Graphic Novel of the Week for July 13: Superman: Kryptonite

First, a confession--I haven't read Superman: Kryptonite yet.  It's proven too popular for me to get my hands on a library copy (and I hope some of the readers are Word Out! members who can give more insight into this particular story than I can!).

I have, however, read a LOT of other Superman comics in my time, and I'll read Superman: Kryptonite when my turn in the holds list comes up, the Amazon reviews make me very eager!

So I declare this a general thread about Superman and give you my reasons Superman is great:

1. Superman is an immigrant: He's not just from another country, he's from another planet entirely, but he's earth's greatest hero.  I think a lot of people can relate to this!  Articles like this one from the Times of India are quite common in discussing Superman's appeal as an immigrant symbol.  When I was in university, one of my professors did several lectures on Superman as an immigrant story (she really liked Superman too).
2. Superman struggles to find out who he is:  Everyone can relate to this, but I think teenagers especially understand Superman's dilemma.  Is he the Man of Steel, or Mild-Mannered Clark Kent?  Many Superman stories deal with this issue of Superman's divided self.  My favourite is Alan Moore's Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?  It's a bit old, but still a great story.
3. Superman is faster than a speeding bullet: That is very fast and should be respected.

I have many more reasons why Superman is great, but I'd be interested to hear some of yours (or maybe you prefer Batman).  And if you've actually been able to get a copy of Superman: Kryptonite, how was it? (don't give too many spoilers, I haven't read it yet!)

Alan H. is a mild-mannered web librarian.  His secret identity is unknown.

Comments

[Cindu]

i like superman too, but like you i find it hard to get in a library because of how many holds it has. However, i like the other superheroes from Marvel comics like Spiderman, Ironman, and the Green Lantern. I also like the teen titans though i am not sure whether they are part of the marvel group or not.

[Sarah]

I am a huge Superman fan and collect the comic books! I have yet to read this one though. I would love to read more reviews about it.

[Abdi]

What i love about the superman series is that the comic kind of realtes to peoples lives.Clark kent has a struggle between his life of keep his secret indentiy a from theworld and his love ones. But what is intersting about this book is that superman has actually found his weakness. Ibelive this book could have done more on extendeding the oral dialouge in the book all in all i give this book a 6 /10

[Sara L.]

I love superman! This should be interesting to read. I watched all the old movies and even the television series, Smallville! I'll try and put a hold on it, thanks for the suggestion!

[ying]

can't wait to read it. looking forward to it. cause it sounds exciting. i love advanture. look superman's back.:P

[Tasfia]

cool... sounds like something my brother would like to read...

[Sibyl]

I don't really read Superman but it seems really interesting. Maybe I'll put it on hold.

[Ally]

Even though I'm not a big fan of comic books or Superman this seems likes an interesting graphic novel. I'm going to give it a try!

[Fei]

I'd like to read this graphic novel very much since SUperman is quite popular among younger kids and I would like to see for myself the interesitng things in this novel by reading this book.

[Fei]

It was interesing how SUperman got to know he's a "Kryptonian" and saw his real parents there. Superman always thinks (in tough situations) that he's going to die since he had not discovered the thign that could hurt or possibly kill him. But I think oneday he;s going to find that thing but survive and emerge as a even bigger hero in the Metropolis. Also, I thin it's wierd how " Bridgewater" says he cannot survive without his companion (who i later found out was Superman) at the beginning becasue i didn't think the mysterious green rock's being was that dependable on his companion.

[Simran]

I don't usually read comics, but I've heard a lot about Superman. I want to try to read all different types of reading material there is such as comics, zines, classics, auto/biographies, etc.-stuff I usually wouldn't read. After all, that's why I joined the book club - to bring variety to my reading!

[Simran]

Is Superman the Indian version of a superhero?

[Lynn]

Eh...I don't like graphic novels like these. Anime is okay :)

[S.Sivanesan]

grapic novels are okay not much of an anime fan

[kiu]

Superman! Superman! Love graphic novels!

[ria]

i'm not a really big fan of comic books but it sounds pretty good. i'll give it a try!

[ria]

i read it! was good , actually it was okay , i didn't really like it

[ria]

i'm more of an anime manga fan, not superman

[Patricia]

not really a big fan of superman but I'm going to read it
never hurt to try :)

[Ruby]

Superman all the way! I love graphic novels and I have a huge comic collection.

[Ruby]

Superman all the way! I love graphic novels and I have a huge comic collection.

[Ruby]

oh yeah, i'm a huge fan of Garfield comics, and superman..so what are some other good books.

[Ellen]

I personally love Archie Comics.

[Linda]

Awesome!i prefer anime over superman, but i like graphic novels in general. there's not many holds on it either

[Devi]

Hmmm....sounds like something my cousin would like to read