Rating:  -
Most of the negative reviews for vol 1 and 2 appear to be written by comic geeks who probably look like the fat comic store owner from the simpsons. i thoroughly enjoyed this story, if anything, for the fact that it tried to do something completely different with the character. add to this some action scenes and what you have is a story that balanced action with intelligent story telling. jim lee's artwork (which was jaw-dropping) only added to the dark tone of the story.
Rating:  -
I had hoped that this volume would pick things up a bit from the overly preachy first volume, but man, it just gets worse! After discovering what caused the "Vanishing" of a million people a year before, Superman travels into another dimension to "save" them. Of course, waiting in the wings is everyone's favorite third-personist, General Zod, in a move that the writer probably thought would illicit cheers, and instead falls flatter than Ashley Simpson's non-memorexed voice. And it's not that I don't like Zod - I LOVE Zod! - but part of Zod's charm is in his "Kneel before Zod!" bluster that is nowhere to be found in this incarnation.
I've read 100 BULLETS, and I think it rocks, but what is writer Brian Azzarello's strong suit in that book is his kryptonite here. The flawed characterization and questions of faith and identity might have worked for characters like Hal Jordan or Connor Kent, but this is SUPERMAN, for cryin' out loud! What other character (other than Batman) is AS constant in his core beliefs than Clark Kent? And that's another thing that seems to be a trend with certain writers - when did the JLA start referring to Superman as KAL? Superman was raised as Clark Kent, and even the moniker Superman was given to him, not one he chose for himself. Ultimately, that's the biggest problem here - it's like Azzarello doesn't quite know Superman himself, and allows HIS questions about the character to overtake the entire story.
Even the moments that should have provided the ever-stunning Jim Lee with some lavish art - the fight between Superman and Wonder Woman, the conversation with Batman on the rooftops of Gotham, the final battle with Zod - have an anti-climactic feel to them. Throw in the introduction of a human-hybrid killer that smells of S.E.T.H. from the AUTHORITY, some secondary characters that are cliche ( the priest with cancer, the hard-as-nails merc), a rushed ending (wouldn't it have been somewhat interesting to see what the returned people felt after spending a year in an artificial Heaven and then being plopped back on Earth? Talk about a buzzkill!), and the icing on the cake - the destruction of the Fortress of Solitude, which in and of itself wouldn't be so bad had it not been rebuilt in the Amazon, which is like rebuilding the Batcave in the Grand Canyon - and you have one of the more disappointing Superman stories of the new millenium. Do yourself a favor and buy either SUPERMAN: BIRTHRIGHT by Mark Waid and Leinil Yu, or the SMALLVILLE t.v. show-inspiring SUPERMAN FOR ALL SEASONS by Jeph Loeb and the incomparable Tim Sale.
Rating:  -
For Tomorrow, Vol. 1 was fairly decent. . .I was looking forward to Vol. 2 very much. But then, when I finally picked it up and started reading it, I didn't get more than halfway through--essentially, right around the point where the reason for the disappearances is revealed. I idly flipped through the rest of the book, and it didn't get any better. A disappointingly BAD Superman story.
Rating:  -
"SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW" is a story that's one of those slightly darker, more introspective ones that some fans have seemed to be overly critical about, but that I feel is GREAT and much-needed. It gives more depth and layers to the usually optimistic and sometimes one-dimensional Clark Kent/Superman character without straying too much or too far.
I stumbled on "For Tomorrow" in a bookstore after renewing my fan-interest in Superman mythology by watching "Smallville" DVDs. This new story is not one of the fun, black and white, 100% exhilerating action ones that most fans become addicted to. I love those kind - but this story causes you to wonder about what happens to a well-known superhero when he makes a mistake or choice that is based on his personal feelings - and then how he fixes it. So all of the negative fan comments about Superman being somewhat out-of-character, brooding, dark, full of doubt, etc... are correct, but unfortunate because I think those elements make for an incredible story. And for those fans reading this and the other reviews, don't believe that Supes is a just a doomed, inactive conversationalist here - Superman still flies around at super-sonic speed, saves the day, etc, etc. The writer, Brian Azzarello, does understand Superman's basic character - he's just taking him to a new place!
The story gives you powerful conflict and battles, cliffhangers, known and new characters and a mysterious plot that entices you through the pages.
Now that I've defended the writing, on to the most obvious praise - Jim Lee's artwork, as it also seems by the other reviewers almost unanimously, IS AWESOME! He draws Superman like I've always pictured him - incredibly musclebound and yet faster than light. Jim Lee's drawings of the Man of Steel are muscular and strong, and also then are a great paradox to some of the doubts that Supes wrestles with... SO HUMAN! And SO SUPERHUMAN all in one! BRAVO!!!!
Lee also renders spot-on depictions of Wonder Woman (my favorite version yet), Batman (of course - lots of practice from HUSH), Lois Lane, the Flash and Aquaman to name a few. Nice to see fresh drawings of familiar characters! As well as FANTASTIC inking and color!!! The visuals are hands-down the strongest part of "Superman: For Tomorrow Vol 1 & 2" (as they should be - this is a comic = visual medium).
Why four stars, not five, then? Some of the way the story unfolds is a bit confusing, and sometimes the dialogue trailing off, being incomplete or interrupted is a bit tiring. My only two real disappointments in the entire product are found at the story's conclusion. First is the direction taken with the priest. After him being a somewhat supportive and sympathetic character from the very first page, I wanted a more positive conclusion for him! (Although perhaps he could have a more redemptive role in future stories!) Second is the location of the new Fortress of Solitude... the purist side of me insists that it stays forever in the Arctic. But those are my ONLY real two quibbles.
All in all, GET THESE 2 GRAPHIC NOVELS and understand the character study explored here. Enjoy the battles and exhileration and mystery and eye-popping artwork. Brian and Jim, I hope more fans come to see what you guys did here - it's really good! WOW!
Rating: -
This is so much better than the volume 1, it's a good story and a fresh way to re-introduce an old enemy. A darker but a very good story than the ussual storys from the world of superman, yet in this story superman gives the feeling that he is a little heart less.
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