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Superman: Year One #3

Superman: Year One (2019) #3

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It’s the jaw-dropping conclusion to Frank Miller and John Romita Jr.’s blockbuster reimagining of Superman’s origin! In this final chapter, Clark Kent arrives in Metropolis, the city where he will fulfill his heroic destiny. Witness the first meeting between Superman and Lois Lane, the beginnings of Clark Kent’s career at the Daily Planet, and the birth of his rivalry with Lex Luthor. But when The Joker arrives on the scene, the Man of Steel must enlist the help of his two strange new friends: Wonder Woman and Batman!

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2019

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About the author

Frank Miller

947 books5,349 followers
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.

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5 stars
26 (16%)
4 stars
32 (20%)
3 stars
47 (30%)
2 stars
33 (21%)
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15 (9%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Scott.
2,257 reviews268 followers
October 7, 2022
"He laughs at gravity . . . as he always does . . . he laughs at gravity . . . and he lifts his impossible burden up . . . up . . . and away." -- early narration, echoing the famous catchphrase

The Superman: Year One trilogy concludes with a volume that is a bit uneven, but when it did work - which was a fair amount of the time - it was good. After a lackluster opening - I was not a fan of watching Superman rather sadistically take on U.S. military special forces units that, understandably, are concerned that he may be a hostile alien - the brief narrative settles into a groove with showing Clark Kent / Superman arriving in Metropolis to fight crime and/or save the day in a number of brisk vignettes. However, his climactic initial encounter with Batman at the conclusion was positively ruined by the horribly cringe-worthy dialogue hysterically spouted by said Dark Knight. (If I was a betting man I would've laid down money that it was actually some sort of imposter under the cape and cowl.) The histrionic and ridiculous phrasing used by an uncharacteristically overly emotional Batman made it seem like the writers had never even heard of this legendary character before they penned the book. Wonder Woman, however, fares much better with her introductory scene.
Profile Image for Alejandro.
1,307 reviews3,778 followers
December 31, 2019
Clark goes to Metropolis!


DID I MISS SOMETHING?

It was an odd experience this issue, since while I enjoyed reading it, it was confusing at first since instead the transition between issue one and issue two that it was transparent, where you have Clark enlisting to the army at the end of issue one, and issue two you have Clark beginning his army training...

...BUT...

...while I won't spoil how issue two ends...

...this issue three begins in something quite different leaving you like kinda cheated, since you miss a big part of the story, jumping into something different.

Even the issue ends in something like a "cliffhanger", that I don't know if it going to be told or not, but you could take it like "and the rest was history", that it can work for me if it's the case...

...BUT...

...definitely the "missing arc" between how the issue two ends and how the issue three begins, it's a real bummer since that I find quite unlikely that that part of the story would be told, but I hope being mistaken.


WELCOME TO METROPOLIS

Clark studied Journalism and later goes to Metropolis (that's other reason that this isn't really a "Year One", since it's not a year in time passing), where you'll learn why he needs to devise a "disguise" in his regular persona, his first awesome feats as Superman dealing with the criminal elements in the city, but also...

...his first encounter with Lex Luthor, along with The Batman and Wonder Woman, taking to new levels his involvement, not only in the limits of Metropolis but also the whole world.

The Never-ending battle is just beginning!



Profile Image for Chris Thompson.
812 reviews14 followers
October 22, 2019
I enjoyed Frank Miller’s Superman Year One story overall, but it feels like it should have spanned more than three issues. This third issue has a rushed quality, not to mention that things were left out, or perhaps extraneous details kept in. The early scenes involving Lois Lane in a submarine and later rescued by Supes falls under the latter category. Nothing is made of it later on. Ditto with some of her later stunts, which require the skill and training of a Navy SEAL to perform. She snaps pictures that serve no role later, except maybe in later installments if Miller goes that route.

