Appearing at the Boston Comic Con over the weekend, artist John Romita Jr. spoke briefly about the upcoming “Superman: Earth One” graphic novel he’ll be drawing for writer Frank Miller.
“I’ve seen the reactions online about, ‘Oh, my God, here we go, another Superman origin,’ and it’s not really the origin retelling,” Romita said. “It’s after the origin, it’s after he lands, what happens between the time he lands and the time he realizes what he is. And this slight slant on the development of Superman is that he’s really unconscious that he’s an alien ’til his parents tell him that he’s an alien. In the meantime, he just thinks he’s special. And he doesn’t appear in costume until the very end. It’s similar to the Daredevil: Man Without Fear back in the ’90s, and it’s the period of time up until he puts the costume on for the first time.”
JRJr went on to explain that Miller has been thinking about this story for quite some time. “Frank has this twisted imagination about what should happen, and we talked about it, and his eyes glow. He said he’s wanted to do this as long as he can remember, since, when did Batman: Year One come out? Was that 30 years ago? He said he always wanted to complete the cycle and do a Superman: Year One. Well, he finally got the chance to do it, and of course it’s a hundred pages and there’s a million people in it.”
No release date has been set for “Superman: Year One” yet, but we’ll keep you updated on this project as news comes to hand.
So… it’s an origin?
Specifically, it’s SMALLVILLE.
Yeah a Frank Miller Smallville. One where Clark is a sociopath and Lois Lane is a fat, alcoholic hooker and Lana Lang is his psycho ex-girlfriend that stalks Lois and leaves dirty voicemails on Clark’s phone.
Well that sounds like it’s gonna suck an awful lot.
Yep. I will be spending tons of money AVOIDING this one like the plague.
I’ve been reading Superman in some form or another for 40 years. There have been more Superman origin stories in that time than all of the rest of the current Justice League combined… TWICE! Not interested in another imaginary story universe.
TBH, I kinda thought Superman: Year One would be just like Batman: Year One, in that they took place from January-December of his first year. Also, I remember my own what if on my own S:YO where it starts with his debut, and it builds from the mixed to curious reactions onto the trusting approval of the world toward him, with the villains within those moments, ending with Superman’s first anniversary as Metropolis’ and the World’s Superhero. I will give it a chance. Afterall, it’s not out yet. I like reading different takes on his origin, and the fact that… Read more »
I think i’d rather read the take you just described.
Really? Oh thanks, man. I have been getting compliments over my writing, stories and/or ideas, for some time now. Thank you 🙂
Eh, I’m cool with it. Max Landis did a similar thing a year or so ago and, while by far not my favorite take on Superman, it was interesting. I like seeing different creator’s approaches to the character. What I don’t know is if this is supposed to be in-continuity with the current Rebirth/Reborn Superman or if it’s just kind of a ‘take’ that will exist in the aether.
Probably just it’s own thing.
This article had me at “Twisted Imagination” and that kind of scares me!
I don’t mind another origin, what I don’t trust is Frank Miller writing Superman.
Hmmmm… Just announced… and already hate mail… What a world, huh?
Hey, wait a minute, isn’t there already a Year One story (of sorts) called Superman For All Seasons?
Maybe its the same answer with Superman’s origin: there’s more than one.
So awesome! Can’t wait for this!