Superman For All Seasons - The Human Heart of a Hero

How Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's "Superman For All Seasons" reveals the human heart of Clark Kent and the importance of love in the story of Superman.
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[@steveschenker1380]

"His astonishing powers allow him to express his love for the people around him unhindered by human fragility" ...what a nice way of explaining Superman!

[@tayojones9460]

I love the moment Clark says 'I could have done more.' That sentence sums up superman perfectly.

[@MattDraper]

Great observation! It really does capture the essence of the character.

[@xYSarenArteriusxY]

What I really loved about Superman for All Seasons is how each narrator handles Superman. Those from the city cannot comprehend why someone with such power would be so compassionate and all good. Their view in part is influenced by living in a big city where such acts of kidness are rare in comparison to those from the country side, where helping others is expected because it's the right thing to do. Clark doesn't think twice to help Smallville during the storms because it's expected for everyone to help each other whether it's for small things or big things. The tight community life is something that perplexes Lois and Lex because of how fast pace and quid pro quo life can be in a city.

[@johnathonhaney8291]

xYSarenArteriusxY Do you feel, as I do, that this series and it's take on Clark would later inform the TV series Smallville (which happened to have one Jeph Loeb as a producer in the early seasons)?

[@MattDraper]

Fantastic observation!

[@MattDraper]

I think they definitely used it as inspiration. I remember hearing them say that at some point.

[@kevinpauley-dadbodstyle2935]

"Thanks! My Mom made it for me." That line always makes me smile and nails the character so perfectly and simply. When Superman is done right, it is as if the sun was created just to be there for Superman. This is my favorite Superman story ever. Great work!

[@ReverendDudeKyle]

There are few characters as interesting, heart warming, and inspiring as Clark Kent

[@MattDraper]

Well said!

[@aviewer4274]

True....

[@sonicboi9187]

Couldn't agree more

[@Jor-On]

Sounds about right

[@tetsudikawakami3071]

Some Character Do Exist. But he Did it First and did in the most Iconic way

[@DevonPalmer98]

The Cheesy overblown superman look is one of my big faves. Always pops against the background

[@MattDraper]

I like it, too! Generally, I enjoy Superman as a bright and colorful character.

[@HelloKittyGal16]

He’s just a big cuddly teddy bear in this mini series. 😍😍😍😍

[@NTEDOG561]

This story was amazing it had that feel from the 1978 movie. It reminds you what Superman stands for and why you love him so much

[@chasdffdf]

A good friend on mine recommended this to me a while back. Been a hardcore Superman fan ever since!!

[@MattDraper]

This is a great way to get into Superman!

[@the2tribesofisrael69]

I'd love for a film to be made about this...

[@ardenaudreyarji]

Zack Snyder said his Man Of Steel was inspired by this.

[@jameszetterman4487]

@@ardenaudreyarji hahahahahaha

[@emperorsean1]

As long as its not an origin and the justice league is already the jl. I wouldve prefferred the justice league mortal 2006 movie that was going to be made. And unfortunately MOS didnt portray any of this. Instead it depicted a character that was bland grey, dissapointing and not hopeful. There are stories that are more interesting then supermans origins. Secret identity and All star superman for example. A superman movie could be lois lane writing a story about clarke kent whilst shes married to clarke she knows hes superman, hes already in the justice league and she writes in the article that she wishes everyone would see clarke kent the man and all the other superheroes true identities as just as super as the heroes they are. And i wish comicbook movies would get people back into reading comics.

[@sebastienvondoom8615]

Well, in this, Superman saves a random person from a tornado, but in Man of Steel, Superman let's his own adopted father die in a tornado, coincidence?! I think not

[@qinlongfei]

@@sebastienvondoom8615 I seriously don't understand why nobody voiced objection on the tornado scene instead of getting their panties tied in a knot for the neck snap. Stealing Sam Reimi's Spider-man for that 'You aren't my dad, you just raised me.' line while Peter Kent AKA SuperBatSpider just watches Johnathon die is the scene that made me realize Snyder is a total hack who has no understanding of the character.

[@chikish]

Can't believe I only found this video after years of following this channel. 'Superman For All Seasons' is my favorite Superman story. Everything about it is perfect to me and it's just a book that always makes me feel good reading it. I showed the book to my mother who is in her sixties and doesn't speak English, and she couldn't put it down just admiring the beautiful artwork. You can tell this was a product of love from everyone involved in making it.

