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Superman: One-Shots
Man and Superman 100-Page Super Spectacular #1
“This is the best Superman story I’ve ever written.” So says living legend Marv Wolfman, and when you’ve written hundreds of Superman stories as he has, it means a great deal. This gem of a tale—written and drawn from 2006-2009 for the SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL series—explodes from the DC archives as a triumphant tale of Clark Kent’s fateful first days in Metropolis, which were far from easy. His early failures almost ensured there would never be a hero called Superman. Powerful writing and stunning art combine to conjure an inspiring story that needed to be published, one you will never forget, from a pair of master storytellers.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2019
About the author
Marv Wolfman
2,298 books308 followersMarvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
October 8, 2021
"Is anybody really going to buy this?" -- twentysomething Clark Kent, uneasily eyeing his brand spanking new superhero uniform (courtesy of Martha 'Ma' Kent) for the first time
The title order doesn't lie - Man and Superman is really more about Clark Kent rather than his legendary superhero alter ego. Specifically, this story tracks everyone's favorite Smallville native son upon arriving in Metropolis (the country mouse becomes the city mouse, so to speak) after finishing college, and now attempting to pursue a career in print journalism. Of course, his natural segue into some big super-heroics is included as well. While I may make the plot description sound like it lacks a certain freshness, this was often an entertaining and thoughtful narrative. Take that tried-and-true formula idea of a young person out to make it on their own in an unfamiliar locale, and then add the beloved 'Man of Steel' mythos on top of it. Throw in some good scenes (Kent confiding his doubts and fears to his parents, his initial interactions with feisty Lois Lane, and his first showdown with nemesis Lex Luthor) and it cements this volume as worthy backstory for the long-running character.
The title order doesn't lie - Man and Superman is really more about Clark Kent rather than his legendary superhero alter ego. Specifically, this story tracks everyone's favorite Smallville native son upon arriving in Metropolis (the country mouse becomes the city mouse, so to speak) after finishing college, and now attempting to pursue a career in print journalism. Of course, his natural segue into some big super-heroics is included as well. While I may make the plot description sound like it lacks a certain freshness, this was often an entertaining and thoughtful narrative. Take that tried-and-true formula idea of a young person out to make it on their own in an unfamiliar locale, and then add the beloved 'Man of Steel' mythos on top of it. Throw in some good scenes (Kent confiding his doubts and fears to his parents, his initial interactions with feisty Lois Lane, and his first showdown with nemesis Lex Luthor) and it cements this volume as worthy backstory for the long-running character.
January 1, 2021
Man and Superman details Clark Kent's time in Metropolis before he put on the Superman uniform. This was originally an unpublished story from 2006 that didn't happen until now due to changes in editorial direction at DC at the time. Marv Wolfman calls it his best written Superman story. I would agree. Wolfman perfectly captures that time in your life when you first set out on your own away from your family. That time of excitement, uncertainty, and anxiety as you move to a new city where you know no one. Clark makes plenty of mistakes as he tries to determine how he should help the people of Metropolis with people initially seeing him as a threat. I really like the human elements as Clark struggles both to get his foot in the door as a reporter and becoming Superman.
Claudio Castellini has a classic Superman look to his art. It reminded me of Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez if he was inked by Andy Kubert. I really appreciated the level of detail he put into the backgrounds as well.
The Deluxe Edition adds some back matter. Marv Wolfman's original pitch, the script for issue #1 and a bunch of Claudio Castellini's early drawings.
Claudio Castellini has a classic Superman look to his art. It reminded me of Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez if he was inked by Andy Kubert. I really appreciated the level of detail he put into the backgrounds as well.
The Deluxe Edition adds some back matter. Marv Wolfman's original pitch, the script for issue #1 and a bunch of Claudio Castellini's early drawings.
November 22, 2022
Man and Superman is a trade paperback edition of a Marv Wolfman story about the Man of Steel and his Metropolis origins. Long before Superman flew the skies of Metropolis, a young man arrived from Smallville with the dream of becoming a reporter for the Daily Planet. Perry White, the publisher, refused to grant an audience to a small-town reporter without the big-town chops for hard-cutting investigative journalism. Clark Kent is frustrated at every turn, until Metropolis becomes a center for terrorist activity. Then, he must choose whether to stand idly by while hundreds of citizens are killed by select terrorist activity or to don the uniform his mother created for him to confront the evil that threatens to overwhelm the city. Along the way he realizes that he is not just an observer to the story, but that he happens to be an ESSENTIAL part of the story and must come to terms with the fact that he can be an objective interpreter of news only when he is in the Clark Kent persona. He can be forgiven for his ignorance, not just because he is an alien, but because he has never understood the responsibility that comes with his amazing powers. This is one of Marv Wolfman’s best comics.
December 21, 2019
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
It’s easy to assume that being a superhero doesn’t imply any dilemma or consequences, that being one entitles you to privileges and indisputable happiness. In reality, there are many choices at play and terrifying decisions and sacrifices that are made by these heroes, pondering their own rights and freedom against those of their loved ones and humanity. Imagine how much Superman had to put aside to embody hope for the people of the world. Imagine how much Superman had to sacrifice in his own personal life to keep everyone safe from harm’s way. Legendary writer Marv Wolfman and renown artist Claudio Castellini both embark on a beautiful project to thus tackle the intimate and challenging journey of Clark Kent before he decides to dawn the symbol he brought home from Krypton.
What is Man and Superman about? Set between the moment Clark Kent leaves Smallville and settles in Metropolis, this story explores not only Superman’s arrival but the man he needs to become if he is to pursue his life henceforth. Starting from the bottom, the small-town boy chases after his dreams to become a reporter for the Daily Planet while also trying to figure out how he can utilize his secret abilities for the city he loves. While the city is in the middle of determining their next mayor amidst the crime wave it is suffering from, Clark Kent learns to understand what his place is in this city that seems much bigger than himself. It is when an unknown terrorist looks to spread terror that Clark Kent finds himself looking to thwart this egomaniac’s plan as the grand finale for his coming-of-age tale.
Initially proposed as a four-issue story arc to be included in the abandoned project Superman Confidential, this ten-year-old saga is now released in a stunning deluxe edition with remastered colouring by Claudio Castellini, an introduction and an afterword by Marv Wolfman, the original proposal pitched by Marv Wolfman with additional commentary on what was changed since then, the final draft script for Superman Confidential #1, and an incredibly insightful guided tour by Claudio Castellini on the artistic process, from transforming the script to the colouring and the creation of the cover artwork to be used.
Writer Marv Wolfman does a fantastic job in his depiction of Clark Kent before he fully embraces his uniform and proudly flies around Metropolis conveying hope to its citizens. It’s a very grounded story that follows the journalist-in-the-making as he encounters people from all kinds of socioeconomic statuses and befriends them for their kindness and their way of life. There’s also an intimate look at Clark Kent’s own internal struggle to understand his place in the world as he’s unable to immediately fit in. His conflict lies essentially in his own understanding of what each of his personalities is meant to be, what Clark Kent and Superman are each supposed to respectively strive for in their lives. After all, if one doesn’t survive and adapt to its environment, the other suffers.
Artist Claudio Castellini beautifully transforms the script with some of the most stunning artwork. His focus on the presence of characters and their emotional reaction to their environment is impressive, especially during key plot moments where iconic characters are introduced. His ability to showcase their importance in the eye of Clark Kent through selective scaling on each page helps the reader immediately identify focal events that are life-changing in the smalltown boy’s life. His remastering of an otherwise incredible colouring by Hi-Fi also adds significant symbolism behind those important moments in the narrative. All in all, the creative team behind this project poured their heart into telling a story that marks the beginning of Superman’s adventures.
Man and Superman is a beautiful adventure centered around Superman’s secret identity and his quest for purpose before becoming Metropolis’ guardian.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
May 8, 2020
This retells Clark Kent's first arrival in Metropolis as a job hunting graduate looking to work at a newspaper. The Daily Planet seems to be too high a bar for a fresh graduate who only has experience writing about rural news in Smallville. It covers how he meets Lois and how she ultimately helps him to get his job at The Daily Planet. This also covers the issue of trading freedom for security well.
March 22, 2019
Best young Clark Kent* story ever! Marv Wolfman continues to write stories I'm interested in reading. This story would make a great bookend to the John Byrne-era stories or a companion to Alan Moore's WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW? Can hardly wait for the deluxe edition to put a physical copy on my bookshelf.
*Best adult Clark Kent story? "I Can't Go Home Again" by Elliot S! Maggin from SUPERMAN #270 (December 1973).
*Best adult Clark Kent story? "I Can't Go Home Again" by Elliot S! Maggin from SUPERMAN #270 (December 1973).
October 21, 2025
A wonderful story that documents Clark's early days in the cart of Metropolis an how he deals with becoming the superhero of the city. The key to Wolfman's success is the fact that he manages to wonderfully humanise Clark. There's a great balance of insecurity and hope which makes him a very relatable protagonist despite the huge differences in power between Superman and the readers. The introduction to Metropolis is also well crafted, feeling lived in, but without too much thrown in that it feels overwhelming. Lois, Lex, Perry, and Jimmy are all introduced here and their main traits are well touched upon. The standout is definitely Lois who, despite not featuring in many panels, has a huge presence throughout. As Clark puts it, she is 'tough, funny, sharp', and that's exactly how she works best. Castellini has provided some stellar art work to accompany the narrative, and this book comes off as an overall love letter to the character.
