millar's "Nemesis" which was out this time last year, "Superior" has a lot of heart to it and you find yourself rooting for Simon throughout. A great alternative take on superhero stories, "Superior" is an excellent read.
In a twist on the body swapping premise made famous by "Big" and "Freaky Friday", a disabled boy finds himself with a new body that not only looks exactly like his favourite fictional superhero but can fly, has super strength, super speed, laser vision, the whole lot! Except the space monkey is not who he appears and Simon is about to realise the true cost of a wish fulfilled.
Mark Millar writes a great story most of us who read superhero comics have dreamt of - what would it be like to have superpowers? But more than showing the benefits of having someone like Superior in real life - stopping terrorism, averting natural disasters, saving millions of lives - Millar does a fine job of putting a disease that can afflict anyone, multiple sclerosis, in the spotlight.
One of the best lines in the book is when Simon becomes Superior and says something like "Looking back, I could fly, I had super strength, I could shoot lasers from my eyes, but when people ask me what I liked best about being a superhero?, it was being able to move my toes again". It's a heart-breaking snapshot of what people with MS must feel like every day. The tribute to Christopher Reeve at the back is touching too.
But enough touchy-feely stuff, has the book got the action superhero fans crave? Of course, it's Mark "Ultimates" Millar at the helm. Superior finds his own Lex Luthor (the book is a very thinly veiled riff on Superman) and huge battle scenes commence, skilfully drawn by Lenil Yu who did great work with Millar on their last collaboration, "Ultimate Avengers".
It's a really fun book to read but, in contrast to Millar's "Nemesis" which was out this time last year, "Superior" has a lot of heart to it and you find yourself rooting for Simon throughout. A great alternative take on superhero stories, "Superior" is an excellent read.
February 23, 2016
Bullet Review:
This was highly readable and came across as a "love letter" (for lack of better words) to Christopher Reeves. But Willing Suspension of Disbelief needs to be set to HIGH to believe a 12-year-old superhero could accomplish THIS MUCH GOOD and ZERO CASUALTIES and garner the love and admiration of the ENTIRE WORLD in a mere 7 days.
Also, why does the (essentially) ONLY female have HUGE GLOBES for boobs?
This was highly readable and came across as a "love letter" (for lack of better words) to Christopher Reeves. But Willing Suspension of Disbelief needs to be set to HIGH to believe a 12-year-old superhero could accomplish THIS MUCH GOOD and ZERO CASUALTIES and garner the love and admiration of the ENTIRE WORLD in a mere 7 days.
Also, why does the (essentially) ONLY female have HUGE GLOBES for boobs?
May 31, 2017
What if Mark Millar wrote a Superman comic? What if Superman were called Superior? What if instead of Clark Kent, we get Sam Pooni (is that Indian? the kid doesn't look Indian..I digress) and wait for it..he's in a wheelchair. Throw in a demon monkey and some bullies and viola! we have Superior by Mark Millar.
While the story itself is not bad and the artwork is also good. I only ask the question "why?". Other than the demon monkey (Mr. Mxyzptlk, anyone?) and the fact that Superior already "exists" in this world as a movie character, I kept wondering "Why am I not just reading Superman?".
You may find yourself asking the same. In the absence of Superman this might have gotten 3-4 stars. It does what it is well enough. But what it is, is nothing more than a Superman ripoff. It's rather shameless honestly. So some may like this (and by the ratings people really do like it) but others may think "Superman!". I am one of those others.
While the story itself is not bad and the artwork is also good. I only ask the question "why?". Other than the demon monkey (Mr. Mxyzptlk, anyone?) and the fact that Superior already "exists" in this world as a movie character, I kept wondering "Why am I not just reading Superman?".
You may find yourself asking the same. In the absence of Superman this might have gotten 3-4 stars. It does what it is well enough. But what it is, is nothing more than a Superman ripoff. It's rather shameless honestly. So some may like this (and by the ratings people really do like it) but others may think "Superman!". I am one of those others.
August 2, 2016
An odd book. Almost Millar for kids. Hopeful rather than dark. Toned down the Millar violence and darkness but kept the profanity. Ideal for kids but not ok for them.
August 2, 2016
Just reread this and it still holds up as a good story, but it's a bit dated now.
His new stuff is a lot better, but this is definitely worth a read.
His new stuff is a lot better, but this is definitely worth a read.
July 15, 2024
Mark Millar writes a Superman tribute -- well, by way of Captain Marvel, Jr., really -- wherein a tween with debilitating multiple sclerosis is granted a wish to become the superhero in the movie he just watched.
