Up In The Sky might be my favorite Superman comic of all time. It just captures what makes Superman a great man, and dives right to the goodness he has in him.
*Nick Fury shows up in a blue vest with a name tag that says "Hi, my name is FURY" and slowly steps out of the shadows of the potato chip aisle (it's dark because the lightbulbs burned out and the janitor didn't change them yet)* "I'm here to talk to you about the WalMart initiative."
I think the funniest moment in this whole episode is at 54:28. The long pause and sheer anticipation on Sal's face while looking at Ethan putting things together, don't know why but that whole thing was hilarious to me.
I'm not big into DC so I've only read a handful of Superman comics, but even with that I think this book nails what Superman is all about. Not letting anyone be forgotten or overlooked, no matter how long it takes to save them.
Nah. It makes the Marvel Universe too important. Which one BTW? There are infinite universes there. Whats behind the wall should be The Void. The infinite expanse and power where the Multiverse resides. Before the Presence created everything at first there was nothing. An endless Void. On that Void the multiverse appeared. The Void then created and sent the Monitor to investigate it. Thats the breif history of DCs creation. So based on that, behind the Source Wall should be The Void.
Omega Men is SO overlooked-it was my first Tom King story. I also thought his story in Action Comics 1000, while short, was very poignant and filled with so much touching sentiment towards Superman and his parents.
I think it was slightly better than Mister Miracle. While great it sorta meanders a bit in 3/4s of the way through and has an unsatisfying ending. On the other hand this is great all the way through though with maybe 1 or 2 small issues (why would Superman seemingly not believe in God when he knows the Spectre and was on the League with a literal Angel?).
It occurs to me that this is a relatively thoughtful and well done Superman story that really makes him interesting as a character, Which is funny because in that Google talks interview with Several Batman writers Tom king stated how boring he thinks Superman is. Doubly funny how Frank Miller was schooling Tom king about Superman And then Tom king writes a better Superman story than Frank Miller.
I bought this book after seeing this episode and even after knowing what was going to happen, I still cried. One of my favorite Superman stories, thank you, Sal.
There's just one more match I'd like to see. Superman vs. Ben Grimm aka the Thing. Both fought against superior opponents and both won through their sheer willpower.
Ben's talk about Gotham's fast food reminded me of a place I found years ago. The burger was so greasy it was causing the bun to fall apart and it was probably the best burger I've ever had!
My favorite part you didn’t mention is when the alien healer’s wife asks if he ever saved them he says that Superman did actually save their whole galaxy before
Stumbled across this sometime after having already read Tom King's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Feels reminiscent, in tone and structure. Both are "mythological" in structure (if that makes sense). Tom King reveres these characters! 8:47 Sal paraphases this as "it's a big galaxy" but the precise quote in the book was "the universe is pretty big. And we're all pretty damn small." Doesn't seem like a particular meaningful turn of phrase in the Superman book but it's very similar to the one in the Supergirl book "It's too big. We're too small." - and in that book it's a really powerful statement about evil in the universe. Curious.
Excellent, another Back Issues on Superman. Hey Sal, Ben, Ethan, and Tiffany, any chance we can see a Back Issues on another of Geoff Johns' Superman run, like you did for Secret Origins and Last Son? Johns, to me, is one of only 4 writers, today, who can get Superman absolutely right. The other 3 writers are Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, and Mark Millar
4:39 Hercules originally had 10 labors and two more got tacked on because he had outside help on two. 31:53 wasn't Ethan there when you guys did Injustice? There is a precedent for the Joker killing Lois.
I'm aware Joker killed Lois in injustice. That's kind of my point. Sal remarks the Joker is everyone's villian, and I say "he is *now*". This was an acknowledgement of the prominence Joker has in the overall DC universe, but to me that's just an artifact of his popularity with readers. It's not inherently logical for Joker to interact with characters who are not based in Gotham. It's not impossible of course, but nor is it likely. It seems like something King knew the readers would find interesting, rather than something Superman would obviously think of or worry about. Unless this Superman read Injustice...
I never thought about this until Sal brought up what makes a good Superman story, but if Lex is the antagonist, that pretty much means that Supes doesn't have much to punch. Doomsday, sure. Darkseid, absolutely. He can't punch Lex to defeat him though, because he'd probably vaporize him. That means unless Lex makes something for Supes to fight, it's not going to be a lot of action.
(5:33) Okay, that cover's actually pretty funny! (7:16) Ben would be excellent at Cinema Sins. (ding) (14:51) Bruce & Nick Fury would be good drinking buddies. (33:16) My headcanon, his story happened during the actual Invasion! storyline. ...He's one of those "affably evil" types. (35:16) First Batman and now Supes? And BOTH in Walmart comics?! My God! (43:15) King got this idea from Nick Spencer's Spider-Man, didn't he?
