CITY, July 6, 2025
A Fresh Look at the Man of Steel New comics explore Superman’s relevance in a world grappling with complex issues.
Superman gets a thoughtful, modern makeover.
- “Superman: Space Age” delves into the hero’s ethics during the Cold War.
- Mark Russell and Mike Allred offer a unique take on the iconic character.
- “Superman: The World” features international artists’ perspectives.
- Both collections highlight Superman’s enduring message of hope.
The newest *Superman* comics, including *Space Age* by Mark Russell and Mike Allred, alongside *The World*, inject new layers of depth into the timeless superhero.
Since his debut in *Action Comics* #1 in April 1938, created by writer Jerry Siegel and illustrator Joe Shuster, Superman has evolved through radio, film, and animation, becoming a multi-million dollar icon.
But how do artists continue to tell his story in a way that feels fresh?
Reinterpreting Superman
Mark Russell and Mike Allred tackled this challenge in *Superman: Space Age*.
Russell, known for his work on *The Flintstones* and *Second Coming*, said he wanted the series, set between 1965 and 1985, to reflect real-world history. He aimed to show how the characters changed the world and were changed by it, emphasizing growth and aging.
“I think they had understood that the true power of Superman is not his superhuman strength, flight or X-ray vision, but his ability to exercise his power while remaining an honorable person,” said Russell.
In this story, Clark Kent grapples with the realization that the world he calls home is on the brink of destruction, prompting him to don the suit once more.
“I try to write about what I think is most important to say at the moment, then use the mythology of these characters as the backdrop of the story,” Russell said. “But I suppose that’s the challenge. Not to make these characters relevant, but to make what I want to say relevant to them.”
Shared Enthusiasm
Allred said that working with Russell provided the freedom to make Superman their own. “While my creations like *Madman*, which I own and control entirely, give me total freedom, working on the iconic characters of major publishers draws on a deep source of affection that unleashes a whole other set of rewards,” he said.
Allred added, “I can’t believe my luck to be working with Mark. Honestly, I can’t imagine better circumstances to be working with one of my favorite writers of all time in such a conclusive and satisfying way. Mark is without a doubt one of the best writers still active.”
The duo’s passion for Superman is evident.
Urban Comics
A Global Superman
*Superman The World* offers a collection of stories from about fifteen countries. The director of Urban Comics, Pôl Scorteccia, expressed his wish to produce original stories of the heroes of DC Comics by European artists in August 2024.
The collection includes a manga by Satoshi Miyagawa and Kai Kitago, *L’homme de Kruppstahl* by German artist Félix, a fable by Brazilian Jefferson Costa, and *Superman à Paris,* by Sylvain Runberg.
**How does *Superman: The World* showcase diverse artistic approaches?** The anthology transmits the joy the contributing authors experienced playing with the powerful hero through unique graphic and narrative styles.
