Same challenge. You're put in charge of a new Superman book. What would you do CREATIVELY, for this major icon?

One thing I would DEFINITELY do is bring back the love triangle, the way it was originally intended, with Lois too self-obsessed and looking for the wrong things, not realizing the man of her dreams in right in front of her.

I would also expand the Luthor / Superman relationship in this way, where he is actually VERY fond of Clark, even over-protective in a sweet way, yet DESPISES Superman. He would also be more like the Maggin version, where you hope one day he is redeemed and be the world changing great man he could be, yet never gets close. NOT a mass murderer, he is focused mainly on humiliating Superman, and showing his superiority to him.

I would also offer a better explanation for how his ID is secret. I like JB's idea of knowing even considering he HAS a secret ID since he doesn't wear a mask (one of the few things I liked in his Superman). More times where the Planet finds out Superman is somewhere, while Clark is right there.

I am also toying with the idea of only one villain ever being in the Phantom Zone. The most dangerous criminal in Krypton's history, and build up suspense there for the first few years. Really show the danger of an EVIL Superman.

These are just a few of my ideas? Anyone else?

No.

Seconded.

There's already been too much of that going on with Superman.

I would have him become evil due to exposure from synthetic kryptonite given to him by a computer genius who--

Um, never mind.

Superman's one of those guys who I think would have been more intriguing if
he wasn't so ripped and muscular—but still was just as strong. There's no way
he would have ever have been as popular, though. People want to see the
super hero!

It's not like we haven't had more than one version of Superman that worked.

The character is the fucking mousetrap of superheroes. Yet they keep trying to make a better model.

Allen's ideas don't stray too far from the norm, so I endorse them.

Byrne's Superman, to me, is as musclebound as Superman can get without looking too musclebound...



He's built more like Leonidas than like Buff Bagwell.

I know there are some Byrne-haters around here, but "Man of Steel" worked fine for me.

I like the bulky Earth 2 wrestler body type for him and the thinner athletic looking 70s / Reeves version.

Also are the NO comments referring to a revamp at all or some of my ideas? If so please explain.

I would mainly get rid of the stupid love triangle and have Lex know his identity.

I'm undecided about Superboy, but usually I lean towards "no". Byrne's sequence of events is still pretty neat.

No, because DC routinely reboots the characer and his history.
Anything else is merely fan fiction.
And 90% of fan fiction is shit.
Take that however you will.

You might have been off by 9.999999999%

Couldn't disagree more, though I get the hesitation with Superboy. The love triangle theme is classic and as Sex in the City shows, still very relevant.

Couldn't disagree more, though I get the hesitation with Superboy. The love triangle theme is classic and as Sex in the City shows, still very relevant.

Yes, of course. I can think of a better point of reference for Superman than Sex and the City.

My point was not to make Superman like SATC, it was that the theme with women is universal and adds poignancy and depth to the characters.

Yes, love triangles are good.

Love triangles between two are just dumb, and is the first thing I would jettison for Superman.

I think Birthright did a solid job. I have been collecting Secret Origin but haven't read an issue yet (waiting for it all to be out and will read it in one sitting), but I'm hoping that's good too.

Me too. Byrne never claimed to reinvent the wheel and I think his version is pretty true to the character.

Liked Man of Steel at the time and still do. I like it less knowing about the man behind the curtain business, but it holds up.

On the other hand, I'm looking forward to Secret Origin. I love Superman drawn like Christopher Reeve. It's a great way of paying homage to Reeve and almost feels like a continuation of the Reeve films...the first two, that is.

I don't. Clark as a studly football star? Krypton as a cold, emotionless world? Byrne doesn't give any more of a shit about creator intent than anyone else does.