ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #6

review by

Mike Nappa

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #6: Funeral in Smallville

by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, with Jamie Grant

(DC Comics)

Reader Appeal: All Ages

Genre: Comic Books / Superhero

The first thing you notice about All-Star Superman #6 is the stunning, painterly quality of the image on the cover. Poignant, sad, and beautiful all at once, it makes you wonder what you'll find inside.

Open the cover of this book and you begin to understand why Frank Quitely makes a good living as a commercial artist. Every panel on every page here simply shines with light and emotion, making you feel like you are reading a story told on canvas instead of pulped out paper. The art alone here is worth the price of this comic.

Fortunately, Grant Morrison knows a thing or two about writing as well, and so one is not short-changed with an "art only" value here. The story goes something like this...

Clark Kent (Superman) is back at home in Smallville, enjoying the simple life (superhero style, of course) out on the farm with Ma and Pa Kent and super dog Krypto. Into this tranquil existence come three mysterious strangers seeking jobs as farmhands to help Pa Kent bring in the harvest. It doesn't take Clark long to figure out that there's something strange about these three fellas, and he sets out to discover what it is. To tell more would reveal too many of the story's secrets, but suffice it to say that Clark isn't the only thing that's "super" on Pa's farm. The bittersweet climax and surprise ending make this little fantasy a treat for young and old readers alike. Sure, there are a few mundane moments in the dialogue (including a few awkward, city-style assumptions about how country folk speak and one or two trite aphorisms that seem a little forced) but overall the plot fits together seamlessly, and is the perfect complement to the story the images tell all by themselves. The fact that it tells a complete story - albeit, within the larger context of something called "Superman's 12 Labors" - lends to the pleasure of reading this one as well. It's nice to see a comic have a clear beginning, middle, and end for once.

In all, All-Star Superman #6 is one of the better comics I've read in the last year or two, so feel free to share it with your kids - and then join me in waiting expectantly for All-Star Superman #7.

FAMILYFANS RATING: A-

AFTER THE STORY

If your family members are interested in this comic, then encourage discussion about it afterward. You can use these questions to get started:

• What was your initial reaction after you finished reading this story? Explain.

• What does this story communicate to you about family? about priorities? about what's really important in life?

• When you boil it all down, what's really important in your life? Explain.

Note: All comics-related graphics in this column are standard publicity/promotional shots and are owned by their respective publisher.