The beginning chapters go well enough, playing up the Big aspects and going fully through the obligatory super power experimentation and exploration sequences. They also introduce a hard-hitting Lois Lane type to dog the new hero with questions about his origin and unknowingly attempt the seduction of a 12-year-old.
The later chapters suffer a bit as a twist is introduced that causes the ending to become rushed and sloppy and less than satisfying.
But Leinil Francis Yu makes it all look good, and I still had enough fun to give the book a thumbs up despite those late missteps.
The beginning chapters go well enough, playing up the Big aspects and going fully through the obligatory super power experimentation and exploration sequences. They also introduce a hard-hitting Lois Lane type to dog the new hero with questions about his origin and unknowingly attempt the seduction of a 12-year-old.
The later chapters suffer a bit as a twist is introduced that causes the ending to become rushed and sloppy and less than satisfying.
But Leinil Francis Yu makes it all look good, and I still had enough fun to give the book a thumbs up despite those late missteps.
March 30, 2020
With a couple hits in a row it was time for a dud. Arriving just on time, while hardly a resounding dud, problems of plot and pacing continually reveal their structural failings as the story goes on. Sure, there’s some good stuff but there’s far more meh than anything.
Good news before the bad right?
The first half is suffused with some of the most idealistic charm ever illustrated in comic book history. All those boyhood dreams have been truly glorified as they are utterly reveled in here with holy depictions of the glorified demigods of whom most all superheros can trace their lineages back to. Visibly tracing the delights of a long-lost mythic age, the very same delight and joy that aroused joy and surprise back in 1938 with the very first depiction of SuperMan in Action Comics #1 has been replicated here for our palpable delight.
No qualms about the sacharrine intro that lasts for some fifty pages. Yet in the words of (The) Alan Parson’s Project, “What goes up must come down.” And this gravity assisted drop of the second act slams our expectations as well spoken by Ice Cube in his seminal 1990 debut, Amerikkka’s Most Wanted, “like a watermelon dropped from twelve stories up.”
With our collective cranial matter drenching the surface before us, the ensuing mediocrity is as shameful as it is disappointing. Reversing the otherwise fluid swell of action, the remaining 50 pages prove particularly un-tumescent. So no matter how dazzling the visuals continue to amaze (which they really do) the underlying plot development decays our cerebral enjoyment before our eyes could ever hope to drink in the eye candy. Bleeding across the comic’s highly successful illustrations structural mishapeness drag Superior down further and further unto the maw it has built for itself.
50% great. 50% awful. And that’s it.
Good news before the bad right?
The first half is suffused with some of the most idealistic charm ever illustrated in comic book history. All those boyhood dreams have been truly glorified as they are utterly reveled in here with holy depictions of the glorified demigods of whom most all superheros can trace their lineages back to. Visibly tracing the delights of a long-lost mythic age, the very same delight and joy that aroused joy and surprise back in 1938 with the very first depiction of SuperMan in Action Comics #1 has been replicated here for our palpable delight.
No qualms about the sacharrine intro that lasts for some fifty pages. Yet in the words of (The) Alan Parson’s Project, “What goes up must come down.” And this gravity assisted drop of the second act slams our expectations as well spoken by Ice Cube in his seminal 1990 debut, Amerikkka’s Most Wanted, “like a watermelon dropped from twelve stories up.”
With our collective cranial matter drenching the surface before us, the ensuing mediocrity is as shameful as it is disappointing. Reversing the otherwise fluid swell of action, the remaining 50 pages prove particularly un-tumescent. So no matter how dazzling the visuals continue to amaze (which they really do) the underlying plot development decays our cerebral enjoyment before our eyes could ever hope to drink in the eye candy. Bleeding across the comic’s highly successful illustrations structural mishapeness drag Superior down further and further unto the maw it has built for itself.
50% great. 50% awful. And that’s it.
August 2, 2016
Mark Millar's homage to Captain Marvel (Shazam) and Superman, with a little twist. The book had some really good moments. Leinil Yu's art was great, as always. The tribute to Christopher Reeve and Richard Donner at the end did it all for me.
