i have never cared about superman, but when this book was in a box of books my dad gave me for posting here, i thought i might as well check it out.
this book made me care about krypton. i really liked superman's parents, and i kept wishing that their world would not be destroyed. i don't think i'll ever watch the superman movies, but this glimpse into anderson's perception of krypton was fascinating.
good, quick read with lots of short chapters.
this book made me care about krypton. i really liked superman's parents, and i kept wishing that their world would not be destroyed. i don't think i'll ever watch the superman movies, but this glimpse into anderson's perception of krypton was fascinating.
good, quick read with lots of short chapters.
All Superman fans know the tragic fate of Superman's home world, Krypton. Kevin J. Anderson masterfully reboots the story. He mixes in parts from the comic books, TV and movies...when I say movie I mean the Christopher Reeve version not the one based on the new Man Of Steel movie. The story starts off slow and drags a little until Brainiac makes an appearance. Then the story really takes off. The story tells the rise and fall of a tyrant, the destruction of a planet and the birth of one of the greatest superheroes in comic book history.
Before Superman, there was Smallville...and before Smallville, there was Krypton. While the CW Network has the first precursor covered, Kevin J. Anderson has taken on the task of the second - and has done an excellent job.
Anderson's story follows the father of future Earth dweller Clark Kent (Kryptonian name Kal-El) as he seeks to improve and secure the stability of Krypton and its many cities with his undeniable scientific acumen and clever inventions, most all of which keep getting confiscated and destroyed by the Kryptonian Council and its commissioner, Zod. (Sound familiar, Smallvillians?) But when an friendly alien visitor sends the population into a tizzy - oh, and the city of Kandor gets scooped up and taken away by yet another slightly-more-unwelcome alien visitor - Zod seizes the reigns of power and begins his quest for Kryptonian domination. And while Zod erects statues of himself and basically strokes his ego, Kal-El daddy Jor-El spots an historic meteor that is more likely headed in Krypton's direction, resulting in total chaos and planetary destruction and considerably less time for Zod to brag about his so-called "good intentions".
Confusing? Oh, yeah. But it is equally enthralling, especially when you incorporate the mess of personalities present in the story, like future Zod wife Aethyr and his faithful, silent golem Nam-Ek. The detail is masterful, leaving questions up in the air that the popular television show may consider addressing before series' end. (What was up with Donodon's tentacle beard? And was Zod really that stuck on himself?) It all adds up to an action-packed, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-laser-beams story that'll whet the appetite of any and all sci-fi lovers.
Anderson's story follows the father of future Earth dweller Clark Kent (Kryptonian name Kal-El) as he seeks to improve and secure the stability of Krypton and its many cities with his undeniable scientific acumen and clever inventions, most all of which keep getting confiscated and destroyed by the Kryptonian Council and its commissioner, Zod. (Sound familiar, Smallvillians?) But when an friendly alien visitor sends the population into a tizzy - oh, and the city of Kandor gets scooped up and taken away by yet another slightly-more-unwelcome alien visitor - Zod seizes the reigns of power and begins his quest for Kryptonian domination. And while Zod erects statues of himself and basically strokes his ego, Kal-El daddy Jor-El spots an historic meteor that is more likely headed in Krypton's direction, resulting in total chaos and planetary destruction and considerably less time for Zod to brag about his so-called "good intentions".
Confusing? Oh, yeah. But it is equally enthralling, especially when you incorporate the mess of personalities present in the story, like future Zod wife Aethyr and his faithful, silent golem Nam-Ek. The detail is masterful, leaving questions up in the air that the popular television show may consider addressing before series' end. (What was up with Donodon's tentacle beard? And was Zod really that stuck on himself?) It all adds up to an action-packed, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-laser-beams story that'll whet the appetite of any and all sci-fi lovers.
Not being a real fan of the new (post 60s) Superman tales I found this book enjoyable to read. I haven't read any Superman or spin off from Superman in YEARS and about all I could remember of his origin was his planet exploded and he was sent to earth. Now, with this book there is light shed on the origin story. With the arrival of a couple aliens (one a true explorer with no harm intended and the other Brainiac, who shrinks Kandor and leaves Krypton vulnerable to Zod's rise in power) at different times is all Zod needs to set in motion his tyrannical rule over Krypton using an unsuspecting Jor-El to help him accomplish the take over. Numerous "planet extinction" catastrophes are met head on by Jor-El and his brother Zor-El and avoided except for the final threat that destroys Krypton.
A good fast read with short chapters and good character development. Perfect for a rainy afternoon read.
A good fast read with short chapters and good character development. Perfect for a rainy afternoon read.
