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All-Star Superman, Vol. 2 (All-Star Superman #2)

by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely (Illustrator)

4.33 of 5 stars 4.33 · rating details · 6,318 ratings · 160 reviews

In this follow-up to the hit ALL STAR SUPERMAN VOL. 1, the Man of Steel goes toe-to-toe with Bizarro, his oddball twin, and the new character Zibarro, also from the Bizarro planet. And Superman faces the final revenge of Lex Luthor -- his own death

Hardcover, 160 pages

Published February 17th 2009 by DC Comics (first published January 1st 2009)

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All-Star Superman, Vol. 1 by Grant Morrison

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May 24, 2012 Stephen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2006-2010, comics-graphic-novels

What the...Huh??...Not sure what I missed along the way, but this story did exactly bupkis for me. One of the most critically acclaimed and popularly embraced graphic novels of the past decade; a landmark portrait of THE iconic superhero…and I couldn’t rustle up a damn to give about it.

Honestly, I’m a little crushed.

Granted, as I’ve mentioned before, Superman is not among my favorite spandexer. I tend to gravitate towards grittier heroes with more snarl to them, and often find the Man of Stee...more

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Oct 23, 2011 Sesana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics, fantasy, romance, science-fiction, superhumans

The story started in the first volume ends here, and it truly is a complete storyline. There's a lot of seemingly unrelated stuff in here, including a painfully extended bizarro storyline. God, I hate reading bizarros. There's a Silver Age-y feel to it all, which is not exactly to my taste. But it's competently done. The overarching storyline is actually pretty interesting, though it's a shame I can't feel the same about the subplots. The art is still Frank Quitely, and still way too round for m...more

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Sep 11, 2011 Tyler Hill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

I'd read both volumes of All-Star Superman before, but had unfortunately read them roughly a year apart from each other, which undermined their power a little... so I used a lull in my reading to revisit both volumes back-to-back. And, now having done so, I can say with some confidence that these are my favorite Superman stories I've read.

As far as superhero comics go, I've always been a X-Fan, with most of the monthly titles I read being some branch of the X-men franchise. That said, when Supe...more I'd read both volumes of All-Star Superman before, but had unfortunately read them roughly a year apart from each other, which undermined their power a little... so I used a lull in my reading to revisit both volumes back-to-back. And, now having done so, I can say with some confidence that these are my favorite Superman stories I've read.

As far as superhero comics go, I've always been a X-Fan, with most of the monthly titles I read being some branch of the X-men franchise. That said, when Superman is written correctly, I might argue that no "idea" in comics resonates more strongly. I'm not sure if it's his iconic nature, or the underlying message the basic strength and power of just being a good and decent person; but there is something about the character that inspires in a way that few other characters (comic or otherwise) can. Though I don't collect Superman comics regularly, I often find myself frustrated with people who claim the character is boring or deride his boy-scout nature. In the right writers hands, he's a character who provides opportunities like no other. And, in a world where most superheroes are obligated to be gritty and conflicted, his fundamental decency is almost a breath of fresh air.

Both of these points are on full display in these two wildly inventive volumes. Morrison, and writer with no shortage on big ideas is able to run wild here, creating a tale that is truly larger than life. The twelve issues that make up this series are filled with threats and ideas that literally change worlds and span galaxies. But, what might surprise people more is how positive and optimistic this tale is. Morrison is known for his darker tales, like "the Invisibles," but here he crafts a tale about a Superman faced with his own mortality and legacy... and ultimately creates a tale of hope. A tale about individuals and people. A tale perfectly encapsulated in Superman's own words in the tenth issue: "It's never as bad as it seems. You're much stronger than you think you are. Trust me."

It's a wonderful message and a wonderful series. (less)

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Aug 16, 2009 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels

Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman is one of the few Superman comics I've really enjoyed. I think he gets right what most writers get wrong concerning Superman. Most of the time, in order to make a threat credible, due to Superman's great power, writers make Superman so dumb he can't see the obvious threat in front of him to allow it to almost overtake it him, only to get out of it in a rather unconvincing manner at the end by beating the crap out of it.

