Books : Superman: Peace on Earth

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Rating:

- A perfect gift, especially at Christmas!
The first of the Alex Ross/ Paul Dini graphic novels. What can I say, the artwork AND the writing doesn't get any better than this. I don't know of any book that has captured the fundamental essence and decency of the character better. Here is a man whose one reason to exist is to help those who need his help. Whose one real defeat is to be thwarted in giving that help. Superman never for one moment doubts that the reason for his great gifts is to help others. This is largely due to the down to earth teachings of Pa Kent: "As far back as we go, we've always had problems with sharing. Seem's everyone's so busy holding on to what they've got to care about how their neighbors are doing."
If the real America had a face, it would be the one on this cover.

Rating:

- GREAT ART, VIRTUALLY NO STORY
The two stars this book gets is very generously given. If I was buying a pin-up book, I'd give it the full five stars, but this is supposed to be a story! Alex Ross's painting a beautiful, giving Superman and old-fashioned, noble look and also depicting the world's problems very well. But there is no story to speak of here! Superman does go through some internal and external struggles, but what was told in some 64-odd pages could have been told in 20! It just goes on and on about the same issues and frankly bores. Yes, we know the world is messed up. We know that human beings are flawed, etc, etc. Tell us something new and stop being so preachy! I am planning to get the Batman, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel parts of this series and I'm crossing my fingers hoping that it gets better than this!

Rating:

- The Inspiration of Superman
Superman is arguably the greatest superhero ever created; in sheer scope and power, he is rivaled by only Captain Marvel, and in force of will he is only rivaled by Batman. However, even Superman can learn a lesson every now and then--no one person can solve the world's problems, not even a Superman. The process of self-discovery is a poignant one, a necessary innocence lost in favor of wisdom.
I especially like the scene where an "ordinary" Clark taps into his farming roots to show people how to sow seeds properly; while Superman is visible on a larger scale, Clark is unseen and goes unrecognized--and effects greater change, at least in this one case.
I have to disagree that the story is suitable only for middle graders; there are layers to the plot that are not immediately visible. Of course, the artwork is superb; but the story bears further scrutiny. And if it seems naive to think that something as simple as this can make a change within those who read it, then I choose naivete. If the message reaches one person and they decide to do something about it then it was not in vain. As the artist and writer say in their dedication, Superman inspires us all.

Rating:

- Great book - bad binding!
I have to admit that the artwork is breathtaking, the only problem with this baby is the binding! This book is so large, I think DC overlooked the binding problem - when I open the comic and try to spread the pages, the page near the gutter gets wrinkled. I tried to find a copy that doesn't have this problem, but I can't find any decent copy. I hope DC solves this problem in their next oversized formats.

Rating:

- Snore...
No one can paint superheroes as beautifully, or as realistically, as Alex Ross can , but even the most talented artist in the world can't make up for the fact that this story is preachy and boring in the extreme. Clearly this is marketed towards middle-school readers, but even they will be turned off by the sanctimony of the lessons taught by this highly didactic and dull book. It's reminiscent of nothing so much as those little lessons on manners or ethics the Superfriends used to teach during their hour-long show in the mid-Seventies.

If you really want to see what Alex Ross's beautiful art can do in the service of an actually exciting story, pick up MARVELS or KINGDOM COME, and avoid this secular Sunday school stuff.

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