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Superman Returns: The Prequels
A brilliant collection bridges the gap between Superman and Superman Returns, exploring the lives of three of the most important people in Superman's life--Lois Lane, Ma Kent, and Lex Luthor--and how they dealt with his long absence.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
37 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Singer
34 books4 followersBryan Singer is an American film director and film producer. Singer won critical acclaim for his work on The Usual Suspects, and is especially popular among fans of the sci-fi and comic book genres, for his work on the first two X-Men films and Superman Returns.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 3, 2012
This book was so helpful in filling in the back story to this great film.
May 24, 2017
A Superman book with a distinct lack of Superman, instead giving the spotlight to the Kents, Lex Luthor, and Lois Lane. I thought the 'day in the life' of Martha Kent (illustrated to resemble Eva Marie Saint from the '06 flick, it appears) was the best of the bunch.
July 26, 2023
"In all the known worlds, change is the only constant.
And still we cling to the matrix of life, ever fearful that we shall, in its passing, be forgotten, erased from the halls of time where others, bereft of our knowledge, will be doomed to make the same mistakes."
"You will give them the greatest gift a dying world can impart." Hope!
[â’¸ DC Comics]
Hope… and expectations… of both, the evil and good kind… is what these 4 stories (or miniseries) attempt to point towards… but, except for one, the others stories sadly fail on both the fronts, the storyline and also the artwork.
The story, the second one, in which we go through the eyes, thoughts and memories of Martha Kent, the adoptive mother of Superman, is very good. It is deep and thoughtful, and also the illustrations are wonderful. In this story, the life of a young Clark Kent is shown.
The first story is about the final moments on Superman`s birth home Planet Krypton. The other two are from the perspective of Lex Luthor and Lois Lane.
[â’¸ DC Comics]
Overall, despite the badly ‘executed’ other miniseries, this graphic novel felt to be a worthy read for the second story.
And still we cling to the matrix of life, ever fearful that we shall, in its passing, be forgotten, erased from the halls of time where others, bereft of our knowledge, will be doomed to make the same mistakes."
"You will give them the greatest gift a dying world can impart." Hope!
[â’¸ DC Comics]
Hope… and expectations… of both, the evil and good kind… is what these 4 stories (or miniseries) attempt to point towards… but, except for one, the others stories sadly fail on both the fronts, the storyline and also the artwork.
The story, the second one, in which we go through the eyes, thoughts and memories of Martha Kent, the adoptive mother of Superman, is very good. It is deep and thoughtful, and also the illustrations are wonderful. In this story, the life of a young Clark Kent is shown.
The first story is about the final moments on Superman`s birth home Planet Krypton. The other two are from the perspective of Lex Luthor and Lois Lane.
[â’¸ DC Comics]
Overall, despite the badly ‘executed’ other miniseries, this graphic novel felt to be a worthy read for the second story.
September 3, 2017
As far as prequels go this one was weird. It has a lot of scenes from Superman and Superman II and throws some comic book tropes in at the same time - talking about Lex's perfectly prison sculpted physique? - and the parts where you're like, "ok, we're getting into the reason for Superman disappearing" are woefully short. Even shorter is the part where he comes back.
May 12, 2024
While I'm not Superman Return's greatest fan. I must say I was surprised by these prequels.
In style, they are similar to the style used on the Batman v Superman prequels, although I think these are much better.
Taking inspiration from the earlier movies in the series, the Christopher Reeve Superman movies in particular, even recreating some of the most iconic scenes.
My favorite issue is the one related to Martha Kent, it was charged with much emotion from a mother who has nothing else left except for memories of her husband and her absent son. All issues focus on how Superman ... no, how Clark changed their lives on a deep level.
I guess I'll have to rewatch the movie, well done.
On a side note, I find it hilarious that the Superman we see in these prequels is more akin to the comics than to the actor Brandon Routh.
In style, they are similar to the style used on the Batman v Superman prequels, although I think these are much better.
Taking inspiration from the earlier movies in the series, the Christopher Reeve Superman movies in particular, even recreating some of the most iconic scenes.
My favorite issue is the one related to Martha Kent, it was charged with much emotion from a mother who has nothing else left except for memories of her husband and her absent son. All issues focus on how Superman ... no, how Clark changed their lives on a deep level.
I guess I'll have to rewatch the movie, well done.
On a side note, I find it hilarious that the Superman we see in these prequels is more akin to the comics than to the actor Brandon Routh.
August 16, 2021
The scenes retelling the events of Superman I & II are great, but the likenesses do not match either era. Superman does not look like Reeve or Routh in scenes straight from movie.
All in all, good stories that fill in the 5 year gap while Superman was away from 4 different character's perspective.
All in all, good stories that fill in the 5 year gap while Superman was away from 4 different character's perspective.
September 16, 2019
Who sends their baby naked to Earth?
June 7, 2020
Sweet and short, it was cute
April 28, 2025
I seem to be the only person I know who liked Bryan Singer’s turn at the Superman helm, and is disappointed that we won’t see where he was taking the story.
This book is best when it recapitulates the first Christopher Reeve Superman, especially Martha Kent. It is basically a bridge between that movie and Superman Returns. It ends on the Lois Lane newspaper article that begins the movie.
It may be best for those who have seen the original movies but need a little catching up and a touch of redirection before seeing Returns.
In some ways it highlights just how well-written the original movie was. Where the writing in the comic mostly fails is where it adds to the movie. For example, one of the most powerful parts of the movie was when Lara, Superman’s mother, says that “He’ll be odd. Different… Isolated. Alone.”
And Jor El responds:
In the comic, the writer intersperses an explanation of the crystal between those two lines. It was completely unnecessary. The crystals were given three full pages of explanation a few pages past and is explained again a couple of pages on.
Still, it’s an amazingly well-written and well-drawn encapsulation of the first movie.
When the dialogue is basically completely new, after Superman leaves Earth—which for reasons highlighted in both the newspaper headlines and the narration by aged and widowed Martha Kent was always the iffiest part of the Bryan Singer movie—the writing suffers heavily. The characters lose dimensionality. This is probably because they’re meant to impart information for the movie, but most of this information was better left unexplained. Lois Lane’s newspaper article, “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman” was better when it was left to the viewer to know what went into it. It was better left as a general impression than as a concrete thing.
Similarly with Lex Luthor and Kitty Kowalski’s relationship, which was probably the second-weakest part of the Singer movie. The backstory, especially the backstory’s dialogue, does not elevate that aspect of the narrative, it trivializes it.
That said, re-reading the first part of this book makes me want to watch the original movie again, and maybe even the Singer sequel.
This book is best when it recapitulates the first Christopher Reeve Superman, especially Martha Kent. It is basically a bridge between that movie and Superman Returns. It ends on the Lois Lane newspaper article that begins the movie.
It may be best for those who have seen the original movies but need a little catching up and a touch of redirection before seeing Returns.
In some ways it highlights just how well-written the original movie was. Where the writing in the comic mostly fails is where it adds to the movie. For example, one of the most powerful parts of the movie was when Lara, Superman’s mother, says that “He’ll be odd. Different… Isolated. Alone.”
And Jor El responds:
“He will not be alone.”
[Holds up crystal containing the essences of his Kara and Joe El.]
“He will never be alone.”
In the comic, the writer intersperses an explanation of the crystal between those two lines. It was completely unnecessary. The crystals were given three full pages of explanation a few pages past and is explained again a couple of pages on.
Still, it’s an amazingly well-written and well-drawn encapsulation of the first movie.
When the dialogue is basically completely new, after Superman leaves Earth—which for reasons highlighted in both the newspaper headlines and the narration by aged and widowed Martha Kent was always the iffiest part of the Bryan Singer movie—the writing suffers heavily. The characters lose dimensionality. This is probably because they’re meant to impart information for the movie, but most of this information was better left unexplained. Lois Lane’s newspaper article, “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman” was better when it was left to the viewer to know what went into it. It was better left as a general impression than as a concrete thing.
Similarly with Lex Luthor and Kitty Kowalski’s relationship, which was probably the second-weakest part of the Singer movie. The backstory, especially the backstory’s dialogue, does not elevate that aspect of the narrative, it trivializes it.
That said, re-reading the first part of this book makes me want to watch the original movie again, and maybe even the Singer sequel.
October 19, 2013
The prequel issues to the polarizing Superman Returns film, this set of tales showcases the highs and lows of the movie franchise of the Man of Steel. Director and writer Bryan Singer provides the best of this collection, with a look at the way a mother deals with the absence of her only child. The vivid take on the daily loss felt by Martha Kent - for both her deceased husband and her long-lost son - is raw emotion at its finest. Michael Dougherty attempts to chronicle the exploits of an imprisoned Lex Luthor, only to fall headlong into the film's bland characterization of a greedy tycoon with an intense hatred for Superman. Gone are any attempts to being in the deviously intellectual xenophobe; the reader is left with a pale caricature instead. Dan Harris's contribution looks at why Lois Lane was able to craft her Pulitzer-winning story on a world sans Superman. Rather than mine deep-seeded feelings and pathos, Harris is tasked with ushering in the Lois/Richard relationship and using that connection as a catalyst for the article's creation. While there is a bright spot in this graphic novel collection, the book just proves, just like Superman, that one cannot truly return home again.
February 24, 2025
Good artwork. I especially loved the first story in which we get to see a more Special Edition style of the planet Krypton with the same actors as the original Superman movie. Excellent dialogue, almost verbatim from Richard Donner's original Superman movie. More talking with Marlon Brando's Jor-El is much appreciated.
I liked Martha Kent's story with her reflecting on how her son became Superman and his eventual return home. I especially enjoyed the talk she and Jonathan had after he found his ship - a key scene deleted from the theatrical cut of Superman Returns but teased in the trailer and other promotional material.
Lex Luthor's was interesting, but I still find it distasteful.
It took me some time to get used to Lois moving on from Superman, but in the end, I've come to know that Superman doesn't need Lois Lane and she has a right to move on. Still, I didn't appreciate the "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman" story. It shows that Lois is a whiny, jealous, spurned-girlfriend. Oh well, Superman can do better.
Short but sweet. B
I liked Martha Kent's story with her reflecting on how her son became Superman and his eventual return home. I especially enjoyed the talk she and Jonathan had after he found his ship - a key scene deleted from the theatrical cut of Superman Returns but teased in the trailer and other promotional material.
Lex Luthor's was interesting, but I still find it distasteful.
It took me some time to get used to Lois moving on from Superman, but in the end, I've come to know that Superman doesn't need Lois Lane and she has a right to move on. Still, I didn't appreciate the "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman" story. It shows that Lois is a whiny, jealous, spurned-girlfriend. Oh well, Superman can do better.
Short but sweet. B
February 18, 2012
The prequel really gave me a few more of the puzzles to complete my vision of Superman Returns. I had not watched the movie of last - especially Superman 4 (I was still a child, can't remember). But these 4 pieces, each aptly named after an important character was well made.
There's Ma Kent, Luthor, Krypton and most of all Lois Lane! It's sad to see how love can go away because of the absence of Superman. What hurts most is that Superman, in his idiocy (what took you so long to repair that planet?) people have moved on already.
Lois Lane became famous for writing 'Why the World Needs Superman'.
It's a heartbreaker to see the ending.
Now my appetite to watch Superman Returns is back.
but anyways, The Man Of Steel (2013) is a reboot of Superman, so this will end where it is (the film). But I am still wondering, is the child in the movie Superman's son or not?
There's Ma Kent, Luthor, Krypton and most of all Lois Lane! It's sad to see how love can go away because of the absence of Superman. What hurts most is that Superman, in his idiocy (what took you so long to repair that planet?) people have moved on already.
Lois Lane became famous for writing 'Why the World Needs Superman'.
It's a heartbreaker to see the ending.
Now my appetite to watch Superman Returns is back.
but anyways, The Man Of Steel (2013) is a reboot of Superman, so this will end where it is (the film). But I am still wondering, is the child in the movie Superman's son or not?
