Superman, Vol. 6: Return to Krypton

21st Century Superman #6

by Jeph Loeb, Joe Kelly, Mark Schultz

paperback

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

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2004

About the author

Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an Emmy and WGA nominated American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a Co-Executive Producer on the NBC hit show Heroes, and formerly a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost.

A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.

Reviews

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first arc was pretty good. The second stretched an already thin premise. Still, the ending was good. Overall, it's worth the read.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Superman story was so odd, and yet it left the reader with a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This early 2000s tale of Superman dealing with parentage and home world was much better than I expected. I will say, the "how" behind both parts of this book made sense, but was a long-winded info dump in the last couple of pages. Not the best way to write it into the story. Seeing Clark getting to interact with his parents, Lois experience Krypton, and warring factions of Kryptonians was great. There was a lot of creativity show here by the myriad of creators. The ending was too easy and there weren't any real, long-lasting effects (other than a four legged one somehow). The art throughout was good, especially Ed McGuinness. I love his Superman. Overall, a fun trip home for Kal-El.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a huge fan of the anime-style artwork here, but the book itself is great fun. Lois Lane is more likable here, although she still calls Clark "Smallville" (which I detest) but her she seems more supportive and loving, as the two travel to the doomed world of Krypton where she and Lara do some bonding, and Superman meets and bonds with his biological father, Jor-El.

In a later storyline, we see Jor-El come to Earth and meet Clark's adoptive parents, the Kents. General Zod is the big bad for most of the story, and he gets one of the best insults I've seen in comics: "Gentlemen...no, gentlemen implies that somewhere beneath your robes of office, men reside...children, sit up straight and pay close attention."

It's surprisingly emotional at times, and a lot of fun to read. Highly recommended.

[Victor Orozco · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look in the reincorporating of the Golden Age Superman to its Iron Age. C+

[Mark Ciemcioch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haiku Review:
Good sci-fi tale
from Loeb-era Superman,
even if end's undone.