Customer Rating:  
Summary: Stunning but slow
Comment: I never would have known this was illustrated by Stuart Immonen if the cover hadn't told me. Acclimatized to Immonen's streamlined, cartoony images, the unique, rotoscoped style of Secret Identity came as a shock.
Busiek has definitely buttered his bread with stories about the real-life burdens of being a superhero (see: Astro City), and, in Secret Identity, he's proven that he's up to the task of giving a bit of emotional gravitas to the two-dimensional Superman. In fact, he occasionally skids dangerously close to making the World's Greatest Superhero too whiny.
Although each chapter is good, the whole package feels a bit jumpy - I'm not sure it could have been fleshed out more without becoming boring, but the transitions through Superman's life felt a bit abrupt.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Can you keep a secret?
Comment: What if you live in a tiny town in Kansas? What if your last name is Kent, and your parents, having an annoying sense of humor, have christened you "Clark"? All his life teenager Clark Kent had been hearing it, teased and taunted with Superman jokes. And there's really nothing for the introverted Clark to do but take it, and take it. Then, one night, Clark finds himself floating on air, and everything changes.
I'm glad I'm not the only one with fond memories of Superboy Prime. I remember reading DC Comics Presents #87 decades ago, when that whole Crisis on Infinite Earths thing was going on. That issue teamed Superman up with the Superboy from Earth-Prime, which is supposed to represent our real world and where Superman is nothing but a well known comic book figure. I loved that issue, but knew there wouldn't be much future for that Superboy (he did survive that Crisis, but then the recent INFINITE CRISIS just ruined him for me). Kurt Busiek, in his intro, credits DC Comics Presents #87 as the genesis for this mini-series.
The SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY trade collects the 4-issue limited series which originally came out in early 2004, and, in my opinion, it's a must-read, not only for fans of Superman or comic books, but for fans of good stories in general. This is one of the best Man of Steel stories I've ever read, even though this Superman definitely falls outside the mainstream DC continuity. Nevertheless, it's right up there with the brilliant ALL STAR SUPERMAN series and Alan Moore's classic Superman take, "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" (which can be found in DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore).
What makes SECRET IDENTITY stand out for me is the level of thoughful realism injected by writer Kurt Busiek. He's done stuff like this before, of course, in Marvels (Marvel Premiere Classic) and in Astro City: Life in the Big City, so I'm not at all surprised at the depth and texture found here. Unlike other comic book efforts based in the so-called "real world" SECRET IDENTITY doesn't come off as dark or gritty. And while it does contain a measure of violence, it's not gratuitously thrown in to sacrifice good narrative. Despite its reflective tone, these pages are graced with moments of hope and optimism. Busiek uses language that is direct and simple and composed of everyday words. But, somehow, it all translates to storytelling that is lyrical, sensitive, and heartfelt. I've never seen Busiek write better.
SPOILERS now.
SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY is a life story, chronicled in four parts and depicting several stages in Clark's life. In these pages he ages from teenhood to a ripe old age, and we see the generational shifts thru his eyes. Part one delves into his teenage years and his feelings of loneliness and alienation. These feelings only escalate when he comes into his powers. What would you do if you stumble into powers like that? Use them for wealth, fame, and power? But what would you have to give up? And who can you trust? Clark wrestles with these issues. This being a Superman story, it's not too surprising that Clark decides to do his bit, but, this being the real world, he's forced to do it in secrecy. Part two has Clark moving to Manhattan as a fledgling writer. There, the Superman ribbing continues, but this actually leads to a momentous turning point in his life. Clark also finds out that the government, in full paranoia mode, is sniffing around. Part 3 finds Clark in a family way and contemplating ways to keep his loved ones safe (the government is still after him). And in Part 4 Clark is now up there in years, with his powers waning but with the possibility of his legacy being kept alive.
SPOILERS end.
If Busiek's words are evocative, Stuart Immonen's visuals are stunning. He renders his characters in perfectly natural poses and gestures and excels in conveying quiet power and mood even in the quiet scenes. There's quite a number of splash pages placing Clark in some breathtaking, panoramic vistas. I've said that this has been Busiek's best writing so far. Well, this is the best I've seen of Stuart Immonen. Just spectacular artwork from the man.
Superman isn't in my short list of favorites. But that's the other Superman. This Clark Kent here is a different animal, someone who is complex in character and charming in his uncertainty. I like that he has to struggle thru his problems. I like that he derives such simple pleasure from the act of flying. The story is told thru his journals, which he clangs out on an old typewriter (he doesn't trust computers), and so we get to know him on a personal level. There are no supervillains. When not evading the government's grasp, all of Clark's superheroic feats are focused on preventing natural calamities and on undertaking rescue missions. The superhero stuff. But it's curious that, despite all the fantasy elements here, what really resonates for me is the intimate and grounded portrayal of Clark as a man, as a husband, and as a father. The real stuff.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Read
Comment: I for one really was never into the whole "Superman" thing. That is, until presented this book. I didn't think anything of it at first, but I couldn't put it down; it was a real page-turner. No complaints here.
Customer Rating:
Summary: WOOOOOO!!!!.......WHYALLA!
Comment: OKAY.. this book was okay,a bit slow and without any reason for waking up with superpowers,not one i will hurry to recomend.UNLESS you live in SOUTH AUSTRALIA-like me.why? Because for possibly the ONLY time in comic book history,past and future,WHYALLA is mentioned.A crap town not far from where i live that can now only live off this one famous moment,and plan to slide downhill from here.Perhaps Superman was bored or had relatives there,thats the only reason anyone I know goes there.Besides this great coincidence for me this book was nice...just nice.My wife is currently pregnant and i personally turn to comics to forget about these type of issues,(NOT TO BE INSENSITIVE!!!)seeing Clarkes reactions was OK but not the action or the emotional hieghts of other "touching" comic classics.If you havent read Superman before and your reading this review,DONT.....I JUST ORDERED PUNISHER MAX.2 TO LEVEL MYSELF OUT......Probably a book for life long Superman-fans to enjoy,not bad not 5 stars from me.(dont go to Whyalla)
Customer Rating:
Summary: What if you had Superman's Powers?
Comment: The first time I read this book I had borrowed it from the Library...Ohhh Maaaannnnn....what an amazing story!!! I couldn't put it down and at first I couldn't even comprehend the fullness of the story. It was this book that not only got me to read the "Astro City" series, but when I found out that Kurt Busiek was now writing the Superman Comics for DC...I started buying Superman Comics again after a 35 year lapse. I thought I had outgrown Comic Books until I read Kurt Busiek writing. This story is such a grabber that I had read it 3 times in less than 7 months before I broke down and bought it. And then I read it again and even had my Wife read it, she doesn't even like "Graphic Novels", but she likes this one. I highly recommend it and encourage people to buy it, because it is and will become classic reading in the annals of illustrated books. Way to Go Kurt Busiek!!! Definately one of your Best!!!
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