Superman Adventures Vol. 1

Superman Adventures #new1

by Scott McCloud, Rick Burchett (Illustrator)

Based on the beloved animated series--Superman takes flight!

Superman: The Animated Series was an instant classic, developed by the same team behind the beloved Batman: The Animated Series and featuring some of the greatest Superman adventures ever committed to film. Dive back into the world of Superman: The Animated Series with this collection of comics, featuring the iconic cast and some legendary creators!

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES VOL. 1 collects #1-10 and features stories by animated series co-creator Paul Dini (BATMAN: MAD LOVE) and acclaimed comics creator Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics, Zot!) and gorgeous animated-style art from Rick Burchett (THE BATMAN ADVENTURES). SUPERMAN ADVENTURES is the perfect book for Superman fans of all ages!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Superman, Science Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Scott McCloud (born Scott McLeod) is an American cartoonist and theorist on comics as a distinct literary and artistic medium.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"I find the whole mythology on superheroes fascinating. Take my favorite superhero, Superman. Not a great comic book. Not particularly well-drawn. But the mythology . . . the mythology is not only great, it's unique . . . Superman didn't become Superman. Superman was born Superman." -- David Carradine as 'Bill,' in the cinematic Kill Bill, Vol. 2 (2004)

Although less-remembered and operating at a somewhat lower profile (although not an inferior product in any way) than its 'brother' series Batman: The Animated Series, the DC Comics / Warner Brothers production Superman: The Animated Series ran for four seasons (1996-2000) and was a briefly a staple of the televised afternoon airings of cartoons. Likely released to coincide with the first season of the show, the graphic novel Superman Adventures features the Bruce Timm-inspired illustration styles that were visual signatures of both aforementioned animated series. These ten adequate stories are family-friendly - this is truly an 'all-ages' type of book - and very straightforward without too many surprises (expect the usual super-villain guest stars and Daily Planet co-workers in supporting roles), but the volume is nicely paced that things don't really have a chance to get boring.

[Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of Superman stories that really get who Superman is. The stories are character driven rather than event focused, so you really get to know and love the characters.

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of really wonderful short comics. Inspired by the animated series. I feel like this does a similar thing that All-Star Superman did, really hone in on the key aspects of Superman. More geared for kids and with not a ton of seriousness outside of the characters.

I wanted to check this out because of Scott McCloud and Cartoonist Kayfabe did a video on issue 2. I actually wasn't prepared to read beyond issue 2. He does up to issue 13 and also a 2005 series called Superman Strength - I'll have to read that too.

Great artwork through out.

[TheMoonDog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like classic Superman? The heroic, inherently optimistic and positive Superman? Then you'll love this book. It's a collection of short, self-contained stories featuring villains like Toyman, Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Livewire, General Zod and many others.

Rick Burchett draws the book in this unmistakable, charming style the animated series was known and loved for (making Metropolis look like a 50's Utopia, with lots of trenchcoats, Art Deco skyscrapers and classic cars), while Paul Dini and Scott McCloud handle writing duties.

It's a fine blend of classic silver age silliness (Superman vs. shrunken Kryptonian criminals), and more contemporary issues, like feminism in the media, among other interesting themes.


If you want a Superman comic free of unnecessary clutter (crossovers, etc.), with great characterisation and gorgeous, colorful art, then give this book a chance. You won't regret it.

*John Williams theme starts playing in the background*

[James Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just plain good superhero storytelling, with the right balance of fun and seriousness, and a generally upbeat vibe. Fans of Superman and/or the 90s animated series should be pretty pleased with this. (A-)

[Jake Nap · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of basic, fun Superman stories. I got everything I wanted out of this book and some. Scott McCloud tells amazing Superman stories that really understand the core of the character.

8/10

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome collection of what might be the best Superman series of the past 20? years. Inspired by the sublime Superman: The Animated Series (which is in turn inspired by Batman: TAS) it hits all of the great beats about Superman that work, past and present for the time.
It mines the Silver/Bronze Age stories for ideas and characters and is very much a part of the era of the Byrne reboot. It is a perfect blend of Classic and Modern and something wholly it's own. Do you like different colored Kryptonite but want it to make sense? Check. A slightly less powered Superman that has to work for it a bit? Check. Do you like Ma and Pa Kent alive? Check. A classic Lois and Clark and Superman love triangle? Check. Clark not a nebbish nerd but a wholesome farmboy? Check.
Seriously, if you want modern feeling but classic Superman this series is it.
I'm also a huge Scott McCloud fan (The Sculptor was awesome) and he did the series because he always wanted to write Superman, see, he's a fan too.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quintessential Superman stories. A lot of people will stay because of the "all-ages" label and that's a real shame.

[Aggelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid stuff, particularly issue 6. Scott McCloud the guy behind "understanding comics" writing Superman? Yes, please!

A collection of good done in one tales (mostly) that will become even better as the volume moves on because Mark Millar comes along!

[Nate]

Good fun. This is the first collection of comics based on Superman: the Animated Series, written by Scott McCloud (with Paul Dini on the first issue). These all-ages stories retain the bright nature of the show, full of joy, humor, and excitement. And the artists being that clean, Silver Agey style that leaps off the page. Most issues see Superman facing off against one of his foes: Brainiac, Livewire, and Toyman, to name a few. All of the stories are at least enjoyable, but it’s issue 9, “Return of the Hero”, that stands out as the best. It’s about a kid who just wants a hero to look up to, and finding that hero in an unexpected place.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cherished the first volume of Baman Adventures and this outing with Superman was no different. It’s made with a respect and affection for the show and characters, and it builds on what’s established instead of lazily copying it. Perfect bedtime stories for fans of the DCAU - I will be inhaling the rest of these.

[Andrew Beet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The superman adventures graphic novel was quick to read I like that the stories were inspired by the superman animated TV series the artwork was good and very close to the animation style of the TV series

[Joy ;) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice!
I love the bright colors and 60s vibes. Absolutely great!
Supes is so charming and funny! I love him!
And Lois is just an icon. I mean seriously.
All in all, a great read!
8/10 “I lived through it, and can still hardly believe it. Mmm. Good cocoa. Anyway…”

[Victoria Nebolsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up watching Superman the animated series as a kid, and it’s still one of my favorite cartoons to this day. The nostalgia I felt reading this was awesome, I wish some of these stories were featured on the show.

[Annice22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this was just like watching the animated series, there are good well-written stories in this first volume. I like that you get more character development in this as well.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute blast, some of my very favorite Superman comics ever.

[James Calefato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Superman Day! A great re-read.

[Brian Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation of the cartoon, would be good for younger kids who can read on their own.

[Peter Van Der Raaij · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had forgotten how good these stories were. This book contains the first 10 issues of the Superman Adventures comic which was based on the Superman Animated series. Apart from issues 7 and 8, these are all one and done issues. Some clever story telling in here.

[Skjam! · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the success of the Batman animated series of the 1990s, the DC Animated Universe became a “universe” with the release of the Superman animated show that shared the same continuity. While perhaps not quite as brilliant as its predecessor, the Superman animated series was still very good and depicted the characters well.

So naturally, there was a comic book tie-in series as well. Paul Dini (who’d worked on the TV show) and Scott McCloud wrote issues, with various pencillers and inker Terry Austin imitating the show’s artstyle. In this first volume, we primarily see sequels to television episodes.

Some standout stories: Issue 2 has “Superman’s Girlfriend” who is not Lois Lane, but an ordinary woman who allows a joke to roll out of control because she initially likes the attention. Which is fine until she’s held hostage by Metallo, the man with the Kryptonite heart. Issue 5 has the return of Livewire, an electrically-powered woman who’d been created for the TV show. This time she’s striking a blow against the patriarchy by banning men from all electronic media. Somehow. It’s a bit heavy-handed, but allows Lois and a female TV reporter to bond a bit–it’s the first time the latter has been allowed to be the primary reporter on real news stories.

#7&8 is a two-parter in which two Kryptonian criminals get access to size-changing technology. It’s most interesting for spotlighting police officer “Dangerous” Dan Turpin (a Jack Kirby creation who was made to look even more like his creator after Kirby died) and his refusal to back down against impossible odds, despite his utter lack of superpowers. And Issue 9 features a teenager who has two heroes, Superman and Lex Luthor. We see some depth from Luthor in this one, as he does seem to care about the boy, even as his greed ensures that the teenager will lose faith in him.

These are kid-friendly stories (#10 even has a kid help Clark Kent solve a mystery) with enough depth for adult fans to enjoy. There’s a certain amount of fantasy violence, and some people die in the backstory, but the worst that happens to anyone in the present day is a trip to the hospital.

The art style may take some getting used to for those who never saw the show, but is clear and effective.

Recommended for young Superman fans, and Nineties kids with nostalgia.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superman Adventures Vol. 1 is a good read for the whole family*.
*Unless your family is only into Marvel, then you might want to leave it aside for now, until your therapist has finished with you.

This, the first volume of Superman Adventures, collects issues one to ten and has a number of redeeming features, the highest of which is issue five.

Issue five, originally published by DC Comics in March 1997.
Written by Scott McCloud, penciled by Brett Blevins, inked by Terry Austin, colored by Marie Severin and lettered by Lois Buhalis, is the story 'Balance of Power'

Upon waking from her coma, the villain Livewire decides to engage in community service.
“You see, I think men and women should have equal time. As in, they had the last few thousand years, we should have the next.”
Livewire deletes newspaper files, stops radio and television broadcasts (that contain images of men) and defeats Superman.
As Livewire says before she defeats Superman in a brief battle in the West River power plant, “Oh, I’m on the side of the angels now, Supes. And this time I’m gonna win!’

An entertaining yet tragic exploration of oppression and abuse issues within society and the media, it focuses on the ongoing and pertinent themes of censorship, male oppression and the subjugation of women's rights.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really strips down the Superman experience to the true essentials. Unfortunately, it seems a little bit like it misses its own complexity.

Some of the stories seemed to require more explanation.

(Also how could people with Superman's power sock Lois Lane in the jaw and not, like, explode her? )

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Whoops. Didn't mean to re-read. The "new" Goodreads scan function is so diffulcut that it causes all sorts of problems Anyway, this is still just fine. It seems to maybe want to go somewhere?

[Don Witzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the WB cartoon you'll love this. Great single issue arcs. Not complex stories. Lois Lane is written well and stands out. You can't go wrong.