Superman '78

Superman '78 #1-6

by Robert Venditti (Writer), Wilfredo Torres (Illustrator), Jordie Bellaire (Colorist)

Fly into director Richard Donner’s Superman once more in Superman ’78! Written by Robert Venditti (Superman: Man of Tomorrow) and drawn by Wilfredo Torres (Batman ’66), Superman ’78 tells a brand-new adventure in the world of the beloved film. A bright, shining day in Metropolis is interrupted by a mysterious drone that crash-lands in the city and starts wreaking havoc. This looks like a job for Superman! But where did the metallic menace come from, what is its purpose, and who is Brainiac? As Metropolis is invaded by this being and its mechanical drones, Superman must make a life-changing sacrifice and leave Earth once and for all. But once aboard Brainiac’s ship, the Man of Steel finds he might not be the last son of Krypton as he believed.

Collects: Superman ’78 #1-6.

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

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 24, 2021

About the author

Robert Venditti is a New York Times bestselling author of more than three hundred comic books and graphic novels. Some of his works include the monthly comic book series Justice League, Superman ’78, Hawkman, and Green Lantern for DC Comics, X-O Manowar, Armor Hunters, and Wrath of the Eternal Warrior for Valiant Entertainment, and the graphic novel Six Days, inspired by the story of his uncle’s participation in D-Day. He has also adapted Rick Riordan’s global bestselling Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus novels, as well as Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia and Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz. His graphic novel The Surrogates was adapted into a feature film by Touchstone Pictures, and his work on The Flash was the basis for season three of the CW television series.

Venditti lives in Atlanta, where he both writes and serves as a storytelling consultant for some of the most recognizable entertainment brands in the world.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(A-) 80% | Very Good
Notes: Perfect pitch, nostalgia-rich, all charm and sunny hope, though overall feels kind of small, no big screen feel or scope.

*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #1-3 ◦ Issues #4-6

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

"I don't know, chief. This doesn't look so good . . . " -- Daily Planet cub reporter Jimmy Olsen

Well, this volume LOOKS pretty good, but it's lacking in other things. Continuing the narrative set in place by the Richard Donner-helmed 1978 cinematic blockbuster - which arguably birthed the now-ubiquitous big-budget superhero movie genre - Superman '78 captures the appearance of those involved in the movie (the 'usual suspects' here resemble performers Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, et al.) and their respective character tics, but misses the marks in providing a truly compelling storyline and some of the required wit. It was occasionally humorous, however, to catch the random pop cultural cameo appearance insertions of Shaggy from Scooby Doo, Where Are You?!, the cast of the TV sitcom Barney Miller, and various members of The Goonies (another hit film also directed by Donner) in the crowd scenes. Also nice were visual cues that directly referenced moments from both the original film and its successful sequel.

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’ll believe that a man can fly…again!!!

This harcover TPB edition contains “Superman ‘78” #1 - 6.

Creative Team:

Writer: Robert Venditti

Illustrator: Wilfredo Torres


MY FAVORITE MOVIE

Good stories are never behind you, Jimmy! They’re out front!

Superman the movie is the film that I watched always on my birthday (at least always since I got it on DVD and later on Blu-ray) and definitely is the movie that impacted me as a child since I was lucky of being able to watch it on theater when I was like 6 years old, and since I was a kid in an age where there weren’t much special effects movies around, my experience wasn’t to watch an actor performing a role in the middle of a fx scene, oh no, when I watch Superman for the first time in live-action, I was convinced that I was watching a man flying able to catch with ONE HAND a freakin’ helicopter while having rescued a woman with the other hand…

…for a 6 years old, you can’t give him something better than that.

I kept loving the movie during my childhood, and when I became adult I was able to appreciate his final speech to the prison warden showing a priceless moment of humility, which is Superman’s best trademark.

After all that, it was obvious that I was going to read this TPB.

The events are after of Superman the movie but taking a different path where next adventure of Superman isn’t battling against thee three super-villains from Kryptong but facing the menace of Brainiac which is cool since he’s one of the major villains of Superman but still lack of a live-action appearance in theatric films (not matter of having appeared on TV at least in Smallville and Krypton)…

…and while I enjoyed a lot the story in this TPB…

…I would love even more, if this concept of introducing Brainiac to the Christopher Reeve’s Superman could be made after the events of Superman II and instead of Superman III (since after all that film was about a super computer anyway) but also doing what it was originally meant where Helen Slater’s Supergirl would be introduced in the third film of Superman original saga…

…Christopher Reeve and Helen Slater together in the same movie…

…could be the only thing to be better than the first two movies of Superman,… still the story is cool and interesting and a fair divergent road after the first film of Superman.

However the artwork could be way better (at least it wasn’t something that I particularly liked) since while the characters are drawn showing recognizable enough facial features of the live-action actors, still looks like a tie-in comic book adaptation from the 80s or 90s, that it could be acceptable in those decades but in the new millenium one is used to have better artwork in this kind of tie-in illustrated adaptations.


BRAINS V. STRENGHT: DAWN OF DOUBLE MORALITY

Harm’s way is what I do.

I always find ridiculous that people never doubt that Lex Luthor or Brainiac are certainly super-smart but Superman is only about strength and physical power…

…sorry but Superman has the scientific acumen and the knowledge of dozens of worlds in the 28 known galaxies…

…in the movie he was educated while he was traveling as a baby aboard of the rocket ship and even if that all information kept dormant while he was a kid and teenager, certainly all that knowledge was re-activated during his 12 years on the Fortress of Solitude preparing him for his adult life.

I don’t know compared to Brainiac, but easily Superman should be far better instructed than Lex Luthor. Even Luthor not matter he was kept telling about brains over strenght, he admited that only he was able to have smart talks with Superman.

However, writers kept showing other characters like Brainiac and Lex Luthor (and here, there is another surprise character) that they are the smart ones and not Superman.
I guess that people can’t deal with someone who can be as good in the physical area than in the brains area…

…but amusingly that seems to apply only with Superman since it seems that nobody finds objectionable that situation with Batman, since everybody loves that the Dark Knight is as intelligent than an Olympic-level athlete but when it’s about Superman is like people is terrified of that scenario. (and don't get mistaken, I am fan of Batman too (I have a shelf with action figures of Superman and Batman) but I can't ignore the irony about it)

At the end, not matter that I could love to have Helen Slater’s Supergirl in the story and also I would prefer a better illustrator for the comic, I definitely recommend this TPB to any fan of the Christopher Reeve’s film run of Superman.

[Subham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good volume!

It takes place in the movie continuity of 70s superman and its so well done like Brainiac is invading Metropolis and well Superman on the scene to save his city and when his drones become too much and his threat high, Superman agrees to go with him to save his city but Lex and his transmitter of Alpha waves hidden and well there he is shrinked and sent to Kandor where he meets his parents and its so well written and its quite different from normal Superman stories which makes this even better.

Superman seeing that Brainiac will invade Earth anyhow spends last moment with his parents and assures them of stuff, gives them hope and well reverse-minitiaurization and all and its Superman vs Brainiac with Metropolis on the line and can he save the day?

Ofcourse he does and this was so well written and makes you love Superman even more and sure this story has been told a lot of times but its this stuff that is a stand out for him, the whole look and aesthetic of the 70s is felt here, Superman is written very well and the villains motivations and all are right on point, Lois the romance plot, Lex the intelligent egomaniac and the big threat of the alien, Metropolis in threat and Superman on the scene to save it all! Its really well written and just shows how well Venditti knows these characters and he does an excellent job with them and truly makes it feel like an epic movie. The art is great and reason why this book looks and feels so epic.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife & I recently went to the Royal Albert Hall in London to see the film Superman (1978) with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing the music live. It was a briliant night out & the release of this new Superman comic was perfect timing.
Long time Superman fan Robert Venditti brings us a brand new adventure featuring the cast of the classic 1978 film starring Christopher Reeve (to me the best ever Clark Kent & Superman) along with Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder & many others.
Brainiac (first seen in the Superman comics over 60 years ago) makes a good villian & the story is very strong for a comic. These days so many comics & films featuring Superman, Batman & other comic book heroes all feel that that have to be very dark & very moody. Superman '78 is a real breath of fresh air & reminds me why I used to enjoy reading comics so much...because it was FUN.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This was a heck of a lot of fun for this lover of the original Superman movies. There were a few things I wasn’t particularly keen on but they were all nit-picky and not worth going into.

You will believe a man can fly…

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Superman ‘78 collects issues 1-6 of the DC Comic series written by Robert Venditti with art by Willfredo Torres.

Set in Richard Donner’s Superman movie universe, Brainiac discovers that a Kryptonian is still alive and travels to earth to eradicate Superman.