April 28, 2021
This is one of the best books Mark has written! Its about this guy Simon who can't walk and curses his life and just like Shazam a monkey in this case appears and turns him into Superior from the movies (think Superman but copyright issues and all) and well him being Superior means he has all the powers of Superman and over the course of the issues you see him tryna save everyone and solving world problems like in Afghanistan and Africa and becoming the greatest hero but then we find that monkey was actually a demon who gave this powers so he could have the soul since the boy wouldn't wanna return to his former self and to coax him further he gives his bully the powers to make him Abraxas and himself Annihilator (enemies from the Superior movie) and thus falls the choice on him what will he do? Will he sell his soul to save the world? What will happen to everyone? Also whose the narrator and how is she the one to save Superior?
Its an interesting series and explores the question of What it would be like to be Superman and its really well done and its a fan letter by Millar to the Donner movies and well done, it has all those questions we ask of What Superman should do and has an heroic fight and a child like innocence, characters who give hope to him and in the end when he (spoilers) dies you see a faithful and positive and optimistic end about how his presence made the world better and just shows why Superman okay Superior here is the best! And the art was really good and pleasing on the eyes! Great work by Millar!
Its an interesting series and explores the question of What it would be like to be Superman and its really well done and its a fan letter by Millar to the Donner movies and well done, it has all those questions we ask of What Superman should do and has an heroic fight and a child like innocence, characters who give hope to him and in the end when he (spoilers) dies you see a faithful and positive and optimistic end about how his presence made the world better and just shows why Superman okay Superior here is the best! And the art was really good and pleasing on the eyes! Great work by Millar!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2019
Bad monkey!
October 11, 2023
Mille seriously knows how to write a Superman story. The ideas behind what makes Superman (Superior in this case) so great and beloved are captured beautifully in the storytelling and art in this book. This book can’t help but make you feel good about reading it. This was a beautiful homage to Christopher Reeve, to the Death of Superman, and to comic book fans. Unfortunately, where this one falls short are the more Millar-esque elements that were much darker in tone in a way that really felt out of place and a bit forced.
April 21, 2021
This book feels weirdly familiar, like some of the art and the story itself but I know I haven't read it before. Strange.
Much better revenge story than "Wanted" was, mostly because there was actual heart in this story. Though I do take umbrage with the opening where he talks about a conversation with Stan Lee where Stan challenges him to come up with an original character and...I guess this is the result of that? I don't know man, it seems like instead of Marvel you went DC but you certainly didn't come up with an original character.
Much better revenge story than "Wanted" was, mostly because there was actual heart in this story. Though I do take umbrage with the opening where he talks about a conversation with Stan Lee where Stan challenges him to come up with an original character and...I guess this is the result of that? I don't know man, it seems like instead of Marvel you went DC but you certainly didn't come up with an original character.
May 1, 2024
A young boy with MS receives superpowers from a mysterious space monkey, has some adventures, then learns that (shocker!) there's a cost to the powers. Another relatively cliche plot from Mark Millar, but the pace, art, and twists are all completely satisfying. There's even a dumb happy ending that's probably unearned and yet, and yet...
March 9, 2019
Least impressive Millarverse title so far. It’s derivative and a bit silly even though there are noble elements and a nice tribute to Christopher Reeve mixed in. The portrayal of illness is heartfelt but the whole thing is a little manufactured.
November 24, 2012
Teenage superheroes have always had slight handicaps to overcome, usually commonplace ones like shyness around girls, general nervousness, lack of parental support, or poverty. Superior, a seven issue mini-series by Mark Millar, takes the time-honored formula a step further by giving its hero, a pre-teen named Simon Pooni, an incurable, debilitating, tragic handicap: multiple sclerosis.
As a care-giver for handicapped adults, I’ve had the privilege of working with a young man who had MS and I got to see first-hand how oppressive the disease can be. After years of walking with crutches, his conditions worsened to the point where he was then confined to a wheelchair, unable to perform many fairly basic tasks.
Simon Pooni has only experienced the onset of MS when the story begins. Sadly, he had been a promising basketball player before his disease came into play, and afterwards many of his friends had shied away from him, and, as if things couldn’t get worse, Simon becomes the target of bullies.
Simon experiences a pretty swift turnaround when a talking monkey in a space-suit appears and offers to fulfill any wish Simon may desire. As it so happens, Simon is a huge fan of Superior, a superhero movie franchise based closely on Superman. Next thing he knows, he is Superior, cape and cowl and all.
The origin story element will probably feel familiar to most fans of superhero books. Indeed, the premise is heavily indebted to both Shazam and Superman. What happens next in the story though I found to be much more refreshing. Simon, testing out his newfound powers, actually devotes himself to saving people!
One gripe I have with contemporary comics is that the heroes rarely save ordinary citizens. Instead, it seems like superheroes are constantly saving other heroes, and meanwhile cats remain in trees and cars careen into ditches. Simon as Superior immediately does what I wish Superman would do more of: trying his hardest to prevent any unnecessary loss of life, from car accidents to bigger events such as saving a space-station caught in a declining orbit.
As the story unfolds, the Faustian side to Simon’s wish is revealed, but since the graphic novel is so short (you can easily read Superior in one sitting), I’ll curtail any further summarizing, suffice it to say, there’s a climax that’s likely to please fans of mainstream superhero books.
Through it all, the humanity of the protagonist is always there, and that is ultimately Superior’s selling point. Simon remains an endearing character, and the reader will hopefully set the book down knowing more–and caring more–about the lives of people with multiple sclerosis.
--Reviewed by Corey Pung, author of the books The Madness of Art: Short Stories and A Rapturous Occasion
As a care-giver for handicapped adults, I’ve had the privilege of working with a young man who had MS and I got to see first-hand how oppressive the disease can be. After years of walking with crutches, his conditions worsened to the point where he was then confined to a wheelchair, unable to perform many fairly basic tasks.
Simon Pooni has only experienced the onset of MS when the story begins. Sadly, he had been a promising basketball player before his disease came into play, and afterwards many of his friends had shied away from him, and, as if things couldn’t get worse, Simon becomes the target of bullies.
Simon experiences a pretty swift turnaround when a talking monkey in a space-suit appears and offers to fulfill any wish Simon may desire. As it so happens, Simon is a huge fan of Superior, a superhero movie franchise based closely on Superman. Next thing he knows, he is Superior, cape and cowl and all.
The origin story element will probably feel familiar to most fans of superhero books. Indeed, the premise is heavily indebted to both Shazam and Superman. What happens next in the story though I found to be much more refreshing. Simon, testing out his newfound powers, actually devotes himself to saving people!
One gripe I have with contemporary comics is that the heroes rarely save ordinary citizens. Instead, it seems like superheroes are constantly saving other heroes, and meanwhile cats remain in trees and cars careen into ditches. Simon as Superior immediately does what I wish Superman would do more of: trying his hardest to prevent any unnecessary loss of life, from car accidents to bigger events such as saving a space-station caught in a declining orbit.
As the story unfolds, the Faustian side to Simon’s wish is revealed, but since the graphic novel is so short (you can easily read Superior in one sitting), I’ll curtail any further summarizing, suffice it to say, there’s a climax that’s likely to please fans of mainstream superhero books.
Through it all, the humanity of the protagonist is always there, and that is ultimately Superior’s selling point. Simon remains an endearing character, and the reader will hopefully set the book down knowing more–and caring more–about the lives of people with multiple sclerosis.
--Reviewed by Corey Pung, author of the books The Madness of Art: Short Stories and A Rapturous Occasion
February 18, 2019
Mark Millar. Un autor que en mi cabeza pasó de ser ese tipo interesante y creativo que seguía la senda de autores como Grant Morrison o Peter Milligan a transformarse en un creador de conceptos -que no desarrolla- pensando pura y exclusivamente en vender sus derechos de adaptación. Así, me pasa que con muchas de sus historietas -Wanted, Kick Ass, Chrononauts- encuentro ideas interesantes rápidamente descartadas, todo presentado a las patadas y con cero cariño por los personajes o aquello que está contando (dejemos los resultados de las adaptaciones, en los casos que las hubo, pendiente de si vuelvo a verlas algún día). Robado del botín navideño de mi hijo, Superior se presenta en su contratapa como "Superman según Mark Millar" y ya me esperaba yo algo que confirmara mis temores expresados más arriba, cuando me llevé alta sorpresa. Porque Superior está bárbaro. El del título es un personaje con todos los poderes de Superman (más o menos, tampoco está tan explicitado) que protagoniza una saga de películas algo en decadencia en "el mundo real". Porque sí, no es -en principio- Superior el protagonista de nuestra historia, sino Simon, un joven de 12 años víctima de la esclerosis múltiple que lo tiene confinado a una silla de ruedas. Simon es fan de Superior e ir al cine a ver sus películas es una de las pocas diversiones que tiene permitidas. Todo esto cambia cuando aparezca Ormon -un mono alienígena, compañero de Superior en las películas- y le ofrezca a Simon ser Superior por una semana. Y allí, allí comienza lo bueno. No voy a entrar en detalles ni revelar más aspectos de la trama -es una historia muy contundente, pero bastante lineal- sólo decir que si a algún personaje ha amado Millar, es a Superman, ya que aquí todo el relato destila amor del más puro. La historia -de concretos 7 números- tiene emoción, aventura, acción, un toque siniestro y un final a todo trapo, todo apoyado en un inmenso trabajo de Leinil Francis Yu, uno de los mejores dibujantes de superhéroes que existe. Como nota curiosa, a pesar del Millarworld (asociado a Netflix para adaptar sus trabajos) y que desde 2014 los derechos de este libro están en manos de 20th Century Fox, no hay novedades de una posible adaptación audiovisual. Y eso que el propio Millar mismo anda campañando para que John Cena sea Superior.
