Superman: Birthright #1

Superman: Birthright #1

by Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu (Penciller), Gerry Alanguilan (Inker)

Everyone knows Jor-El sent his infant son to Earth to avoid death on Krypton, but now take a closer look at Jor-El’s emotional struggles with the decision. Plus, Kal-El’s early days on an alien world and the discoveries that set him on the path to becoming a legend!

Genres: Comics, Superman, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book

29 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

Reviews

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of the Superman: Birthright DC Compact Comics Edition. (August 18, 2025)

The collective review for the entire Superman: Birthright storyline can be found on my review of the Superman: Birthright DC Compact Comics Edition.

[Darren Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The origin of Superman has been rehashed so many times that it doesn’t feel like anyone can bring anything new to the table. Superman was introduced in 1938 so we’re less than 20 years away from making the man of steel a centenarian at this point.
Birthright was originally published between 2003 and 2004, written by Mark Waid, it starts with a mid 20’s Clark Kent crafting his journalist trade in Africa, aware of his powers but still unaware of his destiny.
Well written with excellent art by Leinil Francis Wu and Gerry Alanguilan, this was supposed to be a non canon update of the character for the start of the 21st century. It’s clear to see how Waid and co tapped into something new without tarnishing the old and it became canon for several years (in D.C. nothing ever remains the same with constant crisis events and more redefining and resetting the universe and its characters).
You can definitely see where the Superman of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel got its influences from, the symbol of hope, the younger Jonathan and Martha Kents.
It’s a great story and a series well worth picking up.

[Krishnakumar Mohanasundaram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Begins nice...

Follows the origin of Superman... A story arc that has been dealt many times by various authors and different concepts..

This doesn't give anything new but manages to portray Lex Luthor as a really brilliant villain who is capable of putting a fight against the man of steel...

Gives a good background for Luthor and Clark...

Over-all , as a series, I would give these 12 issues a 3 star rating...

[cauldronofevil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't mean to turn Saturday into all Kryptonian, but I had a slot open and Anne recommended this series and she's been pretty right on so far. Besides, there can't be that many good Superman stories so I might as well read them all! ;)

"Issue #1" starts with a rocket leaving Krypton, but crashing right into the sun.

Jor-El and his wife Lara have tried several rockets and they have all failed.

As usual the government of Krypton is ignoring serious climate change and Jor-El is trying to at least save their son by programming a small rocket to find another world with life.

Since Krypton has spend centuries looking and have found no other signs of life its a long shot.

Kal-El is wearing the “S” shield on his clothes. This has always seemed stupid to me. There’s no way this makes any sense. Clarks mother making his outfit seems a lot more logical and believable than an alien symbol coincidentally looks like a san serif font “S”!

They throw a holographic tablet of Krypton’s history in the rocket. As the ground starts shaking Jor-El aims the rocket at Earth, knowing its yellow sun will strengthen his child. The shoot the rocket off.

25 years later. Clark catches a bullet meant for Kobe Asuru. He wants to then go after the gunman, but the police stop him. How do they know he isn’t also an enemy of Mr. Asuru?

Clark assures them that his assignment is to find out what Asuru is fighting for as an activist. Asuru tells Clark that he is fighting discrimination by tribe rather than race.

Last spring, another reporter, Lois Lane came through here as well. Clark has never met her. Clark is 25 years old at this time. As they talk about the significance of masks, a car drives by and starts shooting with automatic weapons.

Clark and Asuru and friends jump into a van to get away. Apparently the ‘superior’ tribe thinks he’s ‘forgetting his place’ and can be frightened into subservience.

As they escape Asuru talks about wanting to make a difference for the human race.

That was a good start. The art is really good but ‘overproduced’ is the only word I can think of. It’s slicker than it needs to be. But still very good. I’ll give this 3 stars and keep reading.

[Max Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

La historia empieza con el principio. Es decir, el comienzo de Superman con respecto a la Tierra y demás. Lo están lanzando desde Krypton en su pequeña cápsula espacial. La computadora se descontrola mientras la cápsula se desvía de su rumbo debido al sol rojo de Krypton.

Resulta que no es la cápsula real. En Krypton, el papá de Superman está creando simulaciones en una computadora. Una se precipita hacia el sol. Otra rebota en unos asteroides. Otra se queda sin combustible y se pierde en el cosmos. Otra es atacada por duendes espaciales, piratas intergalácticos y moléculas de hidrógeno al azar. No importa cómo planifique la trayectoria, la simulación siempre termina en destrucción. "Es inútil", se lamenta, "Es inútil".

[Devin Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is--I think--my fourth time reading a Superman (Kryptonian) origin story.

I'm going to say it's the best one.

From there, we get what feels like a pretty thoughtful meditation on cultural hegemony, as well as some inspirations for where Clark goes from here.

It's not the most cathartic issue on its own, but I enjoy it a lot as a starting point.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Superman origin story, and this first issue hits the ground running while showcasing some fantastic art.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente para conocer a Superman

[Vijay Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like the agency Lara’s given here. Also Clark getting inspiration for Superman from black people I know that’s right.

[aya · Rating 4 out of 5]

yes, i just watched the new superman movie.

[Mikey Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

the death of Krypton was an actual 10/10 i could’ve read 25 issues in just that setting. 25 years later Clark is in Africa meeting with tribes for journalism when they are attacked..

[Jodie Adel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i LOVE how he’s the one with the power, but he’s lois’ fan!!

[rafaela (taylor's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25