The BEST Superman origin | Superman: Birthright

The whole world knows that Superman fights for truth and justice...but why does he? What drives a farmboy from Kansas to divide his life between posing as a mild-mannered reporter and embarking on a career as a super-hero? Superman: Birthright tells the exciting origin of The Man of Steel, incorporating his vast and colorful legend into a brand-new epic tale...a battle to save both the legacy of Krypton and the future of Metropolis! Pick it up here: amzn.to/2fD10ug Never miss an episode by subscribing today! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #superman
ComicPop is a few friends talking about comic books. The ComicPop team brings a bunch of unique points of view to every single discussion about a comic book, graphic novel, character or story arc. You can find full conversations about your favorite titles from Marvel and DC Comics, plus a few pretty key independent comics. If you're looking for a long, funny conversation about Batman or a deep dive into why Spider-Man is so neurotic, check out the hours and hours of amusing, insightful and downright stupid conversations about some of your favorite comic books over the years. If you're a longtime comic book reader or just starting out, make sure to subscribe right now!
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[@ONmedz]

I really love the part when they explain how Clark can hide his identity in this book just by his gestures, posture and of course the glasses.

[@octoberson]

Birthright is one of the best Superman stories ever, hands down. It's cinematic and modern but never loses track of what makes Superman work. It's basically Mark Waid's love letter to the character. He never makes Superman feel "edgy" just for the sake of being cool. Instead it shows how Clark just being Superman is cool enough. And the ending... that ending every... single... time I read it makes me cry. It's such a beautiful way to end the story and it's also a perfect way of showing how Superman is a character about hope. Him being sent to Earth was about hope, him being raised by the Kents to be a good person established that hope and him being Superman is hope in action. Such a good read all around.

[@tdtellem]

I love how Birthright had a nice combo of previous Superman elements with a modern flair. A lil Christopher Reeve style with a touch of Lois and Clark. Plus a mild helping of Smallville to make it all come together.

[@FloorTankMain]

I wonder if Clark and Lex we're buddies in Birthright because it was 2005 and Smallville was a thing? Because, while I LOVE that book, I will absolutely go to bat for that show. Clark and Lex's relationship on Smallville was the most interesting and well done thing on that show I love it! And Mark Waid's a smart dude.

[@FloorTankMain]

Also the kryptonite meteor shower is a huge deal in Smallville, so... hmmm.

[@psychopachikryder]

I gonna get this book for my pops, he's gonna read this from front to back in one sitting homie thank you Sal, Tiffany, and Ben so much. 😭

[@comicpop]

That is so awesome! Thank you, man!

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

This is my fifth time watching this. The scene that Sal describes where they get the message still hits me in the feels hard.

[@SuperSpidey313]

Superman Birthright was amazing. I was so disappointed when Man of Steel turned out the way it did. I remember Mark Waid commentating that he couldn't stay in the theater, too. Ugh.

[@JazzyZenBrotha]

I really enjoyed "Superman: Birthright." It was truly a joy to read. I think WB/DC Animation should adapt it into an animated film.

[@jaysondoritos]

Agree

[@Minetic]

+JazzyZenBrotha I would enjoy that too but I know after they make then next 2 Batman films and Justice League film they'll probably consider it. Which annoys me, I just wish they would move on from Batman stuff and expand more. Yes he makes money but its safe and ok to check out other heroes.

[@JazzyZenBrotha]

Minetic I absolutely agree with you 100%

[@kurtoogle4576]

The moment tight before Tiffany exclaimed that she had goosebumps, I found myself moved to the point of them too. Well done!

[@DanielGuerra92]

Just spent the last week binge watching all the episodes of back issues. It's amazing keep it up

[@comicpop]

Thanks man!

[@LswKid]

I love superman birthright. My favorite thing about this book might actually be the inks and colors. Come on guys now you have to do All-star Superman. Cant just tease at the end like that x) although all-star superman might be one of those things that you might have to do like an hour and a half back issues, just because there are so many stories.

[@jameslewis4258]

Just recently found you guys and loving all your reviews. BIRTHRIGHT is a great Superman Origin story. Don't know if someone has already commented this but you made a mistake by saying Jonathan Kent was dead and were only seeing him in flashbacks, he's alive and well as he should be. (I know, I just had to comment this regardless, lol)

[@comicpop]

Thanks James!

[@algeytri5372]

I like watching the older videos and seeing what's on the rack behind them. Its like time traveling to an age of what the hell.

[@jameskingman1227]

I wanted to thank you for this! I never would have read Birthright as I have never been keen on the artists work and how many times can you read a Superman origin. But after reading this masterpiece I think it's amazing, and I have got to say, I love the art in this which I never thought I would. It's like reading a movie! You have gotta love Mark Waid. One of the best comics I've read this year.

[@ryebreadreturn1]

Yes, you can generate power with radioactive materials. But it's not a good way to do it. I can think of 2 ways this could work. One is to take the heat given off by radioactive decay and convert it into electricity. The Mars rover Curiosity is powered in this way. However, there are some major problems with this method of generating power. For one, it's massively inefficient. Curiosity's power generator produces 125 watts of power, which is about as much as a desktop computer would use. And it requires 2000 watts of heat energy from its plutonium heat source to generate those 125 watts of electricity. That's an efficiency of about 6%. For comparison, a conventional power plant on earth is about 30% efficient. The only real reason to use radioactive decay as a power source is if you need to generate a small amount of electricity for a long time without refueling, and you are not near another power source. So a satellite or rover in outer space is an ideal use of this kind of power. But if you're near a power grid, you're much better off using grid power. The other way to generate power from radiation would be to use something like solar cells. Solar cells convert solar radiation directly into electricity, and since kryptonite seems to give off visible light, then theoretically i suppose you could use solar cells to generate electricity from that light. Again, this wouldn't generate a lot of electricity unless you had a huge amount of light and lots of solar cells, so again, you're way better off pulling power from the electrical grid in most cases.

[@comicpop]

Back Issues: Bonus content

[@michaeltetteh7188]

+Ethan Marsh If you ever went rogue, the world would be in trouble lol.

[@BforceFilms]

I loved All-Star Superman. If this was the perfect beginning to superman that was the perfect end.

[@Sicod79]

It's all in the eyes.

[@marknutt4398]

Birthright is amazing and I LOVE All star superman you should do one on that and mention Franks art which is legendary and gorgeous if i do say so myself.

[@comicpop]

It is masterful art.

[@larrediogo]

Hi guys, just finished this episode to remember this amazing history, thank you for this amazing video, and to say that in the moment "i made it" i cried watching, really touching moment, thank you guys, much love from brazil!

[@tyandre]

Read this book in preparation for Man of Steel because i heard the movie used a lot of elements of this story. I loved the book, was sadly disappointed by the movie.

[@TheMattJacks]

Tiffany is very pretty, no doubt. More importantly, however, you guys as a team are very charming and fun to watch. You are my zen, my going to sleep good thoughts and dreams soundtrack, and you have revived my love of comics. Thanks for the great work.

[@comicpop]

+MattsGotIssues Thanks dude!

[@TheMattJacks]

You are very welcome.

[@jcastrowhite08]

MattsGotIssues I second this whole comment. You guys rock, love the dynamic and the shows

[@roccoborghetti4693]

I always liked the idea that Batman was just an urban myth for like three years and no one believes he's real but Superman is the first publicly revealed "Super hero". Making it still technically true that Superman is the first cape but also making Batman older and more battle-hardened. And it's only after the Justice League is formed that the knowledge of Batman is made public. I guess its a mix of New 52, BvS, and Man of Steel 86.

[@panthergod]

Batman is not Supermans senior. Superman is the first. Period

[@MonkeyDBatman]

@@panthergod omfg

[@Weddep44]

Loved this episode, Superman: Birthright is a great book.

[@joeytroyer518]

watching some old videos before hopefully I meet you guys at ECCC tomorrow!

[@ItsOver9000Productions]

im going through all the superman origin back issues today. this is one i think is still the best

[@MultiPhatboy]

Tiffany is so freaking beautiful!!!!

[@comicpop]

MultiPhatboy Thank you! - Tiff

[@pizzapiinthesky]

MultiPhatboy so are you!

[@LincolnDWard]

Yes, radioactivity can power things directly. That's how a lot of NASA spacecraft generate electricity. But they do it with plutonium, which is WAY more radioactive than kryptonite is supposed to be. But Lex's device could also be a nuclear reactor, which causes a radioactive element like uranium to produce far more energy than it normally would.

