Superman’s New Look

Superman: Earth One, the new graphic novel from J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis, is out today. I haven’t read the book (and considering how I feel about Straczynski’s walking Superman tour I probably won’t), but the internet is abuzz about the new look of Superman. I don’t think it’s great, but I’ve seen worse from comics.

Fresh off the redesign of Wonder Woman, which I actually like, DC has gone with a new look for the Man of Steel in this modernized retelling of the hero’s origin. The book is the story of Clark Kent moving to Metropolis from Smallville at the age of 21.

Plenty of comparisons are being made about the new style: everything from Spiderman 3‘s Peter Parker to Robert Pattinson’s turn as a dumb, sparkly vampire, and even a few Cobain references. I don’t think it’s as bad as all that. It’s not like they changed his costume all that much. He still wears blue and red, has an “S” shield on his chest, and a red cape. The real changes seem to be in his coloring (much more pale), his leaner, bonier face, and his hipster hairdo. Clark Kent’s new look is also much more hipster – skinny ties and low cut pants.

Now, before everyone goes hammering down the doors, DC is saying this is not going to be a change to the main Superman comic. This is just a reimagining of his origins on Earth. Everyone will have an opinion on it though so feel free to comment. I’ll keep my comments about Robert Pattinson as Jor-El in the movie to myself.