This is a treat for comics fans. It has all the fun of a classic story and makes the reader feel like a kid again. Add on to that smart social commentary that blends into the narrative almost seamlessly and you have a fantastic Superman comic everyone should read. Read Full Review

Much has been written about Superman as the ultimate American immigrant, and its great to see that side of his experience being explored as frankly as it is here. Its also nice to see a story take a firm, unwavering stance against hatred and xenophobia, in a time that lacks the moral clarity that is Supermans greatest strength. Read Full Review

Superman Smashes the Klan is a must read for me. Tackling the subject matter of racism is not always easy, but Yang and Gurihiru do a marvelous job of breaking it down so that anyone can understand the message. Read Full Review

It's one of the most engaging first issues that I can remember out of DC, and I expect that the final product is going to be a modern classic. Read Full Review

Superman Smashes the Klan #1 is the story of an incredible story that takes the beats of the past and remixes them into something new and special. The joint narration of Superman and Roberta Lee as they deal with their own identities and a cult of white supremacists is uplifting in a very particular way and is a shining reminder of why I'm thankful for comics. Read Full Review

That being said, Superman Smashes the Klan Part Oneis an excellent Superman story and a reminder of why I adore the character so much. Superman is as American as apple pie because he represents what makes America so great: immigrants. Yang does a great job adapting this classic radio story. This issue is also incredibly poignant considering the political climate of the United States of America. I look forward to upcoming issues. Read Full Review

You might be thinking: “but it's a young adult book, can I, a fully grown person, enjoy this?” The answer is a loud and factual YES! Superman Smashes the Klan is a book I would not imagine to be for young adults, as the topic of racism is always dark. But it is also very real, and this book does a fantastic job tackling the issue. I highly recommend Superman Smashes the Klan: whether you are a Superman fan, superhero fan in general, or just love a good story- this one is for you. Read Full Review

Great miniseries that will finally take a Superman adventure from the radio series and bring it to the comics wold. Great tale with lots of character struggle with real world issues. Fantastic art that shows a timeless Superman as well. Read Full Review

Superman Smashes the Klan #1 might very well be the most impressive release of this week. Yangs script tackles difficult, relevant subject matter and makes it approachable to all readers. Being a Superman comic, it has a broad appeal and wide reach, reinforcing that no matter where one stands on the political spectrum, there is no excuse for the fringe behavior that has been emboldened in recent years. Beautifully crafted artwork by Gurihiru makes this issue stand out even more. While there may be technically better comics available, Superman Smashes the Klan makes the case for being the most important comic of 2019. Read Full Review

"Superman Smashes the Klan" #1 is a remarkable example of how to address a complex topic in an accessible way, wrapped in a visual style that just clicks. Read Full Review

The art, story and character work in this book are all top class. If you love the big, blue boyscout then you'll love this story and its sure to pull at the heartstrings of anyone who's been a victim of discrimination. You can't go wrong with Superman smashes the klan #1 Read Full Review

The story is breezy and cute. The art is okay, nothing spectacular. It does the trick. This is a fun read for young adults. It is a long first issue but never drags. It is a fun enough debut issue with some interesting potential for sure. Read Full Review

Superman Smashes the Klan says just about everything you need to know right in the title, but Yang and Gurihiru make it so much more than that. This is about growing up knowing you’re different than everyone else and learning to deal with it. This is about learning to stand up for yourself in the face of bullies and hate. This is about learning that hatred and prejudice can come in many different forms and no one is immune to their effects. This is a story about good versus evil but not just because Superman is there to save the day. It’s about learning that we have it in ourselves to stand up to bigotry whenever it rears its ugly head. Read Full Review

Whether readers are discovering Superman for the first time or steeped in the character's history already, Superman Smashes the Klan #1 presents a thrilling update on a classic adventure, one that seems bound to be read for years to come. Read Full Review

Although a bit of a slow-burn,Superman Smashes the Klan #1 does a wonderful job of world-building, paying special attention to the immigrant perspective. This is a comic everyone needs to read in 2019 America. Read Full Review

Prelude:
I've been very excited for this book in the lead up so I hope Gene Luen Yang doesn't let me down.

The Good:
Right off the bat I'm loving this Golden Age style and Gurihiru's art is superb.

Man am I getting fired up reading this, which is good considering it's the KKK.

Also tying this into Superman's origin as an alien which is unknown is such a great idea. Gives a human and superhuman look into this world.

Speaking of, I love the Lee family. They really are what make this issue.

Also that piece at the end of the issue about Gene Luen Yang's own experiences, while not directly part of the issue really opened my eyes especially since I know very little about the KKK in general let alone specifics.

The Bad:
Nope.

Conclusion:
Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru have started Superman Smashes the Klan with a perfect issue. Nothing to fault within it and everything to rave on about. I love every single part of this issue and I hope it continues. more

Must have to own for collection.love it.

I love this book. Adapting one of the most important Superman stories historically and with amazing Gurihiru art.

I have been collecting for nearly 60 years and this is comic creating at it's purest.This issue is not for the fans of a mindless slugfest. A powerful message is entwined around the Superman mythos. Young readers and old farts like me have in their hands a beautifully drawn and sensitively written graphic novel.

Many golden age stories didn't age very well. Readers' expectations have evolved and changed - we now expect more character development for our heroes, narrative complexity and deeper themes than just punching irreeemably bad guys to save the day. Superman Smashes the Klan proves a good story and political commentary are timeless, and is as relevant as when it was aired on the radio in the 40's. Especially now, in the age of rise of nationalism and xenophobia all around the world.

The story is pretty simple - a Chinese family moves to Metropolis, and faces racism from the local charter of KKK. What makes it all work so well, are character interactions, as well as presentation of different views on certain issues, most notably assimilation, xenophobia, and what it means to call a place your home. It's surprisingly deep, and I feel like Yang did fantastic job explaining them to us, readers. Or, should I say, giving us room to interpret the plot ourselves, without being preachy and plain annoying, like Mariko Tamaki, who can't handle a tough subject even if her life depended on it, as shown in Supergirl: Being Super, and Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass.

It's a great, character driven, fun comic I could recommend to anybody - kid, adult, doesn't matter. The main characters are instantly likeable and believable, while villains aren't just one dimensional bad guys - they have their twisted views and to a degree you can understand what they think, while of cours not agreeing with their racist nonsense.

The art is great - it's colorful, expressive, and, just to put it simple, pretty. I dig it.

Overall an outstanding comic anyone can enjoy. I love it, and can't wait for #2. more

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Fastest Archer Alive - Oct 17, 2019

i just wanted to comment to say your review ends on "most notably ass" before you click to see the rest and thats pretty hilarious

Nihilist - Oct 17, 2019

Well, that's unintentionally awkwardly hilarious. Guess it's too late to fix it :P

RKS - Oct 28, 2019

Good story, art was horrible. I can't stand that style of drawing.

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A little long, but not bad.

Meh,
Solid story, the art left much to be desired.

This is fine. I just don't think it needed to be 80 pages. I don't think it's really worth the page count. I don't really care about this story. I just think it's fine. It exists and, besides the time commitment, I didn't regret reading it.