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Smart Pop
The Man from Krypton: A Closer Look at Superman
Leading writers discuss, debate, and celebrate the legend of Superman in this anthology, contending that his legend is a truly American myth. Superman was an immigrant with little more than the clothes on his back and raised by simple farmers, absorbing their humble values. He always chose to do the right thing, fighting for truth, justice, and the American way, and represents America at its best. The in-depth analyses of the comics, films and cartoons are at turns funny, philosophical, insightful, and personal, exploring every aspect of the Superman legend.
229 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2006
About the author
Glenn Yeffeth
16 books6 followersGlenn Yeffeth is CEO and Publisher of BenBella Books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 14, 2021
An fairly easy reading book, with sometimes not-so-easy ideas. From the significance of the origins of Superman's suit - both heart-breaking and hilarious ("Previous Issues" by Lawrence Watt-Evans); to two views of Superman's status as the Nietscheian Ubermensch (which he apparently both is and simultaneously is not - so, more Schrodinger's Cat, than Nietzsche's Superman?) by way of Marxist interpretations of 'Smallville', a Gilgameshian interpretation of the Superman/Clark Kent character(s), a feminist history of Lois Lane ...
So a mixed bag, but most people are likely to find something to enjoy ... unless they don't like 'Superman', and in that case: what are you doing reading it?
So a mixed bag, but most people are likely to find something to enjoy ... unless they don't like 'Superman', and in that case: what are you doing reading it?
July 2, 2023
This is a collection of essays about Superman. They range from intellectual examinations to personal reflections. Though this collection comes to us from before the release of Superman Returns in 2006, a lot of what it says is relèvent to more recent adaptations and explorations as well. The worst essay in my opinion was the one about conspiracy theories. The best one was about Superman as a exemplification of American communal identity.
July 13, 2023
If you love Superman, you'll probably enjoy this book. Though I've never read a Superman comic in my life, I love the movies, Lois & Clark, Smallville, etc. and found the insights, comparisons, and thoughts in these essays very interesting. Yes, there were one or two essays that I skipped over, but that's just going to happen with this type of book (you can't be into/agree with everybody's writing!) If I could give 4.5 stars, I would, and I'm sure I will be reading this again sometime.
September 11, 2020
An anthology of pieces about Superman ranging across a variety of takes--comedic, philosophical, literary, and others. No one is likely to agree with or enjoy all of them, but everyone is likely to find some interesting.
November 14, 2021
Series of essays in Superman ranging from absurd to more serious. Enjoyable read with a few fairly introspective ones.
April 8, 2016
'The Man from Krypton: A Closer Look at Superman' edited by Glenn Yeffeth is a series of essays about Superman. Most of them are pretty good, but the collection is about 10 years old, so there are probably things that could be updated.
Essays include everything from examinations of all the actors who have portrayed Superman as actors and voice actors. There is an examination of closed communities and how those might relate in to Smallville and the show Smallville. There is an essay by Larry Niven about the impossibility of Superman and Lois Lane ever being very intimate. There is an essay wondering why Superman never just stopped Hitler, and giving an excellent explanation of why.
The book was written while Smallville was still on the air. Lois and Clark wasn't too distant. Brandon Routh was about to play him on the big screen (and we all know how that turned out).
It's interesting viewing a long-lived character like this over the lens of time. Superman has changed because he's had to to stay relevant. In the current incarnation of the Man of Steel, he is a dark, brooding character. Some of the essays feel a bit dated and I'd love to see a revised version that includes something about the Henry Cavill version of Superman.
I received a review copy of this ebook from BenBella Books, Smart Pop, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Essays include everything from examinations of all the actors who have portrayed Superman as actors and voice actors. There is an examination of closed communities and how those might relate in to Smallville and the show Smallville. There is an essay by Larry Niven about the impossibility of Superman and Lois Lane ever being very intimate. There is an essay wondering why Superman never just stopped Hitler, and giving an excellent explanation of why.
