When it comes to the world of comics, the 1990's has to be the toughest era to grade properly. The Golden Age of comics, from 1930's to early 1950's is the original start of comics and is always upheld as sacred and untouchable because of its early beginnings. Then the Silver-Age comics in the mid-1950's that ushered in many of the classic super-heroes today from both Marvel and DC, with a mix of revolutionary creations to campy upbringings. Then the Bronze-age, which was the early 1970's through mid 1980's, where it took the same formula as the Silver Age, but started showing signs of maturity and social issues. And since mid-1980's, we've been in the Modern-Age of comics. A darker, more realistic, and truly mature reading time that has become a full-fledged era. But the 90's of comics was a different beast from those eras.
The 90's was famous for the comic industry almost collapsing on itself for making thousands and thousands of variant covers to flood the market, a time of massive disportionate bodily figures were drawn, artist were rock stars over the writers, big and crazy stories were the norm, and violence in comics had hit a new high. It was also a crazy and fun time for comic readers, almost like an never ending party, introduction of more independent comic companies, and some current day high-profile people like Jim Lee and Todd McFarlane were just up-and-coming people at the time. This makes it why the 90's is the hardest era to properly judge and grade. Many grown adults now who were just kids at the time thought this was the high life. And yes, I still do love the 90's of comics because I was a 90's kid. But then again, many would say the nostalgic crowd is the only reason for people who liked the 90's. And the critics who hate the 90's for it's bombastic time, can be argued as smug and too high-brow for the 90's. Yes, the 90's in comics is really hard to judge properly. And when it comes down to the 90's debate, the epic-center of both positives and negatives of the era, has to go to The Death and Return of Superman.
If you are one who detests the 90's and wish it never was, this omnibus might not be for you. If you have fond memories of the event that got you into the Man of Steel, then this is the holy grail of Superman history. The time when the world literately stopped and paid attention to. A time then news stations and other nations across the world announced to others that had to see the event for themselves. People that never read a comic had to read this event. And now, finally, after numerous trade paperback reprints again and again, and a fail omnibus attempt 7 years ago, DC finally makes a true commemorate Omnibus of the hated or loved event in comic history.
THE DEATH AND RETURN OF SUPERMAN OMNIBUS collects all of
The Death of Superman
,
World Without a Superman
, and
The Return of Superman
issues except Justice League of America #70. Here is the listing:
MAN OF STEEL #17-26
SUPERMAN #73-82
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #496-505
ACTION COMICS #683-692
JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #69
THE LEGACY OF SUPERMAN #1
GREEN LANTERN # 46
[Since all three trades have complete information and reviews on the subject, I will not go into as much detail. Please click on the links for more information. Sorry if I feel as if I spoil anything with this review for anyone who hasn't read this book, since the obvious title of the book openly informs the readers what happens to Superman.]
So basically, Doomsday, the ultimate killing machine gets free and runs a rampage through Metropolis. The only being who can stop this threat is Superman himself and with every once of his being, dyes defeating Doomsday. Afterword, all of the DC Universe woes of the absence of Superman until four new super-beings come forth and each one proclaims themselves Superman. It all comes to ahead as the Man of Steel himself makes his ever waited return in the very end.
That's it in a nutshell. The "Death of Superman" or "Doomsday!" as it is also called is just a massive epic battle with little to no plot. "World Without a Superman" or "Funeral For a Friend", is all about the fallout from not having Superman in the living world, which is little action but a lot of heart and emotion. And "The Return of Superman", or "Reign of the Supermen!" is a massive story of four different beings claiming to be Superman that is a mystery and suspenseful tale of sort leading up to the conclusion. All three stories together make the entire omnibus a journey to explore for readers that encompasses the many views of Superman from the DC Universe, as well as readers. If you are a superman fan, then this book will be a no-brainer to pickup.
I could list the many flaws for the collection, but click on the individual links for those. Besides, most readers know what they are getting this with Omnibus, and like any long omnibus, the negatives are miniscule to the whole product.
As for this new 2013 edition, it comes with an introduction from Mike Carlin (reprint from the 2006 omnibus). A new cover drawn by Dan Jurgens. The book is sewn/glue binding, so it's not as good as some of DC Omnibi collections, but I feel it is still quite sturdy for its worth. The book opens fine and lays flat from the middle with little problem, while the far ends of the book get a little tight. Almost little to no gutter loss collection. Paper is archive paper, so it is sturdy and doesn't glare. And kudos for DC fixing a great deal of color mistakes from the original issues back in the day, without adding modern day recoloring techniques to preserve the time period. Well done their, DC. Sadly, no real extras added. Just some alternative covers. But overall, considering what is here, the extras are small and insignificant. This new 2013 omnibus is far better then the 2006 version by a long shot.
So there you have it. If you truly are a fan of Superman and want the most famous death in comic history, or just want it because it for nostalgic reasons, You should own this book. The Death and Return of Superman has and probably will forever be debated as either the greatest thing in comics or worst thing in comics, as well as the 90's. But this tome is for the Superman followers who already know what they are getting. And what a perfect time for Easter as well, that Superman rises from the ashes, and hopefully, makes a comeback this summer for the Man of Steel in movie theaters. Be well fans.
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Reviews with images
Superman died!
When this story came out in the 1990s, many critics blasted it. Even to this day, many hard core fans still don't like this story arc. I have never been much of a Superman fan (he is just too powerful), I am a die hard Batman fan. However, I do like this story arc. It is good to see that the all powerful, some even say God like, Superman has vulnerabilities and can die.The good. All in one collection, the entire run from the first appearance of Doomsday to Superman's death, Funeral for a friend, the Reign of Supermen, and finally the Return of Superman. Read together, this run is entertaining and fun. This volume is a hard cover with very sturdy pages. The art is fantastic.The bad. The main criticism of this story arc is the lack of back story for Doomsday. It never address why Doomsday's sole purpose was to destroy. At the beginning, it was implied that he was imprisoned beneath the earth and he smashed his way out. No mention of who or what organization put him there or why.Overall, I do recommend this volume especially for fans of Superman. The hard cover and sturdy pages will last a long time on the shelf for multiple readings.
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... how important a character he truly is definitely a good
Reviewed in Canada on May 29, 2016