He really isn't the most hated writer. Bendis definitely is, Tom King has a lot of fans, and I am one. Mister Miracle wasn't that long ago. Also, this was published I believe before everyone had a heel turn on Tom King because of his Batman heel turn.
Superman: Up In the Sky #1
| Writer | Tom King |
| Artist | Andy Kubert |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
Available to comics shops for the first time! Following a home invasion that ends in murder, Superman is put on the trail of a Metropolis mystery by Batman-but can even the Man of Steel discover the truth behind these tragic deaths, or their ties to the far-off world of Rann? These stories by Tom King with art by Andy Kubert guest-starring Green Lantern and other heroes were originally published in SUPERMAN GIANT #3 and #4.
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Comic Book Legion - Kevin Vilim
Jul 03, 2019Every page of this story is enjoyable to experience. Tom King isn't wasting his time with Superman and the result of that hard work is shaping up to be a classic. Read Full Review
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9.6
You Don't Read Comics - Rick Lopez
Jul 03, 2019Although months old at this point, readers around the world will finally be able to collect these stories for the first time in their intended medium. Tom King and Andy Kubert deliver a spectacular first issue to this small run of sorts. As the story continues to unfold within the Walmart specials currently, these issues will continue to grace the comic shops for months to come. Read Full Review
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9.4
The Brazen Bull - Charlie Chipman
Jul 03, 2019Superman: Up in the Sky (2019-) #1is a whirlwind of emotions that sets readers off on an intense search through the stars. Read Full Review
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9.0
Nerdly - Dean Fuller
Jul 05, 2019Nearly perfect story and art, if you love Superman this is an essential read. Read Full Review
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8.5
The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally
Jul 03, 2019Andy Kubert delivers some detailed and beautiful art throughout the issue. He brilliantly details the power of Superman and the threats he faces as he laments whether or not he can take the time to help find one little girl in the vast universe. Read Full Review
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8.5
411Mania - John Pumpernickel
Jul 11, 2019Superman: Up in the Sky #1 is a smart move on DC's part as it's a story that needs to be read by more people. Grab it at your local comic book shop. Read Full Review
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8.4
Forces Of Geek - Atlee Greene
Jul 03, 2019Nevertheless, fans no longer must settle for a dinged up giant-sized issue with bent corners and a slew of creases. Current or Silver Age bags and boards will do the trick this time around! Read Full Review
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8.0
GWW - Nick Friar
Jul 02, 2019Andy Kubert drew some awesome action throughout Superman Up In The Sky #1. Outside of the fights, there are quite a few other shots that'll catch your attention. Read Full Review
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8.0
ComicBook.com - Russ Burlingame
Jul 03, 2019Depending on the scene, Superman can feel spot on or a little too much like Batman, but King gets the big, symbolic moments right. Read Full Review
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8.0
AIPT - Alex Curtis
Jul 03, 2019King has already established that he can set up really great stories, only to sometimes flub them later. While that's a very high possibility, let's enjoy this first issue regardless, which dishes out introspective intrigue and gravitas. Read Full Review
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8.0
DC Comics News - Carl Bryan
Jul 06, 2019VerdictThe artwork alone is worth the price of admission! The Doomsday shot as well as Superman talking to Wonder Woman while she is defeating a huge creature. It is like they are enjoying a coffee at a local bistro while she is actually embroiled in full on battle and Superman is passively having a conversation knowing the outcome of Diana's efforts! There is a lot of tongue in cheek stuff in this art! I like Tom King's take on Superman and how this story works! If you have not read it already, give it a purchase! You'll be glad you did! Read Full Review
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7.8
Monkeys Fighting Robots - Michael Fromm
Jul 03, 2019Tom King and Andy Kubert present a great jumping on point for new readers, as well as an interesting angle on Superman's unquenchable need to save the day for established fans. Read Full Review
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7.8
Comic Crusaders - Kevin Given
Jul 09, 2019This first issue sets up a different type of Superman story and it looks to be a winner so far. We develop feelings for the characters in this issue and hope that Superman succeeds, even though his sacrifice can lead to his insanity. There's a nice twist at the end of this issue which makes us want to get the next issue as soon as we can. Read Full Review
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7.5
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
Jul 03, 2019The art is great and King seems to have a lot to say about Superman, but this is not something I would choose to give to a first-time reader picking up a comic through Walmart. It's a challenging, often grim comic that begins with murdered children. Lots of story to be told here, but it's much more of a Tom King comic than a Walmart comic. Read Full Review
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7.0
Newsarama - Justin Partridge
Jul 08, 2019Superman: Up in the Sky #1 is kind of an odd one, but a fun read nonetheless. Though slightly hampered by its format, Tom King, Andy Kubert, Brad Anderson, and Sandra Hope swing for something more ambitious than your standard grocery store digest. Time will tell how this story stands up once completed, but Superman: Up in the Sky #1 heralds a good enough start. Read Full Review
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6.0
But Why Tho? - William J. Jackson
Jul 03, 2019Overall, the issue is an action piece with a mystery tale interwoven. The plotting is good. But, it could be told with any number of DC heroes and still be enjoyable. The story was originally published in the Superman 100-Page Giant for Walmart stores. Read Full Review
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2.5
Multiversity Comics - Alexander Jones
Jul 05, 2019"Superman: Up in the Sky" #1 is a staggeringly shortsighted creative misfire on all counts. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Somewhat surprisingly, Tom King really gets Superman. This was psychological and inspiring all at once. It is actually interesting to compare how Tom King's Batman deals with hopelessness vs his Superman.
