Superman: The Men of Tomorrow Graphic Novel Review.

The Men of Tomorrow is the sixth volume in the New 52 Superman series. The story arc marks the beginning of a new era for the Man of Steel with one of DC Comics greatest writers Geoff Johns and Marvel’s legendary artist John Romita Jr, joining DC Comics for the first time and drawing Superman. A planet with no future, two brilliant scientists rocket their young child away to a better world where he will grow strong and survive the fate of this planet. But, this is earth and the disaster is adverted. Ulysses of the Great World, a hero with incredible powers returns to find the destruction his parents feared has been avoided. With Superman, this new hero Ulysses is an ally, kindred spirit and a friend to the Man of Steel but his plans for a better earth are yet to come. Collects Superman #32-39.

Geoff Johns is back writing Superman again. The writer is responsible for some of the greatest Superman stories written is joined by artist John Romita Jr. They duo have created a modern Superman story that’s great as a standalone tale for the sixth volume in The New 52 series. Johns has had much experience writing the character with superb stories.The Man of Steel is presented in a way that has a classic feel like Johns earlier Superman stories have always done. 

New character Ulysses shares a origin story almost identical to that of Superman. This new hero has arrived on back on his birth world, a place he thought was gone long ago. He has come into Superman's life at a time when he is feeling isolated and alone. He has found an ally, a kindred spirit in Ulysses and though the investigative journalist side of Superman as he introduces Ulysses to privileges that he could never enjoy. It's great action story with a lot of heart. Lois Lane is in the story but only in the background. Editor-in chief Perry White and photographer Jimmy Olsen, two other of the Daily Planet’s team get their moment in the spotlight. Clark is depicted as an outsider and Ulysses is someone he can relate to, but this story also shows how he can bond with both Perry and Jimmy. One noteworthy aspect of the story is that Superman gets a minor update to his costume as well as a new super power.

The sixth collection of the Superman series of The New 52 is a stand out read.I hadn't been interested in either of the two of the Superman series or their collected editions with one exception, I had been intrigued by Grant Morrison’s new take on the early days of Clark Kent in Superman Action Comics Vol.1 - The Men of Steel, it was good but I never continued on with the series. Superman Unchained the limited series by Scott Snyder and Jim Lee was amazing. When I heard that super star writer Geoff Johns would be taking on the Man of Steel I was very interested for the forthcoming graphic novel. After I read preview online of a major turning point in the story, it really had got my attention. The premise sounded great and with Johns as writer it only built anticipation for what could be a great Superman story. I was really looking forward to what this story was about and it didn’t disappoint. The arrival of artist John Romita Junior is a big deal, he and his father have been legendary comic artists at Marvel for decades. His art adds to the classic feel of the story with colourist Klaus Janson.

Johns has had many great story arcs previous stories of Superman, Brianic, Secret Origin, Up Up and Away and the unforgettable Last Son with Richard Donner. This latest story is the next in the growing line of classic feel Superman stories. It’s a great story and worth the hype. Johns joined the series for an eight issue arc that's one of possibly the best of the best of the Superman 2011 series. The series was reinvigorated by the creative duo making the series a lot more interesting. The introduction of a new character with similar experiences to Superman makes for a exciting and brilliant story that is a stand alone self contained story that anyone can get into without any prior reading of the Superman series. The collection is the sixth volume in The New 52 Superman adventures but is not labelled as such, possibly in an attempt to not intimidate put off by whats been a less than stellar series for one of the greatest comic book superheroes in existence. This helps the books stand out as a stand alone story or as new jumping on point as the series continues.

With this year’s release of Superman Unchained and Superman The Men of Tomorrow its been a great year for two very brilliant and very different Superman stories. It had big heroic moments and smaller kinder in between. Its an quintessential Superman tale with a retro charm that recent Man of Steel stories haven't seen since the 2011 relaunch. Its a character focused story with heart and charm. The cover logo is evocative of the classic Superman movie logo works good too. There is a timeless quality to the story making it one of the most accessible and one of the greatest Superman tales. 

Geoff Johns returns to writing Superman after so many great stories is now joined by artist John Romita Jr. The two legends together craft a modern story with a much missed classic feel to their story that works so well as a stand alone and fantastic Superman tale.