Superman: Heroes #1

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Jody Houser, Greg Rucka Artist: Kevin Maguire, Steve Lieber, Mike Perkins, others Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: February 12, 2020 Cover Price: $5.99 Critic Reviews: 18 User Reviews: 17
7.4Critic Rating
5.8User Rating

Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, the staff of the Daily Planet, even the Justice League-their lives all changed when Superman revealed his secret identity to the world! This unique Superman experience explores what the identity of Clark Kent meant to those close to him-and what their relationship to Superman will be in the future. All the rules are about to change-and it all starts here.
The dream team of writers Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Greg Rucka, and Jody Houser team up for this amazing special, with art anchored by DC legend Kevin Maguire, plus sequences focusing on each corner of the Superman universe by artists Steve Lieber (Supe more

  • 9.6
    Supergirl Comic Box Commentary - Anj Feb 19, 2020

    So the Jimmy story is my favorite. The Bruce/Diana one was the one I'll be thinking about for a while. And this ending story builds the sort of suspense and anticipation I love in comics. The teacher story and the Pa story both hammer home the truth and honesty part of Superman's character. All in all, a very solid special. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    GWW - Percy Waelchl Feb 12, 2020

    Superman Heroes may not be as deep and expansive as fans hoped, but it provides enough to justify the price. Filled with worthwhile stories that explore Superman's world, the creative teams ground readers in the human side of Superman's reality. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Feb 12, 2020

    All of the artists bring their best to the visuals and each story has a unique and beautiful tone and feel to it based on the art. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Feb 12, 2020

    This issue is an excellent spotlight on exactly what makes Superman's world tick, and another win in this lineup's column. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Graphic Policy - Logan Dalton Feb 13, 2020

    Superman: Heroes #1 is a high note for Brian Michael Bendis' current run on the Superman titles. It also features insightful writing from Matt Fraction as well as Greg Rucka reminding readers that he's one of the greatest Batman and Wonder Woman writers. On the visual side, Mike Perkins shows a conversation can have just as much power as a good fight scene. Kevin Maguire is still the master of the superhero group shot. Steve Lieber's comedic timing and use of beats works for friends being open and vulnerable together. Even if you aren't current on Bendis' Superman comics, Superman: Heroes #1 is worth picking up and dropping $5.99 on. It's an intelligent and heartwarming take on the first superhero. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Comic Watch - Cody White Feb 15, 2020

    Superman: Heroes #1 (Bendis, Fraction, Rucka, Maguire, Lieber, Perkins, Norton, Godlewski) is a well constructed comic by a gaggle of comics superstars that many fans will enjoy but isn't necessarily must-read material for the new era of Superman comics. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz Feb 14, 2020

    The ending is a little weak truthfully. And the whole thing does feel a bit redundant. But that is okay. This is an above average Superman book. It is highly readable and the main titles should take a cue from this and emulate it as best they could. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    Sequential Planet - Steven Martinez Feb 19, 2020

    Superman Heroes #1 shows us some of the fallout of Superman revealing his secret identity to the world, and how it effects some of those closest to him. With writers and artists coming from their characters comics, everything looks and feels natural to the characters, and leaves something for everyone to like. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    But Why Tho? - Charles Hartford Feb 12, 2020

    When taken as a whole Superman: Heroes #1 is an excellent look at how some pieces of Superman's world are reacting to the big news. Whether joyful or pessimistic, every reaction comes across as genuinely faithful to the character that gives it. It's a big change for the DC Universe. It's good they took the time to let us see how it affects some of the big players. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Nerdly - Dean Fuller Feb 19, 2020

    As a Superman fan I really enjoyed this, but I'm not sure if a general comics fan would feel as happy. Although the little character bits and insights were nice to see, not enough was in there to make this feel that essential, and considering the blurb on the cover and the writing talent attached, it may feel a little underwhelming to some. For me, though, I loved it. It highlighted qualities in Clark that make him who he is, and ultimately what sets him apart from the Batman's of the world. It was heartwarming for a fan like me. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Feb 12, 2020

    I'm still not thrilled with the choice to have Superman reveal his identity, but Bendis is at least giving it the proper gravitas through the DCU. The next chapter of the repercussions of this reveal plays out in Superman: Villains #1. This issue ends with an intriguing cliffhanger that should add some real stakes to this arc. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Multiversity Comics - Gustavo S Lodi Feb 14, 2020

    While hard to grade an anthology given its multiple pieces, "Superman: Heroes" #1 gets more right than wrong and continues pushing the story forward. Read Full Review

