Guest Post: John Bryne’s Man Of Steel: The Ultimate Superman

By James Quinn

 Despite what the movies would have you believe, Superman has a lot of great stories in the comics that have not been adapted into film such as Superman: For All Seasons, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, Superman: Red Son, and even All-Star Superman. 

However, as well-regarded as those stories are, many of the good Superman stories are stand-alone graphic novels and one-shots. Many of the best superhero characters have good runs: Frank Miller on Daredevil, Dennis O’Neil on the Question, Mike Grell on Green Arrow, Brian Azzorellow on Wonder Woman and many others. Most of the comic book discourse isn’t on the great Superman runs but merely the most famous story-arcs and changes to the lore. 

For this post, I would like to shine some light on what I would consider one of my favourite runs not only on the big blue boy scout, but for comics overall: John Bryne on Superman. 

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4 Superheroes Who Embody Stoicism

Life’s unpredictability isn’t something we can plan for. It takes us by surprise. It blindsides us. It throws up everything we thought we understood about ourselves and smashes it to pieces, and it’s often in those moments where we come to see our true measure and develop the ability to endure. 

Endurance is at the heart of Stoicism, the philosophy popularised by men like Zeno and Seneca, a philosophy with many practical applications in the modern day, a concept channeled through superheroes who’ve inspired generations of comic fans and readers.

With that said, here are four superheroes that embody the Stoic principles of justice, courage, wisdom and temperance.

Brightburn Review: Subverting The Superman Trope

The story of Superman is one of the most well-known superhero origins to ever be told. An alien baby crash lands on Earth and learns the value of humanity, thanks to the love of his supportive adoptive parents. Despite having the power to destroy the world, Clark Kent uses his abilities to save people and becomes a symbol for hope.

And then a film like Brightburn comes along and asks the question “what if Clark Kent was a psychopath who decided to use his powers to do whatever he wanted?” Inverting the Superman trope into something far more sinister, Brightburn mashes together horror and comics into a film that brings a new dimension to the superhero genre.

5 Quotable Catchphrases From DC Comics

Having a catchphrase is a good way of being remembered, especially if you’re a superhero. A catchphrase can empower a reader and make them think of a specific situation. For some characters, their catchphrase has become as memorable as their costume. Here are five DC superheroes with catchphrases that are an integral part of their history.

4 Superheroes With Mental Health Problems

One of the biggest problems for people in the modern world is struggling with their mental health. Common mental health disorders are PTSD and depression. Although there has been a greater acceptance of mental health issues, many people are reluctant to talk about what they’ve been through for fear of being stigmatised. Comics are a good medium for exploring mental health, and there are many characters who deal with similar issues. Here are four superheroes who have battled with their mental health.

Fictional Places Mapped: The Homes Of Heroes

A hero is often shaped by their surroundings, whether it’s Batman fighting crime in Gotham City, or Superman flying over Metropolis. Many fictional places are iconic, so it’s no surprise that they’ve been based on real life locations. Wouldn’t it be interesting to know where these places could exist in the real world? Vibrant Doors have come up with The Homes of Heroes map that charts the real life locations of places like Gotham City. Here are some of the places that the map covers.

How Red Hood And The Outlaws Makes You Care About Bizarro

When a writer makes you feel for a character, it’s a magical sensation. When a writer makes you connect with a character you never thought you’d feel anything for,  it’s even rarer. This has been the case with Scott Lobdell’s take on Bizarro in his latest run on Red Hood and The Outlaws. Bizarro, the imperfect clone of Superman, was a character I never took seriously. His origin and creation seemed derivative, but Lobdell’s story has changed my mind. Here’s how he’s managed it.

Using The Sentry As A Metaphor For Mental Illness

Some superheroes have a reputation for being flawless, such as Superman. While his popularity speaks for itself, I feel he lacks depth compared to other characters. When a character has flaws, when they mess up and struggle like everyone else, it makes them relatable. It could be argued that Marvel’s equivalent of Superman is The Sentry. There’s a lot of similarities between them. But in my opinion, Sentry is far more compelling. Here is my analysis on what makes Sentry interesting.

Beneath The Pages: Kenneth Rocafort

Beneath The Pages puts the spotlight on people in the comic industry who are responsible for creating amazing stories and art. The artist featured today is Puerto Rican illustrator, Kenneth Rocafort, who’s known for his work on Superman, Red Hood And The Outlaws, Teen Titans and The Ultimates. Rocafort has had a varied career, and his experience makes him one of the best illustrators in the world.

Beneath The Pages: Jim Lee

With this edition of Beneath The Pages, I’m focusing on prolific artist and industry heavyweight, Jim Lee. Known for his work at Marvel and DC, Lee has a hyper realistic style that makes his art pop off the page. I first came across his art while reading Batman: Hush. His splash pages enhanced an incredible story and brought new meaning to the story of The Dark Knight.