So glad you are doing both of the Walmart books I really loved them, and I know its beyond cliche to mention that Kings Superman or Bendis Batman is better than their ongoings but the fact that they were able just to do what they wanted and it felt like a breath of fresh air is telling, and we also got great art out of both!
@@ryebreadreturn1 There was a movie? I only ever read the 2010 comic. Also, The Comic Pop Crew are hilarious, Easily as good as Comicstorian and Comicsexplained.
Just saw this and I wanted to say great job, work was rough but this helped make my day! Would you guys ever consider doing Man and Superman or Nightwing Rebirth? Man and Superman is only 4 issues and Nightwing by Seeley was a really fun story, but I feel like neither really got enough love. Regardless keep up the great work!
34:18 didn't Lois almost get burned at the steak or something like it in an episode of smallville? Where Clark and Lois run into this Amish looking town where everything is almost like children of the corn.
Love these videos , i wish they would show more Panels and art when they are talking about those certain moments in the story but maybe they aren’t aloud to for some reason
37:37 "Flash"-back 51:13 Superman's story bored the guy to death. So it's not his fault, but he did kill him. 58:18 "I got to the end, so now we can just unlock this door that leads directly back to the start."
@@mohsin90ish Alright. Bryan Singer decided to take the Reeve/Donner Superman and had him do something that he wouldn't do: quit. At the end of Superman 2, he tells the President (the same guy who went on national television and announced that the whole planet is bending the knee to Zod) that he won't go away again. Oh, what's that? A piece of a dead planet MIGHT be out there? Supes better fly out there, abandon Earth, leave everyone defenseless, not bother saying goodbye to Lois, and assume that things work out. What's really stupid is that five years go by, and Metropolis is still standing, the Daily Planet is still hustling and bustling and because the script demanded it, Luthor didn't do much of anything except sex up a rich widow to steal her fortune. Once Superman returns (title drop!) Lex's plan kicks in, Lois is in danger and honestly, did Mxyzptlyk set this up?
7:56 "Clark, if you cover stories about, say, the Joker, you'll want to cover stories about Two-Face, and the Penguin, and everyone!" --Batman, if he was an editor for the Daily Planet
I went to every Walmart in town when the Walmart books were hitting the shelves. None of them got any and none of the employees I talked to even knew anything about them. Glad I can get a trade now.
Hey what's wrong with the Mythological Hercules ! Well no, not the Roman version, the Original Greek Version Heracles. Heracles is cool and kind of tragic.
Not even the first time in the modern era that the Superman and Hercules comparison was made. All-Star Superman is all about that comparison. Even wrapping in a similar “burning to death” narrative like mythological Herc.
@@willdgol7501 I mean he was cursed to do that by Hera because he was Zeus' son. And she also had him enslaved by his Cousin and made him kill one of his wives.
"And that's why Didio is fired".
Savage, Ben. Savage.
34:28
Ethan - "Why is she in space?"
Ben - "Because she's a STAR reporter!"
These books are proof that it isn't just a matter of the right creators and right character, it is also the matter of the right format.
I heard "and then the computer killed itself" and thought "well looks like Tom King checked off that box for this series".
Up In The Sky might be my favorite Superman comic of all time. It just captures what makes Superman a great man, and dives right to the goodness he has in him.
*Nick Fury shows up in a blue vest with a name tag that says "Hi, my name is FURY" and slowly steps out of the shadows of the potato chip aisle (it's dark because the lightbulbs burned out and the janitor didn't change them yet)* "I'm here to talk to you about the WalMart initiative."
U r the type of person I wish I were friends with 😂😢
@@Randomaccount9470 Never too late to make a new online friend at any rate! :)
Wait so both Bendis & King had their Walmart books feature the respective heroes fighting Dinosaurs...with Hal Jordan?
Was this a bet or something?!
All I’m getting is that they both like Hal but can’t write about him. lol
I think the funniest moment in this whole episode is at 54:28. The long pause and sheer anticipation on Sal's face while looking at Ethan putting things together, don't know why but that whole thing was hilarious to me.
17:07 Sals hate for Robots continues
When the revolution starts he will regret this.
Who knew? Giving good writers constraints and plenty of time to work out a story would pay-off?!?
Great episode, love a mythic Superman story.
"If you knew Batman you'd know it'd mean a lot to him"😂😂
I had no idea that Tom King wrote a Superman book. I'm definitely gonna check it out.