October 25, 2012
I really, really enjoyed the book Superior except for the one thing I really didn't like. The story was wonderful and unexpected and really cool, I liked the characters and the artwork. I was engaged and interested in Simon's story and this unique take on the superhero tale.
But WHY WHY WHY must every female character have overly large, even absurdly large breasts and skin tight ridiculously revealing clothing?? Okay, I KNOW I am reading a comic book and that comic books are known for their sexualization in their portrayal of women. I know all that and yet it still really bothered me and it kept taking me out of the story every time a female character entered the page. Every time I saw it I couldn't help but think, "Seriously? A professional journalist is wearing THAT to broadcast the news?" Even Simon's mother is not spared from the abnormally large breasts and teeny tiny clothes. So that is my vent and I really wanted to get it off my chest because I loved this book but why must women be portrayed so unrealistically!?
Anyway, I found the plot to be really cool, especially the kind of twist with the villian and the ending was really brilliant! This was a fun read and I'm glad my husband recommended it to me!
But WHY WHY WHY must every female character have overly large, even absurdly large breasts and skin tight ridiculously revealing clothing?? Okay, I KNOW I am reading a comic book and that comic books are known for their sexualization in their portrayal of women. I know all that and yet it still really bothered me and it kept taking me out of the story every time a female character entered the page. Every time I saw it I couldn't help but think, "Seriously? A professional journalist is wearing THAT to broadcast the news?" Even Simon's mother is not spared from the abnormally large breasts and teeny tiny clothes. So that is my vent and I really wanted to get it off my chest because I loved this book but why must women be portrayed so unrealistically!?
Anyway, I found the plot to be really cool, especially the kind of twist with the villian and the ending was really brilliant! This was a fun read and I'm glad my husband recommended it to me!
May 7, 2012
In Nemesis, Millar showed us his interpretation of DC's Batman as born from his twisted psyche. Or as he said it, the way Batman would really be if he weren't such a "c*nt". In Superior, we get an interpretation of DC's Superman in the form of a love letter to Richard Donner and O Henry.
The best part of the book isn't even Millar's writing. Its Leinil Yu's artwork. This is the best work Leinil has produced to date. Its absolutely gorgeous and if I can say any comic art is perfect, I'll say this is the perfect comic art right here. Damn fine work. Perfect inks, Perfect style. Was like looking out at the Grand Canyon, just made me want to cry.
As far as the writing, you know what you're going to get if you've read Millar before or seen one of the movie adaptations of his work. Its good. Really good. Only minus the cornucopia of cuss words and gore. Which makes this book that much different from his other work, but no less imaginative.
Writing Grade: B
Art Grade: A+
The best part of the book isn't even Millar's writing. Its Leinil Yu's artwork. This is the best work Leinil has produced to date. Its absolutely gorgeous and if I can say any comic art is perfect, I'll say this is the perfect comic art right here. Damn fine work. Perfect inks, Perfect style. Was like looking out at the Grand Canyon, just made me want to cry.
As far as the writing, you know what you're going to get if you've read Millar before or seen one of the movie adaptations of his work. Its good. Really good. Only minus the cornucopia of cuss words and gore. Which makes this book that much different from his other work, but no less imaginative.
Writing Grade: B
Art Grade: A+
March 27, 2011
What? Millar is writing a book that doesn't have a killer as the lead? Interesting...
This book starts off in our world: that is, superheroes are a thing of the silver screen and comics. Until a monkey in a astronaut suit shows up a turns a boy paralyzed from the waste down into the "Superman" type hero of this world. So basically "Big" meets "Superman," in terms of plot.
Good stuff and doesn't leave you feeling dirty after reading it (like Wanted or Nemesis).
This book starts off in our world: that is, superheroes are a thing of the silver screen and comics. Until a monkey in a astronaut suit shows up a turns a boy paralyzed from the waste down into the "Superman" type hero of this world. So basically "Big" meets "Superman," in terms of plot.