April 26, 2016
This was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting the typical cheap cash in, this time to the 2006 film Superman Returns, a film I actually really like. The book is designed to kind of fill the gap between the end of Superman 2 and Superman Returns, a 5 year gap when Superman leaves Earth to try and find Krypton. We get 4 separate stories, featuring Jor-El, Ma Kent, Lex Luthor, and Lois Lane, with a lot of homage shown to the original source material.
The stories are all engaging, though the Lex story is the weakest, and some of the dialogue and writing is outstanding. As a huge fan of the character, these stories really captured parts of the mythos for me, rekindling the magic that Zac Snyder has struggled to find with the Man of Steel reboot.
This is classic Superman. This is my Superman, and hopefully one day he will return again.
The stories are all engaging, though the Lex story is the weakest, and some of the dialogue and writing is outstanding. As a huge fan of the character, these stories really captured parts of the mythos for me, rekindling the magic that Zac Snyder has struggled to find with the Man of Steel reboot.
This is classic Superman. This is my Superman, and hopefully one day he will return again.
April 18, 2017
This collection is quite good, whether you liked the movie or not, or haven't seen it yet. There are four stories here: 'Krypton to Earth' (the story of Krypton's destruction told by Jor-El and seems to be taken from the first Superman movie, so if you've seen it, there's nothing new here), the other three ('Ma Kent', 'Lex Luthor', ' Lois Lane') are set after Superman left the Earth and before 'Superman Returns' movie with the main characters reminiscing about Superman and what his disappearance means to them.
What might be somewhat strange about this collection is that, unlike most other comics based on movies or TV shows, the characters here don't look like actors from any Superman movies, rather they seem to be drawn just as in the regular Superman comics.
What might be somewhat strange about this collection is that, unlike most other comics based on movies or TV shows, the characters here don't look like actors from any Superman movies, rather they seem to be drawn just as in the regular Superman comics.
September 2, 2008
While thumbing through various Superman permutations at the local comic shop, I stumbled across this one. The cover of issue #1 didn't grab me, but when I saw that it was followed by an issue entirely devoted to the perspective of Martha Kent, then Lex Luthor, and finally Lois Lane, I was hooked.
These stories don't delve too deeply, but they evoke all the Superman imagery that speaks to my soul. I have always been a fan of Lex Luthor's misunderstood perspective, but his side of the story has been explored in many other venues. The Martha Kent angle is one that of which I haven't seen much. I would love to see more, but this short bit was enough for now.
These stories don't delve too deeply, but they evoke all the Superman imagery that speaks to my soul. I have always been a fan of Lex Luthor's misunderstood perspective, but his side of the story has been explored in many other venues. The Martha Kent angle is one that of which I haven't seen much. I would love to see more, but this short bit was enough for now.
September 15, 2024
Nothing special, but nothing awful either. Nice work weaving bits of Donner's movie into these stories, solid art all around, and everything fit into the opening of Superman Returns.
++++++++
Rereading a few things before I yard sale them in a couple weeks. I won't miss this one. Andreyko's Ma Kent and Lois chapters are solid enough. Palmiotti/Gray just go through the motions with Jor-El and Lex. Solid art throughout.
++++++++
Rereading a few things before I yard sale them in a couple weeks. I won't miss this one. Andreyko's Ma Kent and Lois chapters are solid enough. Palmiotti/Gray just go through the motions with Jor-El and Lex. Solid art throughout.
October 7, 2007
An interesting look at the years between Superman IV and Superman Returns, and it's affect on those around Superman. Unfortunately, it wasn't very revealing and lacked depth.
Good prep for watching Superman Returns though. It recapped through some of the classic moments in the Superman movie series, and it was interesting to see them captured in comic format.
Good prep for watching Superman Returns though. It recapped through some of the classic moments in the Superman movie series, and it was interesting to see them captured in comic format.
March 19, 2016
A bit of filler. Good illustrations.
March 12, 2018
The comic book version of the Superman Returns movie, upto the part where Superman returns from his 5 years off planet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2012
interesting read, tied up a lot of the loose ends before the movie :)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews