Comic Book Review: Superman: Secret Identity #1
by R.J. Carter
Published: January 5, 2004
Title |
Creative Team |
Publisher |
Price |
Grade |
Superman: Secret Identity #1 |
Kurt Busiek
Stuart Immonen |
DC |
$5.95 US |
A+ |
For more information: DC Comics link |
|
Have you ever had the urge to read through the city phone book and find out just how many Barry Allens there are out there? Or Bruce Waynes?
Even if you were really drunk and bored?
Okay, just me then, eh? Well, they're real names of real people, so there.
Speaking of which, can you imagine having to grow up with the name Clark Kent? Talk about pressure! That would be a lot to live up to.
Such is the problem facing the protagonist of this KUrt Busiek / Stuart Immonen miniseries. Born on "Earth-Real", our teenage Kansas boy with dark hair and regular features has born the Clark Kent burden as best he can, dealing with high school bullies and well-meaning aunts (who inundate him with Superman memorabilia on Christmas and birthdays.) He's well and truly sick of it.
Until one weekend he discovers he has the powers. All of them. But what should he do with them?
Clark: And the powers didn't go away. All weekend, I flew. I only uprooted one tree, though. It seemed rude. But in school, in case you're wondering--
--yes, X-ray vision does work on the girls' locker room. But I stopped quick. It didn't hurt anyone in the comics, but I didn't know if it'd work that way in the real world.
I had other stuff to think about, anyway. Once I was back, once I was around other people, it started to feel real.
I got a little worried. What did it mean? Where'd the powers come from? Who am I really? What'll happen if other people find out?
It's not long before sightings of the Superboy become public. And needing someone to talk to, Clark looks up the reporter who broke the story of his appearance (not Lois Lane, but Wendy Case.) He keeps his face hidden in darkness, even though she seems like such a nice lady. But can he trust her, or any of the other seekers who suddenly swarm his town, many of them government agents? And when an explosion rocks the annual Halloween festival, can Clark save the lives of his friends and survive the ensuing media exposure?
There are only two artists who could have handled this series and gave it the right look (i.e. not made Clark look like the Superman of the comics.) One of them is Gene Ha. The other is Stuart Immonen. The editors at DC made an excellent choice. The dark shadings, the perspective, is a far cry from the two-dimensional panelized world of superhero comic books.
 Kurt Busiek is on a tear these days, what with his outstanding work on the fan favorite JLA/Avengers storyline. His "Realworlds" take on the Superman legend is an refreshing and original superhero story that Superman and science fiction readers alike will enjoy. Superman: Secret Identity is one of the best non-canon Superman stories since Larry Niven's "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex."
In stores Wednesday, January 14, 2003.
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