ALL-STAR SUPERMAN - A Modern Masterpiece 

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There's an episode in Justice league that perfectly sums up Superman. When Superman is trapped in a world where Krypton didn't explode, we get to see what Ka' El would have done if he wasn't super. And all he wants is a quiet life on a farm with a loving family. No domination, no limitless power, he just wants a normal simple life. And that's why Superman shouldn't be written as a villain. His character shows us the ultimate display of humanity, sympathy, and generosity.

Superman isn’t an alien. He isn’t a god. He’s just a dude from kansas doing the right thing

Frank Miller did an All-Star Comic that read more like a parody of his own work. Grant Morrison did an All-Star Comic that is nothing less than perfection.

All Star Superman is his purest form like melted gold

The moment will treasure from this series is when he rescues that girl from suicide by giving her a hug and reassurance. It's comforting that no one is insignificant, especially to a being of immense power like Superman.

All-Star Superman is awesome. He died with no regrets, instead doing what he did best: the right thing.

Wait a second, you're telling me Owen liked comics this whole time?

"the morals his parents instilled in him from a young age":...played over footage of Pa Kent saying maybe he should've let the bus full of kids drown

“As long as there is good in the world. There will always be Superman” earned my subscription :)

There's really no better way to sum up this story other than it's about "Superman simply BEING Superman". Grant Morrison also talked about doing a series of specials that followed different generations of Superman, but the closest we got to that was his run on Action Comics during New 52 that reimagined Golden Age Superman. It's stories like this that are really inspiring and showcase that Superman will ALWAYS work. Yes, the stories can be pretty outlandish, but that's kind of the fun of it. And there can be dark and grim stories featuring Superman and even he can be dark and grim at times, but in the end he never loses sight of who he is, what he does, and why he does it.

This really resonated with me. My mother was diagnosed with cancer last year and we went through facing the eventuality that she was going to die. Tied up loose ends, went on intimate adventures and spoke candidly like never before. Worked through ceremonies on Ayahuasca and saw the fabric of life and the tapestry of existence. Just like Lex. All-Star Superman is my favorite comic story of all time. It speaks to how stifling, fickle and meaningless our ego-glorifying, secrets really are and the freedom of honest intimacy.

This is THE Superman story. It showed both his human, compassionate and vulnerable side and his inspiring ultimate paragon of heroism side really well, paying tribute to all of Superman's history and his relationships with other characters. Grant Morrison proved you didn't have to greatly reduce the character's power, confidence or morality to make an iconic Superman story. I hope the people over at WB learn this soon. With Death of Superman getting two adaptations, I say why not give All Star another? Maybe one that includes the Jonathan Kent and the Reagan girl this time. Two moments that really made me and a lot of people love this story on an even more personal level.

This book should be used as the basis for the next superman movie!

There is a light that never goes out. The light of hope. In "All-Star", Superman always seems to have an aura of a man who sees the bigger picture and just knows that things will somehow be okay in the end, he has a very calming presence. I love that book, it's such a light read too, which shocked me from a Grant Morrison book. Great video, Owen!

All-Star Superman is actually the first graphic novel I bought when I was eighteen. To this day, it's still my favorite Superman story that I've ever read.

My favorite comic ever made. And I’m known by everyone near me as a Batman fanboy. I prefer Batman 99% of the time, but this story means more to me than words can tell alone.

There was a very exact moment where Superman became my favorite superhero. In the year or so building up to the release of ‘man of steel’ I decided to get more aquatinted with his books having been a member of the ‘Batman is way better Superman sucks’ club, I was about 16/17 at the time. My mom had just had a seizure for reasons we didn’t know at the time and while she was in the hospital my sister and I spent a few days with my grandma. While with her I bought that cheap Superman 4 film collection, the one with all the originals on 2 double sided DVDs. We got my mom back home and I was watching the first one when just as Pa Kent falls to his knees from a heart attack I heard my younger sister scream out in fear as my mom fell to the floor from a second seizure. And it was like that I just felt so connected to him and he became so relatable. There would later be other things about him that would cause me to favor him more and more but that moment will always be something that I remember. I love supes and I’ll always argue against those who say he’s boring or not relatable. He’s a treasure of a character and wish more people saw it.

Superman isn't a god, he doesn't think he's above anyone and he doesn't protect the Earth out of any obligation. He is Clark Kent, a dork kid with strong morals who grew up in rural American and believes in Santa. People need to stop removing the humanity from this character

I'd like to imagine that Grant Morrison is this Earth's Lex Luthor, where without superheroes to challenge him, he ended up living a normal life writing some of the greatest stories about the fictional heroes this world desperately needs

This is the superman we are finally going get on the big screen, since its mainstream people are going to finally realize who superman really is the hero that started it all, the one that all superheros wish to be, Superman is the SuperHero.

Superman is the father we all deserve, so it makes sense they made his send off majestic... Godspeed Superman, and to all those who need him right now

What happens when unstoppable force meets immovable object? Superman: They surrender

I see that image of of Superman sitting down while looking over his shoulder in peace has become iconic. Seen it in several videos. I think its a testament to this book as well as a powerful image.

Another amazing video! Loved how you dug down into the emotional weight and meaning of one of the greatest comics of all time.

I'm overjoyed that you're finally covering this amazing book. It was my favorite Superman story for several years until the excellent Peter J. Tomasi run on Rebirth (which I greatly miss).

All-Star Superman > Watchman > Dark Knight Returns

Just finished reading it. It truly is the greatest superman story ever told. It's like liquid awsomeness, for 300 pages

I wish we could get less Injustice Superman and more of this Superman, Everyone likes to ride Zack Snyder's jock for his vision on the Man of Steel but to be honest he's got it all wrong.

This is the superman we want in mos2.

This video is gold. I've always loved The Lord of the Rings and Superman, both. Their stories and messages are both fundamentally part of my life. This video really articulates why that is in a broader sense. They help us believe that maybe people are good and maybe it'll be enough to save the day and at least get us to tomorrow.

This is what the WB comic movies are missing. Their endless chase to make money like marvel has overshadowed the number one thing that kept their comics alive…the human element and the relatability of these god like characters

tries not to cry throughout... "As long as there's good in the world, there will always be Superman"... Tears

My interpretation was that the second superman being teased at the end of the story wasnt a clone. Rather the new superman was the son of clark and lois. If you notice earlier in the book he gives Leo Quimtim two vials. One with his "s" logo and another that has the same "s" logo that lois was wearing. Superman gave Leo samples of his own DNA and Lois's DNA so that Leo could make a new superman.

Superman shouldn't be the man who has to snap a persons neck because "there was no other option. " Superman shouldn't be an angsty dark borderline antihero. He should be the one to talking people out of suicides, the one to take cats out of trees and the one who can always find "another way", not a Jesus-esque god like being who let's a bomb go off in a building and stands brooding after he didn't even try to save them.

I love all star Superman it was fantastic and tons of fun and a great Superman story.

10:27 since purchasing All Star Superman (comic) back in 2016 & this year; I had something of a revelation about Lex Luthor... Though the villain precedes it, Lex is essentially an Objectivist! A believer in the "Virtue of Selfishness" how it is the individual who makes the world better, everything about the world could, should & MUST revolve around Lex Luthor! Clark Kent/Kal El/Superman is the total utter opposite! True, pure, genuine altruism to give the people a symbol to become in their own way. For Lex; this revolts & bamboozles him!! For over 50+ years; Lex has wondered how, how, HOW can a physical god be genuinely good!?? & it's here Grant Morrison utterly deconstructs Lex's whole beliefs with the epiphany of having Superman's powers (temporarily) For all the stories of Evil Superman style characters (which recently I'm going to say aren't my favourite stories but can respect them) why wouldn't a near physical god/Goddess use such power for humanity's betterment? Personally; after so many works on deconstructing superheroes.... Isn't it high time that writers deconstruct Supervillains? On how their selfish, monstrous, destructive, jerkish behaviour dooms them to failure.. For me; this part is one of the many genius points this monumental story has..... & lastly how in issue 10 "Neverending" actually saved lives! INDEED, we're all much stronger than we think we are.... Thanks for reading.

Just one correction, Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow by Moore and Swan is the ending of the Silver Age Superman. Golden Age Clark would have his ending in Infinite Crisis. Also I love that this story is essentially a prequel to DC One Million, and that both of these stories have similar endings. This was my first Superman story, it got me out of thinking he was lame, and made me invested in this character. Secret Origin is my favorite story, but All-Star still holds a special place as my first.