The book was written while Smallville was still on the air. Lois and Clark wasn't too distant. Brandon Routh was about to play him on the big screen (and we all know how that turned out).
It's interesting viewing a long-lived character like this over the lens of time. Superman has changed because he's had to to stay relevant. In the current incarnation of the Man of Steel, he is a dark, brooding character. Some of the essays feel a bit dated and I'd love to see a revised version that includes something about the Henry Cavill version of Superman.
I received a review copy of this ebook from BenBella Books, Smart Pop, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
October 14, 2014
Do you need just one reason to read or purchase this collection of essays on the subject of Superman? Okay, how about this: "Man Of Steel, Woman Of Kleenex." Larry Niven's highly amusing essay speculating on Superman's sex life is reprinted in this volume.
My major complaint was the order of the essays. Niven's essay should have either been the first essay (after the editor's introduction, of course), or the very last essay in the book (saving the best for last). Instead, editor Glenn Yeffeth chose to stick it somewhere in the first third of the book. But I suppose someone else might consider that only a minor annoyance.
When The Man From Krypton was published, Superman Returns was still in production, and a couple of the essays touch on that movie briefly. "Actor And Superactor" takes a look at all of the actors who had portrayed the Man Of Steel up to that point. (My favorite is probably Dean Cain, followed by Bud Collyer.) And "A Word Of Warning For Brandon Routh" touches upon the so-called "Superman curse" that has befallen a number of actors to play the part. Personally, I thought the thread of logic in this essay was starting to be stretched just a little thin when parallels were drawn to the various US presidents who have died in office.
My major complaint was the order of the essays. Niven's essay should have either been the first essay (after the editor's introduction, of course), or the very last essay in the book (saving the best for last). Instead, editor Glenn Yeffeth chose to stick it somewhere in the first third of the book. But I suppose someone else might consider that only a minor annoyance.
When The Man From Krypton was published, Superman Returns was still in production, and a couple of the essays touch on that movie briefly. "Actor And Superactor" takes a look at all of the actors who had portrayed the Man Of Steel up to that point. (My favorite is probably Dean Cain, followed by Bud Collyer.) And "A Word Of Warning For Brandon Routh" touches upon the so-called "Superman curse" that has befallen a number of actors to play the part. Personally, I thought the thread of logic in this essay was starting to be stretched just a little thin when parallels were drawn to the various US presidents who have died in office.
November 30, 2008
Looking at Superman as a mythological figure and what he means is a subject I love exploring and especially appreciate when it's one that is taken seriously. Some of the essays are inconsistent and seem out of place in comparison to the stronger ones, but the topics those weaker essays explore are still worth reading. They could have just been cleaned up and refined a little bit.
I have a few more of the Smart Pop series on my Amazon wishlist, and I'm curious to see how they explore some of the other hero archetypes in those collections.
I have a few more of the Smart Pop series on my Amazon wishlist, and I'm curious to see how they explore some of the other hero archetypes in those collections.
April 20, 2011
Most of these essays are really half-assed pseudo babble. Too many misinterpretations and comparisons of Nietzsche's Ubermensch (although no one mentions Kant's categorical imperative at all, which I find interesting due to the fact that Superman relies entirely on it in his interpretation of absolute morality) throughout the whole book. The saving grace is the essay "God, Communism and the Web" by Gustav Peebles. That essay in and of itself is worth trudging through this book.
July 4, 2017
If you're like me and you always had nagging questions about the Man of Steel, this one is for you. Good enough that I read the whole damn thing in one day, and it's laugh out loud funny sometimes.
No really, that's it. It's awesome because Superman is awesome and for the incredible depth of insight (and humor) of most of the book. Hence five stars.
No really, that's it. It's awesome because Superman is awesome and for the incredible depth of insight (and humor) of most of the book. Hence five stars.
May 16, 2008
A great, intelligent, broad exploration of the Superman mythos and it impact in both the comic book world and the real world. Has a stunning essay on Christopher Reeves and his offscreen role as "Superman."
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews