Superman: Year One (2019) #2

Superman: Year One #2

by Frank Miller, John Romita Jr. (Cover Art), Alex Sinclair (Cover Art)

Clark Kent’s journey of self-discovery continues in the second installment of Frank Miller and John Romita Jr.’s remarkable reimagining of Superman’s origin story. This chapter takes young Clark to the Pacific coast and beyond, as he discovers a place as sensational as he is…Atlantis! There he meets new people, finds love, clashes with gargantuan beasts and discovers the man he’s meant to be.

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

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2019

About the author

Frank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"I never want to be a king - not of anything. I never want to be the guy telling somebody else what to do. I just want a chance." -- young Clark Kent, in his first appearance as Superman

Now we're talking . . . sort of. Redeeming themselves from the unexceptional but not altogether bad Book One, the writer / artist combo of Miller and Romita pump some life into the Superman mythos by re-imagining young adult Clark Kent volunteering for military service. He performs so well in basic training - though he holds back from really using his superpowers per his father's wise advice, and behaves more as if he is simply in peak physical condition for an average person - that he is quickly siphoned into the harshly gritty training to become a Navy SEAL (!). How that all ultimately shakes out for him, and his brave involvement in a top secret mission, were the best parts (and comprise the first of two distinct but connected threads) of this volume. The latter section, which is a love story of sorts involving a mermaid and her undersea kingdom, seemed a little bit silly in comparison.

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clark Kent goes to the army!


G.I. CLARK

This is the second issue of Superman: Year One, where it's not really a "year" per se, since in the first issue, you saw Clark's childhood, and now you'll see the time of Clark while he was enlisted in the army, that I think it's quite a change from previous approaches showing Clark's early life before becoming Superman, and Frank Miller did a good job, showing Clark's experiences where he enjoyed certain aspects of being in the military, but also his second-thoughts when it's about taking a life for real in a real mission, while he's still a cadet.

UNDER THE SEA

But also, since this is Clark's early life, I liked that Miller opted to use Lori Lemaris and her underwater world, in this new take of Clark's path to adulthood.

In fact, when Clark is in deep water (literally!), it's quite unexpected the turns that the story takes, and quite interesting.

Clark is discovering his powers, but also he's learning to moderate them when it's not advisable to show in full, and you realize how powerful this version of Superman is, very much like his old Silver Age years where it's wasn't any trouble to go into water and "breathing" there, or actually the notion that he doesn't need to breath if the situation demands it.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay issue but what was up with Superman falling in love with a Mermaid?

[David Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reimagining? Not crazy about that term. Clark as a Navy SEAL? I thought his hair could not be cut or his skin too tough for medical shots and such. The Atlantis aspect was okay, but took up way too much. Not really getting into this series. Miller might be reimagining a little too much.

[Petr Nakasharal Fabián · Rating 2 out of 5]

První issue se mi celkem líbilo a měl jsem z toho radost, protože Millera mám rád a rve mi srdce, co posledni roky predvadi :D Ale hned ve druhym dile to zvlada posrat a mam pocit jako bych cetl komiks od uplne jinyho cloveka, nez psal prvni issue.
Je to napsany chaoticky, nezábavně ale hlavně jako celek je to strašně trapný. Nemůžu si pomoct ale z toho příběhu mi bylo uplně stydno za Millera. Ty dvě hvězdy jsou za první část, která byla celkem v pohodě.
Jinak art je zase hrůzostrašnej klasicky.

[Derek Neveu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clark Kent the Navy Seal and Superman King of Atlantis, not on my guessing radar, but here you have it. I liked Miller’s story, but Romita Jr. has to be on of the worst artists in the DC artist pool. He is a prime example of why nepotism is bad.

[James DeSantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was just okay. It's basically clark finding his way in his late teen years. Going into the Military, forcing to kill people, fighting underwater for Atlantis...none of it really is all that interesting though. I did like the art tho but that's about it. A 2 out of 5.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first issue of this series, Superman: Year One, written by Frank Miller and drawn by John Romita Jr., was okay. I read the initial issue over two or three days. This second issue has been sitting in my stack for months. Tonight, I finally read it from start to finish. I was underwhelmed by the idea of Clark Kent as a Navy SEAL, but I did enjoy Miller's take on the Lori Lemaris story, as well as Romita's designs for the scenes set in Atlantis. This series is definitely not the best book Miller has ever written, but he is showing signs of improvement as the title progresses.

[Giacomo · Rating 3 out of 5]

trascurabile bis

[Alain · Rating 3 out of 5]

All good. The SEAL sequence rocks but have deepest reservations about the Atlantis sections; it's motivations stink.

And what about Lana waiting back home? His folks too?