[@bigcityreporter]

I guess the reason why its used for women's studies is that Jor-El is so weak and doom/gloom in this story and Lara is the hopeful strong one rather than the opposite which takes place normally in the origin story.

[@omaramat4813]

masterfully set up ending

[@ridge825]

Just finished reading Superman Birthright for the 3rd time, back here to watch this video for the 100th time.

[@Ylatch]

@8:36, Ben trying to decide if what he heard is dumb or not @8:46, Ben deciding fuck it and just going with it

[@duder278]

Every time Tiffany does her intro it takes a second for me to realize "oh ya, it's not Ethan"

[@tannersoug3262]

You guys rock Enough said

[@Final_Flash1]

Just got the book, awesome review!

[@christopherfreire5351]

You guys are awesome. Fun vid. Now I gotta go out and get both Birthright and All Star just because of this vid.

[@comicpop]

christopher freire Thanks! You won't regret it.

[@christopherfreire5351]

TV Little House Comics Birthright was fun....but I just cant start All-star. I have this weird love hate thing with supes. He's cool because he has all the powers, but thats what I hate about him. The guy's too over powered; he has, like, ALL the powers, but doesn't use them. He neuters himself every single time. You know what makes the Hulk cool? He smashes stuff. Kal doesn't get to that point until every one else is dead or going to die, or hes on some other planet. Stop being such a punk Clark!

[@mikec3955]

There was an old "Superboy" comic, where in junior high school (I think it was junior high) Lex made a mistake mixing chemicals. Superboy saved him from the explosion, but the exposure caused Lex to lose his hair for life, and that was why Lex Hated Superboy/Superman... It was a great story, but I can't for the life of me remember which magazine or issue it was. EDIT: It was Adventure Comics #271... Google's my friend!

[@jeremyjohnson9053]

I got goosebumps too!

[@bleeditdeath99]

Jersey represent!

[@Mahdster]

I think this is his main origin again based on Joshua Williams superman run and the fact that Mark waids comics are taking over I doubt they reference a different origin than his .

[@JoshMunroe]

My favorite Mark Waid book, bar none. I love the character arc for Superman, it's so satisfying. As for the art, I love Leinil Yu, but I have three words: EYELASHES, LIPS, TEETH. I fixate on these three features every time. Bought trades since I started watching Back Issues: 15

[@MarciusWhithood]

man it sucks I have most of the floppies of this run, but not all :( I love the art and the writing...so very cinematic!

[@verginiyaboyadzieva2977]

So which one of the three origins should I get? Which one is the best?

[@guitarhero8110]

Oh this would make a great movie.

[@superluigiac]

Wow, what an ending...

[@rgprichporter]

great episode guys. Kinda wish you had Tiffany on the show more. Can you please do terminal velocity, Kingdom Come, Villains for Hire, Identity Crisis, batman vs predator, death of Clark Kent, No mans land, & Batman: War Games/War Crimes

[@comicpop]

rgprichporter Thanks! Tiff's super busy with her own projects ATM, but I'm hopeful she can be brought on in a more regular capacity. Definitely gonna hit at least a few of those on your list.

[@rgprichporter]

Great please keep up the good work cause I really enjoy the videos. Oh and we just had Guy forks night over in England. any chance of a V for vendetta ep of back issues.

[@55vicious55]

great video, are you gonna do Thor 1 off the rack, Im waiting on if i should pick it up or not

[@ryebreadreturn1]

Yes

[@djimenez789]

Did Ethan ever answer the question if a radioactive rock like kryptonite can power or be used in a machine to communicate to outer space?

[@loganvazquez7542]

I’m coming here after watching their video on Superman Year One. Anyone else?

[@obscureentertainment8303]

I'm so glad that Posideon and the mermaids don't show up in this.

[@Dollar_Dad]

i want this!

[@anothercleverusername992]

Does anyone else, other than me, like to pretend or imagine that when Superman reveals himself to the world and is publicly fighting his first Supervillain as Superman in Metropolis.... Batman is, at the same time, doing his Year One/Zero Year thing and Wonder Woman is meeting Steve Trevor and preparing to leave Thymascara? That's how I see the beginnings of the DC Universe, anyway... The Trinity all starting at once is what I like to think happened. Don't know why... Others can be doing..."things" a well. Oliver Queen can be on his insane stranded on an island adventure, Barry Allen is in a coma from being struck by lightning, Hal Jordan is missing, but actually has been transported to Oa for training, Arthur Curry is fighting for his crown and his people at the bottom of the Ocean, and J'onn is dealing with being stuck on Earth and figuring us and himself out and deciding what his new purpose should be.... Others will follow, especially after these specific people eventually join together...

