The Death of Superman—the third adaptation of this milestone comic book series—modernizes the story for a new generation.
“The Death of Superman” story arc in the early 1990s was a big moment—not just for DC Comics, but the whole comic book industry. One, it was basically about the demise of the first and greatest superhero of all time—a character that’s been a template to most modern-day superheroes. Two, the market speculation of his “death” issue would be one of the prime factors that almost had the industry itself biting the dust.
This was almost three decades ago, and we now know the Big Blue Scout’s fate turned out just fine. Was it ever a question? There was no way DC would kill off its biggest cash cow. Though everyone knew it was a publicity stunt, we all still bought into it. And bought into it we did. With over six million copies sold, it certainly stuffed the coffers of DC. But, as mentioned before, people bought them out of speculation. Flippers thought it was a guaranteed stock—with news reports of parents buying multiple copies in the hopes of selling them one day to pay for their kids’ college tuitions. Yeah, the ’90s were a strange time.
Due to that dilution (a classic case of supply and demand), all copies of Superman #75 (January 1993) aren’t worth very much today. You might be able to get a modest steak dinner if you sell your mint copy, but don’t count on it as a retirement plan. It’s no Action Comics #1. What it’s currently worth isn’t that big of a deal though. It was what the story symbolized. To some fans, It symbolized the comics industry placing profits over storytelling. Because of this break in trust, a lot of true enthusiasts walked away from comics. With an already shrinking customer base (due to the sudden start of the popularity of video games in that decade), a loss of fans was a really bad gut punch.
However, the comics industry did survive and that’s why, today, we’re among a slew of other fan sites specializing in this genre. And because the industry is also flourishing, it’s obvious they would start adapting old storylines into other mediums. And, of course, one of these is “The Death of Superman.”
The latest DC Universe Movie release—The Death of Superman—modernizes the tale of the Man of Steel’s sacrifice to save his adoptive planet and the people he cares so much about. Was it worth another film? Didn’t the previous two adaptations quench this thirst? Well, let’s be honest, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) lacked the shear gravitas of Superman’s death. The DCEU’s Man of Tomorrow had only been in one previous movie, Man of Steel (2013), so the character was bereft of any emotional resonance with moviegoers.
The other one was an animated endeavor from 2007 and titled Superman: Doomsday. It differed drastically from the comic story arc—which had the Ultimate almost killing all of the Justice League before it fought the Last Son of Krypton. Because of those changes, it too was absent of stakes. Plus, Superman: Doomsday combined all three parts of “The Death of Superman” comics narrative into one movie. It was far too much story for an under-two-hour animated film.
In this most recent venture on Blu-ray, The Death of Superman takes a more modern Superman (no red tights) and explores a personal side of him. Clark and Lois are dating, but he’s kept his heroic exploits and his true identity a secret. His internal debate between telling the truth and keeping those close to him from danger are constantly at the forefront.
The Justice League also play into Superman’s emotional arc, as they act as consultants for what he needs to do, especially Wonder Woman. As a character who’s the most in tune with compassion and emotional maturity, the Amazon princess is the perfect relationship counselor for what’s on Superman’s mind.
The latest film also doesn’t shy away from the brutality of Doomsday. In one scene, the monstrous killing machine literally tears apart trained Atlantean soldiers. This scene alone helps to connect its tone to the original story arc.
The Death of Superman is the first of a two-part installment, as the end also teases Reign of the Supermen. Though everyone knows these stories, this new retelling introduces enough new dimensions that it seems fresh. The loss can actually be felt because the writer, famed comic book scribe Peter J. Tomasi, has taken the time to explore the Man of Steel as an actual person.
In addition to the main feature, the Blu-ray also includes a whole slew of special features. The first is a sneak peek at Reign of the Supermen, the sequel and conclusion to this film. The next feature is Death of Superman: The Brawl That Topped Them All—an analysis of the fight between Superman and Doomsday from the comics and the current film. And the final two special features are two bonus episodes from the Legion of Superheroes Season 2.
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The Death of Superman may be the third retelling of the tale, but it’s probably the best one of them all. With true stakes and an exploration of the Man of Steel’s drive, this film is a worthy modernization of the original 1990s storyline. We can say that we’re definitely looking forward to Reign of the Supermen!
The Death of Superman will be available on Digital and on Blu-ray on August 31, 2018.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided us with a free copy of the Blu-ray we reviewed in this blog post. The opinions we share are our own.
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