October 10, 2021
SCORE: 80 | B+ / A-
TRIGGERS: n/a
REVIEW: "Superman is what I can do, Clark is who I am." This book was recommended to me (thank you so much!), and I'm really glad that it was as I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. Superman is my second favourite hero after Batman, and this interpretation only helps to cement his status. This focuses on a young Clark Kent, the perfect boy scout from Smallville, who has moved to Metropolis to follow his dream of being a professional journalist. Unlike other Superman stories, Clark isn't the well-rounded, experienced hero that we all know, but a youngKryptonian man who is discovering his path in life, helped along by Lois Lane's supportive articles about his alter-ego:
Moronboy
, sorry, I mean, Superman. It's a story which highlights growing up and finding your own path in life whilst adding in large sprinkles of action which we are so accustomed to seeing in superhero stories.
TRIGGERS: n/a
REVIEW: "Superman is what I can do, Clark is who I am." This book was recommended to me (thank you so much!), and I'm really glad that it was as I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. Superman is my second favourite hero after Batman, and this interpretation only helps to cement his status. This focuses on a young Clark Kent, the perfect boy scout from Smallville, who has moved to Metropolis to follow his dream of being a professional journalist. Unlike other Superman stories, Clark isn't the well-rounded, experienced hero that we all know, but a young
August 10, 2019
“I can't pretend to be two different people when they all know the real me.”
July 14, 2020
Marv Wolfman pens a Superman tale that oddly enough doesn't feature the famed hero until the end. Truthfully speaking I usually enjoy more action in my superhero comics, but Wolfman won me over with a truly human take on the Man of Steel. This book follows the early days of Clark's arrival in metropolis and his struggle to become a reporter at the Daily Planet. Wolfman does a great job with dialogue and the key characterizations of Lois Lane, Perry White, Lex Luthor and of course Clark Kent. There is not anything new here but a reinforcement of why Superman has stood the test of time in not just comics but as a American icon. Wolfman also plants the seeds in this book that it was Lois; belief in Clark that also pushes him to become the man in the suit. We also get a few flashbacks of Ma & PA Kent that were written well. The story was not boring but there were times I felt the story was bit dialogue heavy. This was more of a character driven piece than an action book. This is definitely a great book to add to a Superman graphic collection. It really adds to a bigger understanding of Superman's early days. Here are a few other books I recommend for those looking for good takes on Superman's early years:Superman: Secret Origin, Superman And The Legion Of Superheroes, Superman: Birthright, Superman by Grant Morrison Omnibus, Superman: American Alien, Superman for All Seasons and Superman: The Man of Steel, Vol. 1.
November 17, 2021
A história com o maior número de extras que já li e é bem aquilo que o leitor fala como foi uma idéia de muito tempo atrás que ele conseguiu lançar recentemente parece datada ou clichê, porém a forma humanizada que é contada, literalmente pq o Super está sem o uniforme mostra de onde veio a motivação para ele continuar lutando pautada na esperança e como ele se apaixonou pela Lois. Um quadrinho muito recente e político também mas além de tudo Humano.
August 25, 2021
Eu vinha numa onda se descrença no trabalho de Marv Wolfman depois de ler os trabalhos dele resgatados nos últimos volumes de Lendas do Universo DC: Novos Titãs e A Saga do Superman pela Panini. Mas, por causa do trabalho de Claudio Castellini, italiano conhecido pelos desenhos de Nathan Never e Marvel vs. DC/DC vs. Marvel resolvi dar uma chance e adquirir esta HQ. E o quadrinho é muito bom! Como fala na introdução a essa HQ, Marv resolveu se reinventar em sua narrativa e isso fica bastante evidente comparando esse trabalho e os pregressos. Desenvolvida incialmente para a finada revista Superman Confidential, Homem e Super-Homem (título baseado na obra de Bernard Shaw) tem a missão de mostrar uma nova origem do Superman. Demorou mais de dez anos para ser publicada desde que ficou pronta. Tá, mas em que isso difere das diveras releituras de origem do Super feitas até então? O foco em Clark Kent. É a odisseia dele em se tornar jornalista do Planeta Diário que importa nessa narrativa e não como ele se torna Superman (que, claro, acontece nesse processo). Assim, Marv mergulha fundo nas motivações do personagem - algo que poucos roteiristas fazem hoje em dia, mas com uma narrativa fluida e nada datada. Os desenhos de Castellini parecem melhorar a cada edição (das 4 planejadas previamente) e desenvolvem um Superman atemporal. O único porém é o excesso de extras da edição, que são mais de 25% da revista, encarecendo ela. A capa dura também é dispensável, mas é o jeito Panini de ser, deixando essa ótima HQ menos acessível para muita gente.
March 10, 2025
I just don't get the high ratings for this one. Feels like a rough draft of a superman story from the late 80's, early 90s, but doesn't have much to say other than another retelling of Superman's first few days in the big city. I was bored most of the time, but the art atleast was solid. But honestly this is like a 2/5 for me.
February 10, 2019
A good story, but like Marv said in the intro a lot of this has already been done since this was written in 2006 (when this was written) to now (when it was published). But definitely worth checking out.
January 7, 2020
Marv Wolfman offers his own take on Clark's arrival in Metropolis and it's ... OK.
