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Superman: Birthright: The Deluxe Edition
What makes a farm boy from Kansas decide to become a costumed superhero who divides his time between investigating the truth and fighting for justice? That's the question that acclaimed writer Mark Waid and inimitable illustrator Leinil Francis Yu pose in this thrilling retelling of the Man of Steel's origin that explores Clark Kent's humble beginnings and his Kryptonian heritage. This deluxe edition collects the entire
Birthright 12-issue miniseries and features a brand-new afterword by Waid!
Birthright 12-issue miniseries and features a brand-new afterword by Waid!
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2022
32 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Mark Waid
3,213 books1,297 followersMark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 20, 2025
I had a really good time with this, glad I finally got around to getting and reading this!
So this is the second post crisis origin story of superman but the first one I’ve read. I really liked how this was told and also liked how Lex Luther was done here. You get to see Krypton and his upbringing as well as how he decides he wants to become Superman and the challenges he faces at the start.
Overall a very good read, will be good to check out the other origin stories.
So this is the second post crisis origin story of superman but the first one I’ve read. I really liked how this was told and also liked how Lex Luther was done here. You get to see Krypton and his upbringing as well as how he decides he wants to become Superman and the challenges he faces at the start.
Overall a very good read, will be good to check out the other origin stories.
August 11, 2025
Much more compelling Superman comic. I think the new Superman movie is much more following on this storyline, I could only guess since there's Lex Luther in the trailer. I was also expecting Supergirl nad Krypto to have a cameo, but they're not, still okay, tho!
Character design wise, I believe this one is much more appealing to me. I really enjoyed the artwork here, especially with the facial expressions, which are much clearer.
We also get to see more Kryptonian history, which were amazing, in my opinion. I was always intrigued by their characters and hope I could find more comics that showed them more.
Another thing is Lex Luthor, I am really glad to see more depth into his character and not just the automatic crazy ass character as what the Superman vs. Batman movie presented.
Overall, this comic is a really great read. I would recommend this more to the All-Star Superman, in my opinion.
Character design wise, I believe this one is much more appealing to me. I really enjoyed the artwork here, especially with the facial expressions, which are much clearer.
We also get to see more Kryptonian history, which were amazing, in my opinion. I was always intrigued by their characters and hope I could find more comics that showed them more.
Another thing is Lex Luthor, I am really glad to see more depth into his character and not just the automatic crazy ass character as what the Superman vs. Batman movie presented.
Overall, this comic is a really great read. I would recommend this more to the All-Star Superman, in my opinion.
August 4, 2025
You can't show up nowadays and be a super-friend, we are a skeptical lot. Government... Advertising... God help me, the media... These things manipulate us 24/7, and worse, we know it. We claim to fight it, but most of us don't have the energy to struggle every moment of every day. Wear us down enough, and the lesson we eventually take to heart is that it's easier and safer to be cynical than it is to trust someone.
January 31, 2026
Had an absolute blast with this. This origin story really nails the reason why Superman is so great. He shows humanity all of its best traits while not asking for anything in return. Lex is so well done in this and the backstory is great. Yu's art is on point. I have always found his faces to be a little off at times but man does he absolutely nail action pieces and backgrounds. This is a great read and one I would recommend to a newcomer to comics and verterans alike.
June 26, 2025
I’m so glad I finally stumbled upon this gem! I couldn’t put it down, reading it all in one sitting. The pace is perfect, and the story is absolutely captivating. Waid has a brilliant understanding of Superman, and Yu’s artwork is simply stunning. This book is an absolute must-read if you want to understand the complex dynamics between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor. It’ll give you a deep dive into why Lex isn’t just Clark’s arch-nemesis, but why he chose to become that very person.
June 17, 2025
Highly recommend this to anyone who wants to see an immigrant and a symbol of everything good in this world take on an evil billionaire who wants to manipulate humanity. This obviously isn't parallel with anything happening in the world right now at all.
November 15, 2025
Absolutely superb reworking of the early years of Superman becoming Clark Kent, this brings in all of the familiar elements with a nice twist to everything that still manages to stay well within the established characterisations and tone of this enduring hero.
July 14, 2025
Good! Basically exactly what you are expecting picking up a superman comic. 4.5 stars
July 27, 2023
Superman: Birthright may very well be Mark Waid’s best work… and I’m a massive, MASSIVE fan of his. It is my favorite iteration of Superman’s origin in any media and puts just enough of a different spin on it to stand out. I love the focus on Superman’s Krytonian heritage and human upbringing in particular. The BEST portrayals of Ma & Pa Kent are right here in this book. Waid balances a story with HUGE stakes, a Superman struggling to find his place in the world and a new backstory for Lex Luthor wonderfully.
September 28, 2025
The DEFINITIVE Superman story.
When Mark Waid took on Superman in the early 2000’s, he tasked himself with modernising the Superhero to modern times. As such, Superman: Birthright isn’t just a “retelling” of Superman’s origin, it is a complete reinvention. A modernisation. In this story, it delves deeper into Clark’s humanity than ever before with any other comic. He’s more flawed, nuanced, relatable and humorous than before. This modernisation of the Superman origin aimed to make a Superman more grounded, just a dude who you can go out and watch movies with. Only, this “dude” just happens to have superpowers. This comic greatly explores Superman’s immigrant nature with him reconciling his biological family’s history and abilities, whilst simultaneously accepting the humanity that he grew up with all his life.
This is a Superman Origin story. As a result of being an early-year story for Clark, this comic focuses more on the isolated and lonely nature of his existence. The more he discovers about his “real” family, and his powers, the more lonely and “alienated” he becomes. It’s up to him to use his upbringing to embrace humanity, despite how humanity feels about him and despite how they “alienate” him.
Amazing read. My favourite Superman Origin story (there is a lot of superman origin stories btw lol).
When Mark Waid took on Superman in the early 2000’s, he tasked himself with modernising the Superhero to modern times. As such, Superman: Birthright isn’t just a “retelling” of Superman’s origin, it is a complete reinvention. A modernisation. In this story, it delves deeper into Clark’s humanity than ever before with any other comic. He’s more flawed, nuanced, relatable and humorous than before. This modernisation of the Superman origin aimed to make a Superman more grounded, just a dude who you can go out and watch movies with. Only, this “dude” just happens to have superpowers. This comic greatly explores Superman’s immigrant nature with him reconciling his biological family’s history and abilities, whilst simultaneously accepting the humanity that he grew up with all his life.
This is a Superman Origin story. As a result of being an early-year story for Clark, this comic focuses more on the isolated and lonely nature of his existence. The more he discovers about his “real” family, and his powers, the more lonely and “alienated” he becomes. It’s up to him to use his upbringing to embrace humanity, despite how humanity feels about him and despite how they “alienate” him.
Amazing read. My favourite Superman Origin story (there is a lot of superman origin stories btw lol).
January 29, 2026
I was originally leaning towards 3 stars. After that final issue? Bumped up to 4 easily. The art was hit or miss in my opinion, but there were some incredible pages. Multiple bangers that made up for other parts I wasn’t a fan of.
This is regarded as one of the greatest Superman comics. And while I understand why, it’s actually not my favorite. Again, the art. But also, Clark Kent deserved better. My favorite aspect of Superman is Clark and how human he actually is, despite being an alien. I love when people like Clark for himself, like when he’s dorky or overly sweet. Every character in this story treating Clark like a loser or someone who doesn’t matter just made me kind of sad.
One thing that bugged me pretty early on was that Clark was the disguise and Superman was himself. I hate when writers do that to superheroes (except Batman). Superman should either be the disguise, or a mix between hero and dorky Clark.
I honestly give it a pass just because of the afterword by Mark Waid. I’d give anything to have a conversation with that man. He clearly loves Superman and so do I.
This is regarded as one of the greatest Superman comics. And while I understand why, it’s actually not my favorite. Again, the art. But also, Clark Kent deserved better. My favorite aspect of Superman is Clark and how human he actually is, despite being an alien. I love when people like Clark for himself, like when he’s dorky or overly sweet. Every character in this story treating Clark like a loser or someone who doesn’t matter just made me kind of sad.
