What do you think?
Rate this book
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
An unforgettable trade paperback collection of WATCHMEN writer Alan Moore's definitive Superman tales that is sure to appeal of readers of his BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE graphic novel. Moore teams with Curt Swan, the definitive Superman artist from the 1950's through the 1970's, to tell the final adventure of the Man of Steel featuring his last stand against Lex Luthor, Brainiac and his other foes in "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW?".
This volume also includes Moore's classic early collaboration with WATCHMEN illustrator Dave Gibbons, "FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING", in which Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman find Superman held captive by the villain Mongul in the Fortress of Solitude and dreaming of an idyllic life on Krypton courtesy of a wish-fulfilling parasitic plant known as the Black Mercy. Both tales are considered two of the top five all-time best Superman stories among fans.
The rare first team-up adventure between the Man of Tomorrow and Swamp Thing, the character that first brought Moore to notoriety in the United States, is included as an additional bonus.
This volume collects the two-part “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” from SUPERMAN #423 and ACTION COMICS #583, as well as “The Jungle Line” from DC COMICS PRESENTS #85 and “For the Man Who Has Everything...” from SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11.
This volume also includes Moore's classic early collaboration with WATCHMEN illustrator Dave Gibbons, "FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING", in which Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman find Superman held captive by the villain Mongul in the Fortress of Solitude and dreaming of an idyllic life on Krypton courtesy of a wish-fulfilling parasitic plant known as the Black Mercy. Both tales are considered two of the top five all-time best Superman stories among fans.
The rare first team-up adventure between the Man of Tomorrow and Swamp Thing, the character that first brought Moore to notoriety in the United States, is included as an additional bonus.
This volume collects the two-part “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” from SUPERMAN #423 and ACTION COMICS #583, as well as “The Jungle Line” from DC COMICS PRESENTS #85 and “For the Man Who Has Everything...” from SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1986
70 people are currently reading
962 people want to read
About the author
Alan Moore
1,577 books21.7k followersAlan Moore is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He has also written a novel, Voice of the Fire, and performs "workings" (one-off performance art/spoken word pieces) with The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, some of which have been released on CD.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
July 21, 2018
This actually contains three Superman tales. It probably would have been called "Superman by Alan Moore" but you know how that goes.
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow: Years after the disappearance of Superman, a reporter from the Daily Planet interviews Lois Elliot, formerly Lois Lane, about Superman's last days...
Prior to the John Byrne reboot of Superman, this was the last story featuring the Superman of the Silver Age, the big blue boy scout with super ventriloquism and microscopic vision numbering among his many powers.
Lots of crazy shit happens in this one. Bizarro goes on a rampage and kills himself. Pete Ross is murdered. Clark Kent is exposed as Superman. An army of Metallos storm the Daily Planet! And that's just in the first four or five pages!
Many of Superman's villains and some of his allies, noteably the Legion of Super Heroes, show up during his farewell tour. Alan Moore shows his love for the Superman mythos of the past 50 years up to that point and pulls out all the stops. The feel reminds me of how he lovingly created homages to the '60s Marvel characters in 1963 years later.
Something I didn't notice the first time I read this: There are cameos by Vartox and Superwoman!
The mastermind behind Superman's woes is revealed and Superman kills him. Wracked with guilt, Superman exposes himself to gold Kryptonite and was never seen again. I thought it was a pretty fitting way to say goodbye to the Superman of the previous era and usher in the new one. It was sad at times, even though it was out of continuity. Poor Krypto. The corny ass wink at the end made me smile like a jackass.
The Jungle Line: Infected by Kryptonian fungus, Superman drives south to die...
This one is a team-up between Superman and Swamp Thing. Well, more of an encounter. Superman is having fever hallucinations and does some not so nice things to old Swampy. Things turn out okay, though. It's also a good reminder that Alan Moore writes a great Swamp Thing.
For the Man Who Has Everything: Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin arrive at the Fortress of Solitude for Superman's birthday, only to find him in the thrall of an alien symbiont and Mongul lurking in the background...
I liked this almost as much as the title story. While Superman hallucinates life on a Krypton that didn't explode, Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman take on Mongul. Once Superman gets free of the fungus, he has a slobberknocker with Mongul. The ending was great, though a little out of character for Superman.
It's a shame Alan Moore never got a long run on Superman. He has a good feel for the character and these are some great Superman stories. I guess I could track down his run on Supreme. Four out of five stars.
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow: Years after the disappearance of Superman, a reporter from the Daily Planet interviews Lois Elliot, formerly Lois Lane, about Superman's last days...
Prior to the John Byrne reboot of Superman, this was the last story featuring the Superman of the Silver Age, the big blue boy scout with super ventriloquism and microscopic vision numbering among his many powers.
Lots of crazy shit happens in this one. Bizarro goes on a rampage and kills himself. Pete Ross is murdered. Clark Kent is exposed as Superman. An army of Metallos storm the Daily Planet! And that's just in the first four or five pages!
Many of Superman's villains and some of his allies, noteably the Legion of Super Heroes, show up during his farewell tour. Alan Moore shows his love for the Superman mythos of the past 50 years up to that point and pulls out all the stops. The feel reminds me of how he lovingly created homages to the '60s Marvel characters in 1963 years later.
Something I didn't notice the first time I read this: There are cameos by Vartox and Superwoman!
The mastermind behind Superman's woes is revealed and Superman kills him. Wracked with guilt, Superman exposes himself to gold Kryptonite and was never seen again. I thought it was a pretty fitting way to say goodbye to the Superman of the previous era and usher in the new one. It was sad at times, even though it was out of continuity. Poor Krypto. The corny ass wink at the end made me smile like a jackass.
The Jungle Line: Infected by Kryptonian fungus, Superman drives south to die...
This one is a team-up between Superman and Swamp Thing. Well, more of an encounter. Superman is having fever hallucinations and does some not so nice things to old Swampy. Things turn out okay, though. It's also a good reminder that Alan Moore writes a great Swamp Thing.
For the Man Who Has Everything: Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin arrive at the Fortress of Solitude for Superman's birthday, only to find him in the thrall of an alien symbiont and Mongul lurking in the background...
I liked this almost as much as the title story. While Superman hallucinates life on a Krypton that didn't explode, Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman take on Mongul. Once Superman gets free of the fungus, he has a slobberknocker with Mongul. The ending was great, though a little out of character for Superman.
It's a shame Alan Moore never got a long run on Superman. He has a good feel for the character and these are some great Superman stories. I guess I could track down his run on Supreme. Four out of five stars.
July 11, 2023
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? Deluxe Edition hardcover is a collection of 3 Alan Moore penned tales from the original Superman continuity before the line was relaunched and reimagined.
The first story, whose title is also the name of this collection, “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow”, is originally a two-part tale that originally ran on the two Superman monthlies. This is the story; long time Superman editor Julius Schwartz commissioned Moore to end his run on the Superman titles. Along with the end of the old continuity, would also end Schwartz’s reign as Superman editor. It is the “last” Superman story. It is ten years since Superman made his last appearance, and Lois Lane is sharing her thoughts on her first hand account of the day when Superman’s greatest villains banded together to rid themselves of the Man of Steel once and for all. After a lot of farewells and deaths to his closest friends, Superman is forced to face the grim reality that his methods maybe outdated and his vow never to kill be tested.
