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Superman: The Man of Steel (Collected Editions) #2
Superman: The Man of Steel, Vol. 2
Presenting modern tales of his earliest adventures, SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL VOL. 2 is a fascinating book of human drama and super-hero action. In these enthralling stories, Superman begins his lifelong rivalry with Lex Luthor as the industrialist megalomaniac and the last son of Krypton vie for the heart of Lois Lane and control over Metropolis. Traveling through time and outer space, the Man of Steel endures a series of grueling trials and tribulations in which he reveals his alien background to Lois Lane, discovers his lethal weakness to kryptonite, and suffers from amnesia while fighting an alien tyrant.
Collects Superman vol. 2, #1-3; Action Comics #584-586; Adventures of Superman #424-426
Collects Superman vol. 2, #1-3; Action Comics #584-586; Adventures of Superman #424-426
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1987
26 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
John Byrne
2,957 books360 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 19, 2019
A lot of these issues feel uneven, probably because what would be multiple issue stories today are crammed into one issue. Putting the covers at the end of the collection was an odd editorial choise and helped add to the confusion of these stories as you weren't sure when a new story was beginning nor did you have the context of the cover to introduce you to the story. The Legends crossovers feel a bit out of place without any context of the Legends event. Legends was a big DC crossover that John Byrne drew where Darkseid tried to undermine earth's heroes by turning the public against them. Hence, why Superman is brought to Apocalypse by Darkseid. I did like that this is what set up Darkseid to be one of Superman's reoccurring villains.
October 10, 2021
This was another good one!
It starts off with Clark facing off against Metallo and we see the origins of that guy and then a story with Emil Hamilton and whatever device he builds while Superman is dealing with some attacks from Luthors side and the machinations and fall of that and its a pretty fun story which shows how good Superman is and even his villains are not enough.
Then the main story is with Lois and what Lex has planned for her and is manipulating her, the coming of Cat Grant and the big story with him first teaming with Phantom Stranger to take care of some mystical threat and then battling Darkseid as he mind-washes him and then well acting as his son, fighting Orion, regaining senses and then battling Darkseid and what the fight ends up being!
Its an epic volume with quite a lot of turns and predictable twists but only frustrating thing is the constant writing changes which kind of hampers the flow of reading but regardless its a good read and sets stuff up for things to come down the line!
It starts off with Clark facing off against Metallo and we see the origins of that guy and then a story with Emil Hamilton and whatever device he builds while Superman is dealing with some attacks from Luthors side and the machinations and fall of that and its a pretty fun story which shows how good Superman is and even his villains are not enough.
Then the main story is with Lois and what Lex has planned for her and is manipulating her, the coming of Cat Grant and the big story with him first teaming with Phantom Stranger to take care of some mystical threat and then battling Darkseid as he mind-washes him and then well acting as his son, fighting Orion, regaining senses and then battling Darkseid and what the fight ends up being!
Its an epic volume with quite a lot of turns and predictable twists but only frustrating thing is the constant writing changes which kind of hampers the flow of reading but regardless its a good read and sets stuff up for things to come down the line!
January 30, 2022
More Superman action and drama...but it's all great fun. Fans of shows such as Smallville or Superman & Lois should check out these comics.
October 22, 2017
For unknown reasons I had impulse to read some of classic Superman, considering I never read Superman comics or been fan of Superman movies it's strange impulse indeed.
First two volumes of Man of steel and am not enjoying it. This are just too hectic and stories that would have been developed over course of one volume in modern comics are cramped in single issues. Fights are often poorly drawn and in some less straightforward fights I had trouble understanding what the hell is going on.
First two volumes of Man of steel and am not enjoying it. This are just too hectic and stories that would have been developed over course of one volume in modern comics are cramped in single issues. Fights are often poorly drawn and in some less straightforward fights I had trouble understanding what the hell is going on.
July 21, 2021
Esta é a fase pós-Crise nas Infinitas Terras que redefiniu o Superman para uma nova geração. cuidadO primeiro encadernado foi dedicado à minisérie Superman: o Homem de Aço, de John Byrne. Já este segundo começa as suas histórias regulares com Byrne atacando nos dois principais título do Azulão: Superman e Action Comics e com Marv Wolfman e Jerry Ordway cuidando do título The Adventures of Superman. É muito bom poder ler essas histórias no formato original, cheias de aventura e uma certa naïveté própria das histórias do Superman. É legal ver como surgiram alguns cânones e personagens que até algumas décadas eram parte integrais do universo do Homem de Aço. Até que veio a inciativa de Os Novos 52 e acabou com toda a construção de Byrne e companhia. Ansioso para saber o que mais me aguardará nessa coleção A Saga do Superman, um acerto editorial da Panini Comics Brasil.
June 17, 2016
John Byrne really knows how to disappoint and make me hate a comic. I want an action packed issue and I get nothing but story! Well that's what I thought when I read this in 2002ish, it was then I realized 15 years later and the stories are still great. 30 year old issues and I still remember what they were about. Is timeless and exaggeration? Probably, but they're still great issues. Although volume 1 reached my limit, in this volume there's a lot more going on. I think Superman #2 is in 'Superman's Greatest stories ever told'.
