Superman was almost a Marvel character?! | The Man of Steel (1986)

[@comicpop]

Buy Superman: The Man of Steel vol 1 here! amzn.to/3E9P4cM

[@froman46992]

"Superman knows where everyone lives" has to be a short hahaha

[@sariellakingdom1878]

That hardcover is a seriously lovely book

[@TrackMaster844]

I kinda like to think Clark did the “interview with Superman” not just to secure himself a job, but as a little dig at Lois. He knew the trouble she’d gone through to get his attention by doing something dangerous and stupid, and didn’t want her to do that again 😂

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

“I know…where everyone lives.” “…Wh-what did you say the ‘S’ stands for, again?”

[@Mokkari77]

Readership dropped when Byrne left after 2 years but the irony is that's when the Superman books got really good. Writers Roger Stern, Jerry Ordway, Dan Jurgens and Louise Simonson under editor Mike Carlin created this cohesive continuity between 4 books each coming out every week.

[@banjiromasati4907]

Since exile to fall of metropolis SUPERMAN WAS IN HIS PEAK

[@bensneb360]

I hope John Bryne’s Superman becomes a recurring series like Ultimate Spider-Man, because it is such a fun and enjoyable series

[@loganthomas2421]

Same. Add this to the catalog of great runs for future backissues along with Invincible, IDW TMNT, Morrison’s JLA, Busiek’s Avengers, Stan Lee’s Spider-Man, Daredevil, immortal hulk etc

[@Spikex1]

I would love to see Sal and the gang pick up on Jose Degado and his perpetually terrible luck, and then Bibbo's proportionally inverse amazing luck. That's hysterical. That whole era is full of weird and fun loooong running gags and deep background subplots.

[@cullenn2100]

For all its impact, it only lasted 2 years before Byrne left; maybe 60 issues between the 3 titles all told

[@greenberry6019]

@@cullenn2100 hey, that's definitely not nothing

[@greenberry6019]

@tfoxrng I'd be interested for you to elaborate if you have such a strong opinion

[@Sicod79]

It is amazing how Magpie has become this one thing that all creator's cling to in the modern era as the connection between Batman and Superman's first appearance. Even Waid did it in World's Finest.

[@dlvnmedia]

It’s cause Magpie is better than the Joker in every way. #killoffjoker #itsmagpiestimetoshine #tiffanyasmagpieforever

[@AnarchicArachnid]

Magpie is the key to all this

[@blunteastwood]

​@@AnarchicArachnidShe's a funnier character than we're used to.

[@TheVegeta67]

This is John Byrne’s best “fuck it, I’m doing my own thing. Fuck everything that came before,” book.

[@daelen.cclark]

How often does he make those books?

[@tclark6989]

​@@daelen.cclarkQuite often. I think the time it backfired the worst was on Doom Patrol. The series had been handed off respectfully from Paul Kupperberg to Grant Morrison to Rachel Pollack. Byrne got ahold of it and threw all their work away, despite Morrison's version being considered the new benchmark.

[@aproposreeve]

John Byrne Krypton is basically Galifray from 70s-80's Doctor Who

[@blackphoenix77]

I love the Looms

[@chrisdaily2077]

Funny enough, this isn't the first time John Byrne took something from Classic Dr. Who.

[@zootopiawilson]

@@chrisdaily2077 I am so glad someone else has noticed that!

[@JasonEvans-j4c]

I love John Byrne making Krypton this cold inhuman place so readers would be repulsed by it and Zack Snyder was like "Hell Yeah! More of that, please!"

[@chrismennell1606]

Snyder definitely has a "unique" interpretation on superman.

[@elderrusty541]

Zack seems like the kind of guy to watch a Cyberpunk movie and not understand the world is supposed to be horrifying

[@SolarDragon007]

Snyder doesn't understand or like Superman.

[@philoreilly1800]

The way Tiffany said "..and I'm Tiffany" got no pop from the other 2 and you could see her pause for the laugh... but it was funny 😂

[@ChristopherZubin]

Being truly a part of the culture means transcending your original medium. As a kid I knew so much about the universe of Star Wars, not just from the movies, but just through cultural osmosis. The planet is Tatooine, the bartender is Wuher, Vader was scarred in a volcano after fighting Obi-Wan etc. The same is true of Superman, Superman became a cultural juggernaut after he transitioned to radio, and again to film, and television, until everything about his story becomes an amalgam of all his revisions and retcons through each medium.