Morrison avoids that mistake. Rather than...more Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman is one of the few Superman comics I've really enjoyed. I think he gets right what most writers get wrong concerning Superman. Most of the time, in order to make a threat credible, due to Superman's great power, writers make Superman so dumb he can't see the obvious threat in front of him to allow it to almost overtake it him, only to get out of it in a rather unconvincing manner at the end by beating the crap out of it.

Morrison avoids that mistake. Rather than making Superman square, corny and ineffective, as he often is, Morrison gets to the core of Superman's greatness, which is that he's ultimately an optimistic character who leads by example, and has more faith in humanity that it has in itself (which I think is actually mentioned in the intro). Superman does get tricked by Lex Luthor in the opening, which has very specific and tragic consequences for the Man of Steel, forcing Superman to reevaluate his life and and take care of unfinished business. And while the outcome is inevitable, Superman manages to defeat the opposition over and over again, through his ingenuity and cleverness, rather than with his brawn, much in the same way he does in, say, Superman II and some of the better Superman stories.

Setting it outside of mainstream continuity helps makes it more readable for comics readers. Morrison and the artist give some of the cornier elements of Superman's Silver Age mythology a nice majestic quality that allows All-Star Superman to almost, but not quite, transcend the genre. I like his take on most of the supporting characters, especially Lex Luthor, who is written as a narcissistic psychopath, with a pathological obsession with Superman to the point where he blames Superman for his lack of accomplishment but uses all of his resources in an effort to defeat him. The only character I didn't like is Jimmy Olsen, who just comes across as a third-rate reporter of limited talent who does very well following idiotic trends and writing human interest puff pieces.

Still, a good read for comics fans in general, and Superman fans in particular. (less)

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Mar 03, 2009 Troy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics, read-in-2009

Damn this good. Morrison's imagination is boundless and Quitely's art is gross, ugly, beautiful and perfect. This is a love letter to the optimistic insanity of Superman, and its joy is so infectious that I couldn't resist. This is closer to the 1940s science fiction fantasy than superhero comics, and reflects some of the boundless idealistic science fiction of the 50s, pulpy and hopeful. In the end, what is so surprising about this Superman book is that it's not only a great story about Superma...more

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Mar 24, 2009 Karl Kindt rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009

This worn thin quickly, after the first volume. Morrison made a good decision to only do 12 issues, as his premise is worth about that many issues. Very quick fun. It seems deep, I suppose, in that Morrison is bringing in stuff from outside the comic book world and putting them into a Superman comic. None of it feels very new or fresh, and by the end, when Superman is "creating life" just so he can problem solve, it just became awkwardly apparent that these characters really mean nothing, but in...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Jonathan Ruh rated it 5 of 5 stars

The second half of the All Star Superman storyline. As I mentioned in my review for Vol. 1, I don't normally like many Superman stories. Grant Morrison hit all the right marks in this book though. It really sums up the essence of what Superman is really all about. It's not just some guy that wants to save the world with his incredible strength and powers, but someone who draws his strength through his fundamental belief in humanity. Chapter 10 quite possibly has one of the best pages that illust...more

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Jul 19, 2011 Mallory rated it 5 of 5 stars

So beautiful. I spent a lot of time crying when I read this book. This series pretty much says it all in terms of why people like Superman. He's a bastion of hope for me. Everyone needs some kind of motivation, something to keep them going when things get tough. For me, Superman is that thing. Grant Morrison does a spectacular job of writing about how deeply Kal-El cares about us, and as much as humankind believes in a savior, he believes in our ability to save ourselves. He believes that there'...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Brian rated it 4 of 5 stars

All-Star Superman, Vol. 2 picks up exactly where Vol. 1 left off. Superman is still suffering the effects of Lex's sun tampering back in the first chapter and he still has several trials to go. Once again, it's impressive how this story actually does make you feel tension for Superman even though he's still, you know, Superman. Plus, it's nice that for the most part, it doesn't feel contrived.

Being stuck on Bizarro World legitimately drains his powers as he doesn't have access to the sun. Later...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Rod Hilton rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: have-softcopy, comics

(Note, this review refers to the entire run of 12 All-Star Superman issues, but Volume 2 is only issues 7-12)

This book is... weird.