There's a lot to be said for the early issues, where we're presented with a disillusioned Clark living in near poverty as he tries to make his way in the big city. That's an interesting transition that writers haven't delved into. But from there we quickly escalate to a terrorist threat against the whole city and the return of Luther to the city, and you get the feeling that this is stuff you've seen before, just with a slightly different twist.
As a few issues of "Superman Confidential", this would have been fine, but probably forgettable. As a Deluxe edition heralded as a long-lost classic, it doesn't really hold its weight.
There's a lot to be said for the early issues, where we're presented with a disillusioned Clark living in near poverty as he tries to make his way in the big city. That's an interesting transition that writers haven't delved into. But from there we quickly escalate to a terrorist threat against the whole city and the return of Luther to the city, and you get the feeling that this is stuff you've seen before, just with a slightly different twist.
As a few issues of "Superman Confidential", this would have been fine, but probably forgettable. As a Deluxe edition heralded as a long-lost classic, it doesn't really hold its weight.
February 14, 2019
Μια από τις καλύτερες ιστορίες του Superman από έναν συγγραφέα θρύλο.
Ο Κλαρκ Κεντ φτάνει στη Μητρόπολη και προσπαθεί να γίνει ο Σούπερμαν, αλλά έχει να τα βάλει με τις αμφιβολίες του, την ανεργία, τον ανταγωνισμό για να βρει μια θέση στον ημερήσιο πλανήτη καθώς και ένα κύμα τρομοκρατικών επιθέσεων.
Ο Wolfman ξέρει πώς να μπλέκει το υπερηρωικό κόμικ με τις προσωπικές ιστορίες των χαρακτήρων του και τον ψυχισμό τους, ενώ το σχέδιο του Castellini αποδίδει άψογα το σενάριο.
Σηκωθείτε από ντιβάνια, καναπέδες και λοιπά και διαβάστε το.
Ο Κλαρκ Κεντ φτάνει στη Μητρόπολη και προσπαθεί να γίνει ο Σούπερμαν, αλλά έχει να τα βάλει με τις αμφιβολίες του, την ανεργία, τον ανταγωνισμό για να βρει μια θέση στον ημερήσιο πλανήτη καθώς και ένα κύμα τρομοκρατικών επιθέσεων.
Ο Wolfman ξέρει πώς να μπλέκει το υπερηρωικό κόμικ με τις προσωπικές ιστορίες των χαρακτήρων του και τον ψυχισμό τους, ενώ το σχέδιο του Castellini αποδίδει άψογα το σενάριο.
Σηκωθείτε από ντιβάνια, καναπέδες και λοιπά και διαβάστε το.
August 6, 2022
Choosing to leave Smallville behind, Clark Kent moves to Metropolis to become a reporter and to take the opportunity to unleash his secret identity on the world. When his new life in the Big Apricot overwhelms him, he begins to question if he has what it takes to be a Superman.
Wolfman's script is outstanding. One of the best origin stories for 'Superman' committed to the page. The artwork amazes and the facial work makes the characters feel alive. The "hero" shots of Lois Lane and Lex Luthor stand out, but there are plenty of great drawings of Clark Kent and this adds a layer of realism to this very human story.
Wolfman's script is outstanding. One of the best origin stories for 'Superman' committed to the page. The artwork amazes and the facial work makes the characters feel alive. The "hero" shots of Lois Lane and Lex Luthor stand out, but there are plenty of great drawings of Clark Kent and this adds a layer of realism to this very human story.
September 27, 2025
A different spin on how Clark Kent arrived in Metropolis, straight off the farm in Smallville, and came to the point of revealing himself as Superman. It starts with the premise that he couldn't have just walked straight into a job at the Daily Planet with only his school paper experience. So what did he do when he first arrived? We are also privy to some of his thought processes as he decides whether he is up to the task of using his abilities for good, and knowing that once he reveals himself as Superman, nothing will ever be the same. Also introduces us to Lois Lane, who is already a force to be reckoned with, and Lex Luther's return to Metropolis. Great story and exquisite artwork.
May 6, 2019
Marv Wolfman said that is possibly his best Superman story he’s ever written, and it’s possibly the best Superman story I’ve ever read.
Clark Kent is an endlessly fascinating character to me (he is my second favorite character of all time). He often gets the criticism that he is boring and overpowered. While no one can argue against overpowered, I think calling him boring is ignoring the nuance of the character. Clark is alone on Earth. Anyone who has ever felt different can look to him as a symbol of strength and someone they can relate to on a personal level, laser eyes and frost breath aside.
This book showed Clark’s deep loneliness in such a beautiful and heartbreaking manner. The panel of him sitting on the floor crying because he didn’t think he could do it... that hit me. Even the quintessential superhero has his moments of doubt and cal fall. What makes him super is getting back up again. Which he always does.
Something else I appreciated which is almost never shown: What Clark Kent, the man, had to go through to make it in Metropolis. He’s a farm boy from Smallville. He was naive enough to fall for a Craigslist ad about a “great apartment”. He worked as a janitor for money. He had to beg his way into the Daily Planet. He wrote beautiful poetry. I’m so glad this story touched on Clark as a writer, and that he wrote because it’s something he has to work toward. Ugh. Marv Wolfman just gets this character and what makes him amazing and my favorite superhero.