Preferred "Superman: Earth One". A better story.

The art is really good though. Hope this gets better in the final installment.

[Chad Bunch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two issues of this series have been some of the best comics reading ever. Kudos to Miller and Romita on a fantastic job...

[20hrsinamerica · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, screw it, I LOVE this. I really wasn't sure about Miller writing Superman, but he manages to maintain optimism and the good parts of Clark Kent even whilee putting him in situations that are different from any we have seen before. Military!Kent manages to make sense and Miller crafts it so that he has a good teacher and doesn't succumb to the mindless killer trope even as the org is pushing him that way - and then he's let go for not killing. Masterful.

And heh, Miller's got to throw in some incest for the sake of it. I see you. It's a unique Atlantis.

And grown Clark is so beautiful.

[Danijel Jedriško · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journey of Superman's self-discovery continues during his SEAL training and its inevitable end. After discovering just a little bit more about functioning inside the highly organized military community and his own inability to adapt to it, Superman discovers a whole new world. He doesn't know if its the world he really wants, but it is the one world where he can, for a change, be himself. That alone seems worth enough to fight for.

This issue is better than the first one, but everything still depends on the ending.

[Richard Domann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist

Excellent twist to the story of Superman. I can’t wait to see where this goes next and how he re-emerges to the surface world!

[Orestes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the path that Frank Miller has taken.

[Charlie Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story of what Clark did after he left Smallville.

[Antonio Feitoza Gomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never imagined Atlantis this way but I’m glad this book came after Aquaman because the Kraken scene I just saw the Karathen. Amazing.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Realmente, ir com uma baixíssima expectativa para uma leitura pode ser um caminho para se ter uma experiência recompensadora com os produtos de entretenimento. Mas quem é que consegue controla r a sua expectativa, não é mesmo? Preciso dizer que Frank Miller, neste segundo capítulo do seu Ano Um do Superman conseguiu dar uma nova perspectiva para as aventuras do Homem de Aço. Essa parte da sua vida é citada aqui e ali, mas nunca recontada à exaustão como sua origem. Falo da época em que esteve alistado na marinha e nessas experiências acabou se encontrando com Lori Lemaris, uma sereia da Atlântida. E agora preciso elogiar John Romita Júnior, que consegue criar uma ambientação muito interessante para a parte deste volume que se passa em Atlântida, dando novas feições ao povo atlanteano e aos sereianos. Não sei se é o trabalho de finalização de Dani Miki que se alterou de um volume par o outro, mas a arte ficou mais palatável, mais agradável. Então o resultado é que temos uma Aventurona com A maiúsculo e com um gostinho retrô de um tesouro que estava incrustrado no fundo do mar e ninguém o revelava. Até que o fizeram.

[Nicko · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought the setup was decent. I liked the idea of putting Clark in the Navy for him explore how he can help people with his powers. I liked how his commander(lieutenant?) was the only one to bear witness Clark’s secret and felt like was sort of the first “official discovery” or “reveal to the public” the secret of Clark/Superman. I also liked his dialogue to Clark and how he thought about him. I also liked how Clark’s introduction to “harsh violence” is conflicting even thought they don’t drive that home too much. But then it all goes downhill with this whole Atlantis thing. At first, I thought it might’ve been a cool gateway/intro to Clark of the more “fantastical” worlds that he’ll soon discover, especially since he was only in Krypton for a short amount of time/at a very young age. But then, the whole Atlantis section is purely bombast. Spectacle for the sake of spectacle. And Clark cheats on Lana with Lori? Are you serious? Not to mention, again, the confusing is-it-narration-or-are-they-supposed-to-be-thoughts-wait-no-they’re-psychic-dialogues thing. Wow. Anyhow. Not looking forward to Book 3..

[Byron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This issue was an improvement on the previous one. Clark Kent in the military (pre-Superman) is not something we've seen before, and adds some nice groundwork for his role in The Dark Knight Returns. Not a masterpiece by any means, but I'm glad we're getting some set-up for the specific version of Superman featured in The Dark Knight Universe rather than just another Superman origin story.

[Evey Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

De lo peor que he leido en comic en tiempo y ni siquiera la culpa la tiene el dibujo de Romita Jr que no es el horror del primer tomo, el guión de Miller es malo, malo, malo.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Great to see an entry of Superman in the military. As well as the Atlantis storyline.

[Terminus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.. bin kein Fan von atlantis Abenteuern

[STEVE LONG · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my review of the first issue (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...) I stated that I was concerned about where Miller would take the Clark Kent character. I was concerned if he understood Superman’s motivations and whether or not he would get the essence of the character. I also said at the end of my review that I thought it would be a fun ride to see how this iteration of Superman pans out.

So, I recently finally got around to reading issue #2.

Overall, yes, it was a run read. I enjoyed seeing Clark’s journey through Navy boot camp and further enjoyed watching him work his way through SEAL training. There were times where I found that Mr. Miller was understanding the character, particularly when Clark was ordered to shoot people. I felt like, Miller was trying to get across that Clark was not completely at ease with that. So again, overall, it was a good read. I was not, however, fond of the Atlantean subplot. I’m not 100% sure why I did not like it. I just feel like something about it rubbed me the wrong way. Something about it was off to me.

All that being said, I am still not only planning on but also looking forward to reading issue #3 when it comes out.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. This is. Not great. But here we are and Adam is still reading it simply because he's a bit of a completionist. But so far I have no intent to recommend this to anyone.

Yes, I knew I'd be reading a Superman origin story. DC LOVES their origin stories (too much). We know the origins of Superman more than most superheroes. So if you're gonna do it, then do something unique, right? Well, they did something unique but I really don't care for it. Not only that but WE GET IT. He's Superman and he's compassionate and holds back because he knows what he can do. However, this is well known. It doesn't have to be shoved down our throats. It's also made for a painfully dull story. Thus far, Superman: Year One does not need to have the DC Black Label. There is nothing in this that lends itself to a more mature audience. This is perfectly suitable for teens.

The artwork continues to be terrible. The body proportions are absolutely wack. I will say the colors are beautiful and well done.

Frank Miller's dialogue? Garbage. It's EXTREMELY repetitious. Repetitious. Extremely. Like this. I mean, it's so painful. That's hard for me to admit because Frank Miller has done some stunning work that is regarded as classics.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I guest Clark forgot about Lana Lang and found him another woman with the same initials, LOL. So Clark joins the Navy but due to his character, he ends up washing out. Probably best for him because we all know he wasn’t about to be killing people. Anyway, he finds his way back to Atlantis and fights with his new girls father, Poseidon, for her hand. Romita has been on point with the art for both issues so far. Let’s see how this thing ends in this last issue.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bayangkan Superman origins ala baru, di mana Clark Kent sempat ikut pelatihan Navy Seals (tapi gagal dan dikeluarkan karena tidak mengikuti perintah atasan untuk membunuh), dan di mana Clark Kent jatuh cinta pada putri duyung sampai akhirnya merebut takhta Atlantis dari Poseidon. Aquaman belum ada penampakannya.

N.B.
Kenapa ya Clark Kent selalu jatuh cinta pada wanita dengan nama diawali huruf L?
Di komik ini sudah ada Lana si gebetan SMA yang ditinggalkan untuk masuk Navy Seals.
Lalu ada Lori si putri duyung. Mungkin ke depannya si Lori ditinggalkan karena Clark kepingin kuliah dan terus kerja jadi wartawan?
Let's see...

[Carlos Nouaille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mucho mejor que el primer tomo, ahora que Romita ha abandonado el estilo infantiloide de la anterior etapa. La cosa iba encaminada al desastre con Superman empeñándose en ser un marine, pero menos mal que aparece el kraken para arreglar las cosas. El despliegue es espectacular. Poco constante en el amor, este Clark Kent (aunque estoy dándome cuenta de que la novia del primer número es pareja de Clark Kent, y la de este lo es de Superman; a lo mejor no es infidelidad cuando hay distintas personalidades implicadas).

[Rob S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some things:

1. Story seemed rushed. I love FM. This series hasn't been very good. It's as if no one's editing it.
2. Kent is in the US Navy. A superior calls him "soldier." They're. In. The. Navy. I lost my desire to read the rest of the book when this happened. I honestly struggled to finish it because I kept thinking about this carelessness.
3. JRJRs art is uneven. Much of the Atlantis stuff is great. Most of the rest seems rushed, too. I don't think he draws people well at all.

[Δημήτρης Μπ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Οπτικά είναι κάπως καλύτερο απ' το #1. Ειδικά το κομμάτι στην Ατλαντίδα είναι πολύ όμορφα σχεδιασμένο. Αλλά εξακολουθεί να μην βγάζει κάποιο ιδιαίτερο νόημα η ιστορία. Ο Σούπερμαν στο ναυτικό, όπου τον "εξαναγκάζουν" να σκοτώσει, λες και δεν πήγε με τη θέλησή του εκεί... Και ο Σούπερμαν στην Ατλαντίδα, ερωτευμένος με μία γοργόνα. Όλο το τεύχος είναι αυτά τα δύο γεγονότα πρακτικά και εκτός του ότι δεν μοιάζει με μια ιστορία του Σούπερμαν, φαντάζει επιπλέον και μικρή, τουλάχιστον στα μάτια μου.