Special thanks to Josh from Panels to Pixels! Please go check out his awesome channel and subscribe if you haven't already. th-cam.com/channels/FZHvUVELqH56dJiMLhD9qg.html
It's a testament to Alan Moore's talent as a writer that he was able to earnestly pay homage to the silver age of comics while also creating a sort of prologue for what is to come afterwards, add layers and layers of meaning to the story and doing it in less than 50 pages! Outstanding.
@Logan Waltz To each their own. I find Moore hit or miss. I like some of his work and I dislike other things he has done. His Supreme and his Tom Strong work is not in his normal deconstruction of the superhero mythology that a lot of his work is about.
@@diddymuck I remember seeing a documentary about Alan Moore and his distaste for adaptations of comic books, his mostly. He described that Watchmen proved that only some stories can be effectively told in comic format. He then went on to describe the scene in Watchmen where Ozymandius poisoned the scientists, and how you could build a scene without destroying the payoff. (I cannot remember where I saw him do this, and he describes it far better than I could ever do) Alan Moore is a artist that tries to evoke emotions with his work, and I don't think any could deny that he achieves that quite successfully... Sadly not always the one he was aiming to portray.
@@Gorypaladin346 I like SA Superman. This version was the most OP version of the character ever drawn and written. It would be mistake to let this version go. Golden Age and Bronze Age couldn't get close to this kind of power. Hate to see him go.
@@ericmadsen9655 they can't really kill him off , they find a way to bring him back. He's forever, but just a made up character to gives everyone a gleem of hope. 😉
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow is classic Moore. It’s simultaneously dark, campy, complex, and yet magically simple. I love Moore’s darker stories but Moore’s incredible respect for the Superman and what he represents makes me wish Moore never became so cynical we could get more stories like Whatever Happened.
The only way that could have happened is if DC gave the Watchmen rights back to Moore right when the first TPB collections sold out. Once free of their clutches, Moore could have let the story be reprinted by another publisher.
It is very interesting how there are several renditions of how Superman's finale should look, with the most notable being this story, Kingdom Come and All-Star. Each version touches on a different angle of the character but all of them share that hopeful and heroic essence that makes the character so great.
I can't decide on weather I prefer this story or all star superman. I like to think of this story as an end for the silver age superman pre-crisis, while all-star superman is the end of clark as superman as a whole.
This was the only comic that ever moved me to tears. The best send off to the first superhero. What took Grant Morrison 12 issues to do.. Alan Moore accomplished in simply two issues.
Curt Swan is the longest and best Superman artist, his art doesn’t work for any other DC character. His art is just exactly what I expect for a Superman comic, I can’t express how much respect I have for him.
I was thinking DC Universe or HBO Max exclusive 6 episode miniseries where each episode is a different iconic, campy yet earnest, Silver Age Superman comic and the final two episodes or final hour long finale, is Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow. Launch (preferably weekly) online streaming tv series to get viewers used to what the appeal of Silver Age Superman was, and why he was so beloved, only to have it all tragically pulled down around him. And hey, with this approach maybe we could get an adaptation of one of those Silver Age Bizarro-Earth stories or that famous comic where Superman adaopts teenaged cub reporter Jimmy Olsen and starts emotionally abusing him in over-the-top way (really _any_ of those Silver Age “Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen” comics would be worth adapting, they just reveled in humiliating Jimmy in strange and often hilarious ways).
Moore threw in everything, even the kitchen sink, and managed to make a story that is not merely coherent, but freakin' awesome. Simply naming the characters who appear in this story would take up a whole comment in and of itself. It is simply incredible and serves as a fitting capstone to the character of the "Silver Age Superman".
These are the Superman stories that really make me love him. I always got told he's lame, he's overpowered, he isn't relatable. But that's all bullshit. Superman despite his amazing abilities and stalwart dedication to his morales and mission is more human than many non super-powered heroes. Just a man, trying to do good and make the world better. He's loved. He's lost. He's triumphed. But despite it all continues to fight. It's so rare you see the hero get to retire. It just shows that when someone truly understands Superman, his stories are second to none.
Well Said! I have to admit, I used to be one of those people back in the day, but in the last 10 years I’ve REALLY come to appreciate and adore the character. Superman is definitely one of my too p 3 superheroes.
"superman is boring and not relatable" *The death and reign of superman* *Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow* *For the man who has everything* *All star superman*
I love Supes as a character in all his forms; yet, I've always felt like Chris Reeve was my live action Superman, and Curt Swan's was my Superman on the page. People talk about guys like Neal Adams being groundbreaking, but for his time, Swan was the man.
Yeah, Swan was “the” Superman artist for me as well, and Adams IS my favorite Batman artist. A lot of the current artists draw these hulked out humans when for me anyway, Christopher Reeve WAS Superman. He had the look, the personality, his CK was pretty spot on..the last two CR films should have been a lot better, but for a lot of people, He was the live action Superman for two decades. Strangely enough, I really like the 1950s George Reeves’ Superman as well. Dean Cain’s 1990s Superman, a little too cheesy at times. The Superboy live action series, while not great, did keep him in the spotlight. Just my two cents.
In his book about the Silver Age, Arlen Schumer lists six great artists from that era. In alphabetical order, they are Adams, Ditko, Infantino, (Gil) Kane, Kirby and Kubert. They transformed the medium by innovating how comic are made. Swan was never much for innovation, but no one surpasses him for good, old-fashioned illustrative storytelling in the tradition of Alex Raymond. He was the standard-bearer for that style of comics art from the sixties right up until the late eighties.
Still a touching, worthy end to this version of the character and his world, all in mere two issues. I especially like him finishing his character development by retiring and settling with Lois. Now, this wouldn't work with the modern guy (maybe semi-retire once his descendants are old enough, while still helping out when needed) but for Pre-Crisis guy, I think it's pretty much perfect. As hilariously psychotic his relationship with Lois was in Silver Age, it was shown that despite his avoidance, he did want to marry her deep down and would be happy if he did. And Bronze Age introduced the idea that he actually overestimates how much people rely on him and how much they are capable of without him and that he desires a normal life, but thinks he can't due to his duty. Him accepting (conveniently, after all his villains are dead) he can is to me far better than him dying heroically or some such. It's rather ironic that this is all significant exposure of Pre-Crisis Superman (I really don't get leaving out Bronze Age like some people do) most people get. While I don't think you really need to, the story does have a lot of little touches you won't notice if you haven't, like Vartox crying over Lana.
Up until the last fifteen years or so it was typical to list the entire period from 1958 to 1985 as the "Silver Age" for DC Comics. The reason was the continuity of the up was the same. (ie it is the same version of the character in both periods) This way the Silver Age began with Barry Allen and ended with his death) . The Bronze Age clearly has its own feel but again its history was an extension of the silver.
Hey it’s Josh! Man, do I love a good Superman video. It must’ve been interesting reading this book during its time. Seeing a character make a distinct turn into a new era in real time. For the lack of a better term. Great video, Matt! It’s good to have you back.
Thanks, my dude! Yeah, it would have been wild to see it all happening. I experienced different reboots in real time, but nothing on the scale of COIE and it’s fallout.
Alan Moore for all the dark and realistic stuff he writes and say, he definitely is a fan of Superman. He sees that Superman needs to be smiles and do right no matter how unpopular it is.
I never actually thought about it until now but I really like how Smallville sorta took this ending and applied to Clark in their show (albeit with some differences) as seen in CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Stuff like this and Supreme is why I don’t buy and never have bought that Alan Moore truly hates superheroes, despite his recent comments. No one with a hatred of the genre could write stories this pure and loving.
I've thought this since it came out. I tried, but I never could get into the stuff that came after, not Superman or any of the rest of standard DC heroes. Crisis killed it for me, whether it's split between silver and bronze or all just the silver age, it was my time.
I'm mostly with you. But, I think there are occasional bright spots over the years. Kelly, Morrison, and Mark Waid each had a fleetingly brilliant moment with the character. But seriously, check out Peter Tomasi's relatively recent run on Superman. Tomasi decided to make him a dad, raising a preteen super-son with Lois. And I can't believe the creatives at DC hadn't thought of this turn for the character decades ago. There's always been a kind of "dadness" in the essence of Superman that was maybe a little dissonant with the perpetual bachelor reporter of the Silver Age. His corny one-liners, practical advice, protective instinct, all slide into a certain harmony with each other as Clark the super-dad. Then Brian Bendis (who I actually usually like pretty well) decided to come in and blow the whole thing up because there were stories he'd been itching to tell his whole life, and getting total control over Superman was part of his signing deal with DC. I've read some of it, it's not... bad? But I really think the magic is over yet again.
thank you. a forgotten chapter in all the lee kirby, starlin, xmen, and other stars in the firmament. those curt swan superman stories are really quite beautiful.
i love this story. I'm glad to own both issues in near mint condition. Not worth much since they printed so many of them, but still i'm proud to own them.
I bought those two issues when they were new; I was 10 years old. Still have them now. Great job on this video highlighting such an important and emotional story.
This, I have always argued was the definitive Superman story. At the time I was reading it I was only aware of the post Crisis John Byrne Superman. I ignorantly dismissed Silver Age Superman as stupid and silly but after reading that I realized just how immersive, imaginative, fully realized a world pre Crisis Superman had. And the characterization of Superman as the best of what humanity should aspire to become. This story establishes Superman as a mythical figure.
This book is the vitality of what Superman is. A nod to its powerful runs in the 70’s and 80’s but shows the vitality and the duality of a hero that is so beloved as Superman. This comic displayed the absolute stoicism and the courage of a Superman that was unable to give up. He was the hero that was always the last line of the world. He could not give an inch or submit to defeat because he was the hope of the world. This comic displays not only that resilience but the absolute power that Clark Kent possessed. Not only as a surprise to his audience Clark’s wildest dreams were always a world of peace where he never had to pursue the burden of the Superman we have come to know and love. He was able to forgo his power and to reserve his power as a man to ensure that villains would not pursue him. His willingness to sacrifice his powers was instrumental in a way to not only end Superman but also finish his abundance of villains. He gave up all of his power to solidify a world that didn’t need Kal-El. Not only was Clark exhausted but he was almost jaded by the world that robbed him of his humanity. He just wished for a world that was not only balanced but for a wild that didn’t need Clark anymore. Through this hardship Clark was able to exist in a world that didn’t need Superman anymore. A truly great tale of the greatest hero that ever lived
Great to see people talking about this, as I grew up in the silver age of comics, and the team of Swanderson (Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson) were the definitive Superman artist for me. Yes, there have been others that I liked, but they were the ones that brought Superman to life for me, all the way to how Christopher Reeve portrayed him on the big screen. Thanks for the great video.
