Superman—Secret Origin

An alien infant crashes to earth in a rocket ship. His home-world has been destroyed, he is an orphan, but on his new planet, he has abilities far beyond those of earthlings. He assimilates to our culture and uses his powers to fight evil and do good works.

Superman is a modern American Myth, and we need myths. As Joseph Campbell said, “Myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of the human life.”

Right now, DC is doing some great stuff with Superman comic books right now. The Superman books—there are several titles—are fun, exciting and one of the most compelling pieces of any form of popular entertainment right now. Quick update: Kandor has been freed, and New Krypton is now a planet in orbit parallel to earth but the Kryptonians are sort of militaristic, and the only Kryptonian allowed on Earth is Superman, who is being hunted by General Lane—he’s the father of Lois—with a band of former villains. And, then Mon-El has been released from the Phantom Zone because members of the Legion of Super Heroes. And, and... pshew, take a breath. Exhale.

Anyway, as part of this comic book superman renaissance, DC has just introduced a special 6-issue mini Series—Secret Origin, which explores the teen aged Clark Kent, as he learns about his Alien heritage and his emerging powers—a perfect metaphor for the passage between adolescence and adult hood. Why does Superman become a Hero—someone devoted to the social good and protecting the weak and helpless? Ma & Pa Kent instilled in him decency and good American values.

Question what Values means all you want. Believe the spin you see on TV ruining our political system. Indulge your cynicism. Ignore our common mythology. Truth, justice, and the American way are still ideals to aspire to, or at least hold dear and believe in, even when our nation, its leaders, and our fellow citizens have fallen short far more often than not.

Not only are Ma & Pa Kent instilling in young Clark these values, they are facing the challenge of being foster parents to a special needs child, one from outer space.

The first issue of Superman—Secret Origin—was one of the best Superman stories, ever. The young Clark is struggling to control his emerging X-Ray & Heat Vision and like all Teens, just wants to fit in and be with his girl friend Lana or play football with his buddy, Pete Rose.

Jonathan and Martha Kent realize that it is time to tell their son the truth and show him the rocket in which he came to Earth. Even though we know what is going to happen—this is a prequel—the story had surprises that make perfect sense. The back story we all take for granted is fun and exciting. Of course that is how he learned to fly!

The art is by Gary Frank, and while I read a few select DC titles, I don’t follow the artists like some, but his work here is so good I think maybe I should start. You don’t get the exaggerated spandex clad bodies—immense cleavage on the gals, muscles with muscles on the guys. Instead you get honest adolescent bodies—young Clark has the cheek bones of Christopher Reeves. Ma & Pa Kent are adults in their early 50s, and look it. The illustrations have a natural realism about them. Refreshingly plain when it comes to the figures, the backgrounds and settings invoke the small town America of that is the Smallville of the Myth without Norman Rockwell pretensions. These are people you like, people you know. The illustration have a soft and golden glow that reflects the collective idealized innocence of an American childhood.

This comic book is above the fray and I suspect it will be well selling “graphic novel,” when it is completed. Superman will always have meaning for Americans. He is one of our most important modern myths—perhaps the most relevant and provocative myth that has come out of comic books that we have. The other Superman titles, DC is making them filled with pulp action and science fiction concepts. I love them. But Secret Origin is filled with myth. Comic Books at their best.