Also Superman #3, Adventures #426, Action #586 are part of the Legends Crossover dealing with Superman on Apokolips. Those 3 issues are probably on my top ten Superman storylines. Unlike the main Legends miniseries which was horrible, this crossover within a crossover is epic, essential and strongly recommended.
Also Superman #3, Adventures #426, Action #586 are part of the Legends Crossover dealing with Superman on Apokolips. Those 3 issues are probably on my top ten Superman storylines. Unlike the main Legends miniseries which was horrible, this crossover within a crossover is epic, essential and strongly recommended.
June 27, 2018
Another great collection of old school Superman! Byrne's artwork defined these characters for me in my teen years. This volume is a little uneven for me, at least when compared to Volume One. A few of the stories in the opening half are throwaways (don't anyone tell Marv Wolfman I said that!) and even the issue featuring a possessed Superman battling the Teen Titans (which should have been my favorite) left me wanting a little more. My favorite part of this run is the last few issues dealing with Superman's visit to Akropolis and his dealings with Darkseid. Superman, once again under mind-control actually does Darkseid's bidding for a while- to horrible a conclusion.
October 19, 2021
De um lado Byrnezão da massa; do outro Marv, o Homem-Lobo.
E a coisa é boa.
Byrnezão começa reintroduzindo o Metallo, um ciborgue morto-vivo empoderado pela kriptonita a única substância capaz de ferir o Superman; isso numa época em que só existia um pedaço e uma cor de kriptonita, antes de virar putaria de novo. O Superman apanha mais que tapete em dia de faxina.
Depois, numa história com os Novos Titãs, o Superman cai no conto do "amiguinho da internet" e troca de corpo com um cientista maluco qualquer, é uma história bem mais fraca que as outras. E temos o ponto alto da edição, o dia em que Lex Luthor descobriu que o Superman e o Clark Kent são a mesma pessoa e resolveu ignorar e apagar tudo isso do histórico de busca do computador, por quê?
É uma excelente pergunta, daqui a pouco eu respondo.
Já o Homem-Lobo traz a Cat Grant - eu largava o antagonismo da Lois e me jogava nas madeixas loiras da Cat - e o Professor Hamilton que vai ser um coadjuvante por longos anos nas histórias do Homem de Aço, também temos uma picaretagem daquelas do Lex para tentar dar uns tapas na Lois e transformers psiônicos comuno-terroristas atacando Metrópolis.
Byrnezão fecha a edição com uma aventura sobrenatural sobre a essência do mal com o Vingador Fantasma - anos depois se descobriria que o Vingador é filho de uma versão do Clark com a Diana - e uma pancadaria em Apokolips - parte das Lendas.
Então, por que o Lex Luthor não acredita que o Clark Kent possa ser o Superman?
Ora, porque a nossa interpretação do mundo é totalmente subjetiva, depende de quem nós somos, das nossas experiências, do que cada um de nós acredita, enfim, nas palavras de Anaïs Nin: "Não vemos as coisas como são: vemos as coisas como somos." Como o careca mais brilhante de Metrópolis sabe que é um pau no cu, ele acredita que todo mundo paunocuziará - do verbo paunocuziar -; logo não há como ele acreditar que alguém tão poderoso quanto o Superman não faria o que ele, alguém, presumivelmente, tão poderoso quanto, faz.
Existem pessoas que mentem e esperam que todo mundo minta - eu peço um pouco mais do que eu preciso, porque vão me dar um pouco menos do que eu peço, por exemplo.
Existem pessoas que falam a verdade e esperam escutar a verdade, ainda que isso não aconteça muito.
Esse é uma das grandes virtudes dessa reformulação, deixamos de ter duas pessoas em trajes coloridos se digladiando sem motivo aparente; temos uma antítese: de um lado a Verdade, do outro a Mentira; de um lado a Justiça, do outro a Injustiça; de um lado o caipira do interior do Kansas tentando ganhar a vida na cidade grande, do outro o implacável industrial capitalista sem escrúpulos que compra e vende e a vida das pessoas para aumentar seu poder e fortuna.
Qual dos dois é o "American Way" eu deixo para vocês.
E a coisa é boa.
Byrnezão começa reintroduzindo o Metallo, um ciborgue morto-vivo empoderado pela kriptonita a única substância capaz de ferir o Superman; isso numa época em que só existia um pedaço e uma cor de kriptonita, antes de virar putaria de novo. O Superman apanha mais que tapete em dia de faxina.
Depois, numa história com os Novos Titãs, o Superman cai no conto do "amiguinho da internet" e troca de corpo com um cientista maluco qualquer, é uma história bem mais fraca que as outras. E temos o ponto alto da edição, o dia em que Lex Luthor descobriu que o Superman e o Clark Kent são a mesma pessoa e resolveu ignorar e apagar tudo isso do histórico de busca do computador, por quê?
É uma excelente pergunta, daqui a pouco eu respondo.
Já o Homem-Lobo traz a Cat Grant - eu largava o antagonismo da Lois e me jogava nas madeixas loiras da Cat - e o Professor Hamilton que vai ser um coadjuvante por longos anos nas histórias do Homem de Aço, também temos uma picaretagem daquelas do Lex para tentar dar uns tapas na Lois e transformers psiônicos comuno-terroristas atacando Metrópolis.
Byrnezão fecha a edição com uma aventura sobrenatural sobre a essência do mal com o Vingador Fantasma - anos depois se descobriria que o Vingador é filho de uma versão do Clark com a Diana - e uma pancadaria em Apokolips - parte das Lendas.
Então, por que o Lex Luthor não acredita que o Clark Kent possa ser o Superman?
Ora, porque a nossa interpretação do mundo é totalmente subjetiva, depende de quem nós somos, das nossas experiências, do que cada um de nós acredita, enfim, nas palavras de Anaïs Nin: "Não vemos as coisas como são: vemos as coisas como somos." Como o careca mais brilhante de Metrópolis sabe que é um pau no cu, ele acredita que todo mundo paunocuziará - do verbo paunocuziar -; logo não há como ele acreditar que alguém tão poderoso quanto o Superman não faria o que ele, alguém, presumivelmente, tão poderoso quanto, faz.
Existem pessoas que mentem e esperam que todo mundo minta - eu peço um pouco mais do que eu preciso, porque vão me dar um pouco menos do que eu peço, por exemplo.
Existem pessoas que falam a verdade e esperam escutar a verdade, ainda que isso não aconteça muito.
Esse é uma das grandes virtudes dessa reformulação, deixamos de ter duas pessoas em trajes coloridos se digladiando sem motivo aparente; temos uma antítese: de um lado a Verdade, do outro a Mentira; de um lado a Justiça, do outro a Injustiça; de um lado o caipira do interior do Kansas tentando ganhar a vida na cidade grande, do outro o implacável industrial capitalista sem escrúpulos que compra e vende e a vida das pessoas para aumentar seu poder e fortuna.
Qual dos dois é o "American Way" eu deixo para vocês.
February 4, 2022
So this week on Superman, Lex rapes a woman! Lex Luthor forces his employee, Amanda McCoy to dinner, even forcing her to wear his chosen skimpy dress. She is very afraid that he will destroy her life and she is forced to give up consent. The next morning they are wearing bathrobes. He tells her to call him ‘Lex’ now.
I did some research on this and Lex has a history of raping his employees. But DC doesn’t state that it’s rape and, like real life, the rapists get away with it. It’s just seen as no big deal and not even acknowledged. That’s my problem with this. Don’t use women and rape as a ‘bad character trait’.
I did some research on this and Lex has a history of raping his employees. But DC doesn’t state that it’s rape and, like real life, the rapists get away with it. It’s just seen as no big deal and not even acknowledged. That’s my problem with this. Don’t use women and rape as a ‘bad character trait’.
May 1, 2022
This era of Superman is the one to read. Incredibly drawn by Byrne, Ordway and Giordianno, with really iconic and character defining stories by Byrne and Wolfman. Just a straight m***f***ing classic!!!! Don’t skip this if you like Superman
October 2, 2011
John Byrne continues his amazing retelling of Superman's origin in this new addition to the book series.
March 9, 2021
Metallo (SM #1). It's nice to see Byrne revamping another classic foe in Metallo, though this is mostly a dull fight rather than the more interesting Man of Steel intrigues [3+/5].
Team-Ups (Action #584, 585). In the early post-Crisis days, Action was briefly the Superman team-up comic, here with the New Teen Titans and the Phantom Stranger. It's interesting to see Superman dipping into a variety of genres, and to see what people look like post-Crisis, but other than that these one-and-done stories with no ongoing plotlines aren't that interesting [3/5].
Luther (SM #2). Byrne moves the focus from Metallo to Luther and the result in an amazingly brutal story about who the new Luther really is, even while pretending to be an above-board business man [5+/5].
Hamilton (Adventures #424-425). Marv Wolfman gives us three stories in his debut. The icky manipulations of Lane by Luther are the highlight, presenting another face of the new villain (and really highlighting Wolfman's strength in conceiving this new Luther). Next up is the introduction of Emil Hamilton, which gains weight by his return use later. (Speaking of great new characters, we also get Cat Grant!) Finally, we have Qurac and the Freedom League, which looks a little dated (and even racist) now, and also just isn't that interesting [3+/5].
Legends (SM #3, Adventures #426, Action #586). I'm still waiting for the complete Legends compilation, but in the meantime, this is a nice three-issue arc from it, presenting Superman on Apokolips. Good characters, a nice fight with Darkseid, and the inevitable team-up with the New Gods, which works better than the other team-ups because it's actually a part of something [4/5].
Team-Ups (Action #584, 585). In the early post-Crisis days, Action was briefly the Superman team-up comic, here with the New Teen Titans and the Phantom Stranger. It's interesting to see Superman dipping into a variety of genres, and to see what people look like post-Crisis, but other than that these one-and-done stories with no ongoing plotlines aren't that interesting [3/5].
Luther (SM #2). Byrne moves the focus from Metallo to Luther and the result in an amazingly brutal story about who the new Luther really is, even while pretending to be an above-board business man [5+/5].
Hamilton (Adventures #424-425). Marv Wolfman gives us three stories in his debut. The icky manipulations of Lane by Luther are the highlight, presenting another face of the new villain (and really highlighting Wolfman's strength in conceiving this new Luther). Next up is the introduction of Emil Hamilton, which gains weight by his return use later. (Speaking of great new characters, we also get Cat Grant!) Finally, we have Qurac and the Freedom League, which looks a little dated (and even racist) now, and also just isn't that interesting [3+/5].
Legends (SM #3, Adventures #426, Action #586). I'm still waiting for the complete Legends compilation, but in the meantime, this is a nice three-issue arc from it, presenting Superman on Apokolips. Good characters, a nice fight with Darkseid, and the inevitable team-up with the New Gods, which works better than the other team-ups because it's actually a part of something [4/5].
September 1, 2020
Superman Finds His Place in Metropolis
Reintroducing key members of the familiar Rogues' Gallery, Superman finds himself at loggerheads with Metallo as the arch criminal finds his radioactive power cell is the key to Superman's destruction. Author kidnaps Lana,Lang to discover the mysterious connection between Clark Kent and Superman. Then Darkseid kidnaps the Man of Steel to reinforce his power base on Apokolips.
There is a real sense of movement in the art work and the artists capture the facial expressions reasonably well, though Clark can look vaguely smarmy in Lois' company.
Reintroducing key members of the familiar Rogues' Gallery, Superman finds himself at loggerheads with Metallo as the arch criminal finds his radioactive power cell is the key to Superman's destruction. Author kidnaps Lana,Lang to discover the mysterious connection between Clark Kent and Superman. Then Darkseid kidnaps the Man of Steel to reinforce his power base on Apokolips.
There is a real sense of movement in the art work and the artists capture the facial expressions reasonably well, though Clark can look vaguely smarmy in Lois' company.
June 7, 2023
Another round of fantastic superhero tales, my favorite from this one being the Darkseid story. It was really interesting getting to see Darkseid's world and the impoverished conditions the residents live in. Hope there are more Darkseid stories in future volumes.
This volume wasn't as consistently good as the first, it has it's higher and lower points but I still had fun reading and I would recommend it to comic enjoyers.
August 9, 2020
Este segundo tomo nos presenta el estilo que tendrá el resto de la etapa: historias autoconclusivas en general en Superman y cruces con otros personajes en Action Comics. Las historias son entretenidas y me gusta que no están estiradas. Tienen esa estructura de serie de tv vieja bien hecha.
El dibujo de Byrne es excelente y el armado de algunos planos es bastante imaginativo y casa perfecto con las historias.
El dibujo de Byrne es excelente y el armado de algunos planos es bastante imaginativo y casa perfecto con las historias.
March 4, 2012
John Byrne's Superman wasn't the first iteration of the character that I ever read, but it remains one of my favourites. This volume isn't as much of a classic as the first in the Man of Steel series, but there are some fun science-fictiony type adventures in it.
One thing I was *very* disappointed in, though, was the last three chapters of the book. It's part of the Legends mega-crossover, and we're just unceremoniously dumped into the middle of that story without any context. To make matters worse, Byrne's version of Darkseid turns him into a cackling, run-of-the-mill supervillian than the majestic god of evil that he truly is.
One thing I was *very* disappointed in, though, was the last three chapters of the book. It's part of the Legends mega-crossover, and we're just unceremoniously dumped into the middle of that story without any context. To make matters worse, Byrne's version of Darkseid turns him into a cackling, run-of-the-mill supervillian than the majestic god of evil that he truly is.
December 6, 2015
As Vol. 1 is out of print, I started with Vol. 2. Eh. More 80s camp and sci-fi hilarity similar to Wolfman's Teen Titans in a way I found unenjoyable. (Which, if you're wondering, Wolfman's New Teen Titans is amazing as far as Bronze Age comics go.) The first story involves Supes fighting a Kryptonite powered Terminator (like truly ripping off James Cameron), the second he's switched minds/souls with a guy with MS...basically a morality check that it's okay to be disabled. Or maybe not, the guy with MS is a baddie. If you're a diehard Superman or 80s comics fan then you'd probably like this. But I'm not really in the mood for 200 pages of this.
May 2, 2016
This is a bit better than the first volume, but man, Lois's 80s fashions are atrocious. I wonder why 80s fashion feels dated, whereas 50s fashion seems kinda timeless?
Anyway, this book gives us the new Metallo, and appearances by the Teen Titans, the Phantom Stranger, and the New Gods & Darkseid. The stories by Byrne are a bit better than Marv Wolfman's, but Jerry Ordways's pencils look fantastic here.
