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WithThe Boys ' fourth time of year generate the go - ahead , the continued spotlight put on Homelander shows that the " evil Superman " trope is n’t break down away anytime soon . But whileSupermanis often misjudge as being a boring , overtake boy scout , a cursory coup d’oeil at his account shows they are n’t all sunshine and rainbows .
Sometimes when writers seek to write dark Superman story , they feel attempt - hard , with level like " For Tomorrow " and the bulk of New 52 Superman stories sacrificing Superman ’s character in favor of saturated disquietude . However , the adept sour Superman stories are the ones that try his positivity in negatively charged scenarios .
Superman: Earth One
J. Michael Straczynski , Shane Davis , and Adrian Syaf ’s trilogy ofSuperman : Earth Onegraphic novels do admittedly alter Superman to make him a dark character , but there is a decent understanding for this . Earth Onepresents a Clark Kent in his former days , incertain of what he want to do with his lifespan like so many people test to hit out on their own .
The world this Superman exists in feels more natural , the scoundrel finger more threatening , and the epic superpowered battles have literal - world consequences . Though he struggles at first , by the end of the third volume , Clark begins to resemble the Man of Steel fans cognize and be intimate .
American Alien
Much likeEarth One , Superman : American Alienis a darker take on Superman ’s earlier days , give a far less dressed take on The Man of Tomorrow . key out as a " Clark Kent story,“American Alienfocuses less on the mad powers of Superman and more on the humanity of Clark Kent , the keyword of which being " human , " as the serial shows Clark Kent shinny throughout his life with his divine gifts , produce a whole load of mistakes in the process .
Though the author is n’t a very popular individual right on now , his oeuvre onAmerican Alienis lurch perfect , with each issue featuring a raw artist that adds to the story narrate . While Warner Bros and DC battle to make Superman " relatable , " this individual miniseries does it flawlessly .
What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, And The American Way
Written by Joe Kelly , with art by Doug Mahnke and Lee Bermejo , Superman#775 , or " What ’s So Funny About Truth , Justice , and The American Way , " is one ofthe best Superman issues of the 2000s . When a more ruthless team of " submarine " call The Elite begin a campaign of callously slaughtering criminals , people start to question whether or not Superman is even take anymore .
Funeral For A Friend
" The Death of Superman " is a dark moment in Superman ’s history , but its prompt follow - up " Funeral for a Friend " is n’t just one of the darkest Superman account , it’sone of the pitiful Superman storiesof all metre . narrate in all four Superman - related title , " Funeral for a Friend " shows how the multitude in Superman ’s animation are affected by his death at the hands of Doomsday .
Moments like Martha Kent being glued to the telly watching the funeral and a weeping Lois Lane squall The Kents to rationalise for not call them sooner because she did n’t want to accept it was real are heartbreaking . However , the darkest , most heartwrenching scene is when Superman ’s biggest devotee Bibbo Bobowski cry out to God need to know why Superman died and not him .
Superman Reborn
When DC Rebirth came along , not only did the Superman fans wanted bump himself replacing the revile New 52 incarnation , but he and Lois Lane were now parents . This is what makes the " Superman : Reborn " storyline so intense , as it ’s this mob moral force that is put in peril , as when their boy Jonathan is kidnaped by a different edition of Clark Kent , a dingy secret of the post - New 52 DC Universe is laid nude .
The story run from personal to cosmic swiftly and turns a baddie that many saw as a bit camp into a true terror . The fact that " Superman : Reborn " was written by four different writer and drawn by ten dissimilar creative person does n’t palpate jarring whatsoever , as each handle the story well and the story ’s morose tint and ever - rising tension remain consistent .
Up In The Sky
Tom King and Andy Kubert gave fans one of the darkest and tensest Superman stories in late store … in a Walmart - undivided comic!Superman : Up In The Skysees Superman locomote fromhis iconic metropolis home of Metropolisto the farthest range of space all to preserve a trivial young woman .
That may not seem all that dark , but Superman ’s journey inUp In The Skyputs him through the wringer , wearing him down both physically and mentally until he is forced by Darkseid to make a vital decision that will compromise his reference regardless of his option . King and Kubert present a Superman labour to his limit , but nonetheless so dedicated to doing the right thing he is unforced to do some questionable things .
Kingdom Come
RankingKingdom Comeamong dark Superman stories feel a bit off , as it ’s technically a dark DC story , but without Superman as its chief centering the write up would n’t bring . Setin a dark future timeline , the heroes of the DC Universe return key after years of retreat to thwart a Modern generation of reckless hero and dangerous scoundrel , however , their more autocratic approach set the fate of the world in the balance .
Writer Mark Waid and artist Alex Ross craft a story dealing with root word of the corruption of icons , 90 excessiveness , religion , and Bob Hope . Seeing a Superman who has lose Leslie Townes Hope is truly disturbing , as such a want of Bob Hope distort his view on what he does .
Brainiac
Writer Geoff Johns has pen some pretty cheerful Superman stories , but his most famous Superman - centric narration is n’t among them . assure in the Thomas Nelson Page ofAction Comics , " Brainiac " watch Johns reinvent Greco-Roman Silver Age conception for the twenty-first Century such as Supergirl , the bottle urban center of Kandor , and of track , the villain know as Brainiac .
What wee-wee the history so grim is more than just the execution of Johns ' plot , but Gary Frank ’s beautiful , albeit spookily realistic graphics which presents the rubbery violence and heartrending catastrophe of " Brainiac " in almost uncomfortable particular . Not to mention , the level end on a distressing note with a intestine - lick of an ending that wo n’t be spoiled but will jerk at the heartstrings .
For The Man Who Has Everything
Alan Moore ’s Superman news report are like a distorted Cadbury Crème Egg , on the outside is a zany comic book presentation but on the interior is something much darker , " For The Man Who Has Everything " is no exception . suck by Dave Gibbons , the history sees Mongul ensnare Superman in The Black Mercy , an alien plant life that feeds off its dupe whilst trap them in their fantasy .
From the very first glimpse of Superman ’s Krypton - gear up fantasy , the reader experience that it ’s destine , which makes the instant where Superman has to excuse to his Word that he is n’t genuine all the rougher . Even after Superman is free and Mongul is kill , a wistful air is pervasive throughout the residuum of the chronicle .
Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow
WithCrisis of Infinite Earthsprimed to do by with the old persistence , it was up to Alan Moore and iconic Superman artist Curt Swan to play the Pre - Crisis Man of Steel out . " Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow " showcases the final days of this Superman , with Swan ’s trend curiously complimenting Moore ’s grim storytelling .
These last Clarence Day are filled with coloured case , with many of Superman ’s allies and enemies being kill off , which lead to The Man of Steel hanging up the cape forever and a day . However , like many dark Superman stories , " Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow " gives The Last Son of Krypton a happy conclusion .
NEXT:10 Best ' Clark Kent Is Superman ' Reveals In DC Comics
