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21st Century Superman #1
Superman, Vol. 1: No Limits!
On the eve of the new millennium, Superman blasts into new adventures by facing the villainous vixen known as Encantadora, and battling both the interplanetary conqueror Mongul and the Eradicator.
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2000
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About the author
Jeph Loeb
1,589 books1,383 followersJoseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an Emmy and WGA nominated American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a Co-Executive Producer on the NBC hit show Heroes, and formerly a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost.
A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.
A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 10, 2017
Although a bit disjointed, this collection is a lot of fun. The sheer volume of Superman stories available often means that I miss out on good material; I'm glad I discovered this run.
July 26, 2023
Meh. A couple of good stories, some decent art and some terrible art, nothing to write home about, especially since I'm already at home. Just some good lighthearted escapism.
January 14, 2026
Mission 2026: Binge reviewing all previous Reads, I was too slothful to review back when I read them
No Limits! is Superman at his most kinetic, and yet Loeb can’t resist anchoring spectacle in moral friction. On the surface, this is a high-octane superhero narrative: new threats, global stakes, explosive confrontations. But underneath, it’s about boundaries—what Superman can do versus what he should do.
Loeb writes Superman as a figure constantly negotiating restraint. Power here is not a fantasy of freedom but a burden of calculation. Every action carries consequences that ripple outward, politically and emotionally. I appreciated how often Superman pauses—not out of weakness, but out of ethical uncertainty.
The villains in this volume are less memorable than the dilemmas they provoke. That felt intentional. The real conflict isn’t external; it’s Superman’s awareness that limitless power does not equal limitless wisdom. That tension gives the book weight, even when the plot leans toward blockbuster rhythms.
The art reinforces scale, but also isolation. Superman often appears alone against vast backdrops, dwarfed not by enemies but by responsibility. This visual loneliness stayed with me more than any action sequence.
No Limits! may not be the most intimate Superman story, but it is an honest one. It understands that omnipotence without introspection would be monstrous—and refuses to let Superman become that.
Most recommended.
No Limits! is Superman at his most kinetic, and yet Loeb can’t resist anchoring spectacle in moral friction. On the surface, this is a high-octane superhero narrative: new threats, global stakes, explosive confrontations. But underneath, it’s about boundaries—what Superman can do versus what he should do.
Loeb writes Superman as a figure constantly negotiating restraint. Power here is not a fantasy of freedom but a burden of calculation. Every action carries consequences that ripple outward, politically and emotionally. I appreciated how often Superman pauses—not out of weakness, but out of ethical uncertainty.
The villains in this volume are less memorable than the dilemmas they provoke. That felt intentional. The real conflict isn’t external; it’s Superman’s awareness that limitless power does not equal limitless wisdom. That tension gives the book weight, even when the plot leans toward blockbuster rhythms.
The art reinforces scale, but also isolation. Superman often appears alone against vast backdrops, dwarfed not by enemies but by responsibility. This visual loneliness stayed with me more than any action sequence.
No Limits! may not be the most intimate Superman story, but it is an honest one. It understands that omnipotence without introspection would be monstrous—and refuses to let Superman become that.
Most recommended.
July 6, 2025
Loeb's writing (should be no surprise) is fantastic for Superman! He sets up a rebooted feel for the cast and highlights Lois and Supes perfectly!
The way he handled Olsen and Perry is really fun as well!
While some Superman villains do get little stand out moments or Mongul getting an interesting treatment, the rest of the cast for this series is much smaller than the 80s and 90s Superman books that came before, so far.
Some really dynamic art in here and big fan of Mahnke's art particularly!
Joe Kelly surprised me with some quality Superman stories in here, particular fave being the Wonder Woman team up!
I know this story is so masterful, because Ive read and seen several adaptations of it in other DC works!
A few unfortunate issues in here, specifically the one Millar works on, I couldn't wait to end. Some problematic handling of women characters (thankfully not Lois or Wonder Woman).
Also Loeb's last story of Superman to end the millenium was kinda lame for what it could've been.