[@MattDraper]

Consider this video a spiritual sequel to my All-Star Superman and Spider-Man: Blue videos from last year. Hope you enjoy!

[@JaiProdz]

Loved Spider-Man: Blue, the editing and overall atmosphere you created was fantastic. Would love to see a faithful adaption of that one day in live action.

[@MattDraper]

Thank you! It would make for a great and very unique film if they could do it right.

[@hermionesvillage]

Any more reason for me to love Superman. I love him not just because of his powers and colourful costume but also because he’s a compassionate and loving man.

[@atrioberlyn9151]

This is Superman,love and hope

[@johnathonhaney8291]

To this day, Mr Draper, Superman For All Seasons remains one of my favorite stories...THANK YOU for giving it a spotlight. One small quibble: if you look closely enough, you can see that the story's framing narrative is actually John Byrne's Man Of Steel miniseries (As seen by how Clark talks of his mom making his costume and Lex Luthor's look and arrest). But I've always said that Superman For All Seasons is what Byrne's series should have been...and ultimately wasn't.

[@MattDraper]

That's a really great insight! It makes sense too, as Man of Steel was still the canon origin in comics at the time of publication.

[@Murdock_the_Pooch]

I wanted to thank you for this. Thank you for reminding me how beautiful this story is. I remember leaving a comment on your (I think) All-Star Superman video expressing my love and admiration for this story. I first read this comic on Christmas Day of my freshman year of college. I had a very rough first semester, feeling lost and uncertain with what I wanted to do with my life, and although I can’t say that this book single-handedly solved my problems, it certainly helped. It’s because of this special connection in addition to its focus on his humanity that I regard this comic as the best Superman story ever told, and your video highlighting the subtleties in elements like the storytelling and color palette make me all the more grateful that this story exists. Once again, I want to thank you for reminding me of the beauty that is contained within this comic.

[@RyogaEchizen]

wow

[@justifan]

When compared with Batman's near mastery of almost every skill, this story is one of the reasons why I think Superman is a far more believable character :)

[@williampressley5195]

Yeah I was definitely heartbroken with this series it really made me understand Superman in a different light that a lot of people really just look at the god side of Superman instead of looking at the man that is Clark Kent. That he may have all these Powers but he does make his mistakes and it doesn't affect them in ways that really makes him human.

[@theapologytourpodcast]

One of the few comic books that brought me to tears. Great arc & great video!

[@MattDraper]

I think it's a highly touching story, too. Thanks!

[@spaaaaace8952]

What a great video. As generic as it may sound, I look up to Superman and see his ideals as an example to live by. I even quote him sometimes to my friends. Definitely my favourite.

[@blovett0814]

Matt Draper, watching these videos have really convinced me that Superman isn't some "perfect" and non relatable hero but someone we should strive to be and make us be a better person. Thanks for the videos and keep up the good work 💪

[@MarkCretu]

One of the greatest Superman stories ever. Great video, thanks for making this

[@MattDraper]

Thank you very much! Very happy to have made this.

[@troycruikshank1027]

The saxophone music at the end always gets me groovin!

[@Domart101]

Now when I heard about Superman, I was like “Whao this guy is really cool” but that’s not the case I love Superman I don’t see him as an alien. I see him as a human with a human heart of hope and heroism, his promise and his purpose was to protect and love the earth and it’s people, he’s one of the greatest superhero’s I’ve always loved and I will always love Superman. ❤️ when we fall back down we always get back up because we must believe in our selfs for the better. ❤️

[@hydeh3r386]

Great episode Matt, Superman was one of those heroes that I always thought needed more humanization because of the alienation created by his god-like superpowers. Great narattion, keep it up!

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! I think Superman is one of the more difficult superheroes to write well, but when done right, he's an amazing character.

[@arslanbaig1943]

@@MattDraper Just like to ask you What makes him a difficult character in your view, is it because of his alien origins or His enormous superpowers?

[@mayotango1317]

I think Batman is who need humanization, more Bruce Wayne and least cape crussader.

[@stephenvelez9710]

RIP Tim Sale😢

[@miker6452]

Heartfelt tribute video, shows how much you revere Superman.

[@ChadBenjamin]

I love For All Seasons. I highly recommend checking out Superman: Last Son of Krypton by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner. It's a great story despite that Superman was already 10 years into his career as a superhero, and he fights a lot of his superpowered rogues.

[@MattDraper]

That's a fun one! I enjoyed the Johns and Donner stuff quite a bit.

[@davidwatkins4709]

When I read this, the colors blew me away. This book is fantastic and a work that proves Superman should be preserved as an ideal to strive toward

[@MattDraper]

I agree! I think Superman is at his best when he's inspirational but still human.

[@Arkhkalos]

This was so perfectly said! Incredible presentation. You genuinely brought back a memory I had as a kid about how I viewed Superman. This is literally it, and the reason He was my first favorite superhero. A lot of movies and stories lose track of this aspect of Superman. To me it's not just as important as the action, But even more important. I wanna read this story so bad now.

[@JadeFoxAlpha]

My personal favorite Superman story.

[@oneshot2139]

Just discovered this channel. 100% earned a subscriber. Such great quality videos. Keep it up dude

[@MattDraper]

Thank you!

[@heliohdcandido]

This is a real piece of art. A treasure.

[@fgdj2000]

One of the great dream teams in comics. Hard to believe the same team made Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory. Yet they manage to capture both Superman and Batman in stories that couldn't be more different from each other yet als couldn't be more essentially capturing the respective character.

[@squashmallow2006]

Superman's relationship with planet Earth is a self-sustaining cycle. He was inspired by the best of us, and in turn, he gave back by inspiring us, and we continue inspiring him and vice versa and you get the idea. He's not perfect, he never gets it right all the time, and he's not always level-headed, but he always kept trying.

[@CortlandtMatthews]

I’ve started reading “New Frontier” after watching your video about that book. I love these videos! Think I might be picking this up soon

[@MattDraper]

Let me know what you think about it if you read it!

[@msol8966]

You absolutely killed it with this one. And yeah those water colors are just sublime.

[@MattDraper]

Thank you very much!

[@fausty616]

Great video. Your point about why the origin stories end up stronger/get more acclaim is on point, and kind of obvious once one considers it. I think that ties into some of the elements of Superman both present and absent in the current Rebirth run. His marriage to Lois Lane and now his son open more avenues to show human moments. Then there are the Kents, who are sadly dead in a post-Flashpoint world so that closes off a door. Obviously it's awesome to see him flying light years through space and moving moons. But Superman also has a really strong supporting cast and a very human side which is often neglected by DC and their creators.

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! Great points. I'm really enjoying Superman post Rebirth and it's the humanity emphasized by the family dynamics that make it so great.

[@ianscott3768]

Matt really well done...incredibly insightful and in tune with what makes Superman who he is

[@kevinpauley-dadbodstyle2935]

Also, I can't help but here John Williams' "Superman" score when I read this. The Smallville theme, the Krypton theme, the Superman main theme - combined with this beautiful story and art they create a genuinely heartfelt, emotional experience and that's why this particular comic registers so highly with me. Next to The Long Halloween, this is Loeb and Sale's greatest accomplishment. But, I also think very highly of Daredevil: Yellow and Spider-Man: Blue. :)

[@imjmar]

I’ve been waiting on this for a week

[@MattDraper]

Had to give myself some breathing room in making all these videos!

[@rustybuckets2143]

How your channel isn't bigger baffles me. You provide awesome insite in every video you make.

[@XXusernameunknownXX]

this is what the movies should be based on. and maybe all-star superman.

[@JanetStarChild]

Holy hell, Clark is drawn huge in contrast with everyone else in this story. Reminds me of Lennie from the story _Of Mice and Men._

[@williamanderson3402]

Fantastic video!

[@rainspectre3153]

RIP Tim Sale

[@ginofrancejr555]

Superman for all seasons is classic Superman storytelling

[@daimonatkins3046]

Soon to be the big influence for James Gunn’s newest movie Superman Legacy

[@spaghettisultan5484]

I can't be the only one who cried

[@helwing01]

I misunderstood Superman, but now I must say he's a great superhero.

[@ianmcpherson2171]

That was beautiful

[@harrisonlee6732]

You should do a video on Superman:Secret Origin(Another great Superman comic).

[@kevinthomas4239]

Great video as always Matt. I love Loeb & Sales work, might I recommend The Long Halloween or Dark Victory for the future?

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! I'll definitely do those at some point. Those were the first Batman comics I really loved.

[@MrRoccoandhunter]

Great Narration Matt

[@MattDraper]

Thank you!

[@bigboycheesepuffs9644]

Great Book great video nuff said

[@MattDraper]

Thank you!

[@bigboycheesepuffs9644]

Matt Draper NP Could you do one on Batman the long Halloween and Dark Victory

[@MattDraper]

It will definitely happen!

[@vilstef6988]

The Kents imbued Clark with his very human heart!

[@jameseichinger7262]

While Batman: Year One and Dark Knight Returns summarizes the overall character arch of Batman, which works does the same for Superman? I can’t think of anything better than Superman for All Seasons as the heroes start. The resolution of the character? That’s a little more dependent on the critic, isn’t it? Personally, I see Kingdom Come as the logical conclusion. Superman must deal with how to handle his values in conflict with the real world. Movies tend to reboot Superman as a young man in the modern age. I know that sells tickets. I’d be interested in how a middle aged Superman navigates a world that belongs to a younger generation. Cast Anson Mount as Superman and have him navigate a world like the boys. He’d be an interesting mix of Ted Lasso and Atticus Finch.

[@Xehanort10]

The difference between Superman and Batman's identities is that Batman is who Bruce is and "Bruce Wayne, idiot billionaire playboy" is just an act whereas Clark Kent is who Superman is. He considers himself a normal person who just happens to be Superman. Like he said in one comic "Clark Kent is who I am. Superman is what I can do."

[@evandavid2816]

Love Sale and Hansen's art in this one (that double-page spread of the Kent farm's skyline shown from 5.49 onwards is especially beautiful...wonder if the real Kansas is like that?), and the 'My Mom made it for me' bit from 4.45 or so is about as 'Superman' a moment as you can get, flashy powers or no...any chance you could do a video based on John Byrne's 'Man of Steel' (which was the first Superman story I ever read, and which 'For All Seasons is built around) and/or Kurt Busiek's 'Secret Identity' (which is probably the best Superman story ever told as far as I'm concerned...and classic Supes technically isn't even in it...!!!), please?

[@BenjiDWJ]

Awesome video & discussion as ever Matt :) you should definitely check out Loeb & Sale's Hulk Gray and Daredevil Yellow when you get the chance.

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! I really like those as well. Especially Daredevil Yellow!

[@speedsterjay]

One frame from this story has been the background on my phone for the last 7 years.

[@carternelson7929]

THIS IS WHAT SUPERMAN SHOULDVE BEEN HE SHOULDVE SAVED HIS DAD FROM THAT DAMN TORNADO

[@carternelson7929]

Man of steel*

[@rosswilson8917]

Man of Steel was a movie masquerading as a superman movie.

[@stobie8128]

Great video, Superman is one of my all time favourite superheroes, right up there with Spiderman. Would you ever consider covering 2000 AD?

[@MattDraper]

I'll admit that 2000 AD is a bit of a blind spot for me. But I want to dive into those comics soon.

[@Little3Pigs]

The best issues for me would be the last 2, the lex luthor one because it showed superman weakness, and the last one because its the perfect end to the story and shows the human nature of the caracther struggling to become the hero he wants to be. The first issue for me is the weakest but mostly because its hard to connect with the narrator´s perspective from the begining. Even tough I loved reading the issues, and I think it did a great job in humanizing the caracther of superman, I feel like doing it from a third person pespective altough it helps us see superman from the same perpesctive of the caracthers, it keeps a distance from us and superman in a way that it feels like we are reading an essay on the caracther. For my next comic I hope to see an equally human story on superman but told from his perspective, a story that makes us feel closer to him.

[@rnspurgn3015]

5:01 **Insert T-pose joke here**

[@pasalasaga]

For me tbh, this comic, Peace on Earth and All Star, I feel those 3 like a trilogy, becuase it ends in winter, peace on earth starts in winter and ends flying to space, and all star superman starts him flying to space.

[@faisalsukhtian1932]

Is this story in the same continuity as The Long Halloween and Catwoman: When in Rome or is it just the same writers and nothing more?

[@manat31790]

They were all canon to Post-Crisis. Lana Lang's unrealized romance in For All Season explained why she would work for LexCorp and nearly kill Superman at one point. The Long Halloween was a sequel to Batman: Year One, detailing the downfall of the Falcone gang. When in Rome was one of the Long Halloween's sequels.

[@sahilhossain8204]

Lore of Superman For All Seasons - The Human Heart of a Hero momentum 100

[@kennethmatthewn.tabbilos1584]

I don't mean to be naive, but optimisticly speaking.. If everyone reads this book once or at least more times in their lives, I'm sure ppl can and will become their best selves just from the writing and nuance of Clark's character and everything around him.

[@RSpracticalshooting]

Thumb Supes is the best

[@andyroooo6329]

Superman: For all Seasons is much much much better than All Star Superman in my personal opinion.

[@williamh.gatesiii8183]

This is the CORRECT version of Superman. Not this Kill Bill vol 2 version that we keep getting where he has this elitism. This is why I'm happy Cavil will not be back. His vibe is of a bad guy, despite the look.

[@daelen.cclark]

Have you ever read “Superman: the secret years”? It’s actually really good.

[@uaala]

This is story is basically everything Man of Steel (the movie) wasn't: A tribute to Superman's history and also a beautiful way to introduce him to new readers.

[@godinacape]

I think mos did it exactly. Bringing Supes to modern world and audience.

[@Hahaa99]

Loeb and Sale.....

[@lturner7159]

The outter lines drawn and the painting oozes of that if Frank Miller and Lin Varley this works but keep him humanized and that can be done all throughout his career because he is the only one of his kind which should often cause him to stray away from his calling quiet often neglecting to wear the suit and embrace the alien in him out if a distaste for being something that all man kind fears and he treats it like a germophobic male having no choice but to go out every day into the world as a Garbage man. This would also make superman more relatable. And they almost got this right I'm Batman V Superman but they for got to act or rather treat their commentary on the supposed alien from a place unknown like a threat in a sense to wear they spoke of being uncertain of his motives boldly without ever truly taking any percautions where jthe real world snitchs and up in ditches or in stiches and no one would openly wanna speak against a man who is meraculously flying leaping buildings, faster than a speaking bullet speaking of bullets , he's bullet proof. No, the natural reaction would've been terror on a mass level (think Bright Burn) because it would be like the antichrist has come. People knew too much about Superman they should have feared him with a strong EMPHASIS almost like they feared the Batman, I mean this guy is shooting red Lazer from his eye and can't be killed by .an nor his weapons. This is the Superman movie I wanna see and how emotional it effects Clark to learn that he is an outsider to which no one knows the answers of anything concerning him, where he came from or his powers. It should take h 3 movies to truly get a concerned pa Kent to admit that he held the truth from his only son in hopes to save him from himself. Like his evolution from Clark to Superman should be a slow burn focusing more on him spontaneously discovering and adapting to his powers to which should all be weaves into an even better dramatic story feeled with SUSPENSE. Not horror but SUSPENSE(fear in the slow but hyper real discovering of his powers) then the dramatical aspects of excepting that he's different and he should be scary to others without him knowing it like imagin Clark on a football feel running and jumping but because of his powers he unknowingly jumps A LITTLE beyond the length to which the any average human has ever jumped this it's very impressive yet still very much is grounded in reality leaving the idea to be believable, some what concievable, there for RELATABLE.

[@thedarkjw6219]

His name is jeph

[@thesmilyguyguy9799]

:)

[@miffedakko9312]

The story of Superman if he was a thumb.

[@randomknowledgeperson2872]

Why are the good Superman stories at both ends of his life. Beginning Superman for all seasons Man of steel End All star Superman Whatever happened to the man of tomorrow

[@puffsnstuff8636]

Love how in this Superman can save a random guy from a tornado but in Man of Steel not his adopted father

[@paulhughes6101]

3

[@paulhughes6101]

2

[@quincylee2276]

Can't say I like the artwork

[@KINGBADASS100]

This is what Man of Steel should have been.

[@samsheppard8265]

1854’s the history of holy Russia

[@paulhughes6101]

1

[@keypath4389]

Whoa.. slow down on the bread there clark

[@countdarkmire1759]

pleasedontkillmeilovesuperman Clark looks like a giant baby