I've actually been reading some old Swan Superman stories this week. One thing that really hit me was how well he captured realistic emotion in his characters. He didn't draw with impact that knocked you over like Neal Adams did because that wasn't his style. What Swan did was to connect the reader to the characters in a personal way. He made them real in ways that they probably didn't deserve to be in some of the more outlandish scripts of the day. Nobody in comics has ever drawn more realistic emotion than Swan.
Thanks, and I think you hit right on why I liked Swans version of Superman, as he made him feel a lot more like a real person behind the cape, and also agree that his faces were some of the best, following on from Wayne Borings style of very fixed poses (like running through the air)
That's awesome. I've been told he was doing private commissions in those years. He would draw ink and color! I would've paid serious $ and never sold such a work from him.
I love this channel. I knew there was something going on with the violence that drives the story almost as if the violence and grittiness of the times invaded the comic book world, announcing a change from imaginary tales to serious and real tales.
Great video. I like how for all the darkness Alan Moore tends to incorporate in his stories, it’s nice how in “Whatever Happened to the Man of the Tomorrow” while he does his dark elements, it’s definitely a much more hopeful story as Superman should be. Sorry if I’m commenting late. I was at Midtown Comics getting my Daredevil trades signed by Brian Michael Bendis himself. So worth the wait. Oh and you were right about Sweet Tooth, it’s amazing.
Such fond memories of the time before I read this story and after. Those were my comic years. I check in on my favorites once in a while, but I don’t recognize them anymore. It’s a whole new DC comics for a whole new generation…which isn’t a bad thing. Thanks for this episode
I like to think this story as the final adventure of Chris Reeve Superman. I know Returns its kinda of the final adventure and thanks to Crisis, we know that he became the Kingdom Come Superman version but i think this comic is the perfect finale. Superman I,II,III and Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow.
Snyder was telling how Superman began, he wasn't a perfect Mary sue like some say or want him to be. He was a real down to earth guy that just happens to be able to do the impossible just like Superman should be. There were no easy answers for him ever, contrast that to the Justice League version who takes out the bad guy who'd been owning everyone up to that point without breaking a sweat. Both are Superman but one just had other people besides Lois and Ma Kent to talk to something Snyder was also working towards.
Was there when this happened, 1986 rocked the comic book world and things were never the same ever again! Crisis changed things moreso than one would like to admit, change had to eventually happen! And yet at the same time this was the first major rebooting DC comics ever did so its massive impact hasn't ever been forgotten to this very day!
MGSBigBoss77 I was there as well..do you remember the outcry over Robin dying, normies lost their sh** because they believed it was Dick Grayson. Crisis is still affecting the DC universe and comics to this day.
Will N Yup this, Dan Didio rebooting thing every 5 years or so is proof enough he doesn't get it. Nor understands the purpose of a reboot and what it means for it to truly work with audiences/comic readers!
MGSBigBoss77 Didio is the one with the anger/hate boner for Titans wasn’t he? I mean, Arsenal is gone, Wally is MIA, Dick is recovering from head trauma..while they’re not Titans now, Tim Drake and Connor Kent are only around for YJ IIRC.
These stories were pure Alan Moore. They touched on most of the characters and the way they were. He brought out that sense of urgency that the silver age brought when the crises were deadly. All brought to an end with the blink of an eye!
This is the Superman l grew up with. The man of tomorrow, maybe not cutting edge. But a man of a different time. His dog Krypto. I dog any kid would want. A coworker, friend who is more clever than she seems. For with love, we always see more than our sense can tell. A young friend, buddy, younger brother. With the true nature, the definition of best friend. And Villian that were not so bad. Whose quarks were negative tp say the least. But still taught the young, a difference between what is right & wrong! Do l miss him. Yes! But he is still alive. For he is a great part, of a young man, from decades ago. And lives inside of my mind.
I've heard it said that aspects of Final Crisis were a Take That! to the supposed deconstructionism of this story. Alan Moore may be the High Wizard God-King-Emperor of Deconstruction, but this story was a love letter, plain and simple.
I read that the when Superman in his silver age origin arrived on Earth, he immediately had his powers. Considering his adult version would go on to showcase unlimited strength, this baby could still probably break planets. Naturally John Kent was afraid of him and had nightmares where he saw Clark taking over Earth (like he would go on to in several major post crisis stories). But they lost that fear when they saw Clark break down in tears at the death of a dog, because he could literally see the life force leave the animal. As campy of an idea as that is, I love it. It perfectly explains why Clark is so dedicated to protecting life, and why he’ll always use his powers for good. He literally sees life in a more personal sense than anyone else. It’s like that one quality is enough to make someone trustworthy with the power to move galaxies and destroy solar systems. And this is just the writers showing you why he’s the greatest hero in comics. Because when push came to shove he lived up to his beliefs and renounced the powers of a god, because he killed someone. Magnificent.
Dear Matt, why don't you do a video on Crisis on Infinite Earths ? Your comic book analysis and essays are the best I've found on the whole Internet Keep up the good work!
'We're only second-stringers, Jimmy, but we'll show 'em...nobody loved him better than us. Nobody!' Man, if that line doesn't get you right here...by the way, any chance of doing a video on 'Superman: Secret Identity' by Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen some day, please?
