Book of Doom: Superman Confidential #1
Have you ever wondered about journey Kryptonite took from the time it crashlanded on earth to the time it was first used against Superman? Of course not, that would be stupid. It’s a rock. It doesn’t think, it doesnt talk…it’s just there. Who cares about the origin of a rock?
Yet somehow in Superman Confidential #1, Darwyn Cooke and Tim Sale managed to tell a compelling story about just that: the origin of Kryptonite. Granted, only a few pages actually dealt with Kryptonite. The rest was a story about the Daily Planet staff trying to take down a corrupt businessman in Metropolis. Superman only appeared on a handful of pages, and the rest of the issue was rocks and reporters. But it was good. Go figure.
Now let’s take a look at what the other members of the Legion thought of the issue:
Doom DeLuise didn’t get a chance to read the issue yet, but he did make a note to say “the cover was neat.”
Jim Doom: “I hope that every fanboy out there who rips on Bendis for having ridiculously decompressed stories will deliver similar treatment to Darwyn Cooke. This was a whole lot of stage-setting and very little else. I was pulled out of the reading experience several times when I was like “Man, I’m having to turn the pages really quickly.” And it wasn’t because of a bam-kapow action sequence.
It worked for me partially because this seemed like a comic auteur exercise, where the writer and illustrator were allowing each other some freedom to toy around with their take on the craft more than the story, creating scenes for the spectacle somewhat and not necessarily specifically for storytelling.
Sale’s work seemed hit and miss; some panels seemed packed with life and excitement (like that shot of Lois on her desk – something about that just seemed like he’d packed reality into a box) but other panels seemed rushed and almost disrespected.
And I’m glad that the origin of Kryptonite continues in issue 2, seeing as claiming it started in issue 1 is a bit of a stretch.
But I will stick with this title, as these criticisms are largely based on high expectations attributed to great work in the past from these creators.”
Jean-Claude Van Doom: “When telling a “classic” story of a hero, there is an obvious route to take: Hire a creative team well versed in the hero’s background and with a style befitting a classic feel. Oh, and don’t hire Frank “ASSBAR” Miller.
This was just a predictably fun, cool issue that really feels like it accomplishes with ease what DC’s All Star series has strained and strained at, and failed. It’s a simple, fun story from DC’s days of yore that doesn’t much matter with continuity but fills a niche that’s left unfilled by today’s iterations on Superman. It’s so reminiscent of Long Halloween, Superman for All Seasons and Hulk Gray that I had to keep reminding myself Darwyn Cooke was handling the writing duties, not Jeph Loeb.
Since I consider Sale and Loeb to be the team for “classic” tales, this is great stuff. If I’m hard pressed for a complaint, and I guess I should offer one, it’s that the issue only gave the vaguest of hints at the plot to come. But, in these hands, I’m sure there’s fun stuff to come.”
I’m not sure where Sale and Cooke managed to tell a compelling story about Kryptonite in issue 1. They might have hinted that they would eventually tell a compelling story, but I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves if we give them that kind of credit from that kind of display.
They are two guys I am more than willing to allow some table dressing time.
On a side note, I like the Superman scene where he’s not quite sure of his abilities yet, but I also think it would be nice to see an “early years” story where the only difference in the hero is that he’s less sure of himself. Not everyone comes from the same place. Wouldn’t it be funny if (insert hero) was kinda arrogant and accidentally over-used his powers/abilities?
I liked that scene a lot too, Van. Can you imagine what it would be like to wonder if you were invincible and have it be a distinct possibility? I’ve never thought about that aspect of Superman until now.
And Jim, obviously this issue didn’t have much to do with Kryptonite, but it certainly is a story about the origin of Kryptonite. It began with Kryptonite coming to Earth and it ended with Kryptonite coming to Metropolis. Assuming of course that the green ring is Kryptonite…hopefully the very same Kryptonite ring Batman comes into possesion of later.