[@TheSuperNaruto96]

While I personally enjoyed Man of Steel and can't wait for Superman/Batman, I do feel that structurally, it was missing that one piece of Superman's origin where he goes to Metropolis and begins to establish himself as a hero. Every version of his origin I've seen, even the New 52, has him travel to the city after the death of his father or after he learns about his alien heritage or something. Oh well, the film had its flaws, but I stilled loved it...

[@harsh00720]

i like the silver age or was it golden age where there is a lab fire at young Lex's lab and Clark as Superboy comes and blows the fire out but due to his super breath he blows of young Lex's hair and he was bald for ever

[@comicpop]

I love how he hates Superman for making him bald.

[@harsh00720]

ha ha yes

[@Elementa2006]

+ComicPOP actually that wasn't really THE reason, it was just the cherry on top of why Pre Crisis Lex hated Superman

[@panthergod]

@ComicFanatic ..because you hate Superman. Byrne himself of realized how removing Superboy crippled Superman as a franchise IP.

[@davidgi3]

That origin story was so corny… glad that was all deleted and removed in new continuity

[@AMOLAD79]

More Tiffany.

[@jacobmusgrave1406]

SUUUPPAHH-MAN!!

[@Ubermensch9240]

The teeth were never found.

[@Masonicon]

Even when Superman probably get over his vegetarianism some time after events in this comic

[@crystaljedi]

Why doesn't Lex recognize Superman in the office since Lex has (most likely) seen Clark with his glasses off as a teenager?

[@panthergod]

Subconscious Super hypnosis

[@Kal-El_138]

Reminds me of Smallville.

[@taylorpechter5422]

To be honest, I've been interested in this book, but the art always put me off when I flipped through it. I don't know what it is. It feels very smudgy to me. I think it's the coloring, not the pencils. I had the same problem with Shane Davis's art when I read Superman: Earth One and I usually like Shane Davis.

[@jasperworkman7237]

Shit man I didn't know that sal couldn't see

[@SuperSpidey313]

One word: Smallville

[@GGj0]

5:40 Proof of Tiffany's witchcraft.

[@comicpop]

Explain please...?

[@GGj0]

TV Little House Comics there's some cynical and possibly even magical finger twirling going on there. I'd watch out.

[@murunjargalsaikhan7227]

~Superman Birthright is the best Superman origin story 🤩 ~Superman Secret origins is pretty good and so much fun ~but New 52 Superman origin is terrible and Falled miserable 😖

[@gandey2k]

Apparently some of these comics are worth like $400 each so I'm gonna sell all of them 😂

[@LuigiEatsPopcorn]

Where's Ethan?

[@harsh00720]

batman is first in the new 52 because he can take stab's from hookers

[@therealdorkknights3809]

+Harsh Bawaskar HAHAHA! I think that's the wrong continuity man.

[@harsh00720]

+TheRealDorkKnights thats frank miller continuity

[@therealdorkknights3809]

Frank Miller, post-crisis, it's used a lot frankly. Frank-ly. Heh.

[@chrisbeard8467]

+TheRealDorkKnights Good one.

[@matiasleon9657]

Harsh Bawaskar Tom King is making a lot of references to it in The War of Jokes and Riddles, though

[@brianadkins3880]

If they thought that the photo thing was kind of a silly motivation for Lex Luthor not liking Superman,tell them the original reason. ...Okay,I will. As a teen,Lex accidentally caused a fire in his lab,Superboy- no,not a clone or anything just Clark Kent with powers as a teen-flies in and puts it out with his super-breath but in the process it causes Lex to go bald. From that moment forth,he vowed to get revenge on Superboy,who had been someone Lex looked up to until then.

[@LMGamesToTheMax]

I'll admit I never really liked Superman. However this was alright. I could get past my dislike of the character for this. That's the magic of Waid.

[@TheUnheardVoices_]

Why don’t you like Superman?

[@tdtellem]

I love how Birthright had a nice combo of previous Superman elements with a modern flair. A lil Christopher Reeve style with a touch of Lois and Clark. Plus a mild helping of Smallville to make it all come together.