This is a superhero graphic novel review, which in this case is lar-de-dar speak for a bunch of super hero comics placed together. I grew up reading comics, but being British it was mainly the Beano and Dandy purely for children. Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx were characters I read about during childhood, then I said goodbye to comics and moved solely to books.
Unlike a purely written novel a graphic novel will be devoured quicker, so price versus time, you don’t get as much for your money. There are many types of comic book characters and my favourites tend to focus around mainstream such as Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Thor, Wolverine etc. All characters movie goers of all ages have paid to watch, yet mainly don’t pick up the comic book version. Shame.
Superhero based comics didn’t litter my local newsagents during my childhood and there wasn’t a comic book shop I could stroll into to explore. It was only in my mid-teens that I discovered DC comics proper and I’ve not looked back. I’m not up-to-date with the latest story arcs, I rarely buy them in single form, but every once in a while a graphic novel will appeal to me. Why?
Firstly by buying a graphic novel you are often buying a collection of comics bundled together. A complete story arc and avoiding having to wait each week for the next continuation, plus I find them easier to store.
I’m sure reading DC or Marvel comics (to name but two of a large industry) from a young age helps, but for me there is nothing childish. It is akin to why adults watch the Simpsons or Futurama even out of their teens, it is what it is. The story lines offer up what sci-fi movies struggle to pull off. There isn’t anything like gee-wiz I wish I could do that, it is a bit of fun and appeals to the sci-fi enthusiast in me and the story can be quite intense, particularly a Batman.
So without further ado let me tell you about Superman – Time and Time Again a 1994 graphic novel I brought years ago and have reread numerous times. It includes two of my favourite characters Superman and Waverider, plus involves a favourite topic of mine – ‘time travel’.
So where do I begin? Without giving too much away Superman finds himself bouncing between different eras, wanting to get home. This gives the authors and artists a variety of time periods to pen and ink, the writers freedom to tie in other superheros or villains in different periods. The benefit being your not sucked into just one setting, one period for the whole graphic novel. Don’t like the medieval period, fear not you will be in another soon enough.
There are some key characters you see time and time again…sorry forgive my wording. Such as the Legion of Super-heroes and the mysterious linear men (people). Yet in reality you don’t get too attached to these characters until later on when the novel targets the linear men more in-depth. Only fitting as they played a key role throughout the rest of the book.
The book is fast paced, easy to follow, excellent drawings and stories. A Superman that movie goers will appreciated, but without the over the top nervous edge so often shown on screen. Indeed the Superman of the comic books is still the best representation in my opinion.
So who is this graphic novel for? Fans of Superman first and time travel second. I’m sure to younger generations it could appear dated, but this is a solid graphic novel and over almost two decades I’ve visited it time and time again…..
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