[@ijl007]

9:05 🤣🤣😂 Sal is just to perfect with his impersonations. Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Mephisto, Old timey announcer voice. Its all so good😂🤣🤣👍

[@notavailable8514]

I will say, I prefer it when Jonathan and Martha are really good parents, because I've always felt that the whole reason Clark is Superman is because of his upbringing. That he became Superman, because Superman was Clark Kent. Regardless, this was an awesome episode of Back Issues as always!

[@daelen.cclark]

Yeah, good parents make a better Superman overall.

[@thewilhelmscream7912]

Indeed, also why I think it makes him a more interesting character, is his connection to a classic American midwestern family on a farm, the symbolism is so rich to mine, with all these things makes him so strong a character.

[@YouCalledForTheDoc]

The "Pregnant Lara goes in the rocket and gives birth to Clark on Earth" idea actually got used in the recent D&D DC book. Lara and Jor-El squeeze into the rocket and land on Earth only for her water to break as Jor-El realizes they aren’t in Kansas but a medieval world with castles and knights.

[@leomoreno7369]

What is it called and how can I find it?!

[@evandavid2816]

@@leomoreno7369 It's called Dark Knights of Steel, and it's a twelve-issue mini-series that's only just wrapped up I think...in any case, it's really good...!

[@thedukeofchutney468]

I feel like Superman has been having a renaissance as of late. At least insofar as appreciation goes. It’s good to see. Of the big three (Superman Batman and Spider-Man) he’s the most overlooked.

[@jrob4795]

Superman has been good lately, Batman and this next event are gearing up to be lackluster at best, and Spider-Man has been abominable.

[@loganthomas2421]

Supes definitely needed it after how awful Bendis’ run was. Wish Batman and especially Spider-Man would get back to consistent good books

[@dna6]

​@@jrob4795Spider-Man COMICS have been abominable, but Spider-Man is enjoying a tremendous hot streak at the moment in terms of the popular consciousness. Between No Way Home, the Insomniac games, and ATSV, Spidey is probably the hottest he's been since the early 2000s, if not hotter

[@greenberry6019]

Wouldn't it really be the big 4, Spidey, Batman, X-Men and Superman?

[@zhisangchen4562]

@@greenberry6019 Not sure, was X men ever a consistent number 1 best seller? Superman isn’t anywhere near number 1 these days but he ruled the golden age. Also I don’t think X-men is as recognizable and iconic as the other three, especially outside of Western cultures. However most people would recognize Superman, Batman and Spider-Man

[@Confussed-Oddish]

26:09 You clearly don't know how bad storms can get in the midwest.

[@murder101storytime]

The idea that people took animosity between Batman and Superman from DK always confused the crap out of me. They were friends in that book! Superman went to see Batman at his home and they were hanging out! Batman was just principled enough that he was completely willing to fight his friend when his friend was willing to come try and step on him under orders from the President.

[@tjjordan4207]

My issue with the comic was that Superman was taking orders from the US Government. Superman has always been someone who was willing to work “with” organizations and other heroes to do good, not “for”. His whole thing was simply to protect everyone and everything. Just like Batman, he doesn’t take life, and he wouldn’t allow himself to be put in a position where his morals would be compromised.

[@pickedceasar1216]

@@tjjordan4207 chock that up to Frank Miller misinterpreting Superman’s American symbolism as a nationalist instead of someone trying to be the best of what America is supposed to be

[@RedHeadKevin]

It's a classic trope to have "The Talk" with your dad in the car. You don't have to sit face-to-face.

[@DiegoAlvarezBeltran1993.]

I love the idea of Clark being called out on the weights and him thinking "shit, shit, she knows!"

[@blackphoenix77]

That scene where Clark says "They all wanted a piece of me" is just as heartbreaking here as it was when they retold that moment in Superman: The Man of Steel #21.

[@tjjordan4207]

I like that moment because it shows us how human Clark is. He's overwhelmed by how many people are just looking for someone to help them in any way possible. They want a symbol, something or someone to latch onto. And I don't blame him for feeling so many different emotions at once because of how desperate they are, and all without making him into a crazy person (and I'm looking at you two, Synder and Miller!).

[@danejohnson9906]

“Bitch the planet’s gonna explode” is my new favorite Ethan quote

[@jacob_ian_decoursey_the_author]

In Roger Stern’s novel “The Death and Life of Superman,” which is a pretty solid read, he softly retcons Superman’s origins by mentioning Clark didn’t start getting his powers until adulthood and spent most of his early years basically as any other kid, which much better imo. Then later in Superman:TAS, teenage Clark is starting to get his powers and doesn’t learn to fly until just after Pa tells him about the rocket, which is probably the best origin Superman has ever had.

[@AndDeathForAll82]

Disagree. Byrne wrote him as a teen playing football WITH his powers to show how Clark learned restraint. That’s far better for the character in my opinion. Byrne’s origin should’ve been stuck to rigidly until New 52, and after post-Crisis Supes returned, his origin should’ve never been merged with N52 Supes. They wrote a great opportunity to return Superman to how he should be, then they almost immediately screwed it up.

[@Spikex1]

I actually feel like Byrne's Krypton is a bit more tragic in its own way. Jor-el was a radical emotional man in a cold and shut-off society, but it seemed like the reciprocation of his love for Lara at the last minute _could_ have been a sign of potential change for Krypton... if it weren't for the whole blowing up thing. That's certainly a different kind of loss than that of the classic Kryptonian society dying, but I almost feel like the loss of _potential_ for what they could've been if given more time is like salt in a wound.

[@CamWG95]

For someone who hasn't read a lot of older comics, origin episodes like this and the Amazing Fantasy/Spider-Man, are absolutely FASCINATING insights into where so much of these characters came from

[@Aaron-zt5ee]

1:36:42 I remember my grandmother telling me that they would bring Superman back and as a kid, I thought she was just being ridiculous. Grandma was correct about a year later.

[@daelen.cclark]

Your grandmother sounds pretty smart.

[@kristian7160]

I have a strange complement for you all. I’ve recently started my comicpop binge and I came across your secret invasion video that was 9 years old. As a listener rather than a watcher, slight audio difference aside, I would have had no idea that it was such an old video. In fact, I completely forgot it was an old video partway through. The quality was still fantastic.

[@gladstone1432]

I personally have my grievances with Byrne's depiction and writing of Big Blue, but I'm always excited to hear your guys' perspective, and I can't knock what Byrne did for Supes, in all fairness.

[@Galvatronover]

What’s your grievance

[@dylanlewis5113]

I got issue 1 from a book sale by accident as a kid. Someone had put it inside of another book. Came home and found a surprise comic in the middle of a book about WWII aircraft. I don't have that plane book anymore, but I still have Man of Steel #1.

[@gabrieldjatienza6971]

I appreciate Byrne's Superman by having his parents, the Kents alive and well....Clark Kent has a home to visit anytime and living parents that help him with his humanity. Clark Kent never was Superboy but at least he's no orphan anymore!

[@SutargozTheKaijuFromKrypton]

Byrne’s run on Superman is arguably my favorite run. He’s also arguably my favorite Superman artist too

[@metaknight7117]

I love it when they channel each others energy for a joke 1:37:20 Ethan immediately knew where the joke was going and beat Sal to it XD

[@PowerPackers90]

perfect timing as im reading the Wolfman and Bryne late 80s Superman run right now. I also love the story as to why Adventures of Superman kept the old numbering. Because Wolfman was upset that he was getting the old Superman title, and yet Byrne was getting Action Comics and a new 1 relaunch. So DC to shut him up gave him "a new Superman series" too and just renamed the old Superman book Adventures of Superman.

[@bert1307]

Same here I am on Volume 3 of the hard covers!

[@PowerPackers90]

@bert1307 I just today finished Superman #7. with that orange Hulk chick Sups thinks is Lois at first.

[@langleymneely]

Based on Gunns upbringing and specific love of 80s comics I can see him taking a lot of elements from this for Superman Legacy. In the same way his The Suicide Squad modeled itself of the original 80s run. I’m so curious to see what he uses and what he makes his own.

[@daelen.cclark]

He’s already utilized one of the Byrne characters in Bloodsport, so it’s off to a great start.

[@langleymneely]

@@daelen.cclark Indeed. For me I hope he utilizes a bit of the Lois stuff from this run. Lois is an evergreen character that legitimately could serve as a through line for the entire DC Universe. As Nick Fury is to the MCU Lois could be a great touchstone and not squandered as just Supermans girlfriend.

[@TevyaSmolka]

Superman by John Byrne is personally in my opinion, one of the if not the best perfect origin story for Clark Kent Superman and his entire world from the very beginning and did a fantastic job of telling this new take on superman which lasted for 23 years which is a great job in my book at least in my opinion.

[@SavageDarksider-sw7rp]

This is my definitive version of superman's origin.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@SavageDarksider-sw7rp I can agree with that.

[@bgvo4373]

Yeah. Krypton with unicks, Martha and Jonathan sucking as parents, and Clark being anti social until 25.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@bgvo4373 okay there are flaws with this origin but still for the time this was a good superman origin.

[@shiningnight12]

Ayyyyeeee

[@WhatIsItAboutThem]

1:06:49 - Luthor: You do this? In front of MY SALAD?

[@MutantsInDisguise]

John Byrne's Man of Steel is a fantastic miniseries. My favorite issue is the 3rd one, since it marks the first time both Superman and Batman meet. I love how Byrne highlights the difference between them and Superman's uneasiness at Batman's cynical and bitter outlook on the world.

[@chrisdaily2077]

It's amazing how revolutionary and backwards this miniseries can be. It's not my favorite Superman or John Byrne Superman story for that matter but it's a good way to start his run.

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

Clark's Kryptonian mom's name was Lara-L (Lara Lor-Vel previously). The first LL for Clark's life. Idk what to do with that information

[@Shortyd17]

This is fascinating. I didn’t know this. Love when Sal goes on his history lectures. Very insightful.

[@tylersaez4095]

While I don't care for all of Bryne's changes the importance of this book can't be understated. I think Birthright and Secret Origin do a good job of combining the elements of this that work with the more classic origin. For example, future origins keep Lex as a businessman but maintain the Pre-Crisis ideas of him being a scientist and a peer of Clark's from Smallville.

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

Superman on Back Issue!!! LET'S GOOOOOOO!!!!!

[@threex0xthree]

1:03:03 the beauty of villain monologues; to highlight the bad guy's arrogance and stupidity in the most classiest of ways. I.e. Lex Luthor.

[@loganthomas2421]

Yes! One of the first Superman stories I read when I got into comics. Please do more of Byrne’s run

[@theIJPmexican]

I love that even after so many years of doing the show, it still feels fresh. Doesnt feel like yall fell off. Keep up the good work.

[@ninja1man4u]

Superman origins are like pizza. Theres usually not a bad one, just different flavors and toppings

[@daelen.cclark]

Even Frank Miller’s retelling? Some pizzas are better than others.

[@rabl3535]

Hadn’t heard of the DC Explosion before, wild to think of something backfiring so much it nearly led to them being acquired. I’d be curious about what Marvel’s DC could’ve been like but I’m honestly glad that’s not what ended up happening.

[@PowerPackers90]

It was so bad DC nearly canceled both Action and Detective Comics series. But both books were saved cause DC just cancelled the satellite books (Superman's Pal Jimmy Olson, Batman Family, Superboy, Etc), moved those stories to Action and Detective, turning them into anthology books, and raising the price to a dollar.

[@alanblanks]

I enjoy the actual comic stuff but at the same time the history and behind the scenes stuff is amazing. Thank you folks for your videos.

[@kevin4680]

Lex isn't the only one getting a mugshot this week

[@langleymneely]

I love the irony!

[@daelen.cclark]

It’s excellent timing. Cathartic, too. 😁

[@ThorneIdentity]

i got nothing except, this is a perfect episode. you are my favorites.

[@comicpop]

Thanks!

[@leiferikson2105]

I read this as a child and remember loving it, haven't revisited it in more than 30 years

[@Coreyw_art]

This is one of the funniest episodes of comicpop I’ve seen so far. 😂 Good job! 🙌 Interesting side-note: I’ve been reading Mark Waid’s Birthright and his depiction of the Kryptonian parents seem to be the polar opposite to that in Man of Steel. Less clinical/sterile and more outwardly loving towards each other.

[@azaanyasir2811]

Waid hated Byrnes take and wrote birthright to correct the wrongs

[@tinfoiltyrant]

1:33:45 They parallel each other and you're admiring said parallels, eh? "It's like poetry, it rhymes." - George Lucas :b

[@mjlooney]

Amazing episode, I think this is an instant classic! Ladybird books published an abridged children's book version of the first issue and that was my introduction to the character, so it has a special place in my heart. Also, when I was about 12 years old I found a random issue when looking through back issues and that's when I discovered it was actually a full comic run by John Byrne and I remember it being mind-blowing

[@Serje1227]

That story with the girl in the elevator was amazing

[@AnarchicArachnid]

The super suit leaving the guy brain dead explanation is why I love Lex as a villian, he always plants that element of plausible deniablity to his plans. See he didn't plan that...this ex employee who had been let go from lexcorp used his access and took this experimental technology and fought superman ...he died and I'm sooooo sorry to his family and Lexcorp will take care of them, just like he promised all his employees and a Lexcorp promise is solid steel .

[@doptimusmaximus2452]

So this is how Lex became DC’s smart skinny Kingpin! 😂

[@daelen.cclark]

You’ve all got great fashion senses, and Tiffany’s got a great hat.

[@shiningnight12]

I really dug this superman origin. It's honestly my favorite next to Superman Birthright followed by secret origin. Byrne really made a cool balance of superman still being superman but without the crazy power levels. I also really liked his take on krypton and I really dig how this book cover like the first couple years of early superman

[@bert1307]

No JMS Superman Earth One origin? Where does it rank amongst your origin choices?

[@shiningnight12]

@@bert1307 honestly I really enjoyed earth 1 superman. It's just above secret origin

[@HollowGolem]

Man, y'all have done _so many_ Superman origins they're all starting to bleed together in my brain. I thought you'd already done this one. How many times has Krypton exploded at this point? I'm just thinking of that scene at the beginning of _Robin Hood: Men in Tights_ but with the Kryptonians yelling "Leave us alone, DC Comics!" as their planet explodes.

[@PHEONIX_720]

I thought they did this one already as well

[@mastermix9619]

​@@PHEONIX_720Bendis wrote a series call Man of Stellar also. They covered that one already. That might be the one your referring to.

[@thorsday6462]

I assume the reason he knows where everyone lives is that he can quickly check their address on their IDs with his X-Ray vision in the same way he casually notes the contents of Lois's purse in the film.

[@takeruneverborn4740]

Despite them not being friends post crisis i love the interaction between Supes and Bats because they basically polar opposites and never ever correlate also love how they find out each other alter egos it so simple and funny at the same time Mutual Assured Destruction

[@DavidPeoplesTV]

One time, while watching tv with my dad, some weird commercial for razors came on and the premise was “how does Superman shave? Well with our high quality razors of course!” Or something like that… my dad, furious, explains to me that Superman uses his heat vision. I said he was joking. He went into his closet and found the issue of Man of Steel to show me.

[@nerdpocalypse5004]

I don't like Man of Steel but I do like the idea that Kal-El was first natural birth in centuries he was the first Kryptonian born of love for years

[@theronhildebrand5925]

Always love seeing a new vid from you guys.

[@comicpop]

Thanks for watching!

[@RedHeadKevin]

"My calculations on when Krypton would explode were off by a decimal point. I always mess up some mundane detail!" "The planet exploding is not a mundane detail, Mike-El!!:

[@ItsOver9000Productions]

The Magpie connection b/n Batman and Superman that persits to this day bc of this book is lovely. This is a pretty fun series.

[@dedbatt8869]

Loved the episode guys, read this classic about a year ago because Sal always references it. Great to hear you discuss it in the show

[@FaTe_KuRaMaHTD]

"Heywatatatatack" 😂😂😂

[@Confussed-Oddish]

Oh yeah also Bizzaro was also a clone in the silver age, he was created by a ray luthor develops and he just made his own earth after a while.

[@tatersalad76]

Ma Kent: "You told Clark he was an alien witgout me!?" Pa Kent: "Honey, 'The Talk' is something between a father and his son. Granted, the talk was when he was 18 and instead of growing facial hair and getting boners he'll be snapping buildings in half. But it's still a sacred act."

[@thederpiestofderps]

I will always love the way you guys can take classic runs, unknown stories, big events, elseworlds, etc. and givr them these new spins talking about the history of the book in the context of the industry at the time or showing off different ideas of how the book was gonna have different ideas in it. Keep up the great work

[@edwardosquidawardo]

Phenomenal episode! Ethan’s rant about Superman knowing where you live was great

[@albertolopezsanchez8034]

Man, this origin gives me a lot of vibes from the Smallville tv show, i guess they took a lot of stuff from here.

[@RabbiJoeInJerusalem]

They did bring back the waitress from "Metropolis 900 miles" eventually--in 2000 (Superman 163). She shoots Lex, but he survives and wins the election, saying "It's almost as if I planned it that way..."

[@Okkotsu86275]

This book is what got me into Supes and made me fall in love of the character. Byrne did amazing work on this title.

[@superby1]

This was my Superman origin growing up. This was my era of Superman. I’m glad you all did this 🙂

[@darkknight11311]

Seen this book at my comic book shop. And I'm instantly sold by the history lesson at the start!

[@thebariobro7664]

Oh so this is where they got a few inspirations for my adventures with Superman

[@uncannyhumantorch3704]

Solid back issues, when’s the byrne/shehulk episode happening

[@aucarter]

Seconded!

[@robphoenix1182]

That story would have been amazing! Byrne is obviously one of the best.

[@thepanelbiter9915]

Well timed, I’m quite loving that new Superman cartoon on MAX.

[@daelen.cclark]

I never even noticed that. It really does look like he’s holding a banana.

[@KenByrneNL]

The woman in the diner was a great small moment that showed who Lex was… one of the best

[@tomstreet2859]

One of the novels is the comic book Under A Yellow Sun and its a very good read.

[@bradwatkins7564]

I really hope you continue to go into this era. The Pocket Universe saga alone will be excellent fodder for you three. This version of Clark above kinda makes you get Kenny Braverman. lol

[@loganreiter1391]

Love that RLM boy in the wall reference. So funny

[@ChristopherZubin]

Radical. I've been looking forward to this a long time.... especially after the _other_ one.

[@toeknee1505]

Thanks for this AWESOME history of Superman post-Crisis! I appreciate the video!!!

[@TheGothamite3]

This episode was great! Ethan was on point

[@ericemanwu]

This is a pretty nice book. Honestly though, i think Geoff Johns's Superman origin story was my favorite one you covered.

[@Dorkyboi-1218]

First thought with the Bizarro’s death was the reference to his debut in Superboy 68 as his death brought back the sight of a little girl

[@jamesorion8316]

I kinda like the part where he knows where everyone lives because it usually would be a creepy thing but because it’s Superman he can’t help it he just knows where everyone lives and because it’s Superman that’s fine

[@gugadelunardo4737]

One of the funniest episodes in a while!

[@shreeanshrajsharma8328]

btw this origin of lex hating superman is kinda used in Superman & Lois where Lois causes Lex to go to jail and Lex hates lois for this in the same way Sal described

[@tjjordan4207]

Can you imagine having the task to reinvent Superman’s origins after Crisis on Infinite Earths?

[@elijahjihaad7554]

What a fun episode today , hopefully one day you guys do the grant Morrison origin

[@orngcreator6115]

The idea of seeing Superman as a Marvel character is CRAZY! But not as crazy as seeing a new episode of Harbor Patrol would be!

[@hullahulla]

Superman establishing his brand is such a hilarious concept, especially if it's by pretending he knows where people live (like Santa Claus???)

[@ThePandaSupreme]

Superman is great as a ideal but he has to learn to be that ideal that’s one way I relate to him it’s super interesting… I love him as a dad now teaching his son(well before the aged up stuff)

[@Shortyd17]

Sal’s history lessons are the best