Written by Kurt Busiek and Art by Stuart Immonen & Todd Klein
SUMMARY:
Released in 2016, this 224-page hardcover edition reprints the 2004 four-issue DC Comics mini-series imagining a ‘realistic’ Superman.
Inspired by Earth-Prime’s Superboy of the mid-1980’s, author Kurt Busiek conjures up an ordinary Earth where the Man of Steel exists only in comic books … or does he? A young, reclusive Clark Kent (who is predictably embarrassed by his famous name) grows up in rural Kansas. And it just so happens that this Clark, ironically, even resembles his comic book counterpart. One day, Clark discovers that he, too, mysteriously has Superman-like powers. In subsequent years, an angel-like urban legend performs miracles away from the media spotlight. In New York City, young freelance writer Clark meets a woman named Lois, who forever changes his life. Just suppose, if you will … this Clark’s life poignantly unfolds before readers’ eyes.
Note: Eerily, the adult Clark resembles Brandon Routh of 2006’s Superman Returns. In a few instances, Clark vaguely resembles Jason Bateman. As for this Lois, it’s easy to visualize Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
REVIEW:
Demonstrating perfect timing, Kurt Busiek opted to reboot DC’s Earth-Prime, as the Smallville TV series was steadily climbing in popularity. Peripherally, Secret Identity resembles Smallville, but Busiek diverges on some key points. Even extracting the super-villains; Metropolis, “The Daily Planet,” and other franchise elements, Busiek portrays an everyday reality where this Superman is challenged. That is — natural disasters, secret governmental conspiracies, and daily threats to Clark’s secret forces him to pursue greater lengths to protect his family. Busiek and the stellar art team periodically insert Golden Age and Silver Age images of Superman to cleverly parallel this Clark’s evolution.
By pacing Clark’s life in real time, it’s one of many laudable choices the creative team makes for this project. Another is making their Lois not a feisty journalist, but instead a charming Indian-born environmental designer. Her simmering annoyance at meeting yet another ‘Clark’ (courtesy of pranking friends) is spot-on. Secret Identity’s Lois Chaudhari quickly becomes a welcome addition to this storyline. Case in point: an amusingly subtle hint-hint later on involves a ‘Superman Family’ birthday card … the fact that Lois must spell out to her befuddled husband its real meaning is one of the book’s wonderful moments.
Busiek’s thoughtful dialogue conveys that he carefully sculpted his characters’ personalities and motivations. There is a tense sequence, for instance, between Superman and Malloy (his X Files-like government handler) that foreshadows the 2013 Man of Steel where U.S. federal agents fear Henry Cavill’s Superman as a legitimate threat. The concept speaks to how might the world really view Superman: is he is Earth’s self-appointed guardian angel, or is he really the equivalent of a ticking nuclear bomb? Busiek’s alternative explanation for Superman’s powers is ingenious — suffice to say, this Superman doesn’t come from far-off Krypton.
As for deeming this hardcover a deluxe edition, that notion is doubtful. The production quality is admirable, but, in this instance, “deluxe” is an industry euphemism for an over-priced reprint. Even so, Secret Identity is for mature readers, as there’s a few kid-unfriendly scenes. Fans will appreciate that Busiek’s atmospheric scripting far surpasses an average Superman comic. Enhanced by Todd Klein’s lettering, Stuart Immonen’s subdued, painting-like artwork even transforms Busiek’s tale into a top-caliber DC Elseworlds (without labeling it as one). Secret Identity is a Superman for grown-ups, who don’t necessarily have to be super-hero fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Replicas of the covers are included. Busiek’s insightful three-page afterword entitled “Secret Origins” is superb. The final page has biographical synopses on Busiek, Immonen, and Klein.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