Schultz though gives a amazing contemplation on the end of the Century and future direction for Metropolis as the outro of this volume!
Also Steel fans rejoice! so happy they roped him back in so heavily in this book!
The way he handled Olsen and Perry is really fun as well!
While some Superman villains do get little stand out moments or Mongul getting an interesting treatment, the rest of the cast for this series is much smaller than the 80s and 90s Superman books that came before, so far.
Some really dynamic art in here and big fan of Mahnke's art particularly!
Joe Kelly surprised me with some quality Superman stories in here, particular fave being the Wonder Woman team up!
I know this story is so masterful, because Ive read and seen several adaptations of it in other DC works!
A few unfortunate issues in here, specifically the one Millar works on, I couldn't wait to end. Some problematic handling of women characters (thankfully not Lois or Wonder Woman).
Also Loeb's last story of Superman to end the millenium was kinda lame for what it could've been.
Schultz though gives a amazing contemplation on the end of the Century and future direction for Metropolis as the outro of this volume!
Also Steel fans rejoice! so happy they roped him back in so heavily in this book!
August 7, 2022
Like a fresh coat of paint.
October 19, 2011
This is the first trade in the 1999/2000 reboot of the Man of Steel, and after the extended period of below average storytelling that was the mid-to-late nineties, he really needed it.
It’s not a bad start, all things considered. We get the reestablishment of the status quo (daily Planet, Clark as a foreign correspondent, yes they’re still married and the big past events all still happened), and some nice early character moments to keep things moving. In truth, the character moments are about all that there is to brag about—the Lois/Clark relationship gets a lot of focus here. What is a bit weak are the threats for the Man of Steel to face. Some training by Mongul, an overly busty stalker, and an anticlimactic battle with a foe who turns out to be nothing but a prelude for something bigger… it’s all a bit pedestrian, like so many Superman stories.
It’s a difficult fate that this character has had to endure so many average, middling stories over the years… and yet he survives, because the character and the idea are still so very strong.
Not a bad story all in all… and a good place to start for those wanting to catch up on Superman’s history.
It’s not a bad start, all things considered. We get the reestablishment of the status quo (daily Planet, Clark as a foreign correspondent, yes they’re still married and the big past events all still happened), and some nice early character moments to keep things moving. In truth, the character moments are about all that there is to brag about—the Lois/Clark relationship gets a lot of focus here. What is a bit weak are the threats for the Man of Steel to face. Some training by Mongul, an overly busty stalker, and an anticlimactic battle with a foe who turns out to be nothing but a prelude for something bigger… it’s all a bit pedestrian, like so many Superman stories.
It’s a difficult fate that this character has had to endure so many average, middling stories over the years… and yet he survives, because the character and the idea are still so very strong.
Not a bad story all in all… and a good place to start for those wanting to catch up on Superman’s history.
July 16, 2018
Not a bad collection of stories. Basically the Mercury-Age era starting off with a charm here and there. I have to admit its interesting seeing Mongul II tussle leading to the debut of Imperiex for the "Our Worlds at War."
Things did get a little weird as Dana Dearden got involved and we saw the bits of what became Clark's secret marriage as Superman being exposed. I kind of liked that hot chick Encantadora. But I really did enjoy that adventure Superman and Wonder Woman had at Asgard, it could have been loads better but I appreciate it plenty.
All in all an okay read. B-
Things did get a little weird as Dana Dearden got involved and we saw the bits of what became Clark's secret marriage as Superman being exposed. I kind of liked that hot chick Encantadora. But I really did enjoy that adventure Superman and Wonder Woman had at Asgard, it could have been loads better but I appreciate it plenty.
All in all an okay read. B-
April 4, 2012
Superman is back in his original costume and his original powers, and he's really starting off with a bang!
January 24, 2013
Jeph Loeb is very talented, as I find the general Superman story line to be very boring, but he makes an overly powerful character still be amusing.
May 21, 2014
Great storylines and a lot of fun to read!
June 27, 2014
This is just a bad era for Superman. Cartoonish, bubbly art; goofy stories and way too much of Lois' narration.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews