Frank Miller and JRJr Discuss “Superman: Year One”

DC Comics caught up with writer Frank Miller and artist John Romita Jr. to get an insight into their upcoming 3-issue “Superman: Year One” large-format series, how it’s different to other Superman origin stories, and why fans should check it out.

What can you tell us about the story?

FM: This is baby Kal-El’s odyssey from planet Krypton to planet Earth. From a strange little boy to Superman. It’s a hero’s journey wherein a boy discovers his powers and more importantly, his destiny.

JRJr: It’s a different take on the origin and the growing up of Superman. It’s really peeling away the layers of the character, aging from infant to young adult and then finally to adult. The periods of time that we are covering haven’t really been covered before, other than maybe some tiny vignettes, and this really investigates deeply each of these moments in his life. It applies the problems of being an alien in Kansas, amongst regular children, and how he has to deal with it. It’s a deep, deep examination of the growing up of a super-alien living on planet Earth.

Why should fans check this out?

FM: Because we’re bringing our best with very good material and an incredible character.

JRJr: I say this with humility and as a humble, shy person, but this is the best book you’re ever going to read.

Read the entire interview at DCComics.com.

“Superman: Year One #1” by Frank Miller, John Romita Jr., Danny Miki and Alex Sinclair is available in print and digital on June 19, 2019. Pre-order the first issue for Kindle or Apple Books now.

This story details new revelations that reframe the Man of Steel’s most famous milestones – from Kal-El’s frantic exile from Krypton, to Clark Kent’s childhood in Kansas, to his inevitable rise to become the most powerful and inspiring superhero of all time.

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Ultimate_Superman
Ultimate_Superman
May 15, 2019 7:14 pm

Someone needs to ask him as a Superman fan given all your past treatment of the character why should we trust you this time around.

B M
B M
May 16, 2019 7:52 am

Yes, very much this. That is a great question, cause I dont trust him with Superman at all

JasEl
JasEl
May 15, 2019 7:37 pm

Frank Miller has proven, numerous times, that he shouldn’t be allowed in the same room as a someone writing Superman, much less writing and JRjr cannot draw for $#!+.
Besides, we already have Bendis @#$%^& with Superman and his origin, we don’t need anymore thanks.

Superman2878
May 15, 2019 7:58 pm

So it’s another origin……….

How many more times do they need to tell Superman’s origin???

sundevil82
sundevil82
May 15, 2019 8:30 pm

I can’t think of two people less suited for Superman. That being said, I will give them a chance to redeem themselves here for past travesties.

Another origin story doesn’t exactly get me excited either. It’s always the same talking points ‘we’re showing you something you haven’t seen,’. But it usually is something we’ve seen several times.

bhof
bhof
May 15, 2019 10:11 pm

I will say this preview art looks better than what Romita gave us during his stint on the monthly Superman title. Hopefully we’re not just seeing the best pages here.

kal-bert
kal-bert
May 16, 2019 7:05 am

Let’s put it right: the worst possible writer for Superman (in a world where Brian Michael Bendis exists that’s no minor feat) combined with one of the worst artists Superman has suffered. If I ever try to buy it…please someone kill me. End my suffering.

lcmcbain
lcmcbain
May 16, 2019 9:14 am

This is just laughable; on multiple levels.

MattComics
MattComics
May 16, 2019 10:01 am

Hardest pass possible. Miller has done enough damage already.

..and yeah audiences basic good will for seeing Superman’s origin has been completely abused by too much repetition in a very short amount of time.

RAS
RAS
May 16, 2019 2:35 pm

All the no’s in the land of Noville.