This Is Superman’s Best Origin, But Nobody Talks About It

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Birthright” and “The Man of Steel”. However, it’s often agreed that “Superman: Secret Origin” presents a less popular yet compelling take on his origin story.

Overview of ‘Superman: Secret Origin'”

“Superman: Secret Origin”, a six-part miniseries published between 2009 and 2010, was penned by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank. This series emerged as a reaction to the alterations made in the DC Universe by “Infinite Crisis”, replacing “Birthright” as the definitive origin story for Superman. The narrative focuses on significant events in Clark Kent’s life, from his teenage years, where he learns to control his powers, to his emergence as Superman. This storyline follows a motif of self-discovery and presents Clark’s origin only as he uncovers it himself. Thus, the reader simultaneously discovers who Clark is and what he can do alongside the hero.

One of the key contributions of this series was its reintroduction of elements from the traditional Superman mythos since the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” reboot. These elements include Clark’s tenure as Superboy, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Krypto being a Kryptonian, and Lex Luthor hailing from Smallville. The series subtly touches upon these concepts, giving readers a basic understanding without overwhelming newcomers. It leaves room for further exploration of preferred concepts beyond this work, encouraging readers to delve deeper into the lore on their own.

Regardless of how an origin contributes to the lore, if the story it tells is poor, it will be forgotten. Fortunately, “Secret Origin” offers a compelling narrative.

Secret Origin Shows Clark Grow Up and Change the World

Initially, the first two installments of “Secret Origin” delve into Clark’s struggle to accept his extraterrestrial identity in Smallville. Despite rescuing Lana Lang and uncovering his full array of abilities, he remains lonely due to concealing his powers. His secretive lifestyle creates a disconnect with those around him who don’t comprehend his unique perspective on the world. However, his parents provide unwavering support throughout this journey, and eventually, he encounters allies who can relate to his predicament in the Legion of Super-Heroes and Krypto’s arrival. Simultaneously, Lex grapples with a troubled upbringing under an alcoholic father and life confined in Smallville, ultimately leading him to commit murder for financial freedom and relocate to Metropolis, charting his own path away from Clark.

The remaining episodes show Superman’s initial days in the bustling city of Metropolis. Clark, a wide-eyed farm boy, enters the urban jungle with aspirations and curiosity, but finds it a disillusioned dystopia that seems intent on crushing his optimism. Lex Luthor positions himself as a savior to the masses, ruling over them like a divine figure to be revered, while Lois Lane suspects everyone harbors three dark secrets. The Daily Planet teeters on the brink of extinction as a struggling newspaper, and Metropolis feels like a city lost to corruption and disillusionment. Despite his miraculous debut saving Lois and a plummeting helicopter, Superman is met with hostility from those demanding a piece of him. They look to him for salvation from their miserable lives, and Superman finds the weight of it all overwhelming. He contemplates abandoning Metropolis altogether, but after conferring with Jimmy Olsen, he chooses to persevere. Despite the doubts in others, he remains hopeful about humanity.

Certainly, even as Superman’s actions ignite sparks of optimism within those who would soon become his closest allies, those in positions of power view the potential movement he could inspire with disdain. Lex Luthor and the U.S. military perceive him as a threat and take every measure to bring him down and uncover any secrets they believe he may be hiding. However, Superman is completely innocent and transparent in his actions. In the end, Superman confronts the villain Metallo and urges everyone to stop searching for saviors in the sky and instead look to one another for help. The film concludes with a scene reminiscent of Clark’s first arrival in Metropolis, where a man gazes up at the city with wonder, and the old woman who earlier scolded Clark remarks that Metropolis is the City of Tomorrow, and everyone now looks to the future with hope.

The ‘Secret Origins’ storyline offers an exceptional insight into Superman’s character and personality. It skillfully explores the factors that drive the Man of Steel, while maintaining a delicate balance to avoid overwhelming the reader with mythos. Though no comic is flawless, ‘Secret Origins’ captures the essence of Superman and his influence on the world. The narrative follows Clark’s self-discovery journey as well as the gradual realization by Metropolis citizens that there’s light within them too. For those looking to delve into Superman’s comics, I strongly suggest giving this engaging series a read.

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2025-07-13 18:41