Bibliographic Information

Morrison, G. (2007). All star superman. New York, NY: DC Comics.

ISBN: 1401232051

 

Plot Summary

All Star Superman by Grant Morrison is the re-telling of a classic comic book character. Readers are immediately introduced to Superman’s origins. Superman, Clark Kent, was sent to earth as the last of his kind. After landing on earth, he was discovered by a small town couple and raised as their son. After this quick introduction the storyline time jumps to present day, were Lex Luther is trying to blow up a spaceship. Luther has created a genetically modified creature that is both a human and a bomb in order to destroy the spaceship. Superman is able to save the spaceship just as the human bomb explodes. He absorbs the energy from the blast, which introduces him to high levels of stellar radiation. Superman learns that because of the stellar radiation he is now slowly dying and that Lex Luther used the spaceship as a trap to kill him. Knowing that he is dying, he is confronted with the reality that he is not invincible. In preparation for his impending death, he decides to complete 12 labors for earth. As he completes these labors he ties up loose strings on Earth with his friends, family and even villains.

 

Critical Evaluation

I loved the artwork in this graphic novel and how expressive the characters were. Each page was filled with traditional comic book panels and bright colored art. The spaces (gutters) between panels were blank and required readers to fill in the missing story. Even though this was the re-telling of a classic story, the clean and crisp artwork made it feel new and modern. There was a rhythm to the panels, as Morrison alternated between images of disaster and images of hope. Disaster images were darker, while images of hope were bright and airy. This rhythm gave a sense of finality with each panel moving the story closer to Superman’s unavoidable death. As I kept reading, I began to think about the responsibility Superman carries and why he is still continuing to help others up until he dies. It didn’t feel real that this larger than life character was going to die. Every action scene was intense and sucked me into the story. Action scenes took up entire pages and were filled with colorful images that exploded from the pages.  I think Morrison used visual elements to make this larger than life character have a level of depth not usually found in superhero comic books. Why the character was still larger than life in the fight scenes, there were moments were readers could see the detail in Superman’s face. These small details provided visual cues about what Superman was thinking or feeling. Sometimes I felt like he was contemplating life or his own morality based off his expression and body posture as he stared off into the unknown.

 

Reader’s Annotation

Superman is dying and there is no cure for what ails him. With limited time left on earth he must say goodbye to loved ones and complete 12 tasks before his time is up.  

 

Author Information

The following information was taken from the author’s website, http://www.grant-morrison.com.

 

"Grant Morrison is highly regarded as one of the most original and inventive writers to work in the comic book industry. He is recognised as being one of the best-selling writers in the medium in the last 20 years. 

His revisionist Batman book ARKHAM ASYLUM (with artist Dave McKean) has sold over 600,000 copies worldwide and won numerous awards, making it the most successful original graphic novel to be published in America. In 2009, Eidos released the best-selling video game BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM inspired by the book.  Morrison is renowned for his ability to revive and re-imagine established characters, and has been orchestral behind runs of popular stories for the major companies including DC Comics characters; BATMAN, SUPERMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, DOOM PATROL, ANIMAL MAN and for Marvel Comics the best-selling monthly, NEW X-MEN, MARVEL BOY and FANTASTIC FOUR.  In addition to his work with established brands he has created a number of revolutionary original series including We3, THE INVISIBLES, THE FILTH, FLEX MENTALLO, ZENITH, SEBASTIAN O, MARVEL BOY, and the cult classics KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND, THE MYSTERY PLAY, SEAGUY and JOE THE BARBARIAN.

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His Graphic Novels and Comic Book collections have been translated into twenty languages and are sold worldwide to international acclaim. In the last 5 years, his books have won multiple major industry awards, including The Eisner Award for best series three times for ALL STAR SUPERMAN and best limited series SEVEN SOLDIERS. Morrison has also won several Harvey Awards including Best Writer in 2009, a Scream Award, and attained Lifetime Achievement status at the British Eagle Awards. In 2011, he received five awards from Kapow! Stan Lee to Eagle’s including Best Writer at each, and Best Comic for Batman and Robin. In 2008, Grant wrote the two top selling DC Comics titles FINAL CRISIS, and BATMAN. The controversial BATMAN R.I.P. storyline which has revolutionised the character was caught in a worldwide press storm with reports of Grant ‘killing Batman’ in every major newspaper and on TV. In 2013, he completed a seven year run on the BATMAN franchise having created the best-selling BATMAN & ROBIN. In 2009, he brought Bruce Wayne back into comic continuity in the series, BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE, and wrapped up the saga in BATMAN INCORPORATED: LEVIATHAN. In September 2011 as part of the new 52 re-launch at DC Comics, Grant began writing Superman again in the best-selling ACTION COMICS franchise, as the cornerstone book of the line. In 2014, work at DC Comics includes a revisionist take on Wonder Woman for the Earth One Graphic Novel, WONDER WOMAN: THE TRIAL OF DIANA PRINCE. The epic, long-awaited maxi series, MULTIVERSITY, is due for release in June 2014.   

There are also a number of new creator works in production, from the psychedelic Hollywood noir of ANNIHILATOR at Legendary, to the ultimate horror of NAMELESS at Image, via the last chapter of the Seaguy trilogy, SEAGUY: ETERNAL at DC/Vertigo. 

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As part of his remit at DC Comics, Morrison has also acted as a Consultant, developing updated approaches on minor characters and recreating them as springboards for other writers. He has also had award winning and critical success using this revival method for his own maxi-series, SEVEN SOLDIERS in 2006. His take on Superman for ALL-STAR SUPERMAN cements his ability to breathe life into old franchises and his four year story run on Batman has woven a complex and intriguing best-selling tale the likes of which has not been seen in decades.  Never shy of courting controversy, many of Morrison’s titles other than BATMAN, have made headlines. ST.SWITHIN'S DAY - a story about a young man from the North attempting to assassinate Margaret Thatcher - had questions raised in the House of Commons, as did THE INVISIBLES, Morrison's highly-influential six-year long series about a group of occult terrorists (which has been said to have partly inspired the film THE MATRIX). Seen as cutting-edge and subversive, THE INVISIBLES and other series, such as THE NEW ADVENTURES OF HITLER, BIG DAVE and DOOM PATROL, have been the subjects of both academic discussion and popular media interest. In 1997, Grant was the first comic book writer to be included as one of Entertainment Weekly's top 100 creative people in America."

 

Genre

Fictional Graphic Novel, Action & Adventure

 

Curriculum Ties

Could be used for lessons on graphic novels and responsibility.

 

Booktalking Ideas

• What do you think the world will be like without Superman?

• Why do you think Superman decides to still try and help the world before he dies?

• How does the author use images to tell Superman’s story?

 

Reading Level/ Interest Age

Grades 9-12

 

Challenge Issues

Sexual Content, Death

 

Challenge Issue Resources (for usage in a challenge situation)

• Active Listening

• Explanation of why it was chosen for the collection (Rational)

• Awards

• Reader Advisory Reviews (Students, Parents, Educators)

• Positive and Negative Reviews

• National Council of Teachers “Right to Read”

• ALA Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials

• ALA Bill of Rights on Intellectual Freedom

• Library Selection Policy & Library District Reconsideration Form

 

Why I choose it

I choose to read this book because I wanted to include a traditional comic book from the Marvel or DC universe. This book was neat to read, because we all know the story of Superman. It presented readers with a dark take on the usually invincible superhero.