Superman: Miracle Monday

Since the popularity of Kingdom Come, a lot has been made of 'that' version of Superman. His influence is felt throughout Superman comics and on the Smallville TV show on the WB. But even the story's creators, Mark Waid and Alex Ross, acknowledge the debt they owe to Elliot S! Maggin. While Chris Reeve was making us believe a man could fly in the cinemas, Maggin was turning out these masterpieces of writing based on, of all things, comic book characters. In this, the second of his two novels (check out Last Son of Krypton also!) Superman must undergo a truly neverending battle, as C. W. Saturn, Hell's agent on Earth, harries the hero twenty-four seven: upending buildings, causing plagues of frogs, exposing Supes' secret identity, and for a big finish (and this is just a terrifying moment) setting off every nuclear weapon on the planet simultaneously, which, by the way, is handled MUCH better than the anti-nuke issue in Superman 4. Maybe they should have read this thing. Superman must circle the globe over and over again trying to head off the fiend's multiple menaces. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is carrying on in one of the subplots with the style and humor that make Maggin's interpretation of these characters the best ever. This book is a real companion piece to the first, but can be enjoyed alone. People who prefer a little more darkness to their superheroes can also get something from this. Particularly disconcerting is the flashback to when Pa Kent realizes that his adopted son's absolute power could make him a champion of all mankind - or Earth's greatest tyrant. The scene where Jonathan Kent is diggng for the buried fragment of Kryptonite and Superboy comes out of the ground to confront him is chilling to the bone. To those who only see the Pre-Crisis Superman as the child-oriented humerous comics of the 50's and 60's, this book would be a real eye-opener, and maybe broaden a few horizons back to a time when the larger than life affectations of comic book characters were treated thoughtfully and used to tell mature and entertaining stories, rather than today's tendency to lock them away from sight like a mad relative in a period romance. Check this one out.

...and find the only two books (that I know of) that Mr. Maggin wrote in this series. I remember reading them nearly twenty years ago and loved them then.Time has only made me appreciate the writing even more. Not only are the characters drawn with a finer hand than in the movies, but you really get a feel of the heroic dimensions of Superman. The personalities, the history, the sheer scope of what it means to be a superman are all made as realistic as you could imagine.The synopsis has been written about in earlier reviews. I'll just say that of the two, I preferred Miracle Monday somewhat more because of the intergalactic scope. But the first book was great as well.If only there had been more in the series. These books are on my shelf of "oldies but goodies" and I when I'm looking for a great read, Mr. Maggin's books never fail.

An excellent story with excellent characters and excellent action-the Man of Steel confronts an actual demon from Hell! It dosen't get any better (or worse!) than that. This story should have been the base to Superman II, rather than the three Kryptonian criminals!

This book and it's companion "Superman: Last Son of Krypton" provide the most destinctive take on the popular hero in his prime. Released along with the second movie, this book was largely ignored by the comics industry, but gobbled up as a bestseller on the stands. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wish he would write more!

Few readers got to see this book (and its predecessor, "Superman: Last Son of Krypton") when they were released. (See any interview with Elliot S! Maggin for his opinions on why.) But every person I know who has read them remembers them fondly. I treasure my copies, and will loan them only to trusted friends who know how to treat a book. They're that good.The story tells how a minor demon is assigned his biggest task: corrupting the incorruptible Man of Steel. The plot is complicated further by the visit of an historian from the future who knows Superman will fight his greatest battle soon, but doesn't know what it will be. What follows is a classic tale of how a hero is bedeviled and tested and isolated, and how he triumphs. And I'm sorry if you consider that spoiling the ending, but of course he triumphs. He is Superman, after all.Along the way, Maggin explores ideas in far more depth than the comic book format allows. And more, he explores epic themes: good vs. evil, of course -- but also the many faces of temptation, the nature of hatred and friendship, the importance of privacy and identity, the hope of redemption, and how each of us has a place and a role to play in the scheme of the world. Pretty heady stuff for an art form snubbed by "serious" critics. I guess metaphor eludes their lofty sensibilities...Some of the jokes in this book will make more sense if you have read Last "Son of Krypton". So do a used book search for both. But don't expect MY copies in any used book store soon.