This is a tangent to your commentary. I was around 11 when I first learned of the Multiverse, and I LOVED it. I don't understand why it was felt that new readers couldn't get it.
Ya know, Matt, I subscribed to your channel recently and I got to say I freaking love it. Your essays on many amazing comics and films are so well detailed and very well said (with my personal favorites being your videos on Alan Moore's Swamp Thing run and Blade Runner). I am so glad you have now covered Alan Moore's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tommorow?". It's gotta be one of my all-time favorite comics from the legendary writer ever! And I couldn't agree more that it really does delve deep into the soul of the Man of Steel!!! :)
Thinking about Curt Swan, just a couple days ago I was trapped in an exchange with two people who wouldn't stop about how Superman couldn't make a good story. Because, because, because... Some of this is because of how iconic Swan was. As far as I'm concerned though, that's one facet of Superman's appeal. And anyone who thinks a good Superman story can't be told is just incredibly wrong.
The superman we actually forgot. His new earth counterpart died, and when a new superman showed up, byrnes version, he retired by taking blue kryptonite. became a car mechanic. japanese superman also retired, had a daughter Ako with lois.
I need you to know that I liked the video because it was a good video, but I SUBSCRIBED because you used Vampires as your end song. The Midnight is my favorite band, and I see you are a man of taste and culture, as well!
Special thanks to Josh from Panels to Pixels! Please go check out his awesome channel and subscribe if you haven't already. th-cam.com/channels/FZHvUVELqH56dJiMLhD9qg.html
Matt Draper so are you going to do a universal monsters series on this Halloween?
I legitimately thought you were actually doing an English impression until later
It's a testament to Alan Moore's talent as a writer that he was able to earnestly pay homage to the silver age of comics while also creating a sort of prologue for what is to come afterwards, add layers and layers of meaning to the story and doing it in less than 50 pages! Outstanding.
His work on Supreme is also an homage to Superman of the Silver Age.
@Logan Waltz To each their own. I find Moore hit or miss. I like some of his work and I dislike other things he has done. His Supreme and his Tom Strong work is not in his normal deconstruction of the superhero mythology that a lot of his work is about.
I loved V for Vendetta and enjoyed his work on Tom Strong. He is notice terrible writer but can be hit and miss.
he still messed up the Spirit movie like a tomato in a blender
@@diddymuck I remember seeing a documentary about Alan Moore and his distaste for adaptations of comic books, his mostly.
He described that Watchmen proved that only some stories can be effectively told in comic format. He then went on to describe the scene in Watchmen where Ozymandius poisoned the scientists, and how you could build a scene without destroying the payoff. (I cannot remember where I saw him do this, and he describes it far better than I could ever do)
Alan Moore is a artist that tries to evoke emotions with his work, and I don't think any could deny that he achieves that quite successfully... Sadly not always the one he was aiming to portray.
“This is an imaginary story, but aren’t they all”. Legendary writing by Mr. Moore.
Reading it in British accent was weirdly funny LOL
@Logan Waltz yeah
@Logan Waltz It may sound pretentious, but it's true.
@Logan Waltz Hard not to be pretentious when you're the best in the world.
@@tygrkhat4087 How does it sound pretentious? I never got that.
He was the man of tomorrow until tomorrow passed him by.
- Kingdom Come
Title: say goodbye to the silver age Superman.
Grant Morrison: NEVEEER!!!
Too be fair all star superman is literally referred as the greatest super man story, so grant Morrison earned the right to hold unto the silver age
@@Gorypaladin346 I like SA Superman. This version was the most OP version of the character ever drawn and written. It would be mistake to let this version go. Golden Age and Bronze Age couldn't get close to this kind of power. Hate to see him go.
@@ericmadsen9655 they can't really kill him off , they find a way to bring him back. He's forever, but just a made up character to gives everyone a gleem of hope. 😉
Eric Madsen WAS the most powerful...now ya got CA Superman and fucking Milkmanman lol.
What did Grant Morrison do?
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow is classic Moore. It’s simultaneously dark, campy, complex, and yet magically simple. I love Moore’s darker stories but Moore’s incredible respect for the Superman and what he represents makes me wish Moore never became so cynical we could get more stories like Whatever Happened.
@Stellvia Heonheim and thats his best trait
have you read Moore's Supreme comics?
J. Kingman no that’s one of the few Moore works I haven’t read
@@nicholaskatsikas4904 Tom Strong might be up your alley.
The only way that could have happened is if DC gave the Watchmen rights back to Moore right when the first TPB collections sold out. Once free of their clutches, Moore could have let the story be reprinted by another publisher.
It is very interesting how there are several renditions of how Superman's finale should look, with the most notable being this story, Kingdom Come and All-Star. Each version touches on a different angle of the character but all of them share that hopeful and heroic essence that makes the character so great.
I can't decide on weather I prefer this story or all star superman. I like to think of this story as an end for the silver age superman pre-crisis, while all-star superman is the end of clark as superman as a whole.
@@ProjektTaku kingdom come is the best
@@jmgonzales7701 that is pretty good, but I slightly prefer this since its more contained to superman.
@@ProjektTaku sure
This was the only comic that ever moved me to tears. The best send off to the first superhero. What took Grant Morrison 12 issues to do.. Alan Moore accomplished in simply two issues.
Which storyline by morrison are you referring to? I need something to read.