This encompasses the true spirit of Superman. I would love to see a live action movie written with this same kind of consideration one day.

I love the story, the art isn't for me personally but it's a case of the writing is so amazing that it transcends the art. I really love the book and how it really makes us question what it means to be Superman and the affect he really does have. I love how silly it is but each moment still has a mature feel to it but overall I think the story achieves what every Superman book should do. Inspire, even when at his lowest point, Superman will always be there, physically or not to inspire all around him and all who read him.

All Star Superman is IMO the greatest Superman story of all time.

This is such a beautiful letter to Superman, I've seen the term 'Emotional; Intelligence' used to describe this Supes and I think that is very apt. The panel with Regan can be a hallmark all its own, never felt just shoed into the story. It's a loving expression of Superman and his personality Also to the same, the interaction with the Kryptonians and his resolution with them.

I watched this video before reading the book and then decided to buy it. Just finished reading the trade paperback and the ending left me so emotional like I never felt before while reading a comic. I texted my girlfriend as soon as I finished it and dumped all my thoughts about it and immediately after that I came back to rewatch this video. Thank you, Owen. You’re an amazing creator and I wish you all the best!

I got All-Star Superman a few days ago and I finished it this morning. I have three other Superman comics all of them a part of the Superman: Earth One series, and All-Star Superman is my favorite Superman comic of all time!

I like that in this issue, there isn't a big bad supervillain to face. Its just superman and he has to come to the terms of his death.

The movie/novel made me gain an undying love and respect for Superman I mean I always liked Supes but it wasn’t until the movie/novel that I loved him I legit cried by the end lol

To quote Batman V Superman: 'He's just a guy trying to do the right thing'

I wasn't particularly a fan of some of the issues (the contest with the time travelers and the Jimmy Olsen stuff felt like wacky for the sake of wacky filler), but the overall arc is fantastic.

The older I get the more Superman becomes my favourite character in D.C. there’s something about wanting a quiet happy life and doing what’s right that is really appealing and now needed more than ever especially with how fucked our world is right now.

Such a profoundly touching and human story. The reason why Morrison will always be my favourite writer.

I never liked superman or understood him before but I started watching justice league animated and ultimate and really like superman on that show he is powerful but not all powerful and can still be hurt he is stronger than everyone on the team but cannot snap his fingers and save the day. The best part is how he seems to be a generally good guy and so I decided to read Doomday clock and was even more intrigued by superman and saw his importance to comics so then I decided to read this and now I would call myself a superman fan and I understand him, he is literally your neighbor or that guy you always count on he is more than a hero, he is a friend that scene where he saves the girl from killing herself by talking to her and she hugs him is so powerful plus when he visits the kids in the hospital, I totally understand superman and even like him. The wacky adventures even in all star like him arm wrestling those 2 dudes for lois or when he gives lois powers for a day its so other worldly and doesn't at all focus on things like real world details but the wonder of the story and the characters are experiencing it's kinda amazing and shows why this character has stood the test of time as one of the most greatest and recognizable superheros ever. Superman has had happen to him what star trek has where people try too hard to add darkness to it cause they dont understand the point and wonder of it. There are few heros who have character defining stories like this, dark knight returns, spideman life story, or hell spiderverse is pretty good, fantastic four and xmen, even a very popular character like wonder woman doesnt have this it really is incredible.

This is one of the best comic books I’ve ever read, and one of my favorite out-of-continuity stories. When you think of definitive stories to recommend to someone new to a character, this comes to mind for Superman even faster than Long Halloween or Year One comes to mind for Batman. It’s also my favorite Grant Morrison story. Not always a fan of his style, but here, with such an archetypal character and the context - the wild stuff from the odes to Silver Age Supes, Bizarroworld, etc. - is the perfect outlet for Morrison’s trippier impulses. Just a masterwork, and one of the most visually beautiful comics I’ve ever read.

I never understood why this story was so well remembered but you have made me want to go back and read it. Give it another chance!