One thing that bugged me pretty early on was that Clark was the disguise and Superman was himself. I hate when writers do that to superheroes (except Batman). Superman should either be the disguise, or a mix between hero and dorky Clark.
I honestly give it a pass just because of the afterword by Mark Waid. I’d give anything to have a conversation with that man. He clearly loves Superman and so do I.
October 2, 2025
I heard about this book from the communities surrounding Superman 25’ the basic premise, although the origin had b en gone through at least once a generation in the comics. Was why Superman chose to do what he did. Witnessing justice in an African community and the murder
Of an influential figure starts Clark on the premise of being the reporter he’s meant to be. I like that the early days had an international scale, it’s not realistic or story motivating to just give Clark/Superman the backgrounds of Smallville and Metropolis. It makes sense that his influential interactions would happen on an jnternational scale. I knew Yu’s artwork primarily from his
Work with Wolverine and I’ve always considered him an heir to Mike Mignolas graphic style. All in all not my favorite Superman story but 100% worth the read.
Of an influential figure starts Clark on the premise of being the reporter he’s meant to be. I like that the early days had an international scale, it’s not realistic or story motivating to just give Clark/Superman the backgrounds of Smallville and Metropolis. It makes sense that his influential interactions would happen on an jnternational scale. I knew Yu’s artwork primarily from his
Work with Wolverine and I’ve always considered him an heir to Mike Mignolas graphic style. All in all not my favorite Superman story but 100% worth the read.
June 11, 2025
Le di un vistazo a este cómic de Mark Waid y Leinil Yu. Explora los orígenes del personaje y sus interacciones con su elenco secundario. Sobre todo la amistad entre Lex y Clark en Smallville. Contiene ideas que después retomaría en The Last Days of Lex Luthor.
Tiene un inicio y un final muy chido, pero a veces se clava en cosas para justificar tramas y puede volverse un poco pesada. El dibujo de Yu, entrega momentos como esta portada que me parece de un gusto exquisito, incluso aunque no me encante para #Superman.
Estoy seguro que hay momentos que se tomaron para Man Of Steel y el kaiju de la nueva película seguro que tiene su origen aquí.
La recomiendo si te gustó Last days of lex luthor o si quieres saber más sobre el inicio de la relación entre Lex y Clark.
Tiene un inicio y un final muy chido, pero a veces se clava en cosas para justificar tramas y puede volverse un poco pesada. El dibujo de Yu, entrega momentos como esta portada que me parece de un gusto exquisito, incluso aunque no me encante para #Superman.
Estoy seguro que hay momentos que se tomaron para Man Of Steel y el kaiju de la nueva película seguro que tiene su origen aquí.
La recomiendo si te gustó Last days of lex luthor o si quieres saber más sobre el inicio de la relación entre Lex y Clark.
Read
January 5, 2025I decided last month that I wanted to learn more about the Man of Steel before the James Gunn movie comes out this Summer. So this is the first in a bunch of Superman graphic novels I plan to read in the next few months.
This was really good shit! I wanted to start with an origin story and I'm really glad someone recommended Birthright. You can tell Mark Waid poured his heart into this one and it's a beautiful love-letter to the character and everything he stands for.
"You watch what happens the next time someone tries to co-opt that symbol. People know now, it stands for courage. It stands for hope. It stands for Superman."
This was really good shit! I wanted to start with an origin story and I'm really glad someone recommended Birthright. You can tell Mark Waid poured his heart into this one and it's a beautiful love-letter to the character and everything he stands for.
"You watch what happens the next time someone tries to co-opt that symbol. People know now, it stands for courage. It stands for hope. It stands for Superman."
May 28, 2025
I received this book (a paper coy not the kindle edition named here) for subscribing to DC Universe.
I happen to love Mark Waid's writing, and I did not know what a HUGE Superman fan he is. I wish I still lived in Kalamazoo for times like this to ask another HUGE Superman fan I know who works at Fanfare Comics what he thinks of this series.
I thought it was a very strong re-do of the Superman origin and early years and since I have been noodling a review of Frank Miller's Superman: Year One for many years, maybe the thing that gets me to write that blog entry is comparing it to this book. I know I like it better.
I happen to love Mark Waid's writing, and I did not know what a HUGE Superman fan he is. I wish I still lived in Kalamazoo for times like this to ask another HUGE Superman fan I know who works at Fanfare Comics what he thinks of this series.
I thought it was a very strong re-do of the Superman origin and early years and since I have been noodling a review of Frank Miller's Superman: Year One for many years, maybe the thing that gets me to write that blog entry is comparing it to this book. I know I like it better.
November 23, 2025
This is my first Superman comic and I am floored by how good it is! An amazing origin to the character that explains who he is and why you should care.
I had a big superhero phase when I was a kid but I never connected with Superman. I wish I had read this comic back then. He is written as an incredibly complex and lovable character here that I finally understand the hype.
Also really appreciate how much of this is an origin for Lex Luthor. He’s tragic and illicits sympathy, but he’s still a formidable antagonist for you to root against.
I had a big superhero phase when I was a kid but I never connected with Superman. I wish I had read this comic back then. He is written as an incredibly complex and lovable character here that I finally understand the hype.
Also really appreciate how much of this is an origin for Lex Luthor. He’s tragic and illicits sympathy, but he’s still a formidable antagonist for you to root against.
July 19, 2025
Tre stelle ma una stella extra perché rispetto al film sembra Shakespeare.
Una bella opera su un supereroe che non amo,che comunque scricchiola ogni tanto, ma scritto e sviluppato bene con il focus sugli aspetti giusti e che arriva a un finale degno sull'aspetto più importante di tutta la faccenda che è l'identità e la realizzazione di sé aldilà di ogni pregiudizio.
Una bella opera su un supereroe che non amo,che comunque scricchiola ogni tanto, ma scritto e sviluppato bene con il focus sugli aspetti giusti e che arriva a un finale degno sull'aspetto più importante di tutta la faccenda che è l'identità e la realizzazione di sé aldilà di ogni pregiudizio.
August 6, 2025
⭐️3,75
Början var så bra men tycker slutet va lite rushed. Vill ha mer liksom. Kan inte ge den 4. Hadde nog lite för höga förväntningar också. Gillade liksom att den va lite annorlunda från original historien, gjorde det mer spännande och tyckte biten där man får se hur Clark blir utfryst på the daily planet va så sorgligt samt Lex backstory.
Början var så bra men tycker slutet va lite rushed. Vill ha mer liksom. Kan inte ge den 4. Hadde nog lite för höga förväntningar också. Gillade liksom att den va lite annorlunda från original historien, gjorde det mer spännande och tyckte biten där man får se hur Clark blir utfryst på the daily planet va så sorgligt samt Lex backstory.
January 4, 2025
~3 stars~
February 24, 2025
A Superman story that completely captures who the Man of Steel is at his core.
March 28, 2025
Absolutely beautiful. Loved the Leinil Francis Yu art. Probably my favorite origin story.
April 26, 2025
A re-imagining of the origin story. Updated for current times. Not bad. I liked it.
May 6, 2025
I cried.
Read
May 25, 2025a decent read i guess. but to be fair i’m only ever interested in superman if he’s onscreen, and i’m preparing for the upcoming david corenswet movie
June 3, 2025
+ Fun build up and climax of Superman vs Luthor
- Slow first two issues feels unnecessary. Uneven art
- Slow first two issues feels unnecessary. Uneven art
July 28, 2025
"You watch what happens the next time someone tries to co-opt that symbol. People know now it stands for courage. It stands for hope. It stands for Superman."
(4,5/5)
(4,5/5)
December 23, 2025
One of the best Superman stories of all time. Phenomenal introduction to the character—you really get to see who Superman is and why he does what he does. Also a great dive into his struggles with identity and being an immigrant. Real tear-jerker ending.
Better than All-Star.
Better than All-Star.
December 26, 2025
3.5 rounded up
January 7, 2026
Wow... not only is this an amazing story, but it also has one of the best ending pages of all time. Absolutely flawless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews