Supreme: The Story of the Year
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Supreme: The Story of the Year
by Authors:
Alan Moore , Joe Bennett , Rick Veitch , Alan Ross
Released: 15 November, 2002
ISBN: 0971024952
Paperback
Sales Rank: 31,151
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List price:
$26.95
Our price:
$26.95
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| Book > Supreme: The Story of the Year > Customer Reviews: |
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Average Customer Rating: 
Supreme: The Story of the Year >
Customer Review #1:
 SUPREME! A Super tribute to the 60s superman.
I think it would be rude to ignore that this comic had a whole series of stories before and after Moores run, but I must be rude then. You can walk into this graphic novel with NO knowledge of Supreme before this and enjoy it as much as any fan of silver age superman comics would. But it is more than that. It treats the subject of comics creation with much reverence. I think that Alan Moore may be the most talented archivist writing stories for comics today. There are so many references to the 60s superman that one can only conclude that the writer is in love with the medium he is creating. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT???? Nothing. The genius of these stories is that it is not about just any old superman. It is about comics. Supremes version of Lois Lane wears earrings with Herrimans Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse on either ear. GENIUS! The twisted love affair of the Kat and the Mouse and Offisa Pupp is still considered one of the most complex love triangles in comics history. Alan Moore is not a novice. His other work speaks for itself and if you do not know WATCHMEN, SWAMP THING (20 - 65), MIRACLEMAN, TOM STRONG, THE KILLING JOKE, and PROMETHEA, then I suggest reading those first. Yes, Moore came to Supreme when sales were lagging. Yes, he completely reinvented the character. But he also continued to create one of the finest writers portfolios in all of comics. Any Alan Moore fan would be lacking something without reading this set. Highly recommended.
Supreme: The Story of the Year >
Customer Review #2:
Anything has potential in the correct hands
Supreme was conceived of by Image no-talent and general comics nuisance Rob Liefeld as a violent, egotistical play on Superman. I guess that wouldnt be so bad if the guy could actually craft a story, but it was clear from the beginning that this was just another pointless Image comic with grimaces and violence from start to finish. Enter Alan Moore, comics genius, who could see that there was potential in the character, albeit in the exact opposite direction. Under his guidance, Supreme became an homage to Superman, and can be jokingly referred to as "the greatest run of Superman comics ever". Moore put his imagination into overdrive for this comic. It contains, by far, some of the best comic writing of the late 90s - early 00s. These stories could only be crafted by someone with an intense love for the Golden and Silver Ages of comics, as well as a deep understanding of Superman. Moore begins this run with a "revision" of Supreme, in the style of a DC-Crisis epilogue. From there, he fills in the background of Supreme, step by tantalizing step. You will learn of Supremes 60-odd-year history; his origin; his friends, villains, and loves; the extended Supreme Family; and then the "shocking truth" behind his origin. By the time you finish this collection, you will feel closer to him than to any other comic hero. The writing is complex, but not exclusive, and very insightful. Moore is joined by a team of artists: Joe Bennetts style, definitely influenced by Image, actually seems to be tempered by the top-notch quality of Moores writing, to the point where its almost endearing. Alex Ross provides a great cover and chapter sketches, featuring his version of Supreme that you dont see in the book but wish you would. Future regular series artist Chris Sprouse does one issue. But the crowning achievement in the art department is the work of Rick Veitch. Veitch, known for his masterful Superman tribute THE MAXIMORTAL, as well as art chores on Moores 1963 series, fills in the blanks of Supremes story with masterful recreations of period comics, imitating the dominant art styles and themes of the respective years. There is plenty of Curt Swan-style artwork, "Modern Art Supreme", a Steranko photo collage, EC horror work, and best of all: "Supremelvin", a spot-on parody of the work of Wally Wood and Bill Elder for MAD Mgazine. The neat thing about Veitch being involved with the art for this comic is that Moores tight conclusion calls to mind some of Veitchs writing on The Maximortal. Read both and youll see what I mean. Do not pass up this book.
Supreme: The Story of the Year >
Customer Review #3:
"Up! Up! And over!"
The Writing:
Moores charming, loving rendition of the classic planet-tossing superhero is rightly noted by several other reviewers as aping Superman at his silliest, but its also a fun, funny, compassionate look at the Superman character, and one filled with insight into what makes him tick. Its not a deconstruction, refreshingly, and its not a revamp - its a "prevamp," if you will, a harking back to the times before all the assembly-line serial killers and grim, stalkerish superheroes began to flood the market with angst. There is a warmth here that is decidedly missing in even the best of Moores work, especially between Ethan and Linda (the Clark Kent and Lois Lane characters), and it just feels great to read something like Supreme for the sheer childish joy of it. If you liked Rob Leifelds run on the book, youll probably dislike this a great deal, but that, frankly, is good news. For Rob Leifeld fans, I recommend Grays Anatomy, until you recover.The Artwork:
The art is admittedly sub-par, for the most part; Joe Bennetts renditions of Supreme are still stuck in the early-nineties days of bulked-out powerhouses in clothing that might as well be painted on, and nearly every female character appears to be smuggling canteloupes. The good news is that Rick Veitch manages to save every single issue with his flashback sequences. Veitch deftly imitates nearly every notable comic artist of the silver age - his Harvey Kurtzman (Mad Magazine) spoof is worth the price of the book all by itself, and his Bill Finger and Wayne Boring are dead-on. Youll also get to see, very briefly, some of Chris Sprouses work on the title, which makes the next book all the more enjoyable. Summary:
An excellent book with a few forgivable artistic flaws and a great deal to recommend it. Age-appropriate for nearly everyone and a whole lot of fun. NOTE: This book has gone through a new and better printing since the early reviews that complain about the 600 dpi scan quality of the first. I believe that Checker has an exchange program for those who bought the sub-par printing of the book, as well.
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Supreme: The Story of the Year >
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