Tripwire Reviews Superman ’78

The Spirit Of 78

Tripwire’s contributing writer Laurence Boyce reviews DC’s Superman ’78 out in hardcover now…

Superman ‘78
Writer: Robert Venditti
Artist: Wilfredo Torres
Colours: Jordie Bellaire
Letters: Dave Lanphear
Published by DC Comics

In an era when it’s seemingly possible to do anything on the big screen, it’s easy to forget that there as a time that technological limitations meant that bringing a superhero to the cinema meant a certain amount of deviation from the source material. But with the infamous tag-line of “You’ll believe a man can fly,” 1978’s Superman directed by Richard Donner was something of a sea change in genre cinema. Not only were special effects at a level where it felt like a ‘comic book come to life’ but there was a certain amount of gravitas and realism woven throughout the story that went beyond the campy nonsense which had become something of the norm. Add in the fact that Christopher Reeve was iconic as both the clumsy Clark Kent and the stoic Superman, and it’s a film that still stands more than four decades on.

Robert Venditti’s comic book extension of the world created by Donner all those years ago is partly an exercise in nostalgia but also partly in pure entertainment. Serving as a bridge between Superman II and Superman III, the 6 issue series mixes classic comic book lore with the aesthetic created by the films. With a bunch of references and cameos, fans of the film will find much to like. But even if the film has passed you by, it’s a well done romp that eschews excessive backstory for the relentless forward momentum of a Hollywood blockbuster.

An ordinary day in Metropolis means extraordinary things as the crash landing of a mysterious craft means that Superman has to investigate. He discovers that it’s the work of the super-intelligent Brainiac, who is going round the universe and ‘collecting’ civilisations that are shrunk and placed in a bottle. When he seemingly faces insurmountable odds, Superman finds himself imprisoned by Braniac and soon makes a shocking discovery about his heritage. But as Earth finds itself missing the Man of Steel, a seemingly helpful Lex Luthor creates a situation that will soon put the entire planet at risk.

Wilfredo Torres’ art is pronounced, with strong and defined lines coupled with Jordie Bellaire’s bright colour scheme. It’s brash and bold but it never steps into the realms of the garish, and perhaps brightens up the original film’s more muted colour palette (though the baby blue of the Superman outfit still pops).  Of course, we get to see the faces of Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder as the book presents us the familiar characters as played by them. The likeness of Reeve in particular seems so suited to the comic book format it’s unsurprising that many thought he was born to play the part. Jor-El as portrayed by Marlon Brando also gets a look-in, and probably cost a hell of a lot less than his infamous price tag for his 10 minute appearance in the original film. And if you think Brainiac looks a lot like Yul Brynner (which is actually an inspired bit of ‘fan casting’) then you’d be right.

The Easter Eggs peppered throughout (for example a graffito of ‘Otisberg’ appears or a group of very familiar youngsters lament the day they’ve chosen to visit Metropolis) provides lots of fan service but it all errs on the side of fun instead tiresome overindulgence . And if you want a really hit of the old school, readers of the hardback edition would be well advised to take a peek at what lies underneath the dust jacket.

But even as the story is mostly predicated around nostalgia and fun, there is some emotion and introspection. Ideas of loss and survivor’s guilt are dealt with in intriguing ways and the interplay between the likes of Kent, Lane and Perry White (and also Luthor, as the story delves into the grey issues of his morality) are still a joy to behold.

For all in making you believe a man could fly, the Donner films were also about making audiences believe – in cynical times – that heroes could be decent, upstanding and true. In equally cynical times, there’s something wonderfully uncomplicated about Superman ’78.This sounds like damning it with faint praise, but nothing could be further from the truth. A love letter to both a character and the film that originally brought him to life, Superman ’78 is enormous fun from beginning to end

Superman ’78 is available now published by DC Comics