Superior
by Mark Millar & Leinil Yu
I've read quite a lot of comics since I picked up my first one properly, The Amazing Spider-Man #657 if you really wanted to know, and for the most part I read them and that's it, next! Not that they weren't fun to read, or that I won't ever read them again, they just go into their bag and into their correct place on my shelf, to be read again one day when the feeling strikes. Sometimes, however, I absolutely adore reading a certain issue/run and want to re-read them over and over again, be it five minutes later, a few days later, or even a few weeks later. I think you'll understand that feeling. Hell, when I was fifteen I watched The Matrix almost every day for a year, such was my enjoyment of the story and every single detail of the film. I even watched every special feature available on the discs, multiple times.
I wanted to BE Neo.
Some stories just draw you in, without warning, from the very first word, panel, or page, and a surge of electricity tingles along your whole body as you forget everything around you; your focus entirely on that architect of inspiration, that story that changes you fundamentally. I've felt this way several times in my life, but for the sake of of this review, I'm going to delve into the most recent occurrence of this phenomena.
By now, if you've not been cast away on an island for five years, been left in a coma and only just come out, or some other comic downfall that my mind can't quite pick out of the air tonight, then you'll have heard of Mark Millar, and know that he is one of the biggest names in comics right now. I'll admit that I first heard of him because of the Kick-Ass film, and I'll also admit that I started with the film, followed by Kick-Ass 2 before even getting near the comic version of the original, which is currently sat on my bedside table, ready to be consumed in the forthcoming days; right now an Arrow marathon is more pressing. That's right, folks: I have no allegiance to Marvel or DC, just a damn good story.
Having found out about Millar's extensive creator-owned range of comics, I decided to read through as many of his stories as I can, and the one that I instantly fell in love with was the seven issue, limited series 'Superior'. Written by Millar, one knows to expect: a fair amount of swearing, gratuitous violence and uncomfortable situations. This is exactly what we get, and the story is all the more entertaining and thought-provoking for it.
My one thought coming into this review was how much to tell the reader without ruining the power that is found in the story, so I decided to tell the essentials, and hope it sounds as appealing to you as it did to me.
Superior follows Simon Pooni, a twelve year old boy who has developed Multiple Sclerosis, and become unable to do the things that he once loved. He can no longer play basketball, play with his friends or even do something as simple to us as unwrapping the cellophane off a new DVD. It's safe to say he is miserable. Enter Ormon, an alien monkey, who grants him his ultimate wish: to become the comic/film character Superior.
From this encounter Simon experiences a world of magical wish-fulfilment, the kind that generates goosebumps; seriously, I don't think my arms recovered until a few hours AFTER I'd finished the entire story. Without giving too much away. He is Superior, and sets about being every inch the hero. Thanks to Lienil Yu's art style perfectly complimenting the story as it's being told, his kinetic style really makes the world feel alive and the characters look highly expressive and dynamic; every set piece really grips the reader.
This comic really does have it all: laughs, lightness, darkness, and everything in-between. The true nature of the 'gift' from Orman is especially chilling, and ultimately very clever. It just makes sense, in this media. The final two issues pull at your heart in a way that has you rushing to get to the end to find out just what will happen, but never sacrificing your enjoyment of the story. Suffice it to say I was extremely pleased with the ending. It's perfect.
A final thought on Superior that is interesting for me, personally, is that Superior is clearly Mark Millar's ode to Superman. In the opening pages of issue one, Simon's friend Chris comments on the character of Superior, saying 'I'm not saying his powers aren't cool. He's just too much of a boy scout for people these days' to which Simon responds 'Seriously? I always liked the fact that Superior doesn't kill people. Being a nice guy is what makes him different...' This, for anyone who is a fan of, or even dislikes Superman, will be a known point of debate among fans. The character of Superior, and his powers all share a likeness to Superman except seen through the eyes of a child who has suffered in his life. It was this that stuck with me through the whole story, and nearly had me in tears several times.
This is a poignant, powerful and pertinent comment on today's society, how society views Superman, and the stigmas of disability.
I can't recommend reading it enough. It is a fantastic read, and if you don't like it...
