So is this the definitive and final Superman origin? No, of course not. As long as Superman continues to appear in comics, TV, and movies, different writers will have different stories and ideas concerning the character. Some will be good, some will be bad. What will stay the same is the genuine feeling of what is right and what is good about humanity and how America is represented in the character of Superman: truth, justice, and the American way. Hats off Geoff on another great story. Read Full Review

This issue is a brilliant look at Superman's earliest days from an interesting angle. Rather than focusing on how Superman arose from young Clark Kent, Johns and Frank focus on how the young Clark Kent made the selfdiscoveries that would later cause him to become Superman. The result is a heartwarming and incrediblywell crafted introduction to the character that is one of the single best Superman comics I've read in years. This was an easy choice for Book of the Week and a major contender for Single Issue of the Year. Read Full Review

But for fans of Johns' work, Superman: Secret Origin #1 shouldn't' come as too much of a surprise. Once again, Johns does a tremendous job of tinkering with a property in a way that simultaneously injects new life into it and reminds readers why they fell in love in the first place. Gary Frank's artwork is as gorgeous and iconic as ever, and comes as further proof that he was born to draw Superman and his world. Ultimately, though, I suspect much of this series' success will hinge on whether or not Johns can convince readers it was necessary to bring the Superboy concept back into Superman's origin. So far, I'm not entirely convinced. Read Full Review

This was a very good story, and a fun re-telling of Superman's origins. It did however have a few problems that affected the overall quality, and rating, but it was still a very interesting read. It also had plenty of humour, and emotion, with brilliant dialogue, and amazing artwork. There was also some decent action, and although it wasn't the best action ever, it was entertaining, and amazing to look at. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this story, as even with it's flaws it's an outstanding story, and well worth the read, whether you're a Superman fan or not. Read Full Review

Johns and Frank are setting out to give us the absolute version of Superman's origin. Once and for all, or at least for the next so many years, this will be the book to come back to for Superman's origin story. This issue in particular gives us Clark's discovery of his powers. Next issue promises the Legion. I'm definitely in for the full run here, but I'm also seriously considering getting this as a trade or hardcover to lend out to friends and family who want to learn more about the Man of Steel. Read Full Review

Good intro and I’m looking forward to the rest. I give it a B. Read Full Review

Superman Secret Origin #1 was an excellent read. This is an absolute must buy for any and all Superman fans. I definitely urge everyone to give this mini-series a chance. Read Full Review

But perhaps this is what Johns thought that Superman needed: a contemporary update that emphasised the characters personality over his powers or his outlandish alien roots. Perhaps the secret of Johnss Secret Origin is simply that Superman used to be a gawky, inept, awkward teenager just like the rest of us. And, whilst that might seem at odds with the flawless presentation of the character in many of his past stories, I cant help but admire Johns for taking the core Superman origin story and trying to fashion it into something that might be more appealing, attractive and sympathetic to modern day audiences, without losing sight of the key attributes of the story. Read Full Review

The pacing works, the story elements click, and it does look pretty, but overall Superman: Secret Origin #1 only tops out at 3 out of 5 Stars for this reviewer. Read Full Review

Ultimately, while I enjoyed Johns's script, I walked away from the book feeling as though I'd just finished a rather ho-hum comic book. The reason was fairly apparent: Johns really brings nothing new to the Superman origin. Instead, he offers an amalgam of origin stories that have come before his. When John Byrne offered up The Man of Steel in 1986, he transformed the Superman origin in exciting and unexpected ways. His vision of a xenophobic alien society spawning an all-American icon and a symbol of an immigration success story was inventive, and his elimination of the Superboy phase of Superman's life had a certain logic to it. Here, Johns merely cherrypicks elements from different Superman origin stories - mainly the classic Silver Age origin, along with elements from Superman the Movie and Byrne's - and blends them together here. Mind you, he does so well, but Superman: Secret Origin lacks the freshness and originality we've seen in previous reinterpretations of the Superman mytho Read Full Review

Nothing new to see here. Move along or pick up the trade if you want a Superman origin for your shelf. No point wasting money on the singles. Read Full Review

It's the quintessential Superman origin. Everything you know about him elegantly told and displayed by two artists at the top of their game. Not much better than this for Superman. The only critique I have is that Gary Frank draws his younger characters like he's never seen a child before. They all look like they have tiny bodies with the heads of someone middle aged. Aside from that, it's great.

If you don't know anything about Superman's origin then you have to pick up this issue.