@@antondelacruz9362 I think they might mean all star superman
@@Bethynaee ohh thanks.
That photo of Superman going into the gold kryptonite room is just absolutely iconic
One of my all time favourite comics, as told by one of my favourite people!
MY MAN!
Curt Swan is the longest and best Superman artist, his art doesn’t work for any other DC character. His art is just exactly what I expect for a Superman comic, I can’t express how much respect I have for him.
Loved the Curt Swan Superman's wink at the end of the stories, always recognizing the audience being there.
Superman sometimes had this fourth wall breaking aspect to him. In the first movie, he literally smiles at the camera as he flies away.
I remember the first time I read this story as a kid.
I think it might have been the first time I ever cried at a fictional story.
Yes silver age supes is the best
This story should be adapted in to an animated movie.
I was thinking DC Universe or HBO Max exclusive 6 episode miniseries where each episode is a different iconic, campy yet earnest, Silver Age Superman comic and the final two episodes or final hour long finale, is Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow. Launch (preferably weekly) online streaming tv series to get viewers used to what the appeal of Silver Age Superman was, and why he was so beloved, only to have it all tragically pulled down around him. And hey, with this approach maybe we could get an adaptation of one of those Silver Age Bizarro-Earth stories or that famous comic where Superman adaopts teenaged cub reporter Jimmy Olsen and starts emotionally abusing him in over-the-top way (really _any_ of those Silver Age “Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen” comics would be worth adapting, they just reveled in humiliating Jimmy in strange and often hilarious ways).
And the animation should resemble the Superfriends era.
@@VickStarkiller No. It needs to be a little more fluid than that.
Carlos Alazraqui would be an incredible Mr. Mxyzptlk voice actor.
@@Popcultureguy3000 and the animation would look like in the superman 75 anniversary short.
Moore threw in everything, even the kitchen sink, and managed to make a story that is not merely coherent, but freakin' awesome. Simply naming the characters who appear in this story would take up a whole comment in and of itself. It is simply incredible and serves as a fitting capstone to the character of the "Silver Age Superman".
I remember buying both of these at my local shop. They are prizes of my collection. Deeply-felt stories that I adore!
Thank you for your review!
Very cool David ✔️
These are the Superman stories that really make me love him. I always got told he's lame, he's overpowered, he isn't relatable. But that's all bullshit. Superman despite his amazing abilities and stalwart dedication to his morales and mission is more human than many non super-powered heroes. Just a man, trying to do good and make the world better. He's loved. He's lost. He's triumphed. But despite it all continues to fight. It's so rare you see the hero get to retire. It just shows that when someone truly understands Superman, his stories are second to none.
Well Said! I have to admit, I used to be one of those people back in the day, but in the last 10 years I’ve REALLY come to appreciate and adore the character. Superman is definitely one of my too p 3 superheroes.
Unfortunately, it seems that movie directors often don't
@christopher rivera It is very boring and too powerful, normal that nobody likes it
"superman is boring and not relatable"
*The death and reign of superman*
*Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow*
*For the man who has everything*
*All star superman*
I love Supes as a character in all his forms; yet, I've always felt like Chris Reeve was my live action Superman, and Curt Swan's was my Superman on the page. People talk about guys like Neal Adams being groundbreaking, but for his time, Swan was the man.
Yeah, Swan was “the” Superman artist for me as well, and Adams IS my favorite Batman artist. A lot of the current artists draw these hulked out humans when for me anyway, Christopher Reeve WAS Superman. He had the look, the personality, his CK was pretty spot on..the last two CR films should have been a lot better, but for a lot of people, He was the live action Superman for two decades.
Strangely enough, I really like the 1950s George Reeves’ Superman as well. Dean Cain’s 1990s Superman, a little too cheesy at times.
The Superboy live action series, while not great, did keep him in the spotlight.
Just my two cents.
In his book about the Silver Age, Arlen Schumer lists six great artists from that era. In alphabetical order, they are Adams, Ditko, Infantino, (Gil) Kane, Kirby and Kubert. They transformed the medium by innovating how comic are made. Swan was never much for innovation, but no one surpasses him for good, old-fashioned illustrative storytelling in the tradition of Alex Raymond. He was the standard-bearer for that style of comics art from the sixties right up until the late eighties.
Still a touching, worthy end to this version of the character and his world, all in mere two issues. I especially like him finishing his character development by retiring and settling with Lois. Now, this wouldn't work with the modern guy (maybe semi-retire once his descendants are old enough, while still helping out when needed) but for Pre-Crisis guy, I think it's pretty much perfect. As hilariously psychotic his relationship with Lois was in Silver Age, it was shown that despite his avoidance, he did want to marry her deep down and would be happy if he did. And Bronze Age introduced the idea that he actually overestimates how much people rely on him and how much they are capable of without him and that he desires a normal life, but thinks he can't due to his duty. Him accepting (conveniently, after all his villains are dead) he can is to me far better than him dying heroically or some such.
It's rather ironic that this is all significant exposure of Pre-Crisis Superman (I really don't get leaving out Bronze Age like some people do) most people get. While I don't think you really need to, the story does have a lot of little touches you won't notice if you haven't, like Vartox crying over Lana.
Up until the last fifteen years or so it was typical to list the entire period from 1958 to 1985 as the "Silver Age" for DC Comics. The reason was the continuity of the up was the same. (ie it is the same version of the character in both periods) This way the Silver Age began with Barry Allen and ended with his death) . The Bronze Age clearly has its own feel but again its history was an extension of the silver.
