First things. Talking about the elephant in the room and the supposed "Emo" Superman:
Okay, everyone we know full well that this books has been review to death, and in the reviews I've seen the words "Emo, Twilight, and Superman" are put into the same sentence. I've read this book about four or five times now and I can say, from having common since, Superman isn't emo in this book. The way i see people looking at it is they don't think Superman should be unsure of himself about things. Why not? This is a transcendentalist Superman, searching for what he should do. You have a man who can do quite literally do anything at all and you really expect for him to not wonder what he should do? He doesn't whine, he wonders, wouldn't you? I Mean i think at least i would wonder what i should do if i was super powered. If your smarter, stronger, and faster than anyone why would or should i immediately try to be a reporter, what sense is there in that assumption? It makes sense that he actually tries other careers and asks advice from his mom, it's what a lot of people do. Superman is an amazing character and should not be written as knowing everything. If he does he's not very three dimensional. JMS Writes a Three Dimensional character, who worries, wonder, and questions things that even we understand, yet doesn't do the whole "omg i don't know who i am, my life sucks!" bullshit. No he's more along the lines of "If i can do anything, what should i do? What would i enjoy?" and JMS pulls this characterization off. This is written for teens yes, but not twilight styled, this is written for those who don't know what they should do with their life. I don't know many teens or people in their 20's who always known what they want to do, logically it makes sense to be the strongest man in the world and wonder what career would be good to have. The only thing close to being whiny emo is the scene where he visits Jonathan's grave, and that scene read to me like the scene in Spider-Man 2 where peter says "I'm sorry Uncle Ben, but i can't do it anymore." It's just the natural order of being a human being and wondering what life is. So anyone who is going to go on and say This Superlight, or Emo Superman, shut the [frick] up! And pay attention to you're self when you were in high school, and how Superman is.
NOW The actual SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE Review.
First off, i want to say, i love the suit, it works for me on a lot of levels, the only small change is the hemline from the sides would trail down the arms. But the Earth One suit is perfect for a film. The art to me represents a mixture of 50's and Recent San Francisco and Los Angeles area, which to me always made sense, i could see Metropolis as being a Californian city. The art is amazing and it self has as much depth as the main story. I am a fan of Superman's size in this book, it really helps suspend the belief with his size which to be honest is in my opinion a wondrous thing. He's averaged sized without being overweight (After the review i think i have two editorials i'm going to write.) The art is without a doubt fantastic, and at points in the book it looked like Mr. Brandon Routh was on the page (I actually hear his voice when i see Clark/Superman on the pages.) The book is great story wise as well as art wise, we all know the story, Clark arrives into Metropolis, wondering what career suits him, looking into his options, seeing what the world can offer him and whether or not he should be Superman. In comparison an Alien being named Tyrell who's people were responsible for Krypton's destruction (Money says it was Brainiac that gave him the Tech to destroy Krypton) He is looking for the last Son of Krypton as part of the deal that lead to him destroying Krypton.
Let me start out by saying that even though the plot isn't as thick, the message is well interwoven into the story. Serving the story well the story takes the basic invasion plot and uses it to stand for something, (Think of this: Superman represents the Allies and the Jews, Tyrell represents Axes of Evil, this book is a small parable about WWII) We have Superman who isn't drawn into this fight until his home is attacked, When attacked, he sees himself in the position in which he feels the need and desire to be Superman(Similar to how FDR wanted to wait until the U.S. Would back his decision to go to War aliening with Britain) And decides to dawn the Suit and be who he was meant to be. When he involves himself into the situation he finds the clarity that his mind was searching for, understanding that not only is it the right thing to do with his powers but that in doing this he honors his adoptive parents wish and in so finds that this is the lifestyle he's been searching for, this is what feels right. With this new found purpose he finds that it is clear in what he needs to do, and becomes a reporter out of response, know the resources available will allow him to utilize his career and help the world find the good in it self. This book is genius, i enjoyed it and felt very related to Clark, i know that I've felt uncertain about what i should do, with inspirational parents that have always made me feel like i could do whatever i want. So i enjoyed being able to feel like Superman for the duration of the book. This felt like something Dick Donner could've made, this is by far one of my favorite Superman books, coming into the 20th century while keep the morals and foundation he was built on. Superman Earth One is a 4/5 star book, I'm pleased with Shane Davis' Art, and JMS'S writing, this is the book to give to someone who is very confused about their future and i think that they could benefit from it, in the sense of uncertainty it is for teens, but in the sense of Superman this is for any Superman fan who enjoys a fun read.