Superman vs. Meshi Vol. 2

Superman Vs. Meshi #2

by Satoshi Miyagawa, Kai Kitago (Illustrator)

Clark Kent visits Japan as Superman, traveling the country in pursuit of Meshi! What is Meshi? A new villain? A new ally? None of those! It's all about restaurants and exciting new food as Superman tours culinary delights!​

As the strongest man on Earth, Superman works hard every day, and one of his favorite things to do is eat lunch in Japan.

Some days, he's admonishing the Flash for eating super-fast rather than savoring a wonderful bowl of udon noodles. Other days, he's competing with his archnemesis, Lex Luthor, for Pixtagram status and discouraging Cyborg from paying too much attention to reviews on gourmet food sites.

But when he takes an interview with Lois Lane, Superman will need to use all of his abilities to not look nervous at lunch with the woman he loves!

Genres: Manga, Comics, Superheroes, Food, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Humor

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2023

About the author

Satoshi Miyagawa (宮川サトシ, Miyagawa Satoshi) is a japanese mangaka.

Reviews

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still mostly a fun book. Superman is still obsessed with flying to Japan and eating Japanese food, which I’m definitely seeing as a bit of an unhealthy obsession now. The food/meal moments here are getting to be a bit repetitive and just okay, but the small storylines and interactions with characters such as Batman, Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Lois Lane, etc. are what will keep me reading this one.

[Mizuki]

I like how Superman described the All-Star Tempura Bowl as the "Justice Bowl" (the Justice League of Tempura Bowl) in volume 1. 🍜

More to come.

[Beni · Rating 5 out of 5]

this has been a fun series to read so far I hope their is more of it.

[Chad · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is dumb. Each chapter Superman heads to Japan for lunch and talks in his head about how much he loves the food. He takes various members of the Justice League with him at times. You have to really be into food to find this at all interesting.

[Adriana · Rating 1 out of 5]

The stories somehow got dumber. The idea is cute, but this lost me the second Wonder Woman showed up as a silly fangirl.

[M0nkiiii · Rating 4 out of 5]

just as good as the first one. just wholesome superman stories

[S.E. Martens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know that I've ever laughed so hard at a book in my life. Seriously - I laughed until I had tears running down my face!

We get to see more of the different DC characters than we did in Vol. 1 - Superman has one-on-one lunches with the Flash, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg. It's all very cute. Lex Luthor also comes into this! And who knew the head of LexCorp and Superman's nemesis would also dabble as an Instagram Influencer?! It's just too funny!

Also, this Superman hears Lex's "you're a bad influence on humanity" speech once and instantly spirals into self-doubt! "I'm . . . a villain?" You just want to give him a super-hug!

I started this thinking I probably wouldn't stick with it for the entire series, but that was incorrect. Satoshi Miyagawa is some kind of mad genius and I am here for it! Preording Vol. 3 NOW.

[ThatBookishGal · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are such a fun time!!

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The problem with this series is there's one joke, and they repeat it every chapter. I mean, it doesn't QUITE stoop to "Superman Peanut Butter" levels of comedy, but every chapter is fixated on Superman getting *Japanese food specifically* even if he gets takeaway and eats it in his Fortress of Solitude (...somehow to Jor-El's hologram's dismay that, "oh, I'm just a hologram and don't eat"...).

Yes, I know that's the point of the series, but while it was cute for a volume, it's just not holding my interest for a second. I'd almost just prefer it to be a travelogue of restaurants than a half-hearted cape comic tie-in.

Okay, I admit having the Flash show up with Superman's delivery order was funny, but after that bit, the rest of the chapter kind of fell off. I don't know.

Recommended if superheroes eating food is your jam. Otherwise, read Wakako Zake.

Edit to add: Some of the dialogue has the words too close to the gutter to read comfortably, which is irritating and breaks immersion. I don't know if that's the translation's fault (more likely, since the English language layout designers have more say on the word placement in this version than the original mangaka), but this is honestly not a difficult problem to avoid: words should not be closer than one, possibly two inches from the edge of the page. I've laid out loads of pages for publication, and that was a huge rule for us. Not sure why it isn't for everyone working for a big publisher. (Self-publish I understand, since loads of people just want to have a thing they made but don't necessarily understand the basics... but it's still a good rule of thumb to keep in mind.)

[Trevor Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superman Vs. Meshi is still one of the weirdest Superman comics I've ever read, and this second volume from Miyagawa reflects the series' weirdness and charm without raising any stakes or taking any narrative chances. In a sense, the series harkens back to a '50s era Superman, with nonsensical plots mostly revolving around some strange gimmick.

But the focus of the series continues to be on its showcase of Japanese fast food dining, and any major issues of continuity from episode to episode is really inconsequential to what the story is intended to elicit from its showcase of cuisine or locale.

Some humorous adventures in this volume include Superman having lunch with his dad at the Fortress of Solitude, Superman teaching the Flash to slow down while he enjoys his meals, Superman going low-calorie on account of some weight gain, and Superman getting into an Instagram argument with Lex Luthor over what should constitute as "gourmet" food.

I really enjoy what Miyagawa does in these silly escapades, as these stories humanize Superman in a way that is deeply endearing and funny. I could use some more variety on the story structure, but this is honestly one of the most interesting adaptations of a Western character to Japanese manga.

[Tom Landaluce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, this title is now my favorite comic. I thought the joke might wear out, but I am eagerly awaiting volume 3. The regular Superman books should take a cue from this title and veer toward the weird and whimsical. We already know, and have seen time and again, how Superman can punch overpowered supervillans. Give us more of Superman using his powers in everday life. Flying to Japan on his lunch hours to satisfy his food cravings being one such example.

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An improvement on the first volume, as it continues to focus on silly antics and Japanese food while giving more time to also focus on how these two things bring Clark/Superman closer to the people around him (or closer into conflict with one Lex Luthor). A breezy read for those who want a bit of superhero silliness.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Superman vs ...food

Part 2?

In this, his super hunger grows. Now, he's bringing the Justice League with to sample some different Japanese dishes.

Bonus: Is it me, or does that Batman piggyback ride (the front cover art) look dangerous AF?

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The descriptions of Superman's meals start to blend together here in the second volume, but the creators make the series work by expanding the cast - Superman eating out with Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and Lois Lane (and exchanging Instagram pictures with Lex Luthor😆) keeps the series fun.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically the same as the first volume. This series is what it is: Superman eats and enthuses over beautifully illustrated food.

[amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still peak

[Alri Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continué con esta serie por que el primer volumen fue muy divertido. Este se siente entretenido a secas, le falto esa magia de la comedia del tomo anterior.

[Julia Pika · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s cute and all as a series with Superman obsessed with food but not much action.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m honestly not one much for this type of food writing. And I find the characterization pretty shallow in service of the bit. I think there’s one more, so I’ll stick it out.

[Brandon Telg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like volume 1, this book is beyond breezy, but just the right kind of nutty/weird/fun that makes it a must read for any fan of Superman.

[liana · Rating 4 out of 5]

genuinely just love reading about superman eating food.

[pezcado · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Vivan los novioooooos! (y por novios me refiero a Superman y Batman)

[Dante:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 really enjoyable, loved how the characters interacted

[Izabella Warczak · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,25/5⭐️

ten tom był minimalnie lepszy od poprzedniego

[DonutKnow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love seeing all the kinds of foods that Superman eats and tries in this series- it makes me look forward to life and the foods that there are in the world to try! 😆

[electric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing mind-blowing or action packed. Just enjoyable, wholesome Superman enjoying Japanese food and wanting to share his love of food with others.

[AJ Easterday · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did I buy this book just because the cover made me laugh? Yes. Yes, I did.

[Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the part where Lex Luthor and Superman compete for attention as the best foodie on instagram

[Olive Schumacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

the concept of superman and lex luthor having instagram beef

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

still a delight but lost a star because of whole but about him maybe gaining weight was really un needed especially in manga all about eating.