Amit Malaviya
If there’s one thing that superhero-related properties are fond of, it’s retelling the origin of a superhero from a new perspective. Though Superman’s origins have been retold a few times in the last decade and a half – including (in various continuities) Superman: Birthright, All-Star Superman (the best take on the origin, really, because of how concise it is), Superman: Secret Origin, Action Comics #5 (2011), Superman: Earth One, and Superman: American Alien – DC Comics is back with a new take on his origin for their Black Label line. Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by John Romita Jr, the new series is purported to tie into Batman: Year One and Miller’s Dark Knight Universe.
Frank Miller, who is excited about this project because it’s been one he’s been waiting to do since he was a very little boy, describes the series as one in which “Superman arrives [and] nothing will ever be the same.”
John Romita Jr, who spoke to DC Comics about the project alongside Frank Miller said that the story will be a very deep examination on Superman’s origin and how he was raised. He went on to say, 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.”
The third new book in DC’s Black Label line, Superman: Year One will release in three large-format periodicals in June, August, and October of this year.
