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 is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

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...

[aya · Rating 4 out of 5]

yes, i just watched the new superman movie.

[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".

[Emiliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this issue wow

The first few pages with his parents… damn was that great. It was emotional as fuck despite being only a few pages. Didn’t expect the rest of the issue to be Clark outside of the states but it was really great. Learning about the culture of a tribe and how important it is to their people was a nice way to showcase the importance of heritage as a theme for the series. I just really loved the issue and think it’s a great start to what I’m hoping to be a great run.

[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.

[io · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Todos temos os nossos papéis, e o mundo jamais mudou por causa de um homem tímido demais para ir até o seu limite total."

sim, estou obcecada no superman depois de assistir o filme de 2025 mais de uma vez e essa hq é meu ponto de partida.

[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.

[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

[Ryan Gässer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise. I’ll give it a shot.

[Arminas Sodaitis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ★

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

lol,this is my first comic ever