I'm not big into DC so I've only read a handful of Superman comics, but even with that I think this book nails what Superman is all about. Not letting anyone be forgotten or overlooked, no matter how long it takes to save them.
17:10 yet again, Sal’s prejudice towards robots comes to the surface
holy crap the marvel universe being behind the source wall is utterly brilliant. i hadn't heard that. i like it
Nah. It makes the Marvel Universe too important. Which one BTW? There are infinite universes there. Whats behind the wall should be The Void. The infinite expanse and power where the Multiverse resides. Before the Presence created everything at first there was nothing. An endless Void. On that Void the multiverse appeared. The Void then created and sent the Monitor to investigate it. Thats the breif history of DCs creation. So based on that, behind the Source Wall should be The Void.
@@ComicCrossing I would assume that the source wall is multiversal and seperates the Marvel and DC multiverses
@@kobi7955
Yeah.
I think of it like its like the "boarders" between all multi verses.
(Multiversi?)
38:52
Once Lex Luthor stole fourty cakes.
That's as many as four tens, and that's terrible!
This is probably the best thing Tom king wrote at DC comics besides his mr miracle book but that's just my opinion
Mr Miracle, Sheriff of Babylon and Omega Men are outstanding. I'll get this book later.
@@Martin_TheCollector agreed
Omega Men is SO overlooked-it was my first Tom King story. I also thought his story in Action Comics 1000, while short, was very poignant and filled with so much touching sentiment towards Superman and his parents.
@@Chenso2099 Yeah 'twas good!
I think it was slightly better than Mister Miracle. While great it sorta meanders a bit in 3/4s of the way through and has an unsatisfying ending. On the other hand this is great all the way through though with maybe 1 or 2 small issues (why would Superman seemingly not believe in God when he knows the Spectre and was on the League with a literal Angel?).
Sal: "hey whatcha reading"
Ben: "A book"
😂😂😂😂😂💯
"And that is why Didio is fired."
Alice: returns to Gotham
Batman: it’s free recruitment
pedro mutti
You don’t even need both parents to be dead! Tim’s dad was alive for a while after he became Robin.
"Why didn't they call Green Lantern?"
I've wanted a Green Lantern Hal Jordan book from Tom King ever since his tie-in issue for Darkseid War.
It occurs to me that this is a relatively thoughtful and well done Superman story that really makes him interesting as a character, Which is funny because in that Google talks interview with Several Batman writers Tom king stated how boring he thinks Superman is. Doubly funny how Frank Miller was schooling Tom king about Superman And then Tom king writes a better Superman story than Frank Miller.
i like that her name is alice and these stories make you feel like superman is going down some sort of rabbit hole
Statistically, Alice was safer in space than she would be in Gotham.
I bought this book after seeing this episode and even after knowing what was going to happen, I still cried. One of my favorite Superman stories, thank you, Sal.
Superman in a boxing match work so well, must be those shorts.
Come on Clark! You boxed with Muhammad Ali! You can take that bum!
He posed as a boxer in a very early Superman story from the first year or two of his publication history
There's just one more match I'd like to see.
Superman vs. Ben Grimm aka the Thing.
Both fought against superior opponents and both won through their sheer willpower.
Ben's talk about Gotham's fast food reminded me of a place I found years ago. The burger was so greasy it was causing the bun to fall apart and it was probably the best burger I've ever had!
My favorite part you didn’t mention is when the alien healer’s wife asks if he ever saved them he says that Superman did actually save their whole galaxy before
Those last couple of minutes were brilliant haha. I love the image of Batman being like, "what up, welcome to Gotham" XD
Fast food in Gotham reminds me I’ve all ways wanted to try a rain filled fillafel from Batman begins
Stumbled across this sometime after having already read Tom King's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Feels reminiscent, in tone and structure. Both are "mythological" in structure (if that makes sense). Tom King reveres these characters!
8:47 Sal paraphases this as "it's a big galaxy" but the precise quote in the book was "the universe is pretty big. And we're all pretty damn small."
Doesn't seem like a particular meaningful turn of phrase in the Superman book but it's very similar to the one in the Supergirl book "It's too big. We're too small." - and in that book it's a really powerful statement about evil in the universe.
Curious.
I think a good name for Tom King’s run in DC would be “Sad King Era”
10:10 Tom Kong’s sad Boi period of comics
Here is an 85 issue ongoing on why Batman is sad.
"You'll be an empty suit in a glass box".... jesus lol
I collected both the Bendis and King stories from Walmart because we were told they would be exclusive to Walmart. I should have known better.
Aaaaand it's been ordered
Second favorite Superman comic. Right up there and just behind Superman for all seasons.
i really want them to do more flash books just to change the way they think about the flash.
I’ve always loved the idea that Flash lets Clark Win races for charity.
Excellent, another Back Issues on Superman. Hey Sal, Ben, Ethan, and Tiffany, any chance we can see a Back Issues on another of Geoff Johns' Superman run, like you did for Secret Origins and Last Son? Johns, to me, is one of only 4 writers, today, who can get Superman absolutely right. The other 3 writers are Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, and Mark Millar
Dan Jurgens and Peter J. Tomasi as well in my opinion.
Honestly these things might sell better if they weren't in that weird section that you typically pass by AFTER checking out
Yeah,have also wondered why they are not back with the other books and magazines. Or maybe both places?
The fact that this channel doesn't have like a million subs is a crime.
Robin hood men in tights reference LMAO classic!
Damn i didnt catch it. Did catch the two spaceballs parts though
Mel brooks FTW
@@flywheelshyster it's right in the beginning when Ben says take this arrow and fire it right at my heart... ok goodbye lmao
This book sounds really great. I will look right now, when this book gets released over here.
Thank you Sal for another great Back Issues.
And preordered. Up, up and away.
This story was way better than I expected
22:28
Ben knows what's coming. He can feel it
Can't wait for the day that you do Doomsday Clock
4:39 Hercules originally had 10 labors and two more got tacked on because he had outside help on two.
31:53 wasn't Ethan there when you guys did Injustice? There is a precedent for the Joker killing Lois.
But Joker isn't usually a threat to Metropolis.
I'm aware Joker killed Lois in injustice. That's kind of my point. Sal remarks the Joker is everyone's villian, and I say "he is *now*". This was an acknowledgement of the prominence Joker has in the overall DC universe, but to me that's just an artifact of his popularity with readers. It's not inherently logical for Joker to interact with characters who are not based in Gotham. It's not impossible of course, but nor is it likely. It seems like something King knew the readers would find interesting, rather than something Superman would obviously think of or worry about. Unless this Superman read Injustice...
Joker also killed Lois in Kingdom Come. Which is probably where the Injustice idea came from in the first place.
@@ComicCrossing Lmao YES!
I will give TK this: he is one of the few contemporary mainstream comics writers who plays with abstract/avant-garde storytelling anymore.
I love when you do an episode on a book you actually like :)
Whoever cares, the Mighto issue Sal talks about is Superboy #108.
This and Superman smashes the Klan are my favorite Superman stories this year. So makes up for the poor Bendis run.
I never thought about this until Sal brought up what makes a good Superman story, but if Lex is the antagonist, that pretty much means that Supes doesn't have much to punch. Doomsday, sure. Darkseid, absolutely. He can't punch Lex to defeat him though, because he'd probably vaporize him. That means unless Lex makes something for Supes to fight, it's not going to be a lot of action.
This is my favorite superman story
Almost to 100k keep up the good work .
1:37
I love you, Sal. But I don't think you can upload murder onto CZcams.
A back issues just in time for me to go run errands. It's gonna be a great day
(5:33) Okay, that cover's actually pretty funny!
(7:16) Ben would be excellent at Cinema Sins. (ding)
(14:51) Bruce & Nick Fury would be good drinking buddies.
(33:16) My headcanon, his story happened during the actual Invasion! storyline. ...He's one of those "affably evil" types.
(35:16) First Batman and now Supes? And BOTH in Walmart comics?! My God!
(43:15) King got this idea from Nick Spencer's Spider-Man, didn't he?
I love the DMV bit because yeah, if I had the ability to do so, i would also push the entirety of the planet into the burning abyss of the sun.
So glad you are doing both of the Walmart books I really loved them, and I know its beyond cliche to mention that Kings Superman or Bendis Batman is better than their ongoings but the fact that they were able just to do what they wanted and it felt like a breath of fresh air is telling, and we also got great art out of both!
I really want Tom King to write Superman again, mini or otherwise.
9:28 He knows about John Carter Warlord of Mars, I want a back Issues
Don't get too excited, he only saw the movie.
@@ryebreadreturn1 There was a movie? I only ever read the 2010 comic.
Also, The Comic Pop Crew are hilarious, Easily as good as Comicstorian and Comicsexplained.
@@WannabeWryter The original was an old af book series by the creator of Tarzan, read the first one looong ago
Just saw this and I wanted to say great job, work was rough but this helped make my day! Would you guys ever consider doing Man and Superman or Nightwing Rebirth? Man and Superman is only 4 issues and Nightwing by Seeley was a really fun story, but I feel like neither really got enough love. Regardless keep up the great work!
