IT’S A BIRD
Steven T. Seagle and Teddy Kristiansen
DC Comics/Vertigo

Superman is the father of a phenomenon. Although heroic fiction has been with us since the days of Priapic Keith Jawbone, of the fifth cave down, who killed an aurochs with his bare hands and a big rock, it was only when the Last Son of Krypton arrived on the scene that heroes became truly…super.

Superman spawned a slew – a slew! - of imitators and descendants, from Batman through to Marshal Law, and although fewer people read his stories than will see his films, to those of us who enjoy comics, he is still very much The Man.

It’s A Bird looks at Superman in the broader cultural context. The story is semi-autobiographical, revolving around Steve, a writer, who is offered the chance to chronicle the new comicbook adventures of Superman. While most other writers would jump at the chance to join that sixty-year chain gang, Steve is reluctant to sign on, unable to take the character seriously.

As the story progresses, we follow Steve as he tries to get past his Kryptopredjudice. We discover that his writer’s block is tied to his fears surrounding a debilitating illness that runs in his family. Everyone around him, from complete strangers to his beloved girlfriend, gets caught up in Steve’s writer’s block, and it is only when a family crisis forces him to confront his father that Steve gets to the heart of his problem – both with the Man of Steel and with his life.

It’s A Bird is a fascinating look at Superman through fresh eyes, unencumbered by a lifetime of fannish immersion. To begin with, Superman is presented as an omnipresent symbol of the writers fears and insecurities. Through a series of vignettes, ostensibly written by Steve as part of his research, It’s A Bird explores the important facets of the character – his secret identity, his “other”ness, his weaknesses – often with a highly critical eye. Presented as an unattainable avatar of human perfection, Superman becomes a damning presence, mocking the writer’s frailties – and by extension, the rest of humanity - and throwing them into a sharper light.

The artwork in It’s A Bird is beautiful and chameleonic. Teddy Kristiansen employs a range of different styles, from abstract, expressionist figures to more refined, elegant characters. The one constant throughout the story is that eternal trademark: Superman’s shield.

While his brand recognition factor may be just below that of Coca-Cola, thanks to films, TV shows and lunchboxes, Superman is a prime example of familiarity breeding contempt. It’s A Bird does what no movie, no video game – no other comic book – has been able to do: it restores a genuine sense of wonder and majesty to the Superman mythos. Gorgeous to look at, and thoroughly involving to read, it’s the best book written about the character in years, appealing to fanatics and allergics alike.

MATTHEW CRAIG

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Review text (C) Matthew Craig

Originally published in the pop culture magazine Robot Fist