@@jp1701A I know, but it's still weird to me. Like, in Silver Age, Aquaman literally named his son Aquababy. In Bronze Age, Aquababy got murdered.
Hey it’s Josh! Man, do I love a good Superman video. It must’ve been interesting reading this book during its time. Seeing a character make a distinct turn into a new era in real time. For the lack of a better term. Great video, Matt! It’s good to have you back.
Thanks, my dude! Yeah, it would have been wild to see it all happening. I experienced different reboots in real time, but nothing on the scale of COIE and it’s fallout.
Alan Moore was sounding more chirpy than usual in this interview.
Really great vid, Matt! Thanks for letting me be involved.
So glad you could be part of it! I think a slightly more chipper Moore is perfect for the Silver Age Superman.
Check out his run of Supreme AKA Moore's Silver Age Superman fanfic. Once upon a time, Moore genuinely loved the guy.
Alan Moore for all the dark and realistic stuff he writes and say, he definitely is a fan of Superman. He sees that Superman needs to be smiles and do right no matter how unpopular it is.
Just read this.
Made me feel so many emotions, I felt glad when Superman won, sad when his friends died.
One of my favourite comics now!
The best comic book youtuber covering one of the best comics of all time?
Nice
This is one of my favorite Superman stories ever. You played it hard Moore.
One of my favourite Superman comics. Anyone who still think Superman is "boring" owe it to themselves to read this classic.
I never actually thought about it until now but I really like how Smallville sorta took this ending and applied to Clark in their show (albeit with some differences) as seen in CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Stuff like this and Supreme is why I don’t buy and never have bought that Alan Moore truly hates superheroes, despite his recent comments. No one with a hatred of the genre could write stories this pure and loving.
Maybe Moore did love superheroes once upon a time. Now he's just a bitter old man
its only a matter of time until they adapt this into an animated movie like they did with Dark Knight Returns
I've thought this since it came out. I tried, but I never could get into the stuff that came after, not Superman or any of the rest of standard DC heroes. Crisis killed it for me, whether it's split between silver and bronze or all just the silver age, it was my time.
I'm mostly with you. But, I think there are occasional bright spots over the years. Kelly, Morrison, and Mark Waid each had a fleetingly brilliant moment with the character.
But seriously, check out Peter Tomasi's relatively recent run on Superman. Tomasi decided to make him a dad, raising a preteen super-son with Lois. And I can't believe the creatives at DC hadn't thought of this turn for the character decades ago. There's always been a kind of "dadness" in the essence of Superman that was maybe a little dissonant with the perpetual bachelor reporter of the Silver Age. His corny one-liners, practical advice, protective instinct, all slide into a certain harmony with each other as Clark the super-dad.
Then Brian Bendis (who I actually usually like pretty well) decided to come in and blow the whole thing up because there were stories he'd been itching to tell his whole life, and getting total control over Superman was part of his signing deal with DC. I've read some of it, it's not... bad? But I really think the magic is over yet again.
Man that sucks. I completely understand though. Had I been raised on the silver age it'd be difficult too.
Thank you Matt Draper for covering this. I love the channel!
thank you. a forgotten chapter in all the lee kirby, starlin, xmen, and other stars in the firmament. those curt swan superman stories are really quite beautiful.
i love this story. I'm glad to own both issues in near mint condition. Not worth much since they printed so many of them, but still i'm proud to own them.
Curt Swan's art may be dated, but he'll always be my favorite Superman artist.
Who cried when Krypto died? Oh come on, nobody cried when Krypto died,,, I cried my eyes out.
everyone cried when krypto died you idiot
I had no attachment to krypto. I love dogs though
Nice 'Stripes' riff.
That was a pretty hardcore death.
As a fan of his cartoon series, I cried.
I bought those two issues when they were new; I was 10 years old. Still have them now. Great job on this video highlighting such an important and emotional story.
This, I have always argued was the definitive Superman story. At the time I was reading it I was only aware of the post Crisis John Byrne Superman. I ignorantly dismissed Silver Age Superman as stupid and silly but after reading that I realized just how immersive, imaginative, fully realized a world pre Crisis Superman had. And the characterization of Superman as the best of what humanity should aspire to become. This story establishes Superman as a mythical figure.
This book is the vitality of what Superman is. A nod to its powerful runs in the 70’s and 80’s but shows the vitality and the duality of a hero that is so beloved as Superman. This comic displayed the absolute stoicism and the courage of a Superman that was unable to give up. He was the hero that was always the last line of the world. He could not give an inch or submit to defeat because he was the hope of the world. This comic displays not only that resilience but the absolute power that Clark Kent possessed. Not only as a surprise to his audience Clark’s wildest dreams were always a world of peace where he never had to pursue the burden of the Superman we have come to know and love. He was able to forgo his power and to reserve his power as a man to ensure that villains would not pursue him. His willingness to sacrifice his powers was instrumental in a way to not only end Superman but also finish his abundance of villains. He gave up all of his power to solidify a world that didn’t need Kal-El. Not only was Clark exhausted but he was almost jaded by the world that robbed him of his humanity. He just wished for a world that was not only balanced but for a wild that didn’t need Clark anymore. Through this hardship Clark was able to exist in a world that didn’t need Superman anymore. A truly great tale of the greatest hero that ever lived
you always make great videos matt, this one pulled my heartstrings, keep it up, the collaboration with josh was pretty cool
Great to see people talking about this, as I grew up in the silver age of comics, and the team of Swanderson (Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson) were the definitive Superman artist for me. Yes, there have been others that I liked, but they were the ones that brought Superman to life for me, all the way to how Christopher Reeve portrayed him on the big screen. Thanks for the great video.
I've actually been reading some old Swan Superman stories this week. One thing that really hit me was how well he captured realistic emotion in his characters. He didn't draw with impact that knocked you over like Neal Adams did because that wasn't his style. What Swan did was to connect the reader to the characters in a personal way. He made them real in ways that they probably didn't deserve to be in some of the more outlandish scripts of the day. Nobody in comics has ever drawn more realistic emotion than Swan.
Thanks, and I think you hit right on why I liked Swans version of Superman, as he made him feel a lot more like a real person behind the cape, and also agree that his faces were some of the best, following on from Wayne Borings style of very fixed poses (like running through the air)
Thank you for this post. Brought back early memories of MY Superman. And I loved Curt Swans style. Miss him.
I felt honored to have met Mr.Swan at a 1988 convention.
That's awesome. I've been told he was doing private commissions in those years. He would draw ink and color! I would've paid serious $ and never sold such a work from him.
I love this channel. I knew there was something going on with the violence that drives the story almost as if the violence and grittiness of the times invaded the comic book world, announcing a change from imaginary tales to serious and real tales.
Great video. I like how for all the darkness Alan Moore tends to incorporate in his stories, it’s nice how in “Whatever Happened to the Man of the Tomorrow” while he does his dark elements, it’s definitely a much more hopeful story as Superman should be.
Sorry if I’m commenting late. I was at Midtown Comics getting my Daredevil trades signed by Brian Michael Bendis himself. So worth the wait.
Oh and you were right about Sweet Tooth, it’s amazing.
That’s awesome! So cool you got those signed, it’s my favorite work from. Bendis.
I KNEW IT! I knew you were going to upload the new videos today.
I knew it, too!
Such fond memories of the time before I read this story and after. Those were my comic years. I check in on my favorites once in a while, but I don’t recognize them anymore. It’s a whole new DC comics for a whole new generation…which isn’t a bad thing. Thanks for this episode
To me this is the definitive silver age Superman story one of my all time favorite superhero stories. Thanks for this review
I like to think this story as the final adventure of Chris Reeve Superman. I know Returns its kinda of the final adventure and thanks to Crisis, we know that he became the Kingdom Come Superman version but i think this comic is the perfect finale. Superman I,II,III and Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow.
All things must eventually come to a end, but from our labor the seeds of our future shall bere fruit.
Mr. Draper is too underrated. His comic coverage is unmatched!
Way better than that Linkara asshole.
Great video. I wish Snyder had taken hint from this when making Man of Steel.
I don't believe there's a silver age bone in that man's body.
Superman breaking the no killing rule seems influenced from here
Nicholas Maniccia Agreed, however Snyder’s take on the Man Of Steel is nothing like how he’s portrayed her.
Everybody complains about what Snyder did. If you have the guts, complain about what Nolan did idiot.
Snyder was telling how Superman began, he wasn't a perfect Mary sue like some say or want him to be. He was a real down to earth guy that just happens to be able to do the impossible just like Superman should be. There were no easy answers for him ever, contrast that to the Justice League version who takes out the bad guy who'd been owning everyone up to that point without breaking a sweat. Both are Superman but one just had other people besides Lois and Ma Kent to talk to something Snyder was also working towards.
One of MANY superb Alan Moore works
Oh hell yeah! Finally another video! It's been months! TH-cam had been drowning them out in my feed!
Superman: Lois my love, what do you think? *closes door*
*Porn sax starts blasting*
Clever way to finish the video, Matt.
Was there when this happened, 1986 rocked the comic book world and things were never the same ever again! Crisis changed things moreso than one would like to admit, change had to eventually happen! And yet at the same time this was the first major rebooting DC comics ever did so its massive impact hasn't ever been forgotten to this very day!
MGSBigBoss77 I was there as well..do you remember the outcry over Robin dying, normies lost their sh** because they believed it was Dick Grayson. Crisis is still affecting the DC universe and comics to this day.
Will N Yup this, Dan Didio rebooting thing every 5 years or so is proof enough he doesn't get it. Nor understands the purpose of a reboot and what it means for it to truly work with audiences/comic readers!
MGSBigBoss77 Didio is the one with the anger/hate boner for Titans wasn’t he? I mean, Arsenal is gone, Wally is MIA, Dick is recovering from head trauma..while they’re not Titans now, Tim Drake and Connor Kent are only around for YJ IIRC.
11:00 so basically sliver age Jonathan Samuel Kent as a baby
And this Superman eventually return in convergence and doomsday clock
These stories were pure Alan Moore. They touched on most of the characters and the way they were. He brought out that sense of urgency that the silver age brought when the crises were deadly. All brought to an end with the blink of an eye!
This is the Superman l grew up with. The man of tomorrow, maybe not cutting edge.
But a man of a different time. His dog Krypto. I dog any kid would want. A coworker, friend who is more clever than she seems. For with love, we always see more than our sense can tell. A young friend, buddy, younger brother. With the true nature, the definition of best friend.