There are also rushed introductions to other familiar faces, relationships that aren’t given time to develop. I do like what Miller does with Superman. He gives him a little bit of an edge, just enough so that he isn’t a plain vanilla superhero. He is an aloof god being in some regards, but with enough feeling to care what others think about him (our whisper about him for that matter). The artwork is also great, with some striking poses of Superman flying through a thunderstorm. With where Year One ends, I wonder if there will be a Year Two.
Profile Image for Chalupa Batman.
312 reviews1 follower
March 29, 2020
I liked the overall concept but seems a bit convoluted. In the middle he is involved with a mermaid and then in the third act it's forgotten. The Luther/Joker storyline seems a bit forced & rushed. I thought the first part of this story really did set up for something cool to read

A bit disappointed, the art was very good though.
Profile Image for Mark.
387 reviews7 followers
March 20, 2020
This is probably my least favorite issue of Superman:Year One, and judging from the art, John Romita Jr felt the same way. I couldn't figure out why I didn't enjoy the first and second issues of this title, but a few pages into the third issue and it became pretty obvious: Superman: Year One is Miller's head cannon. Miller took what he liked (or didn't like) from the Christopher Reeves' films, as well as the Man of Steel miniseries by John Byrne, and then he either "Millerized" it or tried to "improve" it.
Profile Image for Adam.
614 reviews
November 3, 2019
DANG this whole series was trash. The artwork was horrendous. The story was boring and Frank made some really strange choices. I also rushed a little bit near the end because the dialogue was really rough. Unbelievably repetitious to the point that it got on my nerves.

Profile Image for Petr Nakasharal Fabián.
251 reviews2 followers
October 23, 2019
Ježiš marjá něco tak neskutečně zbytečně ukecanýho jsem dlouho nečetl. Miller zapomněl, že nepíše prózu ale komiks. 90% textu je tu navíc.
Příběh je jednoduchoučkej, a prakticky vůbec nebylo potřeba takovejch keců okolo.
Dalo by se to zvládnout kdyby ale nepsal takový patetický voloviny. Normálně jsem se u čtení styděl. Přitom ta základní kostra byla celkem normální pláštěnkovina. Jsem přesvědčenej, že kdyby se osekal text na minimum, tak by šlo o pohodovej komiks.
Profile Image for NO*DA.
16 reviews
May 28, 2021
⚠️SPOILERS⚠️
Casi decepcionante el final de este "Superman Año 1" de Frank Miller. Me pareció intersante como lo muestra a Clark como un tipo que creció en la América Rural, y finalmente se enlista en el Ejército Naval. La manera de hablar, esa inocencia de tipo de pueblo (al borde de ser una burla), plantedo en los capitulos anteriores estaba bien... hasta el desvío ese con los Atlantes que queda completamente desconexo en este número final.
El tiempo de relaro se acelera y avanza en años al parecer, para ubicar rápidamente a Clark en el Planeta, enfrentarse a Batman, y enamorarse de Diana antes de dejar el planeta. Lois y Luthor aparecen en su vida pero como a su novia adolescente o a la princesa bajo el mar a la que promete su amor, queda todo atrás en el camino.
Se ve una intención en el relato de Miller, en qué quiere decir con este "Año 1", más proximo a All Star Batman and Robin que al Batman Año 1. Lástima que se resuelva tán rápido. Esto podría haber sido una serie de 12 números, o hasta una trilogía de 6 capítulos cada etapa. SUPERMAN YEAR ONE #3 es casi como un tratamiento o resumen de seis libros las condensados en 1.
Por otro lado, Romita Jr no funciona bien en el formato Prestige Plus del Black Label. Páginas de 5/6 viñetas cuadradas, y su estilo de dibujo, restan mucho al estar ampliadas. Sus splash pages de lluvia son lo más, si. Pero el resto ee ve bastante precario. Al menos para un proyecto de este estilo.
Si Capullo y Fabok consiguieron que sus libros Black Label permanecieran en el formato tamaño estandar, quizás los haya convencido ver los resultados de esta edición.
La puerta quedó abierta para un capítulo extra como otros Black Label, pero desbandado el grupo editorial de DC, quizás nunca lleguemos a ver a Superman enfrentando a Brainiac. El tiempo lo dirá.
Mientras tanto, el Universo DC de Frank Miller agregó una nueva y extraña estrella. Extraña por lo brillante.
Profile Image for Guilherme Smee.
Author 27 books190 followers
July 5, 2020
Existem aqueles quadrinho minisséries, como Batman: O Último Cavaleiro da Terra, que começam empolgantes e vão desempolgando quando chegamos ao final. Superman: Ano Um, não é ao contrário deste, porque não termina com um último ato esplendoroso, contudo, ele tem um segundo ato muito bom. Neste terceiro ato parece que temos mais um epílogo do que um clímax, mas de qualquer forma ele retorna à estabilidade do primeiro ato. Conhecemos Lois Lane, Perry White e um Jimmy Olsen desenhado como deve ser: retratado em sua adolescência, por John Romita Jr.. Também temos Coringa e Lex Luthor dando as caras e, como não poderia faltar, para delírio dos fãs de Miller, temos o primeiro confronto do Azulão com o Homem-Morcego. E, para dar um gostinho de Superman V Batman: A Origem da Justiça, nossa queria Diana, a Mulher-Maravilha dá as caras. Ao chegar no final desta minissérie o saldo é positivo: foi uma boa jornada, com mais altos do que baixo muito porque eu tinha uma expectativa baixa para Superman: Ano Um. Recebemos uma história como o Superman mercê e sem as maluquices apelativas costumeiras dos últimos trabalhos de Miller e sem a arte desproporcional que JRJR vinha apresentando em trabalhos como Kick Ass. Para o alto e avante, então!
Profile Image for Nicko.
208 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2020
*3.5 stars if I could. I think.

I thought this was way better than Book 2. I liked how the setup consisted of showing us how Clark has grown into his Superman. One set piece in particular, when he’s up against the thugs at Lexcorp, was enjoyable. I was still iffy about Miller’s constant, descriptive narration, but it was effective in certain parts here — like when Supes was saving Lois in the beginning or when Lois got out of the chopper to get closer to Superman vs the thugs at Lexcorp. I thought the third act was pretty subversive, too. Had no idea that Joker or Batman would show up, let alone there be a showdown between Bats and Supes. I thought Lex’s and Bruce’s voices weren’t written nicely — though, Bruce was more immature than I’m used to. But you got what Lex was about in a brief amount of time. The whole Wonder Woman inclusion and kiss with Superman was completely forced and unnecessary. But, I enjoyed most of this book..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
9 reviews
January 11, 2020
This series was such a trainwreck. I wanted to read the last issue just in case Miller suddenly tied it all together and shocked us with an amazing book 3. But no.
To be honest, I have never been a fan of Romita Jr. and I expected the art to be even worse so I can safely say it pleasantly surprised me. But the dialogue... abrupt, repetitive... Even Batman's speech was off. And the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship that spanned all of 30 minutes yet she shed a tear when he left. *rolls eyes*
I finished the 3 books but still have no idea what Miller was hoping to accomplish with this series.
Profile Image for 20hrsinamerica.
413 reviews4 followers
April 5, 2020
Well, Clark just leaves all the ladies behind, doesn't he? I mean, you knew he wasn't going to be with Lori forever, but did he simply abandon her when he rescued Lois? And then 5 minutes after meeting Diana and she's pining for him? I mean, damn.

That aside, I enjoyed the intro to Batman and Lex and that Clark's powers are endless; I love a Clark who can breathe in space, even if it doesn't make sense.lol

Definitely an enjoyable series, with that slight Miller twist. I'd highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Alvaro.
25 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2020
No es el Miller al que estoy acostumbrado y al que adoro. En mi opinión, la historia va decayendo según avanza desdenun primer tomo bueno, a un tercer tomo que me pareció malísimo, con cabos sueltos, eventos que se suceden de forma muy apresurada y resueltas de manera muy simple... No voy a entrar en detalles para no caer en Spoilers, pero me he sentido muy, muy decepcionado con Miller. Eso sí, el dibujo de Romita me ha gustado bastante.
Profile Image for Evey Morgan.
1,096 reviews3 followers
October 17, 2020
Sorprendida con este tomo ya que es el mejor de los tres con diferencia. No nos cuenta nada que no hayamos visto antes pero tras el tropiezo del primer numero con un dibujo terrible y el segundo que claramente es el peor de la trilogía que conforma este año uno, aqui tenemos una premisa simplista pero entretenida.
405 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2019
Και το τρίτο τεύχος της σειράς δυστυχώς, για εμένα, αποτελεί ακόμα μια απογοήτευση. Σεναριακά έχει ακόμα περισσότερα κενά σε σχέση με τα προηγούμενα τεύχη. Καταρχάς αρχίζει σε άσχετο χρόνο μετά το δεύτερο τεύχος. Ούτε αναφορά δεν γίνεται στον γάμο του με τη γοργόνα ή στον θαλάσσιο λαό της. Εμφανίζεται η Λόις Λέιν και πέραν απ' την αρχική σκηνή που τη σώζει, ο χαρακτήρας της δεν έχει καμία άλλη ανάπτυξη. Εμφανίζεται σε διάφορα σημεία αλλά χωρίς να προσφέρει τίποτα το ουσιαστικό. Ο Μπάτμαν εμφανίζεται εντελώς αλλαζόνας απ' το πουθενά, και αντίστοιχα η εμφάνιση της Wonder Woman είναι εξίσου ξαφνική και μάλιστα μας δίνει και ένα ρομάντζο με τον Κλάρκ στις 3 σελίδες μετά την εμφάνισή της, αλλά εννοείται χωρίς ποτέ να μας εξηγήσει πώς προέκυψε αυτό...

Το σχέδιο του Romita είναι όπως και στα προηγούμενα τεύχη. Πολύ όμορφα ζωγραφισμένα περιβάλλοντα, αλλά τα πρόσωπα των χαρακτήρων δε μου αρέσουν.

Κρίμα για την σειρά, γιατί με αυτά τα ονόματα στη λίστα των δημιουργών περίμενα πολλά περισσότερα!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Travis.
277 reviews
December 30, 2019
Okay, so this one was disappointing and lost its charm at the end. It is like the story arc forgot about Atlantis and that some sort of long form set up failed so they switched it out entirely. And it was as if they decided that a Superman Year One story could not end without getting Batman and Wonder Woman involved. It fell flat. It needed to just focus on Superman. It was fine without other heroes! We need more solo Superman treatment. Other than that the art was good and the introduction if Lois of was good. OH WAIT, what about Lana? Yea, the writing does make Superman seem like he just jumps from woman to woman. Just put in the conclusions to mean mini story at it would be better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dave Brown.
62 reviews7 followers
November 19, 2019
This book was an absolute slog to get through. The first two issues were pretty interesting and much better than I suspected but everything fell apart with issue 3. The only thing redeeming about this book was the introduction of Wonder Woman (which, interestingly, is a character Frank Miller seems to understand--at least based on the scenes in this book).

Bottom line: Frank Miller doesn't understand Superman.
Profile Image for James.
2,586 reviews79 followers
November 11, 2019
This last issue felt a little rushed. There were some things that happened that we never went back to or never got an answer to. The art inside was good all thru the series but with the rushed feeling of this last issue it brings the whole series overall down. Ends up being a little bit above average.
Profile Image for Leonard.
22 reviews
October 18, 2019
Book 3 finishes just right...wonderful job by the creative team thus making it a fun read for both traditionalists and new fans alike!
Profile Image for Paul.
83 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2019
I thought the first two issues were trash. I gave them 3 stars just because I love Romita. For whatever reason I loved this one though.
Profile Image for Rob S..
357 reviews25 followers
November 29, 2019
I couldn't finish this. Miller and JRJr lost me in Book Two. I reluctantly came back. Disappointed.
Profile Image for Richard Domann.
266 reviews
December 27, 2019
Twist

Interesting new take on the time tested tale. How will it continue...how will the dots connect? Time will tell but these first installments leave us longing for more.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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