Superman: American Alien (2015-2016) #1 (Superman: American Alien

Superman: American Alien (Single Issues) #1

by Max Landis, Ryan Sook (Cover Art), Rob Schwager (Colorist)

Hollywood screenwriter and Eisner Award nominee Max Landis (Chronicle, American Ultra, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN) joins forces with top comics artists including Jock, Francis Manapul and Jae Lee to bring you SUPERMAN: AMERICAN ALIEN, a 7-issue miniseries chronicling the life of Clark Kent and his development into the archetypal hero he will eventually become. But these are not the stories of the iconic “Superman” as you know him, but of the soft-spoken, charming, often-funny Kansas farm-boy behind the Man of Steel. With the tone of each issue ranging from heartwarming and simple, to frighteningly gritty and violent, to sexy, sun-kissed and funny, SUPERMAN: AMERICAN ALIEN is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
In this first issue, superstar artist Nick Dragotta (East of West, Fantastic Four) illustrates the story of Jonathan and Martha Kent as they struggle to deal with their 12-year-old son’s latest quirk-he’s been floating up into the air, sometimes hundreds of feet!

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

28 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2015

About the author

Max Landis is a Hollywood screenwriter and Eisner Award nominee. Featured as one of Forbes 30 under 30 two consecutive years, Max Landis is an outspoken rising star in the screenwriting world. Having sold over fifteen projects in the last five years, Landis' first produced feature, Chronicle, did well at the box office and led to more sales.

Reviews

[Sandee is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Who needs normal? Maybe weird is better.

Superman: American Alien starts with a younger Clark Kent realizing for the first time that he can fly. The bad thing about it was, he had no idea how he does it, how he can control it, and how to land with both his two feet on the ground.

I can't really tell you much about it yet (i've only read the first issue), but all I can say is that I enjoyed reading this. The only other origin story I've read from Superman was Earth One (I think), and that story didn't really focus on a much younger Superman. Here, on issue 1 at least, you get to see Clark discovering his abilities, then freaking out because he had no idea how it works. Being a kid, you think the most important thing in the world is to fit in, and with Clark being what he is, that would prove to be really hard, especially now that all his abilities start to manifest itself. I thought Landis did a great job showing us that.

The writing, I really liked. There was a bit of humor in it, which is always a plus for me. While Clark was discovering the stuff that he can do, his parents were also discovering things about their son that they did not know. So while we see Clark's character developing, we also see the development in the character of those people around him.

Looking forward to starting the other issues. I believe, so far, we only have 7 issues of this, so I'm definitely reading the rest.

[Katherine (Kat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read this because my seizures made my memory of it super foggy to continue where I left off. Enjoyed it more this time I guess!

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good! So what is American Alien? Well its the story of Clark Kent growing up in Kansas, getting control of his powers, and learning his morals! Is it an origin story? In some respects ya, but a very good issue indeed!

[Nate Glanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique comic, interesting how they switched artist for each story

[Scott Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never seen a Max Landis movie but I was still intrigued by this Superman series. For awhile now the best stories of Superman and Batman have been told in series like this rather then in their monthly adventures, and this seems to have this same potential. Dragotta offers up what I would say is a bit of a change in style for him with a much more manga influenced art style while Landis tells a story of a young Clark learning to fly. I think this series could have loads of potential.

[Sam Hearts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love finding new origin stories on superman. Its always refreshing to see the same age old story in different points of view. I think Max told a awesome story and i can't wait to pick up the rest.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!

[PMoslice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic origin story for Superman. Original and well put together.

[Keith Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up because I like a lot of what Max Landis has put out into the world (Chronicle and the two YouTube short films, "The Death and Return of Superman" and "Wrestling Isn't Wrestling") so I figured I'd give this a shot.

I've never been much of a comic book reader. I own and have read a few graphic novels (e.g. Watchmen & The Preacher series) but I heard there's no guarantee this limited run would get a graphic novel produced, so I decided to buy the individual issues. The only other (non-trade) comic book I remember ever reading was a simple Simpsons issue I bought sometime in middle school...

One major reason I avoid these single issues is because they have a lot of backstory I don't know a lot about and may go on indefinitely (or until the writers decide to reboot the series completely). When I heard this book was going to be seven issues long I knew I could get into it.

I haven't read any other Superman comics, but I love the idea of seeing Clark come to terms with his powers. This issue was fun and I loved the artwork. There's a lot in the idea of a young boy growing up different from the rest of his peers and the struggles Landis puts into this short book all make a lot of sense. That cape cameo on the third-to-last page was great too.

The end of the comic features a two-page spread that is a "puzzle" of sorts giving some backstory to Clark's parents. Very neat to look into and figure out.

[cauldronofevil · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Dove” starts with Clark as a young child learning his powers with a very young Jon and Martha Clark.

A young kid learning to fly is rather dangerous when he can’t control it. His parents don’t want him to be seen by scientists even though he has some weird biological issues.

Young Clark is worried that he is not normal. His dad tells him that’s okay.

”Maybe weird is better..”

Clark is starting to understand that breaking things when he loses his temper is not good. Zack Snyder should read this comic.

They have this guy on the farm named Ben who is getting pretty concerned.

”You say ‘New’ like you found a girlie-mag under his bed.”

That’s a very fun story and a take we haven’t seen before. The art is excellent as well. 5 stars

[Arref Mak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kent parents super

The boy just wants to be normal.
But then again, there are things that young boys cannot control.
When you break a thing... You have damaged everyone that helped make the thing possible.

Jon and Martha Kent: super parents

Promising look at how Clark becomes human.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent start to a self-contained Superman book. Rather than rehash old origin stories or further explore the effed up New 52 version of the character, American Alien is an engaging and original series of Clark Kent-centered stories. Forget whether you're following any modern DC books, this is a Superman comic old and new fans can genuinely enjoy.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this from Geekerella, and I'm glad to pick this one up. Superman is one of the first superheroes I know and Smallville is also one of the first American drama series that I've watched. I've always wanted to know how the Kent family first cope with Clark when he was a kid. The plot can be a bit bland, but Clark is adorable here. 3.5 stars!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Origin story retold yet again... but it's good!! Like, this is the non-gritty "remember when comics made you excited to read them? because fun!" type of read

Little Clark with the Kents in middle of farmlands... learning flying like some kids would learn to ride a bike (just with more "oh dear lord, how is his stuck 50ft up in the air?!?!?")

[Pablo · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all this series is probably going to be something great,but this isn't a really good first issue. The art feels too childish like it would be in Gotham Academy. The story is ok so far but its not really different from the other ones....yet.

[Adjo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, maybe to quick ... It was still interesting to know how the little Clark Kent discover how to master his powers and his relationship with his father ... Good job, can't wait to read the next one !

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Help I just read my first comic ever and loved it

Where do I go from here? To issue #2 I guess. This issue was heartwarming and great. Clark's very early life as a weird kid. And weren't we all weird kids?

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading yet another reimagining of the Superman mythos. The artwork doesn't stand out as much to me, but this has sweet family moments. Some moments gave me Brightburn flashbacks, though it doesn't get dark like that film.

[Mouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm 🤔 it’s a different take on the origin of Superman. I’m honestly pretty sure we don’t need this, especially as it tries to be edgy and relevant but takes that sort of timeless goodness out of him.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice first issue, was great seeing just how supportive Clark parents were in regards to his power developing, and how despite how unhappy he was sometimes, his folks made him feel seen and loved, was honestly just SUPER heartwarming

[Kyle Plunkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this to come out for months. Came out today and it shows story of what Clark Kent's life was like as kid before he became Superman. It's so worth reading

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, but enough to buy the 2nd issue

I like this short story, even though I would like more included in this first story. Interested where it goes from here.

[Siva Vg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Hope the series develops with a good plot and back story for superman.. The first book was engaging With decent art

[Gustavo Daniele · Rating 5 out of 5]

fuck yeah max landis

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy start. The young year of Clark Kent (Smallville like) where he learn about his power and how to use it. Interesting and funny but a little bit slow. Will see how it goes.

[Srikumar Krishna Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply stunning art.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

3 stars is all I have to say right now. 10 more words required by Amazon to invalidate the star system.

[Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free vacations!!!

[Danyel Bookworm Gaymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Landis, How I love thee!

What a sweet little story and a great beginning. This is how I love my superman! Can't wait to continue the story.

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIMPLE AND BEAUTIFUL.
VERY SWEET STORY.
LOOKING FORWARD..