This is a classic story fit to be collected in a deluxe hardcover. It is one of the best Superman stories of all time and it is only the first of two of the best Superman stories ever included in this collection.
The second story is a Superman and Swamp Thing team up. This one is notable as it features both Superman and the character Moore made first mark in American comics, the Swamp Thing. This also features Moore’s Swamp Thing collaborator Rick Veitch, so this is a solid tale with horror tones. Sophisticated suspense indeed this story is.
The third tale is the second story that is considered one of the best Superman stories ever in this collection. Originally published as a stand alone tale, it is fitting this released as an annual issue as it features Superman’s birthday. Its title is “For the Man Who Has Everything.” It guest stars the rest of DC Comics most recognizable characters, Batman and Robin and Wonder Woman. But what they do against a being who is Superman’s physical equal and has rendered the Man of Steel catatonic? Nothing much, except die.
It is unfortunate that Moore has swore off doing mainstream superheroes for decades now. This collection reminds readers that the bearded iconoclast did excellent superhero stories that challenged prevailing conventions and also show such a deep reverence for the characters. It is fortunate DC added the last two tales to justify the page count on a deluxe hardcover and chose tales that are among the very best Moore has produced.
This book is a worthy addition for any novice or long time comic collector.
The first story, whose title is also the name of this collection, “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow”, is originally a two-part tale that originally ran on the two Superman monthlies. This is the story; long time Superman editor Julius Schwartz commissioned Moore to end his run on the Superman titles. Along with the end of the old continuity, would also end Schwartz’s reign as Superman editor. It is the “last” Superman story. It is ten years since Superman made his last appearance, and Lois Lane is sharing her thoughts on her first hand account of the day when Superman’s greatest villains banded together to rid themselves of the Man of Steel once and for all. After a lot of farewells and deaths to his closest friends, Superman is forced to face the grim reality that his methods maybe outdated and his vow never to kill be tested.
This is a classic story fit to be collected in a deluxe hardcover. It is one of the best Superman stories of all time and it is only the first of two of the best Superman stories ever included in this collection.
The second story is a Superman and Swamp Thing team up. This one is notable as it features both Superman and the character Moore made first mark in American comics, the Swamp Thing. This also features Moore’s Swamp Thing collaborator Rick Veitch, so this is a solid tale with horror tones. Sophisticated suspense indeed this story is.
The third tale is the second story that is considered one of the best Superman stories ever in this collection. Originally published as a stand alone tale, it is fitting this released as an annual issue as it features Superman’s birthday. Its title is “For the Man Who Has Everything.” It guest stars the rest of DC Comics most recognizable characters, Batman and Robin and Wonder Woman. But what they do against a being who is Superman’s physical equal and has rendered the Man of Steel catatonic? Nothing much, except die.
It is unfortunate that Moore has swore off doing mainstream superheroes for decades now. This collection reminds readers that the bearded iconoclast did excellent superhero stories that challenged prevailing conventions and also show such a deep reverence for the characters. It is fortunate DC added the last two tales to justify the page count on a deluxe hardcover and chose tales that are among the very best Moore has produced.
This book is a worthy addition for any novice or long time comic collector.
November 6, 2017
I thought this was good. Alan Moore can be a fantastic story-teller. What happens to our superhero's? How does their story end? Alan thought of this concept first. It's an interesting question. Many of his enemies and best friends are in this story. There is also more than one story in this.
The art seems very 80s which is when these stories were created. Still, Superman is understood here. It's before they went and ruined Superman in the movies.
The art seems very 80s which is when these stories were created. Still, Superman is understood here. It's before they went and ruined Superman in the movies.
December 9, 2012
This is the last Superman story from the original line of comics before John Byrne relaunched the title in 1986 with “Man of Steel”, and who better to end it than celebrated 80s comics virtuoso Alan Moore? In this final adventure, Superman faces his greatest foes in a showdown outside his Fortress of Solitude before he bows out.
Alan Moore has always been a writer whom I’ve been told repeatedly is the greatest comics writer ever but whenever I read him, I’m never fully convinced of that. “Whatever...” is actually a pretty bad Superman comic especially by today’s standards. Maybe back in the 80s it was amazing but it even reads like a 70s comic, so maybe not even then?
There’s a ton of problems I had with this story like: why was Clark Kent’s unmasking as Superman taken so lightly by everyone? Why does Superman only choose to protect a handful of people instead of everyone? Why is Brainiac/Luthor/all the villains in this book so stupid and incompetent? What is it with all this “30th century” time travel crap? If you’re from the future, why don’t you know what happened in the past? It doesn’t make sense! Why can’t Batman et al. do anything except stand around helplessly wringing their hands - are they completely without resources? Why is Lois Lane content to simply be a housewife? And probably most damning of all:
Basically everything about this book bugged me, from the terrible writing and plotting to the unconvincing Superman whose voice and actions didn’t seem like the character’s, to the way it all ended. This isn’t a good Superman story nor a good exit for Superman. Instead it’s an outdated, cheesy and boring book by one of the most overrated writers of the last 30 years. Alan Moore might’ve written some interesting books in the 80s but “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” isn’t one of them. For a really good “final Superman story”, check out Grant Morrison’s “All Star Superman”.
Alan Moore has always been a writer whom I’ve been told repeatedly is the greatest comics writer ever but whenever I read him, I’m never fully convinced of that. “Whatever...” is actually a pretty bad Superman comic especially by today’s standards. Maybe back in the 80s it was amazing but it even reads like a 70s comic, so maybe not even then?
There’s a ton of problems I had with this story like: why was Clark Kent’s unmasking as Superman taken so lightly by everyone? Why does Superman only choose to protect a handful of people instead of everyone? Why is Brainiac/Luthor/all the villains in this book so stupid and incompetent? What is it with all this “30th century” time travel crap? If you’re from the future, why don’t you know what happened in the past? It doesn’t make sense! Why can’t Batman et al. do anything except stand around helplessly wringing their hands - are they completely without resources? Why is Lois Lane content to simply be a housewife? And probably most damning of all:
Basically everything about this book bugged me, from the terrible writing and plotting to the unconvincing Superman whose voice and actions didn’t seem like the character’s, to the way it all ended. This isn’t a good Superman story nor a good exit for Superman. Instead it’s an outdated, cheesy and boring book by one of the most overrated writers of the last 30 years. Alan Moore might’ve written some interesting books in the 80s but “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” isn’t one of them. For a really good “final Superman story”, check out Grant Morrison’s “All Star Superman”.
July 18, 2017
I wanted to like this. Not because I'm a Alan Moore fan. I believe he's kind of a dicky dick face (YES! That's my words) But I enjoyed some of his previous work, especially Watchmen. This is the end of a era. A What If the original Superman had to have a send off. Well we make it darker. People need to die. Lex needs to have a plan. Braniac needs to try and conquer the world. And Superman must DIE! Before his death...later...yeah...