Anyway, this book gives us the new Metallo, and appearances by the Teen Titans, the Phantom Stranger, and the New Gods & Darkseid. The stories by Byrne are a bit better than Marv Wolfman's, but Jerry Ordways's pencils look fantastic here.
September 11, 2015
Surprisingly good. I missed all this in the 80's. I'd turned by back on DC after the horror of CRISIS. Just wish this was all just the John Byrne ACTION COMICS stories without the Ordway SUPERMAN mixed into it. The Byrne stuff seems timeless. The Ordway seems like he's aping the British comics of the time a bit too heavily.
November 20, 2018
the new gods story arc is absolutley incredible (4.5) the beginning byrnes arc with lex and cyborg etc is fun but relatively forgettable
November 18, 2025
Following the post crisis continuity, Superman: The Man of Steel Volume One was a six part limited series beginning the Man of Steel's life all over again. This second volume picked up where the limited series ended, and spanned across the several Superman issues that were coming out on a weekly basis. The stories are written by both John Byrne and Marv Wolfman, with John Byrne also providing the pencils along with Jerry Ordway. Although not as great as The Man of Steel mini-series, these follow up stories that spread across nine issues are still very good, as they re-introduce a major villain from Superman's rogues gallery as well as further character development.
The character development continues with not only Superman, but with his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. This volume dives even further into his maniacal mind. Luthor truly believes himself to be bigger than life, and he even forces himself upon his female workers. The reader gets a really good grasp on how he thinks. Lois Lane and her personal life is also worked into one of the stories.
I really enjoyed the writing and the many themes that the book examines giving these stories a feel that separates them from your average comic book. The stories take a look into fanatical terrorism, obsession, manipulation, as well as the mind of a cripple who thinks himself useless due to his handicap. The writing has an authentic feel and the characters come off as realistic figures that can be sympathized with.
The action panels can be very good with some nice blow for blow exchanges. The artwork is entertaining, plus I feel the character designs and backgrounds are pretty well detailed. In addition, Darkseid is as menacing as he's always been, and his dark world reflects his personality quite nicely.
I think the stories do have their flaws though. I wasn't completely gripped to this book like I was with the previous volume. Superman battled with several uninteresting characters and I felt the fights dragged on a bit. I will admit that at least one had an ending that pretty much made the trip worth it. Still, the trip was tedious no matter how I look at it. I also don't like the formatting at all. The original cover art of the issues are featured in the back of the book. I would have been happier to see them opening up the corresponding stories instead.
The best part I can think of with this collection is that a newbie can jump right in and enjoy the stories. Although highly recommended, the previous volume isn't exactly essential. Overall, Superman: The Man of Steel Volume Two is a very good follow up.
The character development continues with not only Superman, but with his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. This volume dives even further into his maniacal mind. Luthor truly believes himself to be bigger than life, and he even forces himself upon his female workers. The reader gets a really good grasp on how he thinks. Lois Lane and her personal life is also worked into one of the stories.
I really enjoyed the writing and the many themes that the book examines giving these stories a feel that separates them from your average comic book. The stories take a look into fanatical terrorism, obsession, manipulation, as well as the mind of a cripple who thinks himself useless due to his handicap. The writing has an authentic feel and the characters come off as realistic figures that can be sympathized with.
The action panels can be very good with some nice blow for blow exchanges. The artwork is entertaining, plus I feel the character designs and backgrounds are pretty well detailed. In addition, Darkseid is as menacing as he's always been, and his dark world reflects his personality quite nicely.
I think the stories do have their flaws though. I wasn't completely gripped to this book like I was with the previous volume. Superman battled with several uninteresting characters and I felt the fights dragged on a bit. I will admit that at least one had an ending that pretty much made the trip worth it. Still, the trip was tedious no matter how I look at it. I also don't like the formatting at all. The original cover art of the issues are featured in the back of the book. I would have been happier to see them opening up the corresponding stories instead.
The best part I can think of with this collection is that a newbie can jump right in and enjoy the stories. Although highly recommended, the previous volume isn't exactly essential. Overall, Superman: The Man of Steel Volume Two is a very good follow up.
December 13, 2024
John Byrne, along with Marv Wolfman continue to deliver solid Superman storytelling in Man of Steel volume 2. This collection sees Superman battle Metallo, team up with the Teen Titans and face down
various mad scientists all while Lex Luthor schemes in the background.
As with most superhero stories for me this volume was made by its supporting cast. Lana Lang plays a significant role in issue 2 as Luthor hunts her down for information on Superman. Lana's resilience and refusal to bend in the face of Luthor's torture was such a strong moment for her character. Marv Wolfman in his run on Adventures of Superman spotlights the Lane family as they deal with the fallout of Elinor Lane's cancer diagnosis and we check in on Lucy after her misadventures with Bizzaro and Superman in volume 1. New characters like gossip columnist Carey Grant, a new member of the Daily Planet crew, adds a fun new dynamic to the office as a potential rival for Clark's affections.