Good stuff and doesn't leave you feeling dirty after reading it (like Wanted or Nemesis).
June 29, 2013
MINI REVIEW: a crippled kid dreams of being a superhero and his wish is granted with a sinister twist. Characters are the strongest part of this well woven tale. Bold, impressive artwork and written by Mark Millar. Certainly a nod to THE MAN OF STEEL film as well.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B plus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: A minus; STORY/PLOTTING/EDITING: B to B plus; ACTION SCENES: B plus;
WHEN READ: early June 2013; OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B plus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: A minus; STORY/PLOTTING/EDITING: B to B plus; ACTION SCENES: B plus;
WHEN READ: early June 2013; OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
November 16, 2014
62nd book read in 2014.
Number 5 out of 405 on my all time book list.
Follow the link below to see my video review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS3DA...
Number 5 out of 405 on my all time book list.
Follow the link below to see my video review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS3DA...
August 12, 2018
Well I guess I am on a Mark Millar kick right now. Picked this up on Amazon and man am I glad I did! This is about a boy who is a fan of the fictional superhero, Superior. He is also a young man living with Multiple Sclerosis. He has little use of his legs and is blind in one eye. Working with such people in my real life this resonated with me pretty strongly. This boy is visited by a mysterious benefactor in the guise of a monkey, called Ormon. He grants the boy the power to become Superior in truth for a week, but at the end of this week he will ask for something and the boy must decide if he wishes to give it.
This sparks off a unprecedented rash of good deeds and superheroic tasks that Superior takes on. Not only dealing with the fact that the fourteen year old boy is still just that, a teenager, but dealing with the world's problems is a learning and growing experience for this young man who take to it rather well. He leaves his parents wondering and panicked because he just disappeared, and yet he knows he will come back to them.
Superior deals with lots of things all over the world and yet as the reader, we know that bad things are coming. When Ormon shows back up to exact his toll for the decision the boy must make, the truth is revealed. Ormon is a demon who hasn't procured a soul for his infernal master for over 500 years. He wants the boy's soul and is letting him stay as Superior if he relinquishes his soul.
This book was so good in so many ways, but I believe that thing I like the most is that you have a Shazam style character here, with the innocence and wonder of a child, wrapped up by this huge heroic being. His naivety and amazing way of looking at the world allows him a level of strength that is unbiased by the world and the people in it. The book then takes a dark and twisted turn, where things go very bad. The ending is at once simple and yet so very satisfying. This is one that should be a movie but I know it would be messed up if Hollywood tried to make it one.
Read this book!
Danny
This sparks off a unprecedented rash of good deeds and superheroic tasks that Superior takes on. Not only dealing with the fact that the fourteen year old boy is still just that, a teenager, but dealing with the world's problems is a learning and growing experience for this young man who take to it rather well. He leaves his parents wondering and panicked because he just disappeared, and yet he knows he will come back to them.
Superior deals with lots of things all over the world and yet as the reader, we know that bad things are coming. When Ormon shows back up to exact his toll for the decision the boy must make, the truth is revealed. Ormon is a demon who hasn't procured a soul for his infernal master for over 500 years. He wants the boy's soul and is letting him stay as Superior if he relinquishes his soul.
This book was so good in so many ways, but I believe that thing I like the most is that you have a Shazam style character here, with the innocence and wonder of a child, wrapped up by this huge heroic being. His naivety and amazing way of looking at the world allows him a level of strength that is unbiased by the world and the people in it. The book then takes a dark and twisted turn, where things go very bad. The ending is at once simple and yet so very satisfying. This is one that should be a movie but I know it would be messed up if Hollywood tried to make it one.
Read this book!
Danny
June 13, 2017
This was very fun!
March 17, 2021
"As far as people know, Superior died in that battle."
October 4, 2022
Despite it's simplicity and certain cliches taken from other stories, Superior manages to be a very emotional and hopeful tale about understanding the life we are given. You can still tell this was written by Millar due to his trademark cynicism and obsession with adding contemporary elements, however, in this case it actually adds up.
A recomentadion for anyone willing to get into comics outside the big two.
A recomentadion for anyone willing to get into comics outside the big two.
September 16, 2023
Totally awesome story. Not that complicated but it tugs the heart. Lots of Easter eggs and reference to Christopher Reeve.
November 27, 2024
It’s Superman meets Shazam…too identically. The separation from these heroes comes way too late and by then I’m just finding unoriginality all over the place.
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