Superman, Last Son of Krypton

Elliot S! Maggin was responsible for a great deal of the 1970's Superman mythos, and one of the creators influential in updating the character and making him the flagship of DC comics. With this novel and the sequel, Miracle Monday, he took the comic book characters and made them seem absolutely real. Maggin's Superman is THE Superman; the interpretation of the character that just feels right. The story is fantastic and the implications world-shattering, which is what should be the case when dealing with such a powerful protagonist. many modern comic book writers say they would not want to write Superman because he's too powerful and they feel like they couldn't come up with anything challenging for him. Well, this book shows that the trick is to write more powerful challenges, menaces that are a match for the Man of Steel. Maggin pulled this off many times in the comics and in both of the novels he wrote. His Lex Luthor is the most likeable and realistic version of the character ever put to print, which is a pretty good trick considering that this is the Lex who wears the 'Superfriends' costume with the jet boots. Lois Lane comes off as brash and independent, without the negative interpretation often seen in live action portrayals. This Lois isn't some spiteful witch or damsel in distress; she's a modern woman with a mind of her own. Superman and Clark Kent, the dichotomy between the two characters is almost palpable, and the reader really gets a sense of the terrible weight of living two lives. As much as I have enjoyed the more recent retellings of the Superman mythos, I have yet to see anything to equal this, even after almost thirty years. This book is fun for all ages, but definitely geared away from the kids. It's a book that should definitely go back into print, and one that anyone who loves Superman should pick up.

If anyone needs to know how to write a comic-book novel, remain faithful to the spirit and mythology of the series and yet take make it solid enough for a text-based medium, this is it. I read this novel as a teenager (to the point where my only paperback copy now is coverless and taped together) and was enthralled by its depictions of Superman and his supporting cast. Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Steve Lombard and *especially* Lex Luthor are painted with good humour and with a three-dimensionality they never truly achieved in the comics. Maggin takes the threads of Superman's history and the DC Universe, binding them together in a coherent narrative that gives us new insights into the psyche of the Man of Steel and his greatest foe. I cannot recommend this enough, and hope that someone brings it back into print one day.

This book and it's companion "Superman: Miracle Monday" provide the most destinctive take on the popular hero in his prime. Released along with the movie, this book was largely ignored by the comics industry, but gobbled up as a bestseller on the stands. It continues to rate as the "perfect" Superman book even years after it is no longer available from the publisher (although, one can only guess as to why a best-seller wouldn't still be available...). I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wish he would write more!

If anyone needs to know how to write a comic-book novel, remain faithful to the spirit and mythology of the series and yet take make it solid enough for a text-based medium, this is it. I read this novel as a teenager (to the point where my only paperback copy now is coverless and taped together) and was enthralled by its depictions of Superman and his supporting cast. Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Steve Lombard and *especially* Lex Luthor are painted with good humour and with a three-dimensionality they never truly achieved in the comics. Maggin takes the threads of Superman's history and the DC Universe, binding them together in a coherent narrative that gives us new insights into the psyche of the Man of Steel and his greatest foe. I cannot recommend this enough, and hope that someone brings it back into print one day.

This is an excellent book. As an enthusiast of the pre-Byrne Superman, I have to compliment Mr. Maggin for overcoming the difficulty of depicting thoughtful and believable challenges faced by an immensely powerful Superman. At the same time, Maggin expands on Superman's appeal as a hero with three-dimensional psychological qualities and a lengthy and often tragic history. Maggin's Superman, with his acute awareness of his alien nature and impact on human life, is refreshingly distinct from the super-human-who-just-happens-to-be-from-another-planet framework of the more recent version. Frankly, it's pure foolishness that Warner Books has taken this title out of print. Fortunately, there is inter-library loan, because this book is definitely worth hunting down. In short, I recommend this book to anyone in search of a strong story centered around an intriguing and intelligent character. Plus, he's Superman. :-) Mike Brokowski