Lois Lane was fantastic in this as well. A Clark-meets-Lois story where she’s not the damsel in distress? Sign me the eff up. She actually saves him in this story. I love when it’s shown how it’s not just Superman saving Lois Lane, it’s Lois Lane saving Clark Kent. My OG OTP.
I usually only comment on writing when it comes to comics, but I do want to make a shout out to the expressive artwork and the beautiful landscape of Metropolis. One of the perks of reading comics is getting to just stop and stare at the beautiful artwork, which I did on almost every page. My only note is that I don’t care for the extremely beefy body type Clark Kent. He should have muscle from all his heavy lifting, but he is not a body builder.
I’m going to go ahead and count this as being among the greats of Superman stories. This will probably be my go-to reread every time I’m feeling down. Thank you, Marv Wolfman.
Clark Kent is an endlessly fascinating character to me (he is my second favorite character of all time). He often gets the criticism that he is boring and overpowered. While no one can argue against overpowered, I think calling him boring is ignoring the nuance of the character. Clark is alone on Earth. Anyone who has ever felt different can look to him as a symbol of strength and someone they can relate to on a personal level, laser eyes and frost breath aside.
This book showed Clark’s deep loneliness in such a beautiful and heartbreaking manner. The panel of him sitting on the floor crying because he didn’t think he could do it... that hit me. Even the quintessential superhero has his moments of doubt and cal fall. What makes him super is getting back up again. Which he always does.
Something else I appreciated which is almost never shown: What Clark Kent, the man, had to go through to make it in Metropolis. He’s a farm boy from Smallville. He was naive enough to fall for a Craigslist ad about a “great apartment”. He worked as a janitor for money. He had to beg his way into the Daily Planet. He wrote beautiful poetry. I’m so glad this story touched on Clark as a writer, and that he wrote because it’s something he has to work toward. Ugh. Marv Wolfman just gets this character and what makes him amazing and my favorite superhero.
Lois Lane was fantastic in this as well. A Clark-meets-Lois story where she’s not the damsel in distress? Sign me the eff up. She actually saves him in this story. I love when it’s shown how it’s not just Superman saving Lois Lane, it’s Lois Lane saving Clark Kent. My OG OTP.
I usually only comment on writing when it comes to comics, but I do want to make a shout out to the expressive artwork and the beautiful landscape of Metropolis. One of the perks of reading comics is getting to just stop and stare at the beautiful artwork, which I did on almost every page. My only note is that I don’t care for the extremely beefy body type Clark Kent. He should have muscle from all his heavy lifting, but he is not a body builder.
I’m going to go ahead and count this as being among the greats of Superman stories. This will probably be my go-to reread every time I’m feeling down. Thank you, Marv Wolfman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2019
Wolfman may be right about this being his best Supes work: this IS an amazing Clark Kent story. But as much as I enjoyed it and loved the expressiveness of the art, I can't give 5 stars to a callback to the beefcake style of drawing bodies. So a 4 it is.
July 27, 2022
Beautiful origin story for The Man and Superman who arrives to Metropolis. The art was fantastic. Every page you feel the atmosphere of Metropolis. It's clever, amusing and well written. A great entry way for new modern readers who are interested in the essence of Superman.
May 9, 2020
This was an enjoyable re-imagining of Superman's fist days in Metropolis and his first appearance to the world as Superman. It really tries to focus on Superman the man, and the insights are pretty brilliant. I am also a very big fan of how they dealt with his relationship with Lois Lane. You definitely see why he's in love with her and not Wonder Woman or anyone else in the way the book examined that relationship. Just read this as a story and not canon, and you'll enjoy it.
March 4, 2019
This was a nicely done little story, but not momentous enough to keep until the last chapter. That chapter has everything I want a latter day Superman story to have: a great relationship between Lois and Clark, some smart figuring to unmask the villain, and characters who grow over the course of the story. This tale is told with some stunning and surprising art, an exemplary panel being when Clark Kent in street clothes is presented his Superman costume in an open box, the angle making it look as if the costume is already on him. You probably need to see this for yourself, but it summarizes what is special about the character in a single image. Enjoy this graphic novel.
July 11, 2019
This is the single best Superman story I have read in a long time. Too long. Far too long.
Marv Wolfman understands Lois. He understands Clark. He understands Lex Luthor. He groks the whole Superman family.
People often wonder why I love Superman more than Batman. It is not that I dislike Batman; I just like Superman more.
People wonder why I adore Lois Lane.
It is because of stories like this.
Marv Wolfman understands Lois. He understands Clark. He understands Lex Luthor. He groks the whole Superman family.
People often wonder why I love Superman more than Batman. It is not that I dislike Batman; I just like Superman more.
People wonder why I adore Lois Lane.
It is because of stories like this.