After the nostalgia factor wares off, the story has your typical Brainiac plot - who I have never thought was a very interesting character anyways. The art has somewhat likenesses to Clark Kent/Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, among other film characters, but just generic enough to not be them either. Venditti does a good job on most of the characters sounding like their movie counterparts. My biggest problem with the book is that it does and doesn’t fit into the movie continuity. I guess it’s supposed to be a direct sequel to the original Superman film, but feels like it should be sequel to Superman II, but doesn’t fit in with the continuity (Richard Donner was still heavily involved in the sequel even though he was famously removed as director). I also don’t think Brainiac fits with the 70s era of the film. Maybe it would have worked better if the designs looked more like how a movie would have created and filmed Brainiac from that time period. I think Metallo would have worked a lot better as a villain for this universe.

I really wish DC did this book many years ago where they could have actually had Richard Donner as a co-writer to the book. It would have been really cool to see what else he could done with the Superman mythos.

[Molly™☺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story that screams comic book, it's a nostalgia trip that radiates charm and heart. It nails the tone that the films cemented and the art style fits perfectly alongside it. Mirroring what many of the reviews have said, it's not my favourite Superman story - it's really quite generic when the nostalgia is peeled away - but it has enough there for fans to enjoy and reminisce over.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. Feels right in line with the tone of the first Superman movie. Even has the look of it. So Brainiac has come to earth because he has discovered a Kryptonian is living there. With threats to destroy the city, Superman gives himself up to protect them. This was a fun journey watching Supes being taken to a place of no hope but still rising back up to save the day. Really enjoyed this one and I hear Venditti is working on continuing this run. Looking forward to it.

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old school nostalgia all the way. This not my favorite Superman book but it was a trip down memory lane. The artwork and drawing all the characters to look like the actors from the original movies was a nice touch, in no small part as a tribute to Christopher Reeves.

A slight change to the Superman mythos, and having Brainiac appear in 1978 with that times technology was good. It had all the feeling of the original movies. A great tribute trip to the past. The book finishes with a sketch book and full page cover gallery.

[Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun time-capsule and cheesy, rose-colored film reel honoring Christopher Reeve and Richard Donner.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty fun and enjoyable, but not the best Superman story you'll ever read or anything. A good legacy for the old movies. I do have to say, though, that the strange Goonies cameo felt more than just a little out of place, especially because this was supposed to be taking place in 1978 when they all would have been about four or five years old as per the timeline of their own movie. It was just a little jarring to me is all - Didn't hurt the story, per se, but, like, weird choice.

[Scott Rhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Venditti and Wilfredo Torres have done several remarkable and wonderful things with “Superman ’78”. Three things, actually.

1) They have succeeded in getting me to read a “Superman” comic book at my age, something that I had very little interest in ever doing again, as I believe that Superman is one of the most boring, vanilla-flavored superheroes of all time. With the exception of Richard Donner’s 1978 “Superman: The Movie” (which I’ll get to later), I have not really been impressed with any TV or movie version made since featuring Superman, especially Zach Snyder’s “Man of Steel”, “Dawn of Justice”, and “Justice League”, all of which I thought sucked. That I not only read but greatly enjoyed “Superman ’78” is a testament to the artistic teamwork of Venditti/Torres (and credit must also go to colorist Jordie Bellaire) for truly capturing the child-like wonder and joy that I remember so fondly from both growing up in the ‘70s and seeing the original Donner film. Which leads me to

2) They have written, in graphic novel form, a beautiful time capsule of the late-‘70s/early-‘80s. Besides featuring the original stellar cast of the ’78 film (Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Margot Kidder, Jackie Cooper, and Christopher Reeve), they have also included some brilliant “guest stars”, including David Bowie as Brainiac, which is pretty brilliant casting, as it fits perfectly with Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust/Starman” persona from the ‘70s. Also, there are Easter eggs galore throughout the book. Be on the look-out for some familiar faces in the crowds.

3) They have created a graphic novel love letter to Donner’s film, which is still, in my humble opinion, the best superhero film ever made. I was six years old when the film came out, and I remember being absolutely in awe. John Williams’s fantastic score, Donner’s brilliant directing, and Reeve’s iconic performance truly convinced me that superheroes could exist in the real world.

This truly is one of the best graphic novels I have read in a while, and maybe it is for sentimental and nostalgic reasons, but I would gladly pay money to have this on my bookshelf.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who unironically loves Richard Donner’s Superman films this book was certainly made with me in mind, bringing us the story of Supes vs Brainiac taking place at some point between Superman: The Movie and Superman II.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

My earliest childhood memory is seeing Superman II when I was five or six years old. So, my Superman is and will always be Christopher Reeve. That's not to take anything away from the so many great depictions of the character. Tom Welling, Brandon Routh, Henry Cavill and Tyler Hoechlin have all added their spin to the mythology of Earth's Greatest Hero.
When I saw this collection of graphic novels was set to be released, I knew I had to have it, for no other reason than nostalgia.
Unfortunately it was... disappointing. It appears to be set after the events of Superman II, (I guess Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace never happened) and the villain is Brainiac, my all time favorite Superman antagonist after Lex Luthor and General Zod. So I had high hopes that this is what Superman III could/should have been.
Brainiac comes to earth and Superman immediately surrenders himself to spare the citizens of Metropolis/Earth; an action that is completely in line with the Christopher Reeve version of the character. However, that's where it seems to go sideways. Superman is zapped with Brainiac's iconic shrink ray and is bottled in the last Kryptonian city of Kandor, where he meets father Jor-El and his mother Lara Lor-Van who are suddenly alive??? Needless to say, I didn't like this. I would have much prefered that Clark met his uncle Zor-El and his cousin Kara Zor-El. That would have made way more sense. I love Jor and Lara, but their sacrifice is vital to the mythology of Kal-El. He is the "Last Son of Krypton" for a reason.
I won't spoil the ending here, but Lex Luthor has quite a role to play. I have to say, it was nice seeing him in the guise of Gene Hackman. Oh, and Lois still can't spell!
While, I had lots of feelings of nostalgia reading this, and it was nice to see the characters drawn like the actors in the original films, ultimately the story fell short. As a result, I can only give this 3.5 stars. A must read for any Superman aficionado, but a pass for the casual fan.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the last several years I've found myself less and less interested in DC Comics, which sucks because it was essentially my introduction to the medium twenty five years ago. I don't know if I'll ever go back to their main superhero continuity, but it's nice to see they still occasionally put out something I'm interested in.

Granted this is very specifically designed for people like me who tire of the many crossovers and retcons and crises. It's entirely driven by nostalgia and it's somewhat ironic that they've resorted to creating a comicbook sequel to the classic Superman film while Warner Bros still apparently have no idea how to convincingly bring the character back to the big screen.

Sorry, this isn't the time or place for my many ranty thoughts about the state of DC in comics or on the screen.

It's unclear whether this is a sequel to the first film only, or all four of hte Christopher Reeve led films, and it doesn't really matter. There are some references to a few of the sequels but they act more like nods than any hard confirmations of canon.

It feels very much of the time with Clark Kent's old fashioned farmboy, Lex Luthor's crazed ranting and Lois Lane's fiery determination to get a story at all costs. While it's clearly set in the same continuity as the films it feels like a comic and not a film, which helps the story as it plays to the right medium.

I like the comparison between Braniac and Superman both being the last of their kind, but both approach the situation at opposite ends of the spectrum.

The art is really nice, again it feels like a throwback to an earlier time, it all looks very 1970s, and for the most part each character looks like the actors that portrayed them in the film. I also love that Brainiac is apparently being played by David Bowie in this story.

I'm not sure if they're doing more of these but I'd be up for reading more from this universe.

[Darik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming, entertaining throwback to the Christopher Reeve Superman films that never quite coheres into anything more than a hollow novelty.

The script by Robert Venditti threads a number of themes and ideas through the story-- second chances, family reunions, self-sacrifice, culture shock, conservationists as self-important fascists (???)-- but doesn't do the work to bring them together into any kind of thematically-consistent whole. The Brainiac over-story is just a fun adventure where Superman punches a green guy and his robots in the face, then stops for a while, and then does it all again-- there's not a lot of creativity on display here, and a lot of beats are swiped wholesale from Geoff Johns' "Brainiac" storyline from 2009.

Now, even if it's not a terribly meaty book, on a micro level the character interactions ARE really fun; Venditti nails most of the characters' voices (except for Jor-El, unfortunately), and the interactions and banter are some of the best stuff in the book. It's just all... y'know... kind of empty.

Wilfredo Torres does solid enough work with the artwork, too. It's a little cartoony, but he does a great job of capturing actors' likenesses (in heavily abstracted form). And his inclusion of cameos and Easter eggs is a lot of fun!

It's light and fluffy, and it doesn't leave a HUGE impression... but if you love the Richard Donner/Christopher Reeve films, then I could think of worse things to read over a lazy afternoon.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the original Superman movies or a fan or Richard Donner's work, you'll like this homage to the classic film. The art style captures the likenesses of all the actors perfectly.

We've got another Superman story set after the events seen in the blockbuster movie. All of the famous faces you knew and loved are back for this new adventure. Brainiac makes his debut as only he can. Luthor is still scheming and Perry White is still a cranky newspaper editor.

Can Superman save Metropolis from the power of science or will he bottle it all up?
...

Bonus: Keep an eye out for a special Donner cameo during the final battle.
Bonus Bonus: Richard Pryor's character even makes a cameo

[William Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captures the classic pulp tone of the original film whilst pulling in some familiar comic elements. A specific panel in issue 6 had my slack jawed, it along with the entire run is a perfect celebration of Richard Donner's work.

[SheMac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story is kinda meh but it was a fun concept and fun to see the artist's recreation of the stars of the movie.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's....surprising and very much appreciated that Venditti was allowed to so perfectly capture and present the spirit of Richard Donner's films.

[Ben Nicholls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story was interesting and art work was incredible, really refreshing to see something different and captured Christopher Reeves iconic portrayal or the character excellently

[Jeremiah Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it, I could hear the actors voices. I thought this was a good Lex story.

I wish Brainiac was “cast” as a ‘78 actor. I can kind of see this Brainiac as Richard Moll from Night Court. But I wish there were a few more ties to 1978.

I liked all the print journalism parts—some mini reporting lessons there.

[Donavon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels like an 80s Superman film. Loved it.

[Jainam · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the classic films where's it's just a dumb world and an adventure without worrying about consequences (even the people in the story don't), this might be the one for you!

[Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

​​Прочитав лімітку "Superman'78" від сценариста Роберта Вендітті та художника Вілфредо Торреса події якої розповідають про пригоди Супермена Крістофера Ріва.

Зав'язка полягає в тому, що одного дня посеред Метрополісу опиняється загадковий робот який вступає у сутичку із Суперменом і попереджає загадкового Брейніака про існування криптонця.

Мені лімітка цілком сподобалася. Вендітті пише досить непогано і за персонажами було цікаво спостерігати. З хорошого також сподобався момент коли жителі міста почали заступатися за Супермена. Також Вендітті робить тут дуже цікавий хід з тим, що криптонські батьки Кларка виявляються живими й він з ними возз'єднується. Щодо малюнку то він тут вийшов загалом окейним, плюс персонажі тут досить схожі на акторів які їх грали у фільмах (а не як у лімітці про Бетмена Кітона).

З мінусів, мабуть, виділю один момент коли Кал-Ел погоджується замінити свого батька на посту голови ради. Після чого в наступній же ж сцені з ним нам показують, що Кал-Ел усвідомлює, що це все-таки не для нього. Ну і Брейніак як антагоніст нехай і вийшов нормальним, але трохи недорозкритим.

Узагальнюючи "Superman'78" вийшла досить добротною ліміткою яка вам сподобається, особливо якщо любите фільми з Суперменом Ріва.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is SOME of the Superman movie in this, mainly in terms of this version of Clark and Lex. But I didn't really see this as some unofficial sequel to the original film. But, it's not a bad retro Superman tale and the art is plenty lively.

[Tim Deforest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a mini-series set in the Christopher Reeve movie universe and the script captures the ambiance and characters of the movie perfectly. Wildredo Torres' art also does a great job of visually capturing them--Superman looks like Reeve's version, Lex Luthor looks like Gene Hackman, etc.

The plot brings in Braniac, the bottle city of Kandor and other elements of Superman's Silver/Bronze Age mythology, telling a strong story with Superman's moral sensibilities and determination to protect the innocent being the emotional centerpiece of it all. It's great fun from start to finish.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, Christopher Reeve made me fall in love with superman as a kid and reading this I could hear Christopher Reeve and Gene Hackmans & the rest of the movies cast voices playing it out , I wish all superman comics were like this since the 80s and I cant wait for the follow up series that is spoken off on the Inside cover flaps. I know people will disagree but for me personally 5 stars possibly for the nostalgia as I still watch the 1st 2 movies every year.And this is a quick read too.

[Jesse A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun with good art. I'd read more of this.