What I liked: Some of the cheesy one liners made me smile. I also enjoyed seeing how vastly different superman is now than what he was.
What I didn't like: How they tried to Dark Knight Superman. So we have people like Lana and Pete getting murdered. Then Krytoman (So dumb) kills our favorite puppy of all time. Everyone just dies and it's odd. The fights look horrible and the art isn't to my liking. Sorry old cartoony looking superhero comics are hard for me to enjoy tbh. Also the swamp thing story sucked. I never thought Moore did very good on Swamp thing tbh and liked him done by different (and better writers).
Overall this is interesting to read because of it being so old and a change in status quo but overall it was hardly worth my time in the end. It's short though so it's not terrible just meh. Big old MEH!
What I liked: Some of the cheesy one liners made me smile. I also enjoyed seeing how vastly different superman is now than what he was.
What I didn't like: How they tried to Dark Knight Superman. So we have people like Lana and Pete getting murdered. Then Krytoman (So dumb) kills our favorite puppy of all time. Everyone just dies and it's odd. The fights look horrible and the art isn't to my liking. Sorry old cartoony looking superhero comics are hard for me to enjoy tbh. Also the swamp thing story sucked. I never thought Moore did very good on Swamp thing tbh and liked him done by different (and better writers).
Overall this is interesting to read because of it being so old and a change in status quo but overall it was hardly worth my time in the end. It's short though so it's not terrible just meh. Big old MEH!
December 12, 2015
Honestly, I didn't think this was all that great. I only rated it 3 stars because I like Alan Moore's work, but this was so ho-hum kinda boring for big gaps.
June 6, 2021
Relectura un tanto decepcionante. Me han parecido historias que podía haber escrito cualquiera. Y no es eso lo que esperas cuando lees a Alan Moore.
Aunque ‘Para el hombre que lo tiene todo…" está bastante bien, el resto... Casi que lo que me ha gustado más ha sido el entintado de George Pérez en una de las historias.
Aunque ‘Para el hombre que lo tiene todo…" está bastante bien, el resto... Casi que lo que me ha gustado más ha sido el entintado de George Pérez en una de las historias.
May 4, 2016
Unreadable. Makes Death of Superman look like Shakespeare. The artwork is blah, even for the times. Might take another look in a few years but this is going to the bottom of the list.
August 16, 2015
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow is possibly one of the most influential and prominent Superman tales ever written in the history of that character. It arguably set the stage for the later tone of the '90's comics, though that is more of a case of writers completely missing the boat on what Alan Moore was doing in writing MoT.
Shortly after the conclusion of Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz was looking to tell a big story to finish up the combined Gold, Silver, and Bronze Ages of Superman comics, and to send off some of the current team that worked on some of the comics for so long. It was essentially a goodbye to the previous version of Supes before writer John Byrne re-imagined the character with The Man of Steel. Schwartz envisioned an “imaginary story” that would assume that Supes had defeated the final of his major enemies around the year 1987, but that he couldn't enjoy this victory. There would be an epic battle that would be an appropriate send-off for the Man of Steel. After a meeting with writer Alan Moore, where the British comics writer showed interest in writing the story, Schwartz set the ball rolling.
Included with this volume are two other stories written by Alan Moore. Each story will be reviewed, and then the volume as a whole will be briefly discussed.
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow
As I already stated, in this imaginary close to the pre-Crisis Superman mythos, the Man of Steel finds himself in a situation where he has defeated his major enemies and his hardly needed except for in the case of natural disasters. But this peace is not to last. This story takes place in the year 1997, where Lois Lane Eliot, former reporter of The Daily Planet agrees to an interview with the Planet on the ten-year anniversary of the disappearance and presumed death of Superman.
As Lois summarizes for the reporter and the audience, it is a time of peace for the world and for Superman. Things are going so beautifully it seems nothing can go wrong now, when it suddenly does. One by one, old adversaries pop up, more deadly than ever, and in some cases, joke villains are now homicidal maniacs. Bizzaro is a homicidal/suicidal, yet depressed soul, and Superman's identity is revealed. This is just the beginning of the nightmare.
As Superman engages in his final battle, he begins to realize that there is another power at work. Indeed, this sinister evil is one that even he can not hope to defeat, as it is actually so powerful it makes the difference between him and humans look miniscule by comparison. His only hope lies in a clue delivered to him from the future by the Legion of Super-Heroes. But even if he can survive, Superman will be dead one way or another.
This was a really hard story to read. It was just so sad to see beloved characters die. The ending, though it gave a fun hope for heroes of the future, was a bit of a tear-jerker. In many ways, this really was the “final” story of Superman. At the same time, it was absolutely epic. It seems Moore has a talent for producing such incongruous reactions from his audience.
Some of the scenes, I must warn, are very dark and nightmarish. If such may bother you, I have to warn you. Overall, this is a fitting end to the Silver Age Man of Steel.
The rating for this seminal tale was five stars.
-----
The Jungle Line (Superman/Swamp Thing Crossover)
This was a bit of an underwhelming tale. Superman gets sick by exposure to a sample of a virus from Krypton that crash-landed on earth after so many years, and he desperately searches for a cure. He can't find any, and realizes that he is dying, so he drives off into the mountains to pass away alone, fearful he may hurt someone in his agitated hallucinations the virus is causing.
Of course, once in the mountains, he somehow drives and drives until he meets Swamp Thing, who, unbeknownst to Clark, heals him.
That's it. Don't get me wrong, it can be great fun to see a character like Swamp Thing show up in Superman comics, but really, that's the crossover? A gibbering Clark healed by Swampy and not knowing it? It was disappointing to say the least.
As for the virus, how come only Clark got sick and not humans? Alien virus doesn't explain it all, as the comics explain that the Kryptonite actually does hurt humans, albeit by causing diseases over years. Radiation is radiation ultimately, so shouldn't a killer virus be a killer virus? Shouldn't there be loads of humans sick in about ten to twenty years? It just was a disappointing story.
Rating for this crossover was 2 ½ stars.
-----
For the Man Who Has Everything
This story, which years later was adapted by the cartoon Justice League Unlimited, features Batman, Robin (Jason Todd version), and Wonder Woman traveling to the Fortress of Solitude to wish Superman a happy birthday. Unfortunately, they arrive to find Superman the victim of a horrible plant-like organism called the Black Mercy. It attaches itself to the victim and keeps them in a coma-like state by trapping them in a dream world of their fondest wishes as reality.
Very soon they find that the villain behind this is the intergalactic warlord Mongul, who is impossibly formidable as he possesses the fighting abilities of a Batman or Wonder Woman, while being close to Superman's level of strength and invulnerability.
Wonder Woman proceeds to fight Mongul as Batman and Robin attempt to remove the Black Mercy from Superman. But Wonder Woman is badly outmatched, and if Superman doesn't awaken soon, the heroes will all be killed.