January 7, 2024
As a kid, I loved Batman and Superman. I gradually grew out of Superman because I thought he seemed childish. As I grew older, I realized the problem wasn’t that Superman was childish. It was that every writer in every medium in which I consumed Superman stories told variations of the same story: Lex Luthor, Kryptonite, Lois is in danger. That’s the mold from which so many Superman stories were baked, or so it seemed to me. Then came the abominable Zack Snyder era, where Snyder seemed to have confused Superman for Batman and Batman for the Punisher, and both characters felt interchangeable, hollow, and as far from who they should be as it seemed possible to get.
There was a moment in Superman Returns that resonated with me in a movie I considered unremarkable otherwise. Superman is in space, hovering somewhere above earth. He can hear everything happening on our planet, including cries for help. He knows he can’t save them all. He feels overwhelmed. Humans see him as a god; Clark/Kal-El sees himself as not enough of a god to help everyone. That, to me, was Superman. A man who represents the best of us, but still fails and must find the courage and strength to keep trying, the same as any of us mortals whom he protects.
I’ve thought about since the movie hit theaters in the mid-2000s. It was on my mind a month or two ago when I googled lists of top Superman stories. MAN AND SUPERMAN by Marv Wolfman ranked high on several lists. I liked the premise of following Clark during the time between leaving Smallville and becoming Superman for the first time, and I was struck by artist Claudio Castellini’s beautiful, aspirational depiction of Superman on the cover.
I read the book in two sittings today, stopping only to spend some time with my wife before she headed to bed. Wolfman believes MAN is the best Superman story he’s ever written. It’s certainly the best I’ve ever read, and not just of his. Clark’s naiveté, stress, despair, and hopelessness reminded me of… well, me, and probably most late-teens and early-twenty-somethings who leave home, find themselves in the world for the first time, and are overwhelmed by everything. Every moment of every day feels like a life lesson. One of Clark’s first: the description of an apartment he found online does not come anywhere close to the real thing—a cramped studio apartment riddled with garbage and bugs, and in a neighborhood the landlord insists is perfectly safe… as long as you’re home before dark.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, or the hem of Superman’s cape. He makes mistakes as a rookie hero. He struggles to find a story worthy of Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White’s attention. He considers giving up and going home, a hopelessness I experienced when I lost the job I’d moved across the country for and was at my lowest point many, many years ago. I didn’t give up. I kept going. Clark doesn’t give up, either. He asks himself and finds answers to difficult questions we all struggle with, and not just in our early twenties: Who are we? Why are we here? What are we supposed to do? And how do we do it?
MAN AND SUPERMAN is beautifully written and illustrated, and a perfect Superman story. It’s heroic, but before that, it’s aspirational. Superman represents the best of us, but before he can be that, he has to find the best of himself.
There was a moment in Superman Returns that resonated with me in a movie I considered unremarkable otherwise. Superman is in space, hovering somewhere above earth. He can hear everything happening on our planet, including cries for help. He knows he can’t save them all. He feels overwhelmed. Humans see him as a god; Clark/Kal-El sees himself as not enough of a god to help everyone. That, to me, was Superman. A man who represents the best of us, but still fails and must find the courage and strength to keep trying, the same as any of us mortals whom he protects.
I’ve thought about since the movie hit theaters in the mid-2000s. It was on my mind a month or two ago when I googled lists of top Superman stories. MAN AND SUPERMAN by Marv Wolfman ranked high on several lists. I liked the premise of following Clark during the time between leaving Smallville and becoming Superman for the first time, and I was struck by artist Claudio Castellini’s beautiful, aspirational depiction of Superman on the cover.
I read the book in two sittings today, stopping only to spend some time with my wife before she headed to bed. Wolfman believes MAN is the best Superman story he’s ever written. It’s certainly the best I’ve ever read, and not just of his. Clark’s naiveté, stress, despair, and hopelessness reminded me of… well, me, and probably most late-teens and early-twenty-somethings who leave home, find themselves in the world for the first time, and are overwhelmed by everything. Every moment of every day feels like a life lesson. One of Clark’s first: the description of an apartment he found online does not come anywhere close to the real thing—a cramped studio apartment riddled with garbage and bugs, and in a neighborhood the landlord insists is perfectly safe… as long as you’re home before dark.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, or the hem of Superman’s cape. He makes mistakes as a rookie hero. He struggles to find a story worthy of Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White’s attention. He considers giving up and going home, a hopelessness I experienced when I lost the job I’d moved across the country for and was at my lowest point many, many years ago. I didn’t give up. I kept going. Clark doesn’t give up, either. He asks himself and finds answers to difficult questions we all struggle with, and not just in our early twenties: Who are we? Why are we here? What are we supposed to do? And how do we do it?
MAN AND SUPERMAN is beautifully written and illustrated, and a perfect Superman story. It’s heroic, but before that, it’s aspirational. Superman represents the best of us, but before he can be that, he has to find the best of himself.
November 1, 2023
Marv Wolfman insists that this is one of the best stories he's ever written. He's correct...but that's not saying much. I've rarely been a fan of Wolfman's work. I think his comics scripts reek of an author who wishes he was a novelist instead, with text covering more of the page than the art. His dialogue is usually stilted and unnatural, filled with thought bubbles to explain every little action that is already being shown on-panel. I think most of his best work is only palatable because of incredible collaborators like George Perez.
But this had none of that. I honestly wouldn't have believed it was by Marv Wolfman had he not told me so himself in the introduction. He said he wanted to adapt to how comic writing styles had changed over time, and prove that he could play ball in the modern comics world. I think he mostly succeeded in that regard. This comic fits right in with other 00's Superman fare pretty well (though it's not really possible to fit it into strict post-Crisis canon, given how much it contradicts Man of Steel). I'm happy Wolfman was able to achieve what he set out to do.
But if I'm just judging it on the quality of the story alone, minus all the context, there's really not much to say. There's nothing really wrong with it, but it's not going to change your perspective on any of the characters involved. The most interesting parts are the early pages where Clark moves into his first Metropolis apartment, and does a little vigilante work before putting on the costume. We also get to see him struggle his way into the journalism industry, at last showing Clark making his bones before he worked at the Planet. That little time period hasn't been explored much, so it was refreshing. After that though, it turns into the same old Superman vs. Luthor story, with the same old inconclusive "I'll get you next time!" ending. We also get to see a redo of Clark's first meeting of Lois, which is fairly well done. Lois is well characterized for the most part, though she seemed much less angry about Clark undercutting her than she did in Man of Steel.
Overall, like I said, it's fine, but probably not much you haven't seen before. I really wish it had been written with Man of Steel continuity in mind, so it could be slotted between issues easily. I'm surprised that it wasn't, given that Marv Wolfman himself was one of the main collaborators of the post-Crisis Superman relaunch. Oh well.
But this had none of that. I honestly wouldn't have believed it was by Marv Wolfman had he not told me so himself in the introduction. He said he wanted to adapt to how comic writing styles had changed over time, and prove that he could play ball in the modern comics world. I think he mostly succeeded in that regard. This comic fits right in with other 00's Superman fare pretty well (though it's not really possible to fit it into strict post-Crisis canon, given how much it contradicts Man of Steel). I'm happy Wolfman was able to achieve what he set out to do.
But if I'm just judging it on the quality of the story alone, minus all the context, there's really not much to say. There's nothing really wrong with it, but it's not going to change your perspective on any of the characters involved. The most interesting parts are the early pages where Clark moves into his first Metropolis apartment, and does a little vigilante work before putting on the costume. We also get to see him struggle his way into the journalism industry, at last showing Clark making his bones before he worked at the Planet. That little time period hasn't been explored much, so it was refreshing. After that though, it turns into the same old Superman vs. Luthor story, with the same old inconclusive "I'll get you next time!" ending. We also get to see a redo of Clark's first meeting of Lois, which is fairly well done. Lois is well characterized for the most part, though she seemed much less angry about Clark undercutting her than she did in Man of Steel.
Overall, like I said, it's fine, but probably not much you haven't seen before. I really wish it had been written with Man of Steel continuity in mind, so it could be slotted between issues easily. I'm surprised that it wasn't, given that Marv Wolfman himself was one of the main collaborators of the post-Crisis Superman relaunch. Oh well.
October 31, 2023
Man and Superman by Marv Wolfman is a book that, conceptually, I like maybe a little bit better than Johns' Secret Origin, but in execution 1 think works maybe a little bit worse, and I have to side with execution over concept any day. Not to say this wasn't worth reading, not at all. This is sometimes called the 100-Page Super Spectacular, and it is worth that fanfare. Written a decade before publication, this was supposed to be part of the Superman: Confidential monthly, but while this was already completed, the title was cancelled. Therefore, it sat on a shelf until a new DC Exec said "Hey, publish this."
This is Clark's first trip to Metropolis, overlapping just a smidge with those few bumbling pages from Secret Origin, and with a bit more realistic of a spin on him getting a job in a bustling city that's clearly fallen on hard times. In the foreword, it's mentioned that the Daily Planet is the biggest newspaper in town, so how does this punk newbie get the shot of a lifetime? Well he gets the scoop of a lifetime, and it wins him a job. A lot of this is just "How do I live my life as both Clarkman and Super Kent?" I like that. But... the pacing feels a little weird to me, like it just saunters down the street and hits the telephone pole, then it's over. It's a good read, and it's written very well - even above the dynamics in Secret Origin, this is a better relationship between Clark and Lois, I think. But it just feels a little off, and I doubt I can aptly explain it. It feels like extra material, like deleted scenes that are good scenes but we know why it was cut. That sort of thing. And what hurts it worse is I don't like looking at it. The art is fine, but the characters are.. oof I don't like them. The designs are really strange, like this is the new ad for Barbie's DC toyline. Make your Ken doll Clark KENt with the all new Superman and Lois Barbie two-pack! They look like someone took pictures of real people and put the comic book filter on it seventeen times. I really didn't like the art here, and that's not something that usually affects my enjoyment of a book too greatly, but it really did here. It's unfortunate, because most of the art is perfectly fine! But when we get a close-up or a shot that's supposed to be heroic or larger-than-life, it looks really ugly to me, and it draws me out. Despite most of it looking perfectly fine.
This is Clark's first trip to Metropolis, overlapping just a smidge with those few bumbling pages from Secret Origin, and with a bit more realistic of a spin on him getting a job in a bustling city that's clearly fallen on hard times. In the foreword, it's mentioned that the Daily Planet is the biggest newspaper in town, so how does this punk newbie get the shot of a lifetime? Well he gets the scoop of a lifetime, and it wins him a job. A lot of this is just "How do I live my life as both Clarkman and Super Kent?" I like that. But... the pacing feels a little weird to me, like it just saunters down the street and hits the telephone pole, then it's over. It's a good read, and it's written very well - even above the dynamics in Secret Origin, this is a better relationship between Clark and Lois, I think. But it just feels a little off, and I doubt I can aptly explain it. It feels like extra material, like deleted scenes that are good scenes but we know why it was cut. That sort of thing. And what hurts it worse is I don't like looking at it. The art is fine, but the characters are.. oof I don't like them. The designs are really strange, like this is the new ad for Barbie's DC toyline. Make your Ken doll Clark KENt with the all new Superman and Lois Barbie two-pack! They look like someone took pictures of real people and put the comic book filter on it seventeen times. I really didn't like the art here, and that's not something that usually affects my enjoyment of a book too greatly, but it really did here. It's unfortunate, because most of the art is perfectly fine! But when we get a close-up or a shot that's supposed to be heroic or larger-than-life, it looks really ugly to me, and it draws me out. Despite most of it looking perfectly fine.
April 25, 2025
The beginning was stronger than the final chapter—Wolfman draws you in, and bam, you're hooked. The first chapters remind me of the best parts of Man of Steel: Clark making ends meet working odd jobs, living adrift before fulfilling his destiny and becoming Superman. Here it's different from Snyder's "transcendental" approach inspired by Terrence Malick. Wolfman brings a much welcomed focus on class, Superman hangs out with the common men, his coworkers. This shapes him, and reminds me of the character's roots, the early stories of the 30s. It weakens by the time we flip its last pages, but there's no denying the concept was fresh, this is a period that's under-explored in Superman's mythology and Wolfman knows how to humanize him. He doesn't know what to do with Luthor (his plan is ridiculous, if you're going to write a smart scheming genius with a plan watch Colombo), and he overdoes Lois Lane, she's not so much the pesky reporter, but a obnoxious self-assured egomaniacal lady. What continues constant is Castellini's art; what he does with light and shadows, his clean lines, the thickness of the textures, the dynamic angles, he is better at directing than modern film directors, there's not a flat composition in the whole book, and the guy knows how to draw anatomy and compose poses, he writes in the paratexts he has “a constant search for three-dimensionality through bodies stretched in extreme postures and depicted through exaggerated perspectives and angles of view”... He understands the key to superhero comic book imagemaking is to take inspiration from baroque sculpture. Beautiful stuff.
December 8, 2021
(8.5/10): I absolutely love the concept it is trying to execute, writing Clark Kent as a reluctant hero instead of one who had all of the cards lined up for him to become the hero he came to be as soon as he arrived in Metropolis. I personally thinks this book examines Superman as a flawed hero and as a superHUMAN better than what Max Landis worked to accomplish in American Alien. Although that theme may feel a bit redundant towards the middle segment of the book, it still makes it's statement about Superman clear nevertheless. It is basically the whole "with great power comes great responsibility" theme, now directly emphasized onto Clark Kent and his reluctance to be such a hero in fear of how he would be viewed. I personally don't think Clark would care how he would be viewed saving people in the first place, but I understand and appreciate the execution in order to make Superman more flawed and human. Overall a solid book and a solid swing at making Superman a more human character in order to remind everyone that Clark is now just SUPERman, he is also superMAN.
June 10, 2020
Writer Marv Wolfman says that this is the greatest Superman story he ever wrote. I can’t verify that, but it is a great and essential Superman story. The 100-Page Super Spectacular includes an introduction by him that tells why it wasn’t published when it was written. Similar stories about Superman first going to Metropolis and making his debut have been written in the intervening years, which he also mentions in the introduction. For some, that could diminish this graphic novel but it doesn’t for me.
It’s not the greatest Superman story ever written but I’d probably put it in my top 50. I’ve read thousands of Superman stories so that’s not bad! If you are fond of the character it’s almost a must-read. On the other hand, it’s more of a human drama so if you prefer more fantastic elements it might be a little too reserved for you.
It’s not the greatest Superman story ever written but I’d probably put it in my top 50. I’ve read thousands of Superman stories so that’s not bad! If you are fond of the character it’s almost a must-read. On the other hand, it’s more of a human drama so if you prefer more fantastic elements it might be a little too reserved for you.
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