All-Star Superman - Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely

⭐ 5.0/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

I've mostly not enjoyed any Superman comic I've read, so I feel like this was something of a last gasp. This is widely considered the best Superman story out there, so if I didn't connect to this one, that's it for me.

This one didn't connect. I've read Morrison's Batman before and didn't really like it. This book is just so over-the-top and ridiculous. Every chapter feels like it's trying to outdo itself as Superman saves Metropolis, the world, the universe, the future, finds the cure for all disease (yes this happens) and travels through space and time all within a book that takes no more than 4-5 hours to read through.

This book tries to go for a bit of a personal and grounded take as Superman finds out he's dying and has to grapple with mortality. I think they are kinda trying to contrast that with his heroics, but it doesn't really land. They still try too often to try to raise the stakes and make it seem like Superman is in mortal peril, which just never works. There is a kinda nice moment at the end, and throughout the book I thought there were nice moments, but mostly it just felt like missed potential.

So yeah, this book is weird, ridiculous, and kinda reads like the guy was asking his nine year old son what he thought was cool. I know this book is beloved but I didn't get it. The art of beautiful and I'm willing to give some points for that, as well as some nice Clark Kent moments. But this wasn't for me.