Superman is probably the most notable hero and best know character of comic folklore. With all his changes from the debut in Action Comics #1 in 1939 he still remains the number one personification of a Super Hero. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap the tallest building in a single bound, he remains the hero for truth, justice, and the American way. While the American way may have changed over the years the expectation of Superman to somehow save the day by doing the right thing has not. He is the hero others are graded by the man with a big heart and powers to match. The All Star Superman comic series by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely is considered by some (and very probably rightly) to be the finest manifestation of the character in years.
I recommend the series to all Superman Fans as a stand alone classic in writing and art. It is what reading comics is all about great story and art panels with outstanding cover art. Pleasant to the eyes and imagination of mind. All that said, I have not seen the new animated version it is due in spring 2011 and have reservations that DC Universe Entertainment can do it right on the animated screen. I like some of what has come out and thought highly of the Superman/Batman movie Armageddon it really had the same quality of story that began in Superman/Batman #8 about Kara the cousin of Superman coming to earth. I think the transition to animation was well done.
During this year’s New York Comic Con, Rick Marshall of mtv.com spoke with “All Star Superman” executive producer Bruce Timm to find out how closely the movie follows the comic, and where the film falls in the veteran producer’s long list of highly praised animated features. “It is a very, very faithful adaptation of the comic,” said Timm. “We try to stay as close to the comic in terms of the story and the dialogue and even the visual style, as close as we could get to it.”
DC’s 12-issue “All Star Superman” was first published in 2005, and follows the Man of Steel as he decides how to spend the remaining days of his life after discovering that a recent Earth-saving encounter has left him dying. The animated movie will feature “Desperate Housewives” actor James Denton as the voice of Superman, “Mad Men” actress Christina Hendricks as Lois Lane, and “Without a Trace” leading man Anthony LaPaglia as Lex Luthor.
“Whether we’re successful in doing a really good adaptation of the comic or not, that will be debated endlessly on the internet, I’m sure,” said Timm. “But I think we did a really good job. It’s actually my favorite of all the DC movies we’ve done so far.”
The teaser for “All-Star Superman” is available on the DVD and Blu-Ray versions of “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse,” now available on shelves. “All-Star Superman” is currently in development, with plans for a Spring 2011 release.