“Weird is better.” Writer Max Landis, artist Nick Dragotta, and colorist Alex Guimaraes take the familiar world of an adolescent Clark Kent and create a heartfelt story with depth and originality in “Superman: American Alien” #1.
Written by Max Landis
Illustrated by Nick DragottaHollywood screenwriter and Eisner Award nominee Max Landis (Chronicle, American Ultra, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN) joins forces with top comics artists including Jock, Francis Manapul and Jae Lee to bring you SUPERMAN: AMERICAN ALIEN, a 7-issue miniseries chronicling the life of Clark Kent and his development into the archetypal hero he will eventually become. But these are not the stories of the iconic “Superman” as you know him, but of the soft-spoken, charming, often-funny Kansas farm-boy behind the Man of Steel. With the tone of each issue ranging from heartwarming and simple, to frighteningly gritty and violent, to sexy, sun-kissed and funny, SUPERMAN: AMERICAN ALIEN is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
In this first issue, superstar artist Nick Dragotta (East of West, Fantastic Four) illustrates the story of Jonathan and Martha Kent as they struggle to deal with their 12-year-old son’s latest quirk—he’s been floating up into the air, sometimes hundreds of feet!
“I’m scared—I just want to be normal.” Although he’s an alien, young Clark Kent feels the same emotions as any human being and perseveres through the same obstacles and insecurities of any kid his age. Landis writes a charming Clark who is simultaneously excited and scared of his abilities. “Superman: American Alien” is a seven issue miniseries that will explore the stages of Clark’s growth before he becomes the full-fledged hero we’re used to seeing flying over Metropolis. Readers are bound to get a lump in their throat during more than one occasion in this first issue. It’s more than just a story about an outcast. It’s also about parents who support and love their child despite of and because of his differences. As Jonathan Kent so movingly says in one scene, “weird is better.”
Simple, yet powerful scenes such as those are what make “Superman: American Alien” #1 more than just a familiar retread of a classic concept. In one scene, the juxtaposition between a classic movie and Clark’s situation is appropriate and surprisingly (according to my knowledge) never been compared before this issue. This drive-in movie scene leads to an emotional outburst that is further explored later on in a conversation between Clark and Jonathan. The words Landis puts in a juvenile Clark’s mouth embody so much of what not only makes Superman who he will be, but is just one part of the thinking of any true hero. Landis, as evidenced in these scenes, is able to take the obvious and perform the difficult task of transforming it into something new and revelatory.
Landis succeeds with “Superman: American Alien” #1 because he emphasizes character. He makes iconic and very familiar characters like Clark, Martha, and Jonathan his own by exploring their thoughts through dialogue, action, and a particularly powerful final two pages. These aren’t perfect people. They are individuals who don’t let obstacles and tragedy get in the way of protecting or loving each other. The positivity that’s expected from a Superman tale is present yet performed on a tableau that bursts with energy and creativity.
Nick Dragotta is just the artist to bring that energy and nuance to yet another childhood exploration of the world’s most famous alien. His presence will only be felt, however, in the first issue of “Superman: American Alien”, while the remaining six issues will feature the art of six other superstar talents such as Francis Manapul, Jonathan Case, and Jock. From the intense motion of flight and freefall to the quiet moments between parents and their son, Dragotta wrings emotions from the characters that are visceral and oftentimes heartbreaking in their execution. He’s particularly adept at depicting Clark and the emotional rollercoaster of this introductory chapter. Dragotta deserves effusive praise for taking Landis’ relatively simple script and using the opportunity to boldly express intense emotions such as fear, euphoria, and confusion in such exhilarating ways.
Alex Guimaraes’ color palette for “Superman: American Alien” #1, of course, contains a lot of red and blue. The different hues of blue of the opening page’s night sky appears painted and the epitome of the possibility contained in a wide open sky. Guimaraes doesn’t intrude on the art with gaudy colors but instead, like Dragotta, simply highlights the emotional symbolism and beats of the story. When more bold colors are called for, such as the fiery orange and red explosion of a dream scene, Guimaraes uses them to highlight the intensity that is obviously caused by such experiences. The final splash page of the issue is chills-inducing not only for the art, but for the iconic colors that evoke a future Superman. Then, as the issues ends, the brilliant complexity of a gorgeous orange yellowish sunset promises possibility and a bright future.
“Superman: American Alien” #1 is overflowing with that sense of possibility in every facet of its execution. The simple yet timeless concepts of hope and perseverance are infused within every page of this comic book. The final two page epilogue by Landis, artist Matthew Clark, and colorist Rob Schwager is not only heartbreaking, but informs the sense of hope in trying times that is on every preceding page. This issue can be read and thoroughly enjoyed as a one-shot story, yet if this issue is a preview of what is to come, then we might be lucky to have another classic Superman epic.
Final Verdict: 8.9 – The first issue of “Superman: American Alien” is an intimate and lump-in-throat-inducing exploration of the birth of comics’ first superhero.
