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All Star Superman, Vol. 2 |  | Author: Grant Morrison
Creator: Frank Quitely
Publisher: DC Comics
Category: Book
List Price: $12.99
Buy New: $6.94
as of 7/30/2010 06:12 CDT details
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Seller: BRILANTI BOOKS
Rating:  21 reviews
Sales Rank: 14020
Media: Paperback
Pages: 160
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 10.1 x 6.5 x 0.5
ISBN: 1401218601
Dewey Decimal Number: 741.5973
EAN: 9781401218607
ASIN: 1401218601
Publication Date: February 16, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In this follow-up to the hit ALL STAR SUPERMAN VOL. 1, the Man of Steel goes toe-to-toe with Bizarro, his oddball twin, and the new character Zibarro, also from the Bizarro planet. And Superman faces the final revenge of Lex Luthor -- his own death!
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 21
 The Last Superman Story You May Ever Want To Read February 17, 2009
Greg Rivera (Miami, Florida, US)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, taken as a whole in its twelve-part entirety, is quite possibly the finest Superman story ever produced. I don't make this statement lightly, as up until now that honor was held by Superman For All Seasons by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, which would make an excellent pre-read before diving into All-Star Superman. But whereas Superman For All Seasons was an intimate character study as seen from four different points of view which served to define the man of steel's identity, and established his purpose for being who he is, All-Star Superman sees that purpose fulfilled in a work that is the most loving and respectful tribute ever created about the greatest and most enduring superhero icon of all time.
Freed from the constraints of the monthly book's regular continuity, Morrison and Quitely have crafted a simply-told tale with complex-yet-never-complicated story elements which work simultaneously on different levels: science-fiction, fantasy, mythological and super-heroic, which we learn is less about Superman's great powers and physical invulnerability than it is about his unwavering belief in humanity's inherent goodness, and how far he is willing to go for his adopted world, even unto his final breath and beat of heart. As I neared the end, I had tears in my eyes, for the emotion and sheer focus that has been poured into this story is palapable, unsparing and clear, unapologetically tugging at our heartstrings without descending into over-sentimentality. Thank you, Misters Morrison and Quitely. Mark Waid caps the introduction to Book 2 stating that he "...Really Has Read Every Superman Story and Never One Better." I agree, unreservedly.
If you ever get to read just one Superman book (and that would be be a sad choice, as there are some other great ones out there, such as the aforementioned Superman For All Seasons, as well as Superman Birthright by Mark Waid and Leinil Yu) make it this one. I have only two minor complaints:
1) DC needs to release the entire twelve-issue story in one volume, maybe an Absolute edition, but preferably a more affordable deluxe edition hardcover or trade paperback, and
2) This story is so good, and so bittersweetly satisfying, I may never want to read another Superman story again.
Concluding what is single-handedly the best Superman story ever told February 18, 2009
N. Durham (Philadelphia, PA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Regardless of what you may think of his work on Final Crisis and Batman R.I.P., there's no denying that Grant Morrison (New X-Men, JLA, Animal Man, Doom Patrol, The Invisibles, The Filth, WE3, and much more) has weaved pure magic with All-Star Superman. Collecting the final six issues of Morrison and artist Frank Quitely's universally acclaimed series, we witness what may be Superman's final moments as he finds his powers fading and his life winding down, but all that doesn't mean too much as all sorts of chaos unfolds around Superman and his supporting cast, especially Lex Luthor, who may be on death-row, but a little thing like that naturally doesn't curtail more fiendish plans. A highlight of this volume finds Superman trapped in an uber-Bizarro world that must be read to be believed, and the book concludes with a showdown that is both startlingly poetic as well as poignant; something which All-Star Superman has been from its first issue onward. Morrison's New X-Men and WE3 collaborator Frank Quitely provides more spectacular artwork that manages to be both subtle and dynamic in scope, presenting a rendering of the DC icon that is a sight to behold. All in all, believe the hype when it comes to All-Star Superman. Grant Morrison has crafted a modern-day classic that captures the spirit and sense of wonder that is supposed to accompany the character, and regardless of whether you are a Superman reader or not, All-Star Superman is something that wholeheartedly deserves every bit of your attention.
A splendid ending. February 20, 2009
J. Park (Los Angeles)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
All-Star Superman is one of the stronger superhero comics I've read in a while, and the second half does not disappoint. Quitely's art is elegant and Morrison is in top form.
May be the Best Take on Superman Ever March 3, 2009
E. David Swan (South Euclid, Ohio USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This has been quite a month for Grant Morrison with two major compilations being released including this one a Batman R.I.P. These two collections could scarcely be more different and it shows the range that Morrison is capable of. R.I.P. is dark and psychologically intense while All-Star Superman has a very light, dreamlike quality. The tone may be more a result of the art of Frank Quitely who deserves just as much credit for the success of All-Star Superman as Grant Morrison. Quitely is a very meticulous artist and I have to give him credit for something many comic artists scrimp out on which is backgrounds, they are frequently spectacular.
The whimsical feel of All-Star Superman is likely a result of Frank Quitely's work because the story is actually quite grim. Superman is dying thanks to the efforts of Lex Luthor and since this is non-canonized story it's quite possible that Superman will indeed die. He has decided to use his remaining days and hours to complete 12 heroic tasks as predicted in the previous compilation. Unfortunately he finds himself trapped in the Bizarro `underverse' right at the beginning of the book. So what is an `underverse'? It's never really explained but that only adds to the fantasy feel of the story (actually I went back and read the first book and it does kind of explain the 'underverse'). The Bizarro planet isn't just a planet it is a gigantic living entity and the Bizarro's are merely extensions of the collective. After harming the planet it retreats into a hole in the fabric of space but as it sinks away the light rays reaching the surface shift from yellow to red robbing Superman of his powers. This is the kind of creativity that sets great writers apart from the rest.
It seems like exceptional writers like to pay more attention to the Fortress of Solitude than other writers. The two seminal Superman stories by Alan Moore, `Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow' and `For the Man Who Has Everything', both take place in the Fortress of Solitude. It is here that the Man of Steel is able to be his true self, Kal-El, the last son of Krypton, a scholar, a researcher, a collector of rarities from around the Universe. This is the most interesting of the three facets of Superman and the least used. Morrison plays a lot more service to Kal-El and his alone time as he performs daily chores like releasing a young sun eater who has outgrown the Fortress or creating a miniature universe to find out what the world would have been like had there been no Superman.
All-Star Superman is a rare treat combining a pair of great talents at the top of their game. Each comic took two months to produce and the extra time shows in the results that include a pile of well deserved industry awards. So does Superman actually die? I won't spoil it but I will say that Morrison doesn't disappoint. Unless you just don't like comic books this is one you don't want to pass up.
BTW: If you love the pairing of Morrison and Quitely let me suggest JLA Earth 2. It's an excellent book.
"All Star" Indeed April 9, 2009
Jazzy J (Brooklyn, NY)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm a long time Grant Morrison fan (Arkham Asylum, Batman: Gothic, his revival of the JLA, and his brilliant run on the New X-Men jump to mind first), and what he truly does as well, and often better, than anyone else is put a new spin on classic characters.
For instance, his idea of a way for Lex Luthor to kill Superman is so simple and yet so elegant you can't help but wonder how nobody thought of this before. His "Zibarro" is a tragic character of Shakespearean proportions. He is a "creator" in the comics field of the highest order, not simply killing off a character here or there, but often substantially adding to the mythos of the characters he writes for.
Frank Quitely's art is also a treat, also seemingly simple yet elegant. His art enhances the story telling without distracting from it, which is saying something given the many over-stylized comic artists out there, past and present.
You won't often find a book on Amazon with consistent 5 Star ratings, but this series is absolutely one of them. For more Morrison & Quitely, check out those New X-Men collections (unfortunately Quitely doesn't draw every single one, but Morrison is still great, as is Quitely when he's the artist), and "Earth 2", another one with Superman and the JLA, vs. the CSA on Earth 1 (as the other Lex calls his anti-matter planet).
Showing reviews 1-5 of 21
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