Writer: Mark Russell

Artist: Michael “Spike” Allred

Colorist: Laura Allred

what’s it about?

Meet Clark Kent, a young reporter who just learned that the world will soon come to an end (Crisis on Infinite Earths) and there is nothing he can do to save it. Sounds like a job for his alter ego…Superman! After years of standing idle, the young man from Krypton defies the wishes of his fathers to come out to the world as the first superhero of the Space Age. As each decade passes and each new danger emerges, he wonders if this is the one that will kill him and everyone he loves. Superman realizes that even good intentions are not without their backlash as the world around him transforms into a place as determined to destroy itself as he is to save it. Uniting the critically acclaimed writer Mark Russell (One-Star Squadron and The Flintstones) and Eisner-winner Mike Allred (Silver Surfer and Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns & Moonage Daydreams) for the first time, this series promises fans an unforgettable journey through U.S. history and culture starring our beloved characters.

The Good

Assuming the writing and art team can keep up what we were given in issue one, we are looking at a new Superman story for the ages. Superman the Space Age looks and feels like a spiritual sequel to Darwyn Cooke’s classic The New Frontier.

I fell in love with Allred’s art in the pages of Silver Surfer and his quirky style blends perfectly with this fast paced, global, yet grounded story by Russell. I really enjoyed seeing some of DC’s top characters reimagined, especially Batman. Space Age is cinenatice, non-linear storytelling at its finest. The prevailing theme of hope compounded with Superman’s growing relationships with those around him also remind me of Alex Ross’ Superman: Peace on Earth in which it was Clark’s humanity and capacity for empathy that won the day. In Superman: Space Age,although our heroes are facing global annihilation, it is Russell’s characterization of the people we meet along the way that captures our attention.

The Bad

Did Luthor just kill millions of people in Coast City? That has to be one of the worst, if not THE worst, things Luthor has ever done. I know we need to hate the antagonist in the story but I’ve never despised Luthor this much before. This issue is certainly an amazing way to kick off a potentially legendary series. Green Lantern’s inclusion, although welcome, feels forced and irrelevant as of now. Russell and Allred did an amazing job bringing some of Superman’s extended family into the book but Hal’s arc doesn’t gel as well as I’d like. All that aside, the story does a phenomenal job retelling Supes’ backstory set against Cold War tensions and Allred’s art is perfect.

VERDICT: 8.5

About the Author: Tom Tormey

Tom Tormey

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