The bulk of this volume is a multipart crossover following the schemes of Darkseid on Apocalypse. As someone who's generally unengaged by Darkseid stories I was pleasantly surprised that this story managed to engage me. Darkseid's plan while occasionally convoluted was interesting. I liked seeing the ways he manipulated the political factions on the planet for his own ends. It made him feel like a genuine threat with an iron grip on the planet. And overall I was hooked by the grandiose, almost Shakespearean drama of the story in general.
Overall it was a solid volume and with strong writing from Wolfman especially I'm excited to read more from this run.
various mad scientists all while Lex Luthor schemes in the background.
As with most superhero stories for me this volume was made by its supporting cast. Lana Lang plays a significant role in issue 2 as Luthor hunts her down for information on Superman. Lana's resilience and refusal to bend in the face of Luthor's torture was such a strong moment for her character. Marv Wolfman in his run on Adventures of Superman spotlights the Lane family as they deal with the fallout of Elinor Lane's cancer diagnosis and we check in on Lucy after her misadventures with Bizzaro and Superman in volume 1. New characters like gossip columnist Carey Grant, a new member of the Daily Planet crew, adds a fun new dynamic to the office as a potential rival for Clark's affections.
The bulk of this volume is a multipart crossover following the schemes of Darkseid on Apocalypse. As someone who's generally unengaged by Darkseid stories I was pleasantly surprised that this story managed to engage me. Darkseid's plan while occasionally convoluted was interesting. I liked seeing the ways he manipulated the political factions on the planet for his own ends. It made him feel like a genuine threat with an iron grip on the planet. And overall I was hooked by the grandiose, almost Shakespearean drama of the story in general.
Overall it was a solid volume and with strong writing from Wolfman especially I'm excited to read more from this run.
October 28, 2019
This continues to be a phenomenal series--one that has some great storylines that I can clearly see influenced some of my other favorites (such as "Superman: The Animated Series"). This book had a lot of really cool moments, but the best for me was when Lex Luthor strenuously gathers information on Superman and Clark Kent, runs it through a computer, and is told: Superman is Clark Kent. He refuses to believe it, because, as power-hungry as he is, he can't comprehend that someone could have Superman's abilities and choose to live as a normal human. That is a wonderful "character study" moment. We actually discussed that particular issue during a Fandom Club meeting, and we all agreed: It's no wonder an Orange Lantern Ring eventually chose Luthor. The other stories were also pretty good: An introduction to Metallo, terrorist cells with insane technology, and...(*insert dramatic music*)... Darkseid. Superman being manipulated into serving Darkseid... wowzers, is that hard to read! There's just something about seeing someone who's the symbol of all that is good and right doing things that are so base and wrong. Still, a well-told story. But it was just as jarring reading it as it was when I first saw a similar story in "Superman: The Animated Series." The more I read John Byrne's Man of Steel, the more I'm understanding why this was recommended to me, and why it has such a sturdy place in Superman history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2018
Very good.
After the amazing beginning in the Man of Steel collection, the rest of the Post-Crisis goes into high gear. First, Superman resolves the mysterious theft of his stolen spaceship and then he goes on to face a familiar enemy in John Corben aka Metallo. I've seen a version of this story before and this was well done.
Afterwards a pretty amazing confrontation with the Teen Titans which is explained. But its still great, no doubt Marv Wolfman enjoyed having his kids go against the Man of Steel.
I've read Lex Luthor's prying into Superman's secret and doesn't believe it. Maybe its the early prevalence of surveillance technology, mathematical models and of course social media so I guess Lex not believing Clark Kent is Superman could be believable. But given present day, it probably wouldn't fly, not to mention the fact that Clark is that good at playing insignificant.
Interesting story with the Phantom Stranger and the fight that leads Superman against a strange civilization.
But truly the best piece of this collection is Superman being taken from Earth to be tricked by Darkseid in his crusade for the Anti-Life Equation. This was a pretty creepy and dramatic story on the level of Outer Limits/Twilight Zone. Still it ends better than I expected.
Great stories. A little dated but still very good. A-
After the amazing beginning in the Man of Steel collection, the rest of the Post-Crisis goes into high gear. First, Superman resolves the mysterious theft of his stolen spaceship and then he goes on to face a familiar enemy in John Corben aka Metallo. I've seen a version of this story before and this was well done.
Afterwards a pretty amazing confrontation with the Teen Titans which is explained. But its still great, no doubt Marv Wolfman enjoyed having his kids go against the Man of Steel.
I've read Lex Luthor's prying into Superman's secret and doesn't believe it. Maybe its the early prevalence of surveillance technology, mathematical models and of course social media so I guess Lex not believing Clark Kent is Superman could be believable. But given present day, it probably wouldn't fly, not to mention the fact that Clark is that good at playing insignificant.
Interesting story with the Phantom Stranger and the fight that leads Superman against a strange civilization.
But truly the best piece of this collection is Superman being taken from Earth to be tricked by Darkseid in his crusade for the Anti-Life Equation. This was a pretty creepy and dramatic story on the level of Outer Limits/Twilight Zone. Still it ends better than I expected.
Great stories. A little dated but still very good. A-
November 20, 2025
Un buen segundo volumen, mermado por decisiones editoriales
Reseña de la edición Biblioteca Superman, volumen 2 de Panini España
Antes de comenzar con la reseña en sí, cabe destacar que el Superman de Byrne es una de las eras más recomendadas del personaje, al punto que el volumen uno tapa dura en EEUU (que contiene en un solo tomo los tres primeros volumenes de estas ediciones Panini) es lectura favorita de maestros en Amazon, y se gana sus flores, ya que u influencia sigue impactando al personaje a lo largo de sus múltiples reinterpretaciones.
En este tomo, vemos el debut del Metallo moderno, de Cat Grant, de Emil Hamilton y otros personajes que se volveran parte de los mitos modernos del personaje, así también nos hacemos con al presentación de la Lana Lang post-crisis.
Cuenta con bastante material extra, incluyendo prefacios de la colecciones anglosajonas y también textos propios del equipo editorial español.
Mi problema con este tomo, es que toma la historia de Superman en Apokolips, parte de la saga Legends y la corta a la mitad, para continuarla en el volumen 3.
Esta jugada de cliffhanger es algo incómoda, ya que en colecciones modernas de este tipo de material en otros países, se han ordenado editorialmente para evitar que esto pase. Este corte abrupto me ha hecho bajarle la puntuación a esta edición del material.
Reseña de la edición Biblioteca Superman, volumen 2 de Panini España
Antes de comenzar con la reseña en sí, cabe destacar que el Superman de Byrne es una de las eras más recomendadas del personaje, al punto que el volumen uno tapa dura en EEUU (que contiene en un solo tomo los tres primeros volumenes de estas ediciones Panini) es lectura favorita de maestros en Amazon, y se gana sus flores, ya que u influencia sigue impactando al personaje a lo largo de sus múltiples reinterpretaciones.
En este tomo, vemos el debut del Metallo moderno, de Cat Grant, de Emil Hamilton y otros personajes que se volveran parte de los mitos modernos del personaje, así también nos hacemos con al presentación de la Lana Lang post-crisis.
Cuenta con bastante material extra, incluyendo prefacios de la colecciones anglosajonas y también textos propios del equipo editorial español.
Mi problema con este tomo, es que toma la historia de Superman en Apokolips, parte de la saga Legends y la corta a la mitad, para continuarla en el volumen 3.
Esta jugada de cliffhanger es algo incómoda, ya que en colecciones modernas de este tipo de material en otros países, se han ordenado editorialmente para evitar que esto pase. Este corte abrupto me ha hecho bajarle la puntuación a esta edición del material.
December 30, 2024
Another good Superman book! This volume has issues that do a great job of showing how strong and honest Superman is as a hero, and how evil and bad Lex Luthor is as a man and villain.
It was pretty cool seeing Darkseid make an appearance and overall this book includes a lot more action than the previous volume.
To be honest, I find Lois Lane as a character in these books quite boring and annoying. I wish her and Clark would either get together or just move on and stop flirting with the idea of the pair coming together.
I started to get a little confused and bored towards the last 2-3 issues but it picked up quite nicely at the end and had a good finale with Darkseid!
Something I am noticing when reading this series is that it does often feel like there are chunks missing between issues. Im not sure if this is collection of Man of Steel issue in order, but it doesn’t feel like it. This can be seen as a good thing, and a bad thing. While it may not feel complete when reading book after book, it also allows each book to stand on its own (meaning you do not necessarily have to read a previous volume to understand the next.
Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to any Superman fan! I’m excited for the next volume.
It was pretty cool seeing Darkseid make an appearance and overall this book includes a lot more action than the previous volume.
To be honest, I find Lois Lane as a character in these books quite boring and annoying. I wish her and Clark would either get together or just move on and stop flirting with the idea of the pair coming together.
I started to get a little confused and bored towards the last 2-3 issues but it picked up quite nicely at the end and had a good finale with Darkseid!
Something I am noticing when reading this series is that it does often feel like there are chunks missing between issues. Im not sure if this is collection of Man of Steel issue in order, but it doesn’t feel like it. This can be seen as a good thing, and a bad thing. While it may not feel complete when reading book after book, it also allows each book to stand on its own (meaning you do not necessarily have to read a previous volume to understand the next.
Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to any Superman fan! I’m excited for the next volume.
June 18, 2021
Hodnotím první dvě knihy
Překvapivě vyvedený restart Supermana na konci 80. let. Kresba je slušná, jen díky coloringu působí často zastarale, ale především se Byrneovi fakt podařil přechod Supermana do modernějšího světa. Byrne hodně čerpá ze starých komiksů, je tam cítit veliké kouzlo Supermanových klasických příběhů, ale zároveň jsou příběhy jen málokdy hloupé a naopak sem tam přijde nějaký velice dospělý moment.
Postavy a jejich vztahy jsou zajímavě a citlivě upravené. Superman se zbavil spousta "nánosu" všemožných šíleností z tisíců starých komiksů, kde se mu stalo všechno myslitelné i nemyslitelné. Poměrně odvážně třeba odsekli tvůrci minulost Supermana jako Superboye.
Nejlepší je tu nový Lex Luthor, který je nyní nemilosrdný drsný obchodník, majitel snad největší korporace na světě a jeden z nejbohatších lidí světa. Nejen že mu to pálí a díky své vychcanosti často porazí Supermana, ale z některých jeho aspektů dost mrazí - například z jeho predátorského chování k ženám.
Moc pěkný modernější Superman, který kombinuje to staré s větší realističností a údernějšími příběhy.
8/10
Překvapivě vyvedený restart Supermana na konci 80. let. Kresba je slušná, jen díky coloringu působí často zastarale, ale především se Byrneovi fakt podařil přechod Supermana do modernějšího světa. Byrne hodně čerpá ze starých komiksů, je tam cítit veliké kouzlo Supermanových klasických příběhů, ale zároveň jsou příběhy jen málokdy hloupé a naopak sem tam přijde nějaký velice dospělý moment.
Postavy a jejich vztahy jsou zajímavě a citlivě upravené. Superman se zbavil spousta "nánosu" všemožných šíleností z tisíců starých komiksů, kde se mu stalo všechno myslitelné i nemyslitelné. Poměrně odvážně třeba odsekli tvůrci minulost Supermana jako Superboye.
Nejlepší je tu nový Lex Luthor, který je nyní nemilosrdný drsný obchodník, majitel snad největší korporace na světě a jeden z nejbohatších lidí světa. Nejen že mu to pálí a díky své vychcanosti často porazí Supermana, ale z některých jeho aspektů dost mrazí - například z jeho predátorského chování k ženám.
Moc pěkný modernější Superman, který kombinuje to staré s větší realističností a údernějšími příběhy.
8/10
November 21, 2025
Estos comics los leí en el gimnasio (estoy leyendo todos los comics de Superman de los 80 así)
No me parecieron tan increíbles como la miniserie original, pero me gusta cómo siguieron desarrollando al pj de Luthor, un verdadero hijo de mil puta, nqv con el antihéroe que es en new 52.
Igual acá la subtrama de que le dio cancer a la madre de Lois nunca se cierra, me imagino que será en otro comic anda a saber dónde.
Lo más interesante acá es la saga de 3 comics de apokolips, fue interesante ver cómo representaban a Darkseid en esa época, mucho más débil que cómo lo hacen ahora, y me gustó mucho ver al personaje de Orion que no lo conocía.
Tmb me gustaron mucho las colaboraciones con Phantom Stranger y Etrigan.
No me parecieron tan increíbles como la miniserie original, pero me gusta cómo siguieron desarrollando al pj de Luthor, un verdadero hijo de mil puta, nqv con el antihéroe que es en new 52.
Igual acá la subtrama de que le dio cancer a la madre de Lois nunca se cierra, me imagino que será en otro comic anda a saber dónde.
Lo más interesante acá es la saga de 3 comics de apokolips, fue interesante ver cómo representaban a Darkseid en esa época, mucho más débil que cómo lo hacen ahora, y me gustó mucho ver al personaje de Orion que no lo conocía.
Tmb me gustaron mucho las colaboraciones con Phantom Stranger y Etrigan.
December 22, 2022
“Superman is not just a hero. He is something more. He is a champion.”
Hell. Yeah.
Obviously the Legends crossover issues don’t make a lick of goddamn sense, but they look tremendous and are couched between some amazing issues of Action Comics.
I feel like the line still really hasn’t found it’s feet completely (and the odd papering of new super-lore still smacks pretty oddly throughout the dialogue) but it’s absolutely moving in the right direction. The stories have momentum now, they are skirting toward weird and theatrical. And holy crow, that artwork. Every single page looks tremendous, even in digital.
I’m not sure I’ll go on with these but I’m happy to stop on a high point.
Hell. Yeah.
Obviously the Legends crossover issues don’t make a lick of goddamn sense, but they look tremendous and are couched between some amazing issues of Action Comics.
I feel like the line still really hasn’t found it’s feet completely (and the odd papering of new super-lore still smacks pretty oddly throughout the dialogue) but it’s absolutely moving in the right direction. The stories have momentum now, they are skirting toward weird and theatrical. And holy crow, that artwork. Every single page looks tremendous, even in digital.
I’m not sure I’ll go on with these but I’m happy to stop on a high point.
February 27, 2022
John Byrne, Marv Wolfman, and Jerry Ordway bring the new era of Superman to three ongoing titles after the Man of Steel miniseries. The Last Son of Krypton faces new versions of some old threats like Metallo, while teaming up with the likes of the New Teen Titans, the Phantom Stranger, and the New Gods. The modern world of Metropolis is being further expanded with supporting characters and new twists on old favourites.
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