Here are some small little things that made me love All Star Superman even more: I like that Clark is more introverted, underspoken. He doesn't have to speak all the time, you can just feel what he's feeling, he's really calm and so is the story. It's genuinely refreshing to read, I can read any chapter any day and feel good. I really like how every issue is about all the different iconic abstract ideas of Superman, and it explores it so wonderfully, there are all these super underground characters which help the narrative flow naturally. The episodic storytelling really compliments All Star Superman, because it feels like it all is leading to a resolution with each issue still being a self contained story. Every issue has a great resolution, along with a path of continuation. This is just really heartfelt, All Star Superman is about death, identity, humanity, hope but more importantly a better tomorrow. I found myself listening to a song from Bo Burnham: Inside which is perfect for this, the song is Any Day Now. Which is about the future and how the pain will end any day now, or the world will end any day now. This is like that succint recapitulation of a possible ending of a life.

I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments here Owen. Superman is my all time favorite, and this epic modern myth encapsulates his essence entirely. Both cosmic and Earthly, an intergalactic legend, and a wholesome farm boy. I asked for this for Christmas, and pick it up again from time to time whenever I want to feel that warm goodness that inspires one to be the best version of themselves. To paraphrase Luthor’s interpretation of Clark’s perspective: We’re all we’ve got. Great video man, always love your work, keep it up!

This story is a joy, and this analysis of it is a joy. Great video, Owen!

Superman is ordinary who lives an extraordinary life. He is a man that always does what's right now matter the cost or the sacrifice and all star Superman is a testament to why

Who else is here after James Gunn’s twert? 😏

Man, I cry reading this series every time.

excited to see James Gunn take on this

Uh, All star Superman. Also known as "how to write Superman: instruction manual" by Grant Morrison.

All star superman shows what lots of people forget superman is human and is more human then some of us that where born in earth he isn’t just a god without emotion he feels sad,shy,happy,mad and many other emotions it’s also such a good story as of it shows something that’s a real thing our fate many of us can relate as some of us have faced stuff like this whether it’s with our parents or grandparents many of us have had to come to terms with the mortality of someone

You Can't Help But Be Good... Last night I watched All-Star Superman and actually liked it quite a bit, so much so that it was the last thing I thought about before falling asleep and the first thing that came to my mind this morning when I woke up. Superman stories are very hard to write. The man is perfect, with no physical defects or even mental ones. He is not greedy or conflicted, he is not jealous or envious. He does not hunger for recognition or fame. He is immune to power or money. He did not suffer trauma, he had a good home, loving parents, was not wronged by anybody and seeks no revenge. A character arch for Superman is impossible. Superman is good at the start of the movie and he will be equally good at the end of it. His superpowers are his...he did not trained nor earned them. He is in effect a Mary Sue. He is what he is. The movie and comic are 10 years old, so spoilers are fair now. If you have not seen it, it's because you don't care. Just as I did not care. I only watched it because I was curious because I also watched a couple of Batman's animated movies (The Dark Knight Returns and Assault on Arkham) and enjoyed them, too. Anyhow, so not being a particular fan of Superman, I thought that the hour long movie was fine...but actually falling short when compared to DKR, BUT....BUT.....BUUUUUUT.... ...in the last minutes of the movie, Lux Luthor (along with the viewers) has a realization moment.... It is such interesting writing that we (or at least I) are able to reach a deeper understanding of Superman not by hearing an epic speech given by Superman or by seeing him display his powers but by seeing his nemesis react when he understands what Superman understands. Had we been given a few more seconds of this scene, I say we would have witness evil genius Lex Luthor become good. Not become good for a practical reason or for his benefit or temporarily; but become good and noble the same way that Superman is good and noble. If we were to see what Superman sees and understand what Superman understands, we might not have any other choice but BECOME SUPERMAN.....or at least be like him.

All star Superman the animated film is my favorite Superman movie ever. Almost made me tear. We all love some Clark Kent

I'm really a Marvel guy at heart, but "All-Star Superman" and "Justice League: New Frontier" are two of the greatest comics ever created. Truly, comics that are just firing on all cylinders.

The comic that made me a Morrison fan there are few who understand these characters and the human core of superman more than them

I just watched this film again for the millionth time and it still remains one of the most heartfelt Superman stories I’ve ever seen.

its just probably one of the most quintessential super hero comics ever. It shows the audience who a true hero is. Superman is always helping people, he goes from saving the world to stopping a child from killing themselves. While he is unable to rid himself of his illness, he is able to cure all those children of cancer. When he saved those two kryptonians who were so rude to him, he had no reason to help them other than doing so because it was right. When he sent them to the phantom zone it truly brought a tear to my eye, its just such a beautiful story

the real accomplishment is that the story is so good it overcomes that artstyle.

I've read all star Superman two or three times and never quite gotten the love for it, but this has convinced me to give it another shot.

What a masterpiece.

Not only is All-Star Superman an excellent series. I was very disappointed when it ended. It’s one of my all time favorite Superman stories !!!

Personally I don't think this is the quintessential Superman story that is For all seasons. But I really appreciated the weird but a natural Superman story grant Morrison told. Loved the design cause it's so timeless. Also books for retrospect I'd suggest would be arkham asylum: a serious house on a serious earth, Spider-man: Blue, Spider-man: life story and Superman: For all seasons ofcourse.

I truly believe that All Star Superman goes toe to toe with any great comic book runs. Right up there with The Sandman Chronicles best, Hellblazer’s best, Watchmen, Saga, Fables. Things that are considered “graphic novels”. Simply put, it just captures all of the most important aspects of Superman. And this video is a beautiful breakdown of how incredible he can be when written correctly.

The cancer idea reminds me of the Mar-Vells last story. I don't know if Morrison was also inspired by this even without knowing it, but the idea is similar, it's about that even the ones who have superpowers, will sometime die.

WE STAN GRANT MORRISON

This is my favorite Superman story!!

"Like it's all just us, in here, together. And we're all we've got." I know this video is about Superman. But that quote from Lex (which admittedly was influenced by Superman) is a predominant philosophy of life for me. It's a true statement. I truly believe we can work together to build something grand in our lives. We already have to some degree. And we're still making progress. Humanity has the potential to do great things and help each other experience what life is all about.

The world still need Superman indeed.

I thought Superman was gonna sing "Somebody once told me the wor-"

I so love Morrisons opening quote man...just perfect.

All Star Superman is without a doubt my all time favorite Superman story, because it focuses on his character, his humanity, and explores what really makes him tick. For this reason it is absolutely one of if not THE best Superman story ever told, up there with Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow & What’s So Funny About Truth Justice, and The American Way.

definitely my favorite superman story. if they actually did stop making superman stories after that it would seriously be a fitting end

The first time I read All Star Superman I was moved to tears

Superman is so painfully human he doesn’t realise just how much of a God he is

When my friends tell me, a dark-haired Methodist kid from Kansas with a generally optimistic outlook and sometimes a sense of deep loneliness, that Batman is better because he's more relatable, I just can't take them seriously.

the voice actor did great. the tone was so so subtle and conveying the end so so soulfully

One of the few comics that I like to revisit from time to time. Thanks Owen!!

People have looked upon this story with derision for being too campy, too corny, too [insert aspect they don't like], but they completely miss the bigger picture of this being a story about the power of hope. Kingdom Come tackles this really well too, but it doesn't hit the same way All-Star does.

Absolutely fantastic as usual!!! Probably my favorite comic ever!!! Great analysis Owen, thanks for the content! This kind of Superman fan is what gives me hope in this world full of “that boy scout isn’t relatable, MOS is the only version that works in the modern times”...

God, I can never go into these comment sections since all people want to do is trash on another interpretation of the character.

I had finished reading there a couple hours ago. A truly great ending to Superman’s character.

Just finished it today, a true masterpiece, loved it throughout

Top notch video. Subbed. Also, Morrison/Quitely is the greatest creative team in comics.

Beautiful analysis. Really well done.

Of all the great quotes of this comic the one that always comes to my mind is when the substitutes supermen are about to be send to the Negative Son so they can have a minimal chance at living and one of the last things they say is how the Great Hearts of Krypton still lives within Clark. And thats all it's needed: the great beating heart of the Hero

I hope I could write something so sweet and beautiful as this when my father dies.

Really loved Frank's rendering of Lois.

My ALL time favourite Superman story, ever.

Great video. It’s about time you covered what many consider to be the definitive Superman story. I wish was All Star Batman and Robin was just as Awesome/epic