This is a story, unlike the above crossover, worthy of Alan Moore. The idea of what we fondly wish, and if we truly want what is in our hearts, is presented. Would we really be happy if our deepest desires were granted? The answer in the volume appears to be a resounding no. Our deepest desires are often ill-thought out. We are who we are, and trying to be different is not always as great as we assume it to be.
I liked the whole Silver Age tone of the story, and the lack of a comic taking itself too seriously. I also appreciated how Jason Todd actually did something really smart and neat to save the day. For a character who has gotten far too much disrespect, this was a great part of the tale.
Rating for this story was 5 stars.
-----
Conclusion
Though only the first tale is truly important to those interested in the history of the character of Superman and in the history of comics in general, the other two tales show the skills of Alan Moore. Though I don't think much of the middle story, the three were, as a whole, well-written and an example of a vivid imagination that could combine epic heroism with deeper questions and issues.
Please read this volume, it is both a great piece of history and absolutely epic.
Shortly after the conclusion of Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz was looking to tell a big story to finish up the combined Gold, Silver, and Bronze Ages of Superman comics, and to send off some of the current team that worked on some of the comics for so long. It was essentially a goodbye to the previous version of Supes before writer John Byrne re-imagined the character with The Man of Steel. Schwartz envisioned an “imaginary story” that would assume that Supes had defeated the final of his major enemies around the year 1987, but that he couldn't enjoy this victory. There would be an epic battle that would be an appropriate send-off for the Man of Steel. After a meeting with writer Alan Moore, where the British comics writer showed interest in writing the story, Schwartz set the ball rolling.
Included with this volume are two other stories written by Alan Moore. Each story will be reviewed, and then the volume as a whole will be briefly discussed.
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow
As I already stated, in this imaginary close to the pre-Crisis Superman mythos, the Man of Steel finds himself in a situation where he has defeated his major enemies and his hardly needed except for in the case of natural disasters. But this peace is not to last. This story takes place in the year 1997, where Lois Lane Eliot, former reporter of The Daily Planet agrees to an interview with the Planet on the ten-year anniversary of the disappearance and presumed death of Superman.
As Lois summarizes for the reporter and the audience, it is a time of peace for the world and for Superman. Things are going so beautifully it seems nothing can go wrong now, when it suddenly does. One by one, old adversaries pop up, more deadly than ever, and in some cases, joke villains are now homicidal maniacs. Bizzaro is a homicidal/suicidal, yet depressed soul, and Superman's identity is revealed. This is just the beginning of the nightmare.
As Superman engages in his final battle, he begins to realize that there is another power at work. Indeed, this sinister evil is one that even he can not hope to defeat, as it is actually so powerful it makes the difference between him and humans look miniscule by comparison. His only hope lies in a clue delivered to him from the future by the Legion of Super-Heroes. But even if he can survive, Superman will be dead one way or another.
This was a really hard story to read. It was just so sad to see beloved characters die. The ending, though it gave a fun hope for heroes of the future, was a bit of a tear-jerker. In many ways, this really was the “final” story of Superman. At the same time, it was absolutely epic. It seems Moore has a talent for producing such incongruous reactions from his audience.
Some of the scenes, I must warn, are very dark and nightmarish. If such may bother you, I have to warn you. Overall, this is a fitting end to the Silver Age Man of Steel.
The rating for this seminal tale was five stars.
-----
The Jungle Line (Superman/Swamp Thing Crossover)
This was a bit of an underwhelming tale. Superman gets sick by exposure to a sample of a virus from Krypton that crash-landed on earth after so many years, and he desperately searches for a cure. He can't find any, and realizes that he is dying, so he drives off into the mountains to pass away alone, fearful he may hurt someone in his agitated hallucinations the virus is causing.
Of course, once in the mountains, he somehow drives and drives until he meets Swamp Thing, who, unbeknownst to Clark, heals him.
That's it. Don't get me wrong, it can be great fun to see a character like Swamp Thing show up in Superman comics, but really, that's the crossover? A gibbering Clark healed by Swampy and not knowing it? It was disappointing to say the least.
As for the virus, how come only Clark got sick and not humans? Alien virus doesn't explain it all, as the comics explain that the Kryptonite actually does hurt humans, albeit by causing diseases over years. Radiation is radiation ultimately, so shouldn't a killer virus be a killer virus? Shouldn't there be loads of humans sick in about ten to twenty years? It just was a disappointing story.
Rating for this crossover was 2 ½ stars.
-----
For the Man Who Has Everything
This story, which years later was adapted by the cartoon Justice League Unlimited, features Batman, Robin (Jason Todd version), and Wonder Woman traveling to the Fortress of Solitude to wish Superman a happy birthday. Unfortunately, they arrive to find Superman the victim of a horrible plant-like organism called the Black Mercy. It attaches itself to the victim and keeps them in a coma-like state by trapping them in a dream world of their fondest wishes as reality.
Very soon they find that the villain behind this is the intergalactic warlord Mongul, who is impossibly formidable as he possesses the fighting abilities of a Batman or Wonder Woman, while being close to Superman's level of strength and invulnerability.
Wonder Woman proceeds to fight Mongul as Batman and Robin attempt to remove the Black Mercy from Superman. But Wonder Woman is badly outmatched, and if Superman doesn't awaken soon, the heroes will all be killed.
This is a story, unlike the above crossover, worthy of Alan Moore. The idea of what we fondly wish, and if we truly want what is in our hearts, is presented. Would we really be happy if our deepest desires were granted? The answer in the volume appears to be a resounding no. Our deepest desires are often ill-thought out. We are who we are, and trying to be different is not always as great as we assume it to be.
I liked the whole Silver Age tone of the story, and the lack of a comic taking itself too seriously. I also appreciated how Jason Todd actually did something really smart and neat to save the day. For a character who has gotten far too much disrespect, this was a great part of the tale.
Rating for this story was 5 stars.
-----
Conclusion
Though only the first tale is truly important to those interested in the history of the character of Superman and in the history of comics in general, the other two tales show the skills of Alan Moore. Though I don't think much of the middle story, the three were, as a whole, well-written and an example of a vivid imagination that could combine epic heroism with deeper questions and issues.
Please read this volume, it is both a great piece of history and absolutely epic.
November 1, 2022
6/10 ⭐⭐⭐
Tres historias de Superman componen este volumen (he leído la edición dc pocket) que cuenta con varios atractivos. Y es que Alan Moore es el guionista de todos ellos. Así que en el número titulado "Los confines de la tierra" Superman tendrá un encuentro con "La cosa del pantano". Aunque no pasa de una curiosidad, nada memorable.
También incluye, dividida en dos partes, "¿Qué fue del hombre del mañana?" publicándose esta historia en 1986 con la intención de que fuese la última aventura de Superman. Aunque finalmente solo resultase ser el final de una era.
En para "El hombre que lo tiene todo..." Alan Moore guioniza el cumpleaños de Superman, con Batman, Robin y Superwoman como invitados, al que un enemigo de Superman acudirá con un extraño regalo.
Recomendado solo para los que son muy fans de Superman, de Alan Moore o de los cómics antiguos.
Tres historias de Superman componen este volumen (he leído la edición dc pocket) que cuenta con varios atractivos. Y es que Alan Moore es el guionista de todos ellos. Así que en el número titulado "Los confines de la tierra" Superman tendrá un encuentro con "La cosa del pantano". Aunque no pasa de una curiosidad, nada memorable.
También incluye, dividida en dos partes, "¿Qué fue del hombre del mañana?" publicándose esta historia en 1986 con la intención de que fuese la última aventura de Superman. Aunque finalmente solo resultase ser el final de una era.
En para "El hombre que lo tiene todo..." Alan Moore guioniza el cumpleaños de Superman, con Batman, Robin y Superwoman como invitados, al que un enemigo de Superman acudirá con un extraño regalo.
Recomendado solo para los que son muy fans de Superman, de Alan Moore o de los cómics antiguos.
October 29, 2021
This graphic novel combines the classic Alan Moore story "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" with two other stories. To be honest, I enjoyed the other stories more than Moore's story. Superman allies and villains get shabby treatment in this story. It didn't seem like a suitable ending for the silver age Superman.
October 8, 2015
Brilliant! And I love the way the intro to this edition sets up the importance of this classic story.
My library had the Deluxe Edition which includes the story "For the Man Who Has Everything" --a story that inspired one of my favorite Justice League Unlimited episodes of the same name. I didn't realize it had been originally written by Alan Moore.
I also didn't realize that a couple of my favorite panels that circulate on Tumblr originated in this story:
"Think clean thoughts, chum."
...which I aptly captioned
"Bats has enough dirty thoughts for the both of them." --- I mean, look at that smug little Bats smile.
This adorable panel also comes from that story:
(please forgive my shitty iphone photo-taking skills)
My library had the Deluxe Edition which includes the story "For the Man Who Has Everything" --a story that inspired one of my favorite Justice League Unlimited episodes of the same name. I didn't realize it had been originally written by Alan Moore.
I also didn't realize that a couple of my favorite panels that circulate on Tumblr originated in this story:
"Think clean thoughts, chum."
...which I aptly captioned
"Bats has enough dirty thoughts for the both of them." --- I mean, look at that smug little Bats smile.
This adorable panel also comes from that story:
(please forgive my shitty iphone photo-taking skills)
July 3, 2023
Ovo izdanje Čarobne knjige sadrži dve priče: „Za čoveka koji ima sve” i „Šta li se zbilo sa čovekom od čelika?”
Ovaj strip je klasik i značajan je iz perspektive sagledavanja kraja jedne epohe junaka i nastanka nove sa odlaskom njegovog urednika Džulija Švarca koji je želeo veliko finale a Mur mu je to na genijalan način omogućio i sjajno se poigrao.
Kome preporučujem ovaj strip?
Mislim da su ga fanovi Supermena već isčitali a dopašće vam se ako ste kao ja ljubitelji istorije stripa - klasik, kraj jedne epohe superjunaka, Alan Mur i sjajan ”old school’ crtež ako volite (Dejv Gibons - Nadzirači) = uživaćate.
Prva priča je napisana 1985. godine i počinje dolaskom Betmena, Robina i Čudesne žene kod Supermena na rođendan, ali naravno da uvek nešto krene po zlu. Simulacija, bol, porodica i akcija.
Druga priča je izašla 1986. godine i počinje dolaskom novinara kod Lois Lejn nakon godina nestanka Supermena da je pita o godinama koje su prethodile njegovom nestanku. Plejada Supermenovih prijatelja i neprijatelja i završnica. Lično bolja i zanimljivija od prethodne priče.
Ovaj strip je klasik i značajan je iz perspektive sagledavanja kraja jedne epohe junaka i nastanka nove sa odlaskom njegovog urednika Džulija Švarca koji je želeo veliko finale a Mur mu je to na genijalan način omogućio i sjajno se poigrao.
Kome preporučujem ovaj strip?
Mislim da su ga fanovi Supermena već isčitali a dopašće vam se ako ste kao ja ljubitelji istorije stripa - klasik, kraj jedne epohe superjunaka, Alan Mur i sjajan ”old school’ crtež ako volite (Dejv Gibons - Nadzirači) = uživaćate.
Prva priča je napisana 1985. godine i počinje dolaskom Betmena, Robina i Čudesne žene kod Supermena na rođendan, ali naravno da uvek nešto krene po zlu. Simulacija, bol, porodica i akcija.
Druga priča je izašla 1986. godine i počinje dolaskom novinara kod Lois Lejn nakon godina nestanka Supermena da je pita o godinama koje su prethodile njegovom nestanku. Plejada Supermenovih prijatelja i neprijatelja i završnica. Lično bolja i zanimljivija od prethodne priče.
December 24, 2012
I had never actually gotten around to reading this until it came out in the Deluxe Hardcover.
My thought was... sure it's a good story (it is Alan Moore after all), but it didn't exactly blow me away. I'm sure I'd read other stories "retiring" Superman in the past. This one stood above them all, but still, that wasn't as high as most of hte other stuff I'd read by Moore.
The art, I thought, was so-so, it wasn't bad, but again I've seen alot better.
I understand that this was a "farewell" to the Superman of that era and a move towards something new (notice I didn't say better).
Perhaps of the fact that I read it so long after it's original publication affected my view, had I read it when it was actually published in Superman and Action Comics, I might have felt differently.
My thought was... sure it's a good story (it is Alan Moore after all), but it didn't exactly blow me away. I'm sure I'd read other stories "retiring" Superman in the past. This one stood above them all, but still, that wasn't as high as most of hte other stuff I'd read by Moore.
The art, I thought, was so-so, it wasn't bad, but again I've seen alot better.
I understand that this was a "farewell" to the Superman of that era and a move towards something new (notice I didn't say better).
Perhaps of the fact that I read it so long after it's original publication affected my view, had I read it when it was actually published in Superman and Action Comics, I might have felt differently.
September 27, 2016
It was a good read, nothing life changing or super special, but good read indeed.
March 5, 2024
So I discovered that this book has not only "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tommorow?" but two additional stories too. Short review for each incoming:
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
3 / 5
Honestly, with all the praise I have heard for this story, I would say it was lackluster. The story was eh, and I didn't feel much emotions I guess although it is regarded as having some strong emotional notes. Moreover, the scenarios felt clumsy and the transitions between scenes/panels were sometimes silly.
What I liked about this story is how brutal it was, and how it did not shy away from killing characters. The ending was great, and the twist about supe was something I did not discover until after watching a video about the comic.
Superman and the Swamp Thing
2.5 / 5
This one was wholesome. I believe this is the first time I come across swamp things in comics, and I already like the dude.
Superman: For the man who has everything
2.75 / 5
I guess this one was a nice read too. Seeing Jason Todd as robin was a welcome surprise, and the weird magical flower itself was an entertaining foe to say the least. Good ending too I guess.
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
3 / 5
Honestly, with all the praise I have heard for this story, I would say it was lackluster. The story was eh, and I didn't feel much emotions I guess although it is regarded as having some strong emotional notes. Moreover, the scenarios felt clumsy and the transitions between scenes/panels were sometimes silly.
What I liked about this story is how brutal it was, and how it did not shy away from killing characters. The ending was great, and the twist about supe was something I did not discover until after watching a video about the comic.
Superman and the Swamp Thing
2.5 / 5
This one was wholesome. I believe this is the first time I come across swamp things in comics, and I already like the dude.
Superman: For the man who has everything
2.75 / 5
I guess this one was a nice read too. Seeing Jason Todd as robin was a welcome surprise, and the weird magical flower itself was an entertaining foe to say the least. Good ending too I guess.
August 4, 2017
Contiene 3 historias de superman guionizadas por Alan Moore: el número anual "para el hombre que lo tiene todo", el crossover de superman con la cosa del pantano "los confines de la jungla" y la historia que da nombre al tomo.
Las dos primeras historias son bastante correctas, pero mi preferida es "¿Qué fue del hombre del mañana?" una historia repartida entre los últimos números de las colecciones de Superman y action cómics que se publicaron antes de crisis en tierras infinitas y el posterior reboot de superman de John Byrne. Esta historia se creó como conclusión a toda la época anterior de superman, con la intención de que parecieran los últimos episodios de la vida del personaje, así había que responder preguntas como si se enteraría Lois Lane de la identidad secreta de superman, si terminarían casándose, el destino final de personajes clave en el transcurso de la serie como Jimy Olsen, Perry White, o de los villanos clave de la colección como Lex Luthor, Brainiac y otros....
El resultado está a la altura de las circustancias, una historia que agradaría mucho a los fans, con un gran dibujo de todo un clásico en la historia de Superman como Curt Swan y un muy buen final, que ya es complicado para un cómic en el que desde el principio te están diciendo que superman muere.
Un buen tomo que recopila historias clásicas de superman, para lectores clásicos, cualquier parecido con los cómics de superheroes actuales es pura coincidencia.
Las dos primeras historias son bastante correctas, pero mi preferida es "¿Qué fue del hombre del mañana?" una historia repartida entre los últimos números de las colecciones de Superman y action cómics que se publicaron antes de crisis en tierras infinitas y el posterior reboot de superman de John Byrne. Esta historia se creó como conclusión a toda la época anterior de superman, con la intención de que parecieran los últimos episodios de la vida del personaje, así había que responder preguntas como si se enteraría Lois Lane de la identidad secreta de superman, si terminarían casándose, el destino final de personajes clave en el transcurso de la serie como Jimy Olsen, Perry White, o de los villanos clave de la colección como Lex Luthor, Brainiac y otros....
El resultado está a la altura de las circustancias, una historia que agradaría mucho a los fans, con un gran dibujo de todo un clásico en la historia de Superman como Curt Swan y un muy buen final, que ya es complicado para un cómic en el que desde el principio te están diciendo que superman muere.
Un buen tomo que recopila historias clásicas de superman, para lectores clásicos, cualquier parecido con los cómics de superheroes actuales es pura coincidencia.
October 6, 2016
Hablar de Superman es hablar del mito, el principio de todas las cosas, de la referencia universal, del personaje que es de todos y de nadie, del origen de la cultura de masas, de la evolución de nuestra historia. Superman es todo eso y más. Pero Superman es también un cómic. Es posiblemente el personaje más universal de la historia de los cómics pero no es, ni mucho menos, el cómic más leído de la historia. Parece imposible imaginar alguien que no conozca Superman -quizás a Pyonyang? -, pero a veces cuesta encontrar a alguien que haya leído Superman. No ya con regularidad, sino alguien que lo haya leído alguna vez. Porque esta es la grandeza y la desmesura del personaje; más allá de su historia editorial, es el mito, la creación polimórfica y polifónica, obra de todos y de nadie, patrimonio de la comunidad, ni los autores ni los editores, algo que trasciende cualquier limitación.
La reseña completa en español en http://elbiblionauta.com/es/2016/10/0...
La ressenya completa en català a http://elbiblionauta.com/ca/2016/10/0...
La reseña completa en español en http://elbiblionauta.com/es/2016/10/0...
La ressenya completa en català a http://elbiblionauta.com/ca/2016/10/0...
August 13, 2017
The stories in this collected book range in quality. The later ones are great,especially the Swamp Thing/Superman crossover. The title farewell story of the Silver Age Superman, however, is lacking. It's difficult to write a silver age story after the fact. Those stories were written in an age of innocence. That innocence is gone, and to revisit it feels phony. Moore's rendition of Superman's farewell lacks both the depth of a latter day Superman comic as well as the spirit of the early days. It seems to focus more on fitting in as many goodbyes and cameos than the actual storytelling itself. It is flawed from every angle, and in my opinion, not very great. It could have been better.
August 23, 2020
Son 4 historias de Superman en verdad
Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow (5/5): sin llegar a engancharme, tenia curiosidad por saber cómo iba a morir Superman. Además el giro final me gusta bastante.
Superman y la cosa del pantano (2/5): ni fu ni fa, Superman no hace súper cosas, a la cosa del pantano no la conozco, y la historia en sí es bastante mediocre.
For the man who has everything (4/5): es una idea distinta y explora a Superman de una forma que no había visto antes.
Superman #30 (4/5): Mr. Mxyztplk es un troll de los buenos
Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow (5/5): sin llegar a engancharme, tenia curiosidad por saber cómo iba a morir Superman. Además el giro final me gusta bastante.
Superman y la cosa del pantano (2/5): ni fu ni fa, Superman no hace súper cosas, a la cosa del pantano no la conozco, y la historia en sí es bastante mediocre.
For the man who has everything (4/5): es una idea distinta y explora a Superman de una forma que no había visto antes.
Superman #30 (4/5): Mr. Mxyztplk es un troll de los buenos
May 28, 2016
great story !!!
July 13, 2018
Pretty lacklustre in plot and story. Old school artwork was enjoybale but the plot occasionally has boring parts where the gaps are being filled.
September 5, 2023
9/10. Alan Moore writes beautifully. Adding together humor, politics, and great character dialogue.
December 28, 2016
DC's Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?: The Deluxe Edition, collects the last "real" Superman story. Taking place in a sort of continuity limbo between the Superman of 1938-1986 and the new Superman created after DC's self-destructive miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths,
writer Alan Moore conveys the sadness of these editorial decisions in the emotional heft of his story. The famous panel of Superman in tears is apt, as there was a profound sense that DC's destruction of their own continuity and beloved characters was needless and essentially financially mercenary. Complex, long-form stories like Tony Isabella's Hawkman were cast aside to make room for dumber, more "edgy" versions of the proprietary names and trademarks.
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? is designed as an end to the Superman Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created in the '30s and it incorporates concepts, continuity and iconography from nearly five decades worth of stories in order to do justice to the theme. It gains special authenticity from it having been penciled by Superman artist supreme Curt Swan, so when jaw-dropping events happen, the reader accepts it as if the book was a run-of-the-mill 1973 issue (George Perez, unfortunately, inks half of the story, threatening to break the illusion). Moore's willingness to go where other Superman writers hadn't, or couldn't, set the tone for decades of writers, picking up on his perceived maliciousness; the first issue of Whatever Happened... was released the same month as his Watchmen #1. (Ironically, Superman's co-creator, Jerry Siegel, had been writing violently adult comics in the back of Eclispe's Destroyer Duck a few years beforehand, making one wonder what a Siegel-penned last Superman story could have been like; Siegel was the first writer editor Julie Schwartz had approached, but legal issues kept that assignment from happening.)
For all the story's audaciousness, Moore gives the work a fitting, happy ending. Moore has an understanding of Superman and his world most mainstream writers didn't and don't, and the post-Crisis series ebbed and flowed in mediocrity for decades, starting with John Byrne's limited, small-minded view of the meanings and scope of Siegel and Shuster's creation. It makes you wish Moore could have written a hundred issues of Superman and Action Comics.
The Deluxe Edition is filled out with Moore's Superman/Swamp Thing tale, "The Jungle Line",
ravishingly inked by Al Williamson, with hallucinogenic pencils by Rick Veitch, drawing upon Veitch's underground comics background. Also included is Moore and Dave Gibbons' Superman tale, "For The Man Who Has Everything". Even after being adapted several times for television and reprinted ad nauseam, the story bears repeated reading. Everything Moore touched of the Superman series was classic and will remain so.
I'm happy to report DC has published this book on matte paper, so no garish colors and light glare
will detract. I recommend this book for every comic reader's bookshelf.
writer Alan Moore conveys the sadness of these editorial decisions in the emotional heft of his story. The famous panel of Superman in tears is apt, as there was a profound sense that DC's destruction of their own continuity and beloved characters was needless and essentially financially mercenary. Complex, long-form stories like Tony Isabella's Hawkman were cast aside to make room for dumber, more "edgy" versions of the proprietary names and trademarks.
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? is designed as an end to the Superman Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created in the '30s and it incorporates concepts, continuity and iconography from nearly five decades worth of stories in order to do justice to the theme. It gains special authenticity from it having been penciled by Superman artist supreme Curt Swan, so when jaw-dropping events happen, the reader accepts it as if the book was a run-of-the-mill 1973 issue (George Perez, unfortunately, inks half of the story, threatening to break the illusion). Moore's willingness to go where other Superman writers hadn't, or couldn't, set the tone for decades of writers, picking up on his perceived maliciousness; the first issue of Whatever Happened... was released the same month as his Watchmen #1. (Ironically, Superman's co-creator, Jerry Siegel, had been writing violently adult comics in the back of Eclispe's Destroyer Duck a few years beforehand, making one wonder what a Siegel-penned last Superman story could have been like; Siegel was the first writer editor Julie Schwartz had approached, but legal issues kept that assignment from happening.)
For all the story's audaciousness, Moore gives the work a fitting, happy ending. Moore has an understanding of Superman and his world most mainstream writers didn't and don't, and the post-Crisis series ebbed and flowed in mediocrity for decades, starting with John Byrne's limited, small-minded view of the meanings and scope of Siegel and Shuster's creation. It makes you wish Moore could have written a hundred issues of Superman and Action Comics.
The Deluxe Edition is filled out with Moore's Superman/Swamp Thing tale, "The Jungle Line",
ravishingly inked by Al Williamson, with hallucinogenic pencils by Rick Veitch, drawing upon Veitch's underground comics background. Also included is Moore and Dave Gibbons' Superman tale, "For The Man Who Has Everything". Even after being adapted several times for television and reprinted ad nauseam, the story bears repeated reading. Everything Moore touched of the Superman series was classic and will remain so.
I'm happy to report DC has published this book on matte paper, so no garish colors and light glare
will detract. I recommend this book for every comic reader's bookshelf.
December 4, 2014
This book consists of three stories. The first is probably my favorite. It's a great story, we see Lois (Lane) Elliot giving an interview about Superman for the Daily Planet's Superman Memorial Edition. You see, Superman is presumed dead in this. He was attacked by a group of his rogues gallery. A lot of his friends and foes died in the process. We go back and forth to Lois telling the story and to the actual story.
Superman's secret identity gets out in the open, Lex Luthor gets mind controlled by Brainiac. There's a lot going on and Superman gets a lot on his plate. It was great seeing Krypto and other Superman friends/allies. This story was kind of a nostalgia fest. And I didn't see the end coming. I loved the last four panels, I won't spoil it for you. Just go ahead and check it out for yourself.
The second story I loved also. I mean Alan Moore writing Superman and then he gives us a Superman, Swamp Thing story. I love Swamp Thing and this one was a Swamp Thing story in the fashion of the other Alan Moore Swamp Thing stories, it was a beautifully written little story.
The Third and last story featured Wonder Woman, Batman and Jason Todd in his first days as Robin.
It had a funny moment, when Robin gets a kiss form Wonder Woman and she says to Batman and Robin: "Let's get you two inside before you two freeze", then Robin says to Batman: "Before us two freeze? (When she's) dressed like that?" and Batman replies: "Think clean thoughts chum". The smirk on Batman's face in the next panel says it all. Batman doesn't have clean thoughts of hasn't had clean thoughts in the past about Wonder Woman and her costume.
These stories all feature moments where Superman couldn't save the day, not without help from his friends and allies. It's great to see one of DC's strongest heroes, needing help from the likes of Robin.
It's a great piece of comic book history, the farewell of the Silver Age Superman.
So farewell Silver Age Superman, read you later.
Superman's secret identity gets out in the open, Lex Luthor gets mind controlled by Brainiac. There's a lot going on and Superman gets a lot on his plate. It was great seeing Krypto and other Superman friends/allies. This story was kind of a nostalgia fest. And I didn't see the end coming. I loved the last four panels, I won't spoil it for you. Just go ahead and check it out for yourself.
The second story I loved also. I mean Alan Moore writing Superman and then he gives us a Superman, Swamp Thing story. I love Swamp Thing and this one was a Swamp Thing story in the fashion of the other Alan Moore Swamp Thing stories, it was a beautifully written little story.
The Third and last story featured Wonder Woman, Batman and Jason Todd in his first days as Robin.
It had a funny moment, when Robin gets a kiss form Wonder Woman and she says to Batman and Robin: "Let's get you two inside before you two freeze", then Robin says to Batman: "Before us two freeze? (When she's) dressed like that?" and Batman replies: "Think clean thoughts chum". The smirk on Batman's face in the next panel says it all. Batman doesn't have clean thoughts of hasn't had clean thoughts in the past about Wonder Woman and her costume.
These stories all feature moments where Superman couldn't save the day, not without help from his friends and allies. It's great to see one of DC's strongest heroes, needing help from the likes of Robin.
It's a great piece of comic book history, the farewell of the Silver Age Superman.
So farewell Silver Age Superman, read you later.