All-Star Superman is something of a "reboot" intended to be self-contained, but pulling from the great history of Superman mythos. The book contains re-imagined and repurposed versions of Superman, Lois, and Luthor, as well as new versions of Bizarro, Doomsday, and, most interestingly, a completely rethought Mr. Mkzyplk (no I'm not going to bother looking up the spel...more (Note, this review refers to the entire run of 12 All-Star Superman issues, but Volume 2 is only issues 7-12)

This book is... weird.

All-Star Superman is something of a "reboot" intended to be self-contained, but pulling from the great history of Superman mythos. The book contains re-imagined and repurposed versions of Superman, Lois, and Luthor, as well as new versions of Bizarro, Doomsday, and, most interestingly, a completely rethought Mr. Mkzyplk (no I'm not going to bother looking up the spelling).

By pulling in so much material to work with, the book can get really damn weird sometimes. It involved characters I'm not even familiar with as a casual Superman fan, which made some of the book quite confusing. And when Superman went to Bizarro world and met Zibarro, a smart Bizarro-superman in a world of idiot Supermen, the book kind of went full retard.

This book did a lot of stuff right. Lex Luthor is fascinating and evil as all hell, as an example. My favorite thing is the overall concept; in the infamous Death and Return of Superman story arc, where Superman fought Doomsday, it was page after page of Superman and Doomsday smashing into each other. Completely brainless, and utterly missing the point of Superman dying. Superman is invincible, so having a giant monster show up and kill him was a missed opportunity to have Kal-El face his own death. All-Star Superman fixes this, as the entire arc is Superman selflessly cleaning up loose ends before what he believes to be his own death. This story is fascinating and, at times, touching. Really well done stuff. I also really enjoyed the slight nod at explaining why nobody mistakes Clark for Superman - the extremely large man wears loose-fitting suits and uses his posture to basically make himself look like a doofy fat man, and the way it's drawn completely works.

The book also did a lot wrong. First of all, Lois Lane is far, far too sexualized - almost every frame she's in has her drawn suggestively for no good reason, and it makes the entire book come off as immature. Her stint as Super-woman (don't ask) goes virtually nowhere, and fails to really explore any of the interesting points it raises. Additionally, Jimmy Olsen might be more annoying in this book than any other version of Olsen I know of, the guy is just grating.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and I think it brought a lot to the table in terms of Superman mythos. I was wary of the All-Star moniker after Frank Miller's Batman abortion, but this was worth a read and pretty enjoyable, even if it did occasionally go off the rails.

Volume 2 is a noticable improvement over Volume 1, without as much of the Lois silliness, and with the added bonus of a surprisingly deep-and thought-provoking trip to the Bizarro world.(less)

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Feb 17, 2012 Nigel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comics

The second part of Morrison and Quietly's love-letter to Superman is a bright, beautiful, colorful and deeply moving comic. Superman is dying, exposed to too much solar radiation thanks to Lex Luthor's trickery. He has twelve might tasks to perform before he dies, and to get his adopted planet ready for a world without a Superman. The strange and backward Bizarro World attacks, replacement supermen try to supplant his role, and of course Lex Luthor is waiting for his chance to strike.

This is go...more

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Mar 13, 2011 Mike rated it 5 of 5 stars

While the first volume seemed a bit kitschy, this one feels full of reverence for the big guy. Each story feels full of life and pathos, prolly not least because we're careening towards the death of Superman (again).

Funniest moment? Emergence of the Green Lantern (not to be missed).

Love letter to Superman indeed. Morrison writes amazing stuff when he really puts his heart into it, and Quitely paints some incredible pictures (with actual depth and variety) when he make the effort.

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Dec 23, 2012 Alan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Despite being a huge Grant Morrison fan, I’ve avoided his critically acclaimed ‘All-Star Superman’ for some years now. I’ve owned it since it was first collected, and I don’t really know why I never felt to read it, but I think it might subconsciously have something to do with the fact that I generally don’t do out-of-continuity stories. Considering that DC Comics continuity in particular is so fluid and senseless, and the fact that (as Alan Moore so humbly put it in his own Superman classic) th...more Despite being a huge Grant Morrison fan, I’ve avoided his critically acclaimed ‘All-Star Superman’ for some years now. I’ve owned it since it was first collected, and I don’t really know why I never felt to read it, but I think it might subconsciously have something to do with the fact that I generally don’t do out-of-continuity stories. Considering that DC Comics continuity in particular is so fluid and senseless, and the fact that (as Alan Moore so humbly put it in his own Superman classic) these are all “imaginary” stories anyway, this seems a rather anal point of contention to hold. And, yet, the inner fanboy in me can’t help but sneer and tell me I’m wasting my time every time I might read a story that isn’t part of the official lore. This is the same subconscious idiocy that has caused me to miss out on the entire Marvel “Ultimate” line.

But, as I’ve now finally discovered, to regard Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s ‘All-Star Superman’ as a mere out-of-continuity story, or the “All-Star” comics as DC’s equivalent to Marvel’s “Ultimate” line, is missing the point entirely, and a terrible shame. Rather, ‘All-Star Superman’ represents the quintessential Superman. Grant Morrison, a comic book writer of almost legendary proportions who has written Superman and other characters for decades, has woven together the perfect Superman story, a story which completely sums up the essence of the character. If there is one defining Superman story, then this is it. Yes, it isn’t “in continuity”, but it is so much more than that. If you’ve never read a Superman comic before, this is the place to start; if you’re fully versed in the mythology of Superman already, read this and appreciate it more. Put simply, this is one of the best and most enjoyable comics I’ve ever read.

I enjoyed this volume, the second and final instalment reprinting the 12 issue maxi-series, slightly more than the first one. Where the first vol. contained six interconnected self-contained stories, this is the one where everything comes together and the story really comes to its own. But be sure that you read the whole thing as a cohesive whole. There’s a one-volume edition out there which reprints all 12 issues, and that would probably be the ideal way of reading this.(less)

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Jul 29, 2012 Craig Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You know? I just may come around to Grant Morrison after all. Sure, his run in Batman was shite, but damned if these All-Star Superman books don't more than make up for it! As I may have previously stated in other reviews, I'm not much of a Superman fan - I've never liked how effin' godlike most writers make Superman. My favorite superheros tend to be the guys who are able to persevere despite having fairly obvious weaknesses (such as Batman's main weakness, which is that, despite his intellect...more

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May 01, 2013 David rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

As I said with my review of part 1, I am a newbie to the world of graphic novels. I read very few true comics growing up, aside from humor strips like The Far Side, Garfield, Peanuts, etc. I had an affinity for Superman having grown up in awe of the Christopher Reeve films, even the 3rd and 4th ones before I was too artistically astute to know any better. Prior to this, I'd never actually read anything about Superman, but having taken a recent interest in graphic novels and having seen this two-...more

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Aug 03, 2010 Kurt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Granted, I don't know much about Superman's story (beyond what we all know, of course), but I've got to think that what Morrison and Quitely are doing in All-Star has to be one of, if not the, best treatment of all time (not counting nostalgia votes for the back-in-the-day stories).

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Feb 06, 2013 Michael Church rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: dc-comics

Like many, I've heard a lot of hype on this title. I very much enjoyed All Star Superman as a whole, but this volume certainly was the lesser of the two. The main issue I faced was the disjointedness of the narrative. Issues 7 and 8 just seem to sort of float out there without connecting to much. Then issue 9 has a very standalone feel as well.

I think it's a very interesting portrayal of Supes, and it's one of the first non-canon stories I've read, which is a very interesting situation. Setting...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Trike rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013, fantasy, graphic-novel

I hated the first installment of this series. Hate with a capital HATE.

I mean, Morrison is weird and his ideas are always outlandish, and sometimes that doesn't gel with my sensibilities. Okay... most times it doesn't. New X-Men was odd but readable. Mostly I picked this up again because the one thing of Morrison's I've always really liked is JLA: Earth 2. That was one instance where his wackiness paid off.

This collection I didn't hate as much. So, um, yeah.

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Sep 05, 2011 Dan Venning rated it 3 of 5 stars

So I finished the second volume of All Star Superman, and I liked it. A lot. Almost enough to give it four stars.

The book builds to a rather incredible finish, and does a lot of great things along the way. First of all, it begins with a lot of innocent people getting killed. That's a sign that we're not in the same old safe and sanitized Metropolis anymore. Next up, Grant Morrison has made sure that every single item from the first volume contributes to the plot here. Things that were asides or...more So I finished the second volume of All Star Superman, and I liked it. A lot. Almost enough to give it four stars.

The book builds to a rather incredible finish, and does a lot of great things along the way. First of all, it begins with a lot of innocent people getting killed. That's a sign that we're not in the same old safe and sanitized Metropolis anymore. Next up, Grant Morrison has made sure that every single item from the first volume contributes to the plot here. Things that were asides or seemingly unrelated adventures become crucial to the main plot.

(Spoiler here...) (view spoiler)

Most crucially, Morrison decided not to pull punches with that main plot, which is (more spoilers): (view spoiler)

Ultimately, however, I can't say I really liked it, although I found it compelling. I'd still take Astro City first. Even worse, as good as it is, the book reveals how boring Superman can be. Oh, a big monster has Lois Lane? He'll beat it in one second... because he can. Even worse, one whole chapter ("Curse of the Replacement Supermen") is ended by the most absurd deus ex machina... and that's knowing that Supes himself is one of the biggest dei ex machinae around.

For me, the absolute very best part of the book was Mark Waid's introduction. Waid comes up with a wonderful theory of why Superman works for him (and others) as a comic, and why so many have found Superman compelling as a character. Waid argues that Superman visibly changes the world around him, makes it better as a reflection of his own positive values. His point is that "Superman achieves his power by believing in us." I actually buy Waid's argument. Superman's longevity and the comic's success as a franchise is due to its central character's unbridled optimism and goodness. Few would want to read a comic about a creature with Superman's power who used it for oppressive ends. The problem is that anyone who has encountered that sort of power (usually political) will say that it is, indeed, almost always used to oppress. The Superman comic is a sanitization of reality, telling a lie to make it bearable. And indeed, although Waid's writing is spot-on and he explained why Superman can be so beautiful and fun a comic for some, I'm not giving this book a higher rating based on an awesome three-page introduction by another writer.(less)

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Jul 26, 2011 Eric rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: superman

I loved this series and though Morrison did an amazing job at creating an out-of-continuity Superman tale that was both new and recognizable. There was just something very personal about his take on the character and you were able to feel both excited and nostalgic over this story.
However, I will admit that the second half of his run is less impressive than is stellar beginning. One of the problems is that we spend two whole issues in bizarro world and, despite it being Morrison, this plot segme...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Matthew Kresal rated it 5 of 5 stars

He has been called the man of steel and the man of tomorrow. He, of course, is Superman. Now though, thanks to the machinations of arch-nemesis Lex Luthor, Superman's cells have suffered a fatal overdose of solar radiation and he is dying. This volume, the second and final volume that collects the twelve issues of the All Star Superman series, takes Superman through his final days. Perhaps more importantly though, it lives up to its title along the way thanks to the combined talents of its creat...more He has been called the man of steel and the man of tomorrow. He, of course, is Superman. Now though, thanks to the machinations of arch-nemesis Lex Luthor, Superman's cells have suffered a fatal overdose of solar radiation and he is dying. This volume, the second and final volume that collects the twelve issues of the All Star Superman series, takes Superman through his final days. Perhaps more importantly though, it lives up to its title along the way thanks to the combined talents of its creative team.

Grant Morrison's writing continues the story in much the same style as before: simple, episodic yet highly effective. This volume begins with a Bizarro invasion that leads to Superman being stranded on Bizarro world, his attempted escape from that world with the help of a figure known as Zibarro, Superman's reaction to the arrival of two new Kryptonian superheroes on the scene in the meantime and the man of steel's last will and testament. This all though is merely lead up to one final confrontation with Luthor and the chance to save the world one last time. Like the previous volume, Morrison makes each story very much self contained but the feeling of an overall arch grows stronger and stronger. This is especially the volumes final chapters, numbers ten through twelve, as the story draws closer and closer to its epic conclusion. As a result, Morrison brings the series to a close in a way that is both action packed and emotionally satisfying at the same time.

Also continuing in this volume is the fine artwork from artist Frank Quitely and colorist Jamie Grant. Much as they did for volume one, their artwork shows off a simple truth of any story in the comic book universe: showing that the real world can exist side by side with the seemingly fantastic and absurd. This is never more true then in the Bizarro invasion that opens this volume as the "real world" of Metropolis in invaded by the fantastic and absurd world of the Bizarro's. The true highlights of this volume, artwork wise anyway, is in the final two chapters as Superman races both to save the world one last time and faces down Luthor one final time. The result is, perhaps even more then in volume one, the artwork serves the writing brilliantly.

In fact the two come together in one place more then any other. That is chapter ten "Neverending", which acts as something of a prologue to the epic conclusion of the series, is both the highlight of this volume and very much the entire series. The chapter finds Superman preparing his last will and testament while simultaneously trying to finish both a lifetime's worth of work and prepare the world for a life without him. Along the way, "Neverending" features what is perhaps the greatest homage ever to the creators of the character and the single greatest moment of the series in highly touching moment (see page 96). The combination of Morrison's writing with the artwork of Quitely and Grant (whose cover art for the original issue acts as the cover art of this volume incidentally) makes this single chapter essential reading.

As a rule, few series end as well then they began. As volume two of All Star Superman proves, this series ends even better then it began. The combined talents of Morrison, Quitely and Grant bring this simple, episodic yet effective tale of a great superhero living with a ticking clock over his head to an epic, action packed and emotionally satisfying conclusion.

"All star" indeed. (less)

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Oct 26, 2012 Sam Quixote rated it 5 of 5 stars

Following the success of All Star Superman Volume 1 comes the next book from the brilliant creative duo of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. In this book Superman saves Earth from a Bizarro invasion only to be sucked into a parallel Bizarro world and have his powers taken away; two astronauts from Krypton wind up on Earth while Superman is in this parallel universe and try to start a new Krypton on Earth; meanwhile a poisoned and dying Superman records his last will and faces his final challenge...more

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May 15, 2011 Jace rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comics

I really tried to give this book a chance. I didn't love the first one, but the set-up of Superman's slow death was interesting enough for me to finish the series. I now wish I would have stopped with the first book and preserved some of the goodwill that was still lingering. This book starts off with a Bizarro attack on Earth that comes out of nowhere and is horribly written. I'm not a fan of Morrison, but I found these issues to be horribly disappointing. He never really explains what is going...more

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Mar 26, 2011 Phillip Goodman added it · review of another edition

a really fantastic story (not book, though it is a book, by saying story i hope to include the first volume as well as the second, i only wish i had read them back to back) brings superman into the realms of both hard (or near hard, maybe pretty hard) sci fi, and tragic comedy, it leaves you with a hunger for more and a feeling that you have been reading the story not simply of superman but of a whole world, multiple worlds even, and perhaps a generation, fully developed and brimming with possib...more

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Mar 22, 2011 Keith rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Despite the fact that I read a lot of comics -- and I do read a lot of comics -- I don't read a lot of superhero comics. Which isn't true at all, because I read a lot of superhero comics; it's just that almost all the superhero comics I read are Batman. I am absolutely obsessed with Batman in a way I've learned to live with, and I don't feel the need for non-comics fans or non-superhero fans to 'get it,' because so many other people obviously already do.

But. If, say, you were getting into comic...more

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Jan 31, 2011 Jeff rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comic-books, graphic-novel

All Star Superman builds on the rich tradition of Superman through the Silver and Modern Age to create a complex ultimate Superman story. As Superman slowly dies from a lethal Lex Luthor Death Trap, he attempts to finish a set of final feats to set his affairs in order.

Grant Morrison draws from numerous Superman stories and creates perhaps one of the most unified continuities of Clark Kent''s life in recent years. This slavish attention to detail is sure to appeal to long-time readers and will...more

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Sep 22, 2009 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Superman fans, comics fans

Shelves: graphic-novels, superheroes

This was just as amazing as the first volume of All Star Superman. It's just as jam-packed with quirky, imaginative scenarios, and its scenes range from being whimsical to achingly poignant. I read most of this on a bus and had to stop several times because I kept tearing up. In a weird way, this reminded me of The Little Prince—it's idealistic, it frequently borders on being surreal, and the way the storyline eventually wraps up has the same transcendent quality that The Little Prince's ending...more

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Mar 14, 2010 Nicholas rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Absolutely, Awesomely, AMAZING. I dislike Grant Morrison Batman books, but this is really, really good. The intro from Mark Waid says it all really so I think I'll just quote him:

"All Star Superman: Volume 2 completes Morrison and Quietly's celebration of the world's best loved fictional hero and it ends as skillfully and lyrically as it began....

Superman is dying. Poisoned with solar radiation by his nemesis, Lex Luthor, the man of tomorrow must finally face down his own mortality and races the...more Absolutely, Awesomely, AMAZING. I dislike Grant Morrison Batman books, but this is really, really good. The intro from Mark Waid says it all really so I think I'll just quote him:

"All Star Superman: Volume 2 completes Morrison and Quietly's celebration of the world's best loved fictional hero and it ends as skillfully and lyrically as it began....

Superman is dying. Poisoned with solar radiation by his nemesis, Lex Luthor, the man of tomorrow must finally face down his own mortality and races the clock to compress a lifetime's worth of super-achievements into what little time he has left - the Twelve Labors of Superman....

...along the way, as all men must, he takes the time to make a Last Will and Testament. The fact that, as he writes it, he bequeaths something remarkable and prescient to Lois is touching but expected; that he concludes by leaving his own secret identity, as a gift, a final chance to keep the space-time continuum aright is an idea that crackles off the page.

There is a never-ending debate among Superman aficionados as to the value of the character's uniqueness. There are some who contend, stridently, that super-dogs, and super-girlfriends, and miniature super-survivors from a bottled city diminish Superman's purity as the Last Son of Krypton. Morrison and Quietly tackle that argument head on by making the superdoppelganger such a recurring motif in All Star Superman that it masterfully underscores through contrast exactly what does make Superman unique. It's not his powers, it's not his costume, it's not his heritage. It's that, unlike his myriad counterparts, he has more faith in us than we have in ourselves, and All Star Superman is the story of how transcendently that faith elevates and redeems the human race. Everyone Superman encounters...inherit some of Superman's values just by being in contact with him." Take that Batman-lovers.

"Read chapter twelve closely. Notice how the men and women of Superman's world...have so clearly been fortified with Superman's courage and reverence for truth and life. And most important, watch how Superman achieves his ultimate victory - not with a swing of his invulnerable fist but with a gift of understanding. In every fight, Superman punches when he must and grapples when he has to, but at the end of every battle, he wins his best and most decisive victories when he allows his foes to see their world - our world - through his eyes.

...but the big moment is the perfect line of dialogue. It comes in chapter ten, when Superman, without a second's hesitation, takes time from his world-building feats to embrace and comfort a suicidal young girl. When he tells her 'You're much stronger than you think you are,' they become the most moving words we have ever read in a Superman story." And they gave me goosebumps.

..."they are so perfect because they reveal in one sentence, the fundamental secret of Superman and why we love him so.

Gods achieve their power by encouraging us to believe in them.

Superman achieves his power by believing in us."

Couldn't have said it better myself. So I didn't.(less)

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May 31, 2009 anthony e. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Yep. Pretty amazing. Morrison and Quitely, as a team, accomplish the seemingly unfathomable: they have made Superman both more powerful, more straight-laced, and more interesting. There is something really incredible at work in these comics, a sincere addressing of the core concerns of the character himself, that, combined with a ingenius use of artwork and pacing that seems to set itself both before and fater the relevant action, that allows Superman to be powerful OFF-PANEL, somewhere else, in...more

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Mar 06, 2009 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics

I reread All-Star Superman Volume 1 in preparation for this conclusion of the series, and in doing so, finally saw the entire charm and full scope of emotionality that the limited run encompasses. I had enjoyed the quietest moments of the first volume, the subtle references to the inevitable fading of the life cycle, with a single life's connection to the entire universe and across time. But in the second series, these shadings come front and center, with urgency, as Superman's powers fade and h...more

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All-Star Superman, Vol. 2 (All-Star Superman #2)

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