  • 6.9
    Weird Science - Eric Shea Feb 12, 2020

    While there are some nice moments between our Man of Steel and the different people throughout this book, I couldn't help but feel like there should have been a more emotional touch to some of these stories.  Yeah, you'll get some, but overall this one-shot just kind of lacked in any real substance overall and didn't do more than what we initially saw when Superman revealed himself in his own book.  The art was decent throughout and there was some good installments to this story but my biggest takeaway from this issue was what we got in the final pages.  Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    DC Comics News - Matthew Lloyd Feb 13, 2020

    At least the surprise in Lex's box still has the potential to put Lois and Clark to the test when the figure out how to address that information. The only question will be in what comic the story continues after Superman: Villains #1? Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett Feb 12, 2020

    Mileage will certainly vary with this assemblage of brief moments, but there's generally enough good to balance the underwhelming contributions. Read Full Review

  • 5.5
    Comic Book Revolution - Rokk Feb 12, 2020

    Superman: Heroes #1 offers little in terms of content and excitement. Slap on top of the bland story a massive $6.00 cover price and you get a comic book that feels like a blatant cash grab. There is simply nothing in the pages of Superman: Heroes #1 that warrants the ridiculous $6.00 cover price. You are better served to save your money for other far more deserving DC titles that are currently on the market. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    AIPT - Frankie Sciulla Feb 13, 2020

    Aside from a few moments, Superman: Heroes just doesn't carry the weight it should. Read Full Review

  • 3.0
    Newsarama - Pierce Lydon Feb 14, 2020

    Overall, this just feels sloppy. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    M1sf1r3 Feb 16, 2020

    Prelude:
    Let's give Bendis the benefit of the doubt here and let's see how Superman: Heroes goes.

    The Good:
    I do like getting all the perspectives on Clark revealing his identity.

    Booster was funny.

    The Bad:
    Not surprised but there's some continuity problems with the Justice League Odyssey. Bit of The Infected too but this could be before then but JLO doesn't line up at all.

    Conclusion:
    It has it's highs and lows as expected but I enjoyed this. It was great seeing all the differing perspectives and there were some real heartwarmers.

  • 8.0
    Simon DelMonte Feb 13, 2020

    Worth it just for Maguire's art, Booster Gold's moment, and Rucka writing Batman and Wonder Woman. The rest was pretty good but those bits were amazing.

  • 6.5
    Psycamorean Feb 16, 2020

    Thank God Bendis didn't write this solo. His parts are the worst. The rest is okay to pretty good. I'm all done with Superman for a month, I think. I've had enough.

    + LikeComment
  • 5.5
    Spacey Medicine Apr 12, 2020

    The best part was the Jimmy Olsen part and that brought this score way up.

  • 3.0
    RBL Feb 12, 2020

    Nice to know the impromptu group that banded together in Justice League Odyssey are now official leaguers.

    Also it’s great that Hawkman, Shazam, and Cyborg were all able to reverse their current condition to be present in this momentous occasion. I mean even Harley, an anti-hero at best and someone who is in no way a member of any League also showed up, that’s really something.

    Honestly the only section about this title that made sense was Batman and Wonder Woman’s interaction. Even Lex’s “big reveal” seems underwhelming and something that will not have as much an impact as they teased it will.

  • 1.0
    RKS Feb 16, 2020

    Brian Bendis needs to be taken off the Superman titles immediately as he just doesn't understand the characters within the series. He writes them in such a way that they are unlikable. To start with Pa Kent, he has him swear in front of his teenage son which is out of character that originally had mid western christian values that would result in Superman's ultra optimistic and moralistic view if the world. The book then goes on to make Lois Lane so unlikable you're wondering why Superman or anyone would put up with her smugness. The book then takes a look at Superman himself as a student in an attempt to make him relatable I suppose but this take is completely off base with the established character. It was almost as if I was reading more

    + LikeComment
  • 9.0
    KittyNone Feb 13, 2020

  • 8.5
    Watchtower022 Feb 15, 2020

  • 8.5
    sebastianorellana95 Feb 12, 2020

  • 8.0
    Radar Feb 23, 2020

  • 8.0
    Grifter Feb 12, 2020

  • 6.5
    egonnn244 Mar 8, 2020

  • 6.0
    Swift Planet Jan 13, 2021

  • 5.0
    Adsun22 Feb 7, 2021

  • 4.0
    KnM May 12, 2022

  • 2.0
    Pelato89 Jan 17, 2023

  • 1.0
    Hermann Lasse Jan 17, 2023

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