+ Like • Comment• Likes (5) -
10
This is how you write a Superman story and Tom King does a really great job at writing Superman with all his core values intact especially, Hope. The characters and their communication seems very natural while the art makes everything look vivid. There are many things to see and read but it doesn't once feels so much except it leaves us wanting more. I recommend this to all Superman fans.
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9.5
Now that was good!!! Great Superman story starting here.
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9.0
I did not go into this expecting much, I mean, a Wal-Mart comic book story? It had to be phoned in. I'm happy to report it wasn't.
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9.0
Tom King and Andy Kubert deliver a solid, fun, and uncontroversial tale, and that's all that matters for now. We'll see how the story pans out, but I'm getting a great Grant Morrison All-Star Superman vibe from this
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9.0
Incredible first issue, it does so much in 20 pages, I loved it
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9.0
Tom King gets Superman. This comic was interestingly put together... It's intentionally disjointed, jumping from scene to scene without warning and not always following a linear timeline, forcing the reader to connect the dots as they go. It has the potential to be too jarring and take people out of the story, but strangely, it works, and it works quite well. King is able to power through an issue's worth of plot progression in a single page without it feeling like we've moved too quickly. It's masterful, really. It wouldn't work in every story, but in this one, it does.
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8.5
A good first and well-illustrated issue that captures perfectly how much Superman is willing to go through to save people even if it's just one small case.
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8.0
Solid issue by Tom king. As long as this remains a limited series I'll be happy, it reminds me of the friendly neighborhood spider Man series marvel is doing where Spidey takes on much smaller ground level problems and inspires others rather than epic tales
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7.5
"Mine eye is consumed with grief. Yea my soul and my belly. For my life is spent in grief. And my years is sighing. My strengths fails because of my inequity. And my bones are consumed."
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7.0
It wasn't thrilling but it was a decent random Superman story. The way he cares more about one small case just as much as huge cases exemplifies the character of Superman. The writing is a nothing special but nothing bad. Nice to see his interactions with the other heroes on things like this.
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6.0
So this is Tom King's Superman. The one he flippantly said that nobody reads. (Bet DC loved that.) In general, this is not as odious as his Batman. In fact, I liked the fast-cut montage of stuff he does to save the day. Overall, storytelling is choppy and somewhat hard to follow. Plus there's the looming dread of Superman's forthcoming "knightmares" including the brutal murder of Lois in a dream. Why do I have the feeling that this was Peak Superman for King, and it's all downhill from here? Kubert's art is respectable. He's not my favorite, but beats the hell outta books like Justice League and Lois Lane.
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4.5
Man, this is just whatever.
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4.0
This is a big old meh. It's also poorly structured, but I guess I can chalk that up as a side effect of its original release. It has most of Tom King's tropes, so if you're not a fan of those, you won't like this. I'm not a fan.
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3.0
I can easily imagine a board meting at DC with conversation going more or less like this: Dan DiDio: You are quite possibly the most hated writer at our house right now. People despised Heroes in Crisis and your Batman run. They accuse you of not telling any stories but some pseudointellectual gibberish, ruining Batman, Harley Quinn, Booster Gold, Poison Ivy, Wally West and Arsenal. And now you want us to publish your Superman story? Tom King: Yeah. Dan DiDio: Sure, mate, sign here. Now, with all seriousness, I know this story was released in Superman Giant books... last year, was it? So mocking DC for allowing King to write about more A-tier characters and pissing even more people off isn't as easy. Still, though, one could assume DC more
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2025 In Review:
