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The Krypton Companion
Unlock the secrets of the most influential age of Superman's history-when kryptonite came in multiple colors, super-pets scampered across the skies and Brainiac first invaded Earth -- in The Krypton Companion, a behind-the-scenes exploration of the Man of Steel's adventures from 1958 through 1986. Writer/editor Michael Eury explores this classic comics era through all-new interviews with fan-favorite Superman writers and artists; previously unpublished and/or immortal artwork by Curt Swan, Neal Adams, Wayne Boring, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Adam Hughes, Nick Cardy, Jim Mooney and others; Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel's -lost- imaginary story -The Death of Clark Kent;- a roundtable discussion where today's comics pros -- including John Byrne, Alex Ross and Mark Waid -- discuss the Superman of yesteryear and other revealing features! Plus a (last-page) introduction by Bizarro No. 1 (abetted by Seinfeld writer David Mandel) and a super cover by Watchmen's Dave Gibbons!
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 21, 2017
This is a smorgasbord for Superman fans, focused, though, upon 1950 to 1990 or so: not the work of Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster sparking the Golden Age of Comics, but the Superman of the Silver Age.
Recommended.
Recommended.
May 22, 2019
There are lots of different Superman fans in the world. Some only like the initial version of Superman from the 1940s. Others like only the "New 52" Superman. This book is all about the editors, writers and artists who worked on the "Silver Age" Superman which went from the late 1950s to 1970, and the Bronze Age which lasted until 1985. The Silver Age Superman era, edited by Mort Weisinger is my favorite era, which came with all colors of Kryptonite, Supergirl, Krypto the super dog, Bizarro Superman and other characters that rounded out the Superman family. It's a very dense book, I could only read a chapter or so at a time. Loaded with interviews and artwork from published and unpublished sources. Bronze Age Superman era is also well covered. You get insights into the editorial styles of both Weisinger and Julius Schwartz.
August 5, 2017
Awesome, but only if you're interested in the topic. This looks at Superman from the early Silver Age through