And Villian that were not so bad. Whose quarks were negative tp say the least. But still taught the young, a difference between what is right & wrong!
Do l miss him. Yes! But he is still alive. For he is a great part, of a young man, from decades ago. And lives inside of my mind.
I've heard it said that aspects of Final Crisis were a Take That! to the supposed deconstructionism of this story.
Alan Moore may be the High Wizard God-King-Emperor of Deconstruction, but this story was a love letter, plain and simple.
8:25 nothing beats the handy-dandy “Bat-Sticks”😂
That got me all misty eyed.Thank you.
I read that the when Superman in his silver age origin arrived on Earth, he immediately had his powers. Considering his adult version would go on to showcase unlimited strength, this baby could still probably break planets. Naturally John Kent was afraid of him and had nightmares where he saw Clark taking over Earth (like he would go on to in several major post crisis stories). But they lost that fear when they saw Clark break down in tears at the death of a dog, because he could literally see the life force leave the animal. As campy of an idea as that is, I love it. It perfectly explains why Clark is so dedicated to protecting life, and why he’ll always use his powers for good. He literally sees life in a more personal sense than anyone else. It’s like that one quality is enough to make someone trustworthy with the power to move galaxies and destroy solar systems. And this is just the writers showing you why he’s the greatest hero in comics. Because when push came to shove he lived up to his beliefs and renounced the powers of a god, because he killed someone. Magnificent.
Dear Matt, why don't you do a video on Crisis on Infinite Earths ?
Your comic book analysis and essays are the best I've found on the whole Internet
Keep up the good work!
Great job on covering the man of tomorrow.
This Superman story would make a great one-off movie
That was a really good post !!!
This is perhaps my favorite ever Superman story.
Thanks for the amazing informative video. Btw i love the end credits song you guys use.
This was my first comic book back in 2006.
Came for the memories, subscribed for the quality.
Beautiful!
Thank you
What a great effort to produce such a magnificent episode.
This video and the swamp thing ones are my therapy truly love them
Nice job on this video!
it showed us that not all good people have to sacrifise themselves
they too deserve a good life
I really enjoyed this. I read one of those comics, but had no idea the thoughts behind it.
'We're only second-stringers, Jimmy, but we'll show 'em...nobody loved him better than us. Nobody!'
Man, if that line doesn't get you right here...by the way, any chance of doing a video on 'Superman: Secret Identity' by Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen some day, please?
Lois my love... I'm the comeback kid
Yessssss, you got it!
This is a tangent to your commentary. I was around 11 when I first learned of the Multiverse, and I LOVED it. I don't understand why it was felt that new readers couldn't get it.
@Will N dude, I was 10 and I understood it just fine.
Ya know, Matt, I subscribed to your channel recently and I got to say I freaking love it. Your essays on many amazing comics and films are so well detailed and very well said (with my personal favorites being your videos on Alan Moore's Swamp Thing run and Blade Runner). I am so glad you have now covered Alan Moore's "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tommorow?". It's gotta be one of my all-time favorite comics from the legendary writer ever! And I couldn't agree more that it really does delve deep into the soul of the Man of Steel!!! :)
Thanks! And thanks for the shoutout to my Blade Runner video, one of my favorite movies and a video I'm very proud of.
@@MattDraper Anytime!!! Blade Runner is one of my favorite movies as well!!! :)
Ahh... My favourite Superman story. Great to see it being analyzed.
This is one of my top 5 all time favorite Superman stories.
Didn't know this was so good! 🤯
YES MATTY I LOVE YOUR SUPERMAN VIDEOS!!
I saw that you had two videos done, if the other one is “what’s so funny about truth, justice and the American way” is next I’m there for that
Thinking about Curt Swan, just a couple days ago I was trapped in an exchange with two people who wouldn't stop about how Superman couldn't make a good story. Because, because, because... Some of this is because of how iconic Swan was. As far as I'm concerned though, that's one facet of Superman's appeal. And anyone who thinks a good Superman story can't be told is just incredibly wrong.
When I bought the complete hardcover version of this, I was so ecstatic and anxious to read it...it did not disappoint.
great work, please now do one about "for the man who has everything"
We would never see the Curt Swan Silver Age Superman again.
Excellent synopsis. I just finished reading this story arc a few weeks ago. Long live Kal-El, The Man of Tomorrow, The Man of Steel, Superman!
I remember reading this like it was yesterday, wonderful memories from every page :-)
Awesome essay!
The superman we actually forgot. His new earth counterpart died, and when a new superman showed up, byrnes version, he retired by taking blue kryptonite. became a car mechanic.
japanese superman also retired, had a daughter Ako with lois.
It broke my heart when I was a kid. Still tear up. Alan Moore fuckin rules
This would make a greatt choice for an animated movie. Bring back the guy who voiced him in Batman Brave and the Bold.
Well done analysis. Thank you.
Highly underrated story Historic and never ever forgotten.
It's sad and optimistic at the same time.
Great video.
Another great episode.
liked and subbed just because this story was awesome and I can never get enough of it.
I need you to know that I liked the video because it was a good video, but I SUBSCRIBED because you used Vampires as your end song. The Midnight is my favorite band, and I see you are a man of taste and culture, as well!
what a coincidence, I just got this book! I'll have to read it tonight so I can watch this wonderful video of yours