Not even 2 minutes in and it's already gold
"Blue period" was clever. I would have went with.. "The Cobalt Age"
King thrives in maxi and mini
That was for charity is way more insulting when you find out he was trying his hardest
This and Batman universe are both really awesome books, weird they were Walmart exclusive
I get that this story is supposed to feel Herculean, but this also reminds me of the Good Shepperd story from the bible.
Hey comic pop i just got this comic because of this video so thank you for sharing this amazing super story!
i loved this episode just as much as Batman Universe, Walmart’s 2 for 2!
Glad to see this episode. I haven't completed the series. I have finished the part with Superman and Clark Kent separated. I am loving it so far.
This is a beautiful book.
Oh Sweet! Was not expecting good things about this mini series.
34:18 didn't Lois almost get burned at the steak or something like it in an episode of smallville? Where Clark and Lois run into this Amish looking town where everything is almost like children of the corn.
The water was infested with blue kryptonite too.
My new favorite episode of Back Issues. It takes over for Vision…does that make me a Tom King fan?????😱 Oh no. Lol
I've been excited for this Back Issues. This book made me cry
Up.... up..... up..... and awaaaaaayyyyy! Tally Ho my fellow poppers of comics!
I'm definitely picking up this book when I can. Fun episode!
Love these videos , i wish they would show more Panels and art when they are talking about those certain moments in the story but maybe they aren’t aloud to for some reason
Being called a Nerd by Tom King is an honorific. :-)
37:37
"Flash"-back
51:13
Superman's story bored the guy to death. So it's not his fault, but he did kill him.
58:18
"I got to the end, so now we can just unlock this door that leads directly back to the start."
Wow. one of my favorite Superman stories to date! Buyin this one
God I loved this story thanks for the re-telling guys I’m glad u enjoyed it too
Right........the main problem with "Superman Returns" is that he didn't punch the bad guy. That's the main problem...
**rant builds**
Get back here and finish your rant
@@mohsin90ish Alright.
Bryan Singer decided to take the Reeve/Donner Superman and had him do something that he wouldn't do: quit.
At the end of Superman 2, he tells the President (the same guy who went on national television and announced that the whole planet is bending the knee to Zod) that he won't go away again.
Oh, what's that? A piece of a dead planet MIGHT be out there? Supes better fly out there, abandon Earth, leave everyone defenseless, not bother saying goodbye to Lois, and assume that things work out.
What's really stupid is that five years go by, and Metropolis is still standing, the Daily Planet is still hustling and bustling and because the script demanded it, Luthor didn't do much of anything except sex up a rich widow to steal her fortune. Once Superman returns (title drop!) Lex's plan kicks in, Lois is in danger and honestly, did Mxyzptlyk set this up?
@@anthonyeldridge4358 Excellent rant, much appreciated 👍
@@mohsin90ish Dude, that's the short version.
This is wired but good
7:56 "Clark, if you cover stories about, say, the Joker, you'll want to cover stories about Two-Face, and the Penguin, and everyone!" --Batman, if he was an editor for the Daily Planet
I love this story
I'd love if you guys would upload your episodes on Spotify so I can listen while I work
J Jonah Jameson: PARKER! GET ME PICTURES OF SPIDER-MAN!
Perry White: KENT! GET ME REPORTS OF METROPOLIS!
Tom called me a nerd at San Diego Comic Con, so it was out of love 😌
I love that can that boxing story lol
"T(he)m Sad Kings" but it has to be an omnibus!
I have No love for Tommy king but Gotta say I really enjoyed his Superman
17:09 Wow, Sal's prejudice against Artificial Life comes out once again.
I went to every Walmart in town when the Walmart books were hitting the shelves. None of them got any and none of the employees I talked to even knew anything about them. Glad I can get a trade now.
just got the singles for this so this is a lovely suprise
Tom king knows how to write every character besides Batman 🤔
Ive finally read it and oh my god its so good
Hey what's wrong with the Mythological Hercules ! Well no, not the Roman version, the Original Greek Version Heracles. Heracles is cool and kind of tragic.
Other than accidentally killing his friends and family he was a decent guy
Not even the first time in the modern era that the Superman and Hercules comparison was made. All-Star Superman is all about that comparison. Even wrapping in a similar “burning to death” narrative like mythological Herc.
@@willdgol7501 I mean he was cursed to do that by Hera because he was Zeus' son. And she also had him enslaved by his Cousin and made him kill one of his wives.