November 25, 2016
So this volume contained the last two Superman Action Comics and two other Superman stories by Alan Moore. The Action Comic storyline dealt with Superman having to deal one last time with all his main villains as they try to bring Superman's fated death upon him. In the end, they didn't kill Superman....but at the same time Superman (and his alter ego, Clark Kent) "died". This story was okay, a little wearing as each villain tried to take their aim at being Superman's murderer. The story was narrated by Lois Lane, and I am not really a fan of hers...I am firmly in the pro-Wonder Woman/Superman ship. During this story, Clark Kent was outed as Superman to the entire Daily Planet staff.(2 stars)
The next story had Superman being saved by Swamp Thing. Honestly, it was a short story with no purpose. (1 star)
The last story was titled "The Man Who Has Everything"; it is Superman's birthday and Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman visit Superman's fortress to help him celebrate. They find him under the mind control of plant that is inserted into his chest. While under this mind control, Superman is under a trance (sort of like virtual reality, just without the googles) and lives in a world that has his heart's desire open to him (Krypton is still a planet and his parents are still alive). However, things take a dark turn (very much like the political situation going on in the US right now) and Superman has to fight to get out from under the trance before he dies in this VR world. Unfortunately, just as Superman gets out from the plant's control, Batman goes under. Wonder Woman is busy dealing the villain who sent Superman the plant as a gift. The guys are just standing around in their dream state, the woman is the one kicking ass. At the end of the story, WW plants a big kiss on Superman's lips - squee! (3 stars)
The next story had Superman being saved by Swamp Thing. Honestly, it was a short story with no purpose. (1 star)
The last story was titled "The Man Who Has Everything"; it is Superman's birthday and Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman visit Superman's fortress to help him celebrate. They find him under the mind control of plant that is inserted into his chest. While under this mind control, Superman is under a trance (sort of like virtual reality, just without the googles) and lives in a world that has his heart's desire open to him (Krypton is still a planet and his parents are still alive). However, things take a dark turn (very much like the political situation going on in the US right now) and Superman has to fight to get out from under the trance before he dies in this VR world. Unfortunately, just as Superman gets out from the plant's control, Batman goes under. Wonder Woman is busy dealing the villain who sent Superman the plant as a gift. The guys are just standing around in their dream state, the woman is the one kicking ass. At the end of the story, WW plants a big kiss on Superman's lips - squee! (3 stars)
August 16, 2010
This is the deluxe version of Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? Which means it contains not only the "final" Superman story from the Silver Age (prior to the 1980s reboot), but it also contain all of Alan Moore's other Superman stories, one involving the Swamp Thing, the other involving the villain Mongol and the worst birthday present ever, a plant that seeps into your body and makes you live out your greatest fantasy.
I don't want to review each story individually, but I will say as a group, they're a strange and satisfying read. More and more, I find myself picking up Superman stories that are fascinated with death, and two are included here--though both have happy outcomes. Yet there's a strain of melancholy to both, in that Superman assumes he will die alone, either because his identity is a secret or because he's brought mayhem on his closest friends and family because of a loss of his secret identity. And the final story includes gaining back his dead home planet. Only to lose it again by issue's end.
Moore is a fantastic writer when it comes to stakes. In his work on Superman, nothing more or less is at stake than Superman's mind, heart, nobility and very existence as a hero. The art by Curt Swan gives us a heroic but also human superhero, one who wants to give justice the upper hand, but finds that hard to do when being blasted at his weakest moments or in his most private thoughts. All of these tales have the tone of fables, and that is probably why they are so effective. By watching the world's strongest man grapple with life and death issues over and over again, we can think about how we might do the same. And, as these stories remind us, everyone has to do the same eventually, alone or not.
I don't want to review each story individually, but I will say as a group, they're a strange and satisfying read. More and more, I find myself picking up Superman stories that are fascinated with death, and two are included here--though both have happy outcomes. Yet there's a strain of melancholy to both, in that Superman assumes he will die alone, either because his identity is a secret or because he's brought mayhem on his closest friends and family because of a loss of his secret identity. And the final story includes gaining back his dead home planet. Only to lose it again by issue's end.
Moore is a fantastic writer when it comes to stakes. In his work on Superman, nothing more or less is at stake than Superman's mind, heart, nobility and very existence as a hero. The art by Curt Swan gives us a heroic but also human superhero, one who wants to give justice the upper hand, but finds that hard to do when being blasted at his weakest moments or in his most private thoughts. All of these tales have the tone of fables, and that is probably why they are so effective. By watching the world's strongest man grapple with life and death issues over and over again, we can think about how we might do the same. And, as these stories remind us, everyone has to do the same eventually, alone or not.
April 5, 2013
Three Superman stories written by Alan Moore that capture the spirit of the Man of Tomorrow just prior to DC's first Reboot of the character. The art was perfect for these stories, very much in keeping with Superman's history from the 40's to the mid 80's and the redone color work really made it pop visually. Moore's "last" Superman story tied together the characters from Superman's past, present and future, both friends and his enemies in a way that wrapped up his tale and paid homage to both the serious, the slapstick and the downright bizarre stories of Superman's past into what I felt would be a fitting ending. The other two stories, written slightly before this finale, were also a great mix of Moore's superhero sensibilities along with a great examination of what motivates Superman to be who he is (or was). These stories were to me a great mix of the present darker more realistic take on superheroes that we see today combined with the sense of wonder that I got reading the early adventures of Superman and Superboy as a kid and that seems to be lacking in comic books today. As a bonus these were Alan Moore stories that I could share with my elementary age kids.
April 2, 2021
I have read all these before, but I love having all the Alan Moore Superman work in one place. In a more perfect world, we would have gotten Alan working on both Superman titles (with Swan and Gibbons on art duties) but, sadly, we only get a small sample of what could have been. I love the silver age Superman. In fact, that is probably the only version of the character I care for. I just love his mythology. I love that he was Superboy, fighting with the legion. I love that he has a Superdog. I love all these strange adventures he would go on with Batman, and Jimmy Olsen. I love the imagination of those stories, and the way they played with childhood and magic. This book is in a lot of ways, the end of that in comics. The world was changing, and I think that version of Superman, the swashbuckling, prankster, who flew through time with ease, didn't have a home anymore. It's sad to read this comic knowing it's the death of, not only Superman, but also the beginning of the end of the innocence of comics.
June 12, 2016
DC Comics villains tended to be more playful nuisances up until the "grim and edgy" turn in the 80s, and the "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" storyline is a great bridge between them. The innocent world of Superman, his villains, his allies, and his love is turned upside down when his enemies suddenly take a more vicious turn. It's an odd experience to see how the people of this more idyllic Metropolis just can't process the idea of villains going on genuinely destructive rampages or killing innocents.
The add-on stories are also good, but felt more like "hey, let's put some more Alan Moore stuff in here" choices than being genuinely connected to the theme of the core story arc.
The add-on stories are also good, but felt more like "hey, let's put some more Alan Moore stuff in here" choices than being genuinely connected to the theme of the core story arc.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews