Graphic Novel Review: All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

(reviewed by Josh M.)

With All-Star Superman, writer Grant Morrison takes nearly a hundred years of kooky comic book lore and condenses it into 12 episodic issues of inspired and inspiring magic.

The basic Superman elements remain the same: Alien on Earth. Dauntless do-gooder. Eternal optimist. Lois Lane. Jimmy Olsen. Lex Luther. Etc.

The basic Superman story lines remain the same: Alien invaders. Awkward office romance. Peacekeeping through punching. Lex Luther. Etc.

Yet much like a chef intensifying the flavor of a sauce by boiling it down, Morrison manages to make these tried and true ingredients feel fresher, bolder and richer than they have in years. 

My favorite issue is #5, ‘The Gospel According to Lex Luthor’, which is basically ‘Waiting for Godot’ starring Clark Kent and Lex Luthor, and staged in a supermax prison full of super-powered villains. The dialogue sparkles, the tension mounts, and instead of an onomatopoeic fistfight we get an extended ethical debate. (Albeit one with a few SMACK! CRACK! and POW!s laced throughout.)

If you’ve ever been a fan of Superman — heck, even if you’ve NEVER been a fan of Superman — this is a fun, funny and surprisingly poignant exploration of what makes the character endure.

All-Star Superman is available as an eBook on both OverDrive and Hoopla.

One comment on “Graphic Novel Review: All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely


  1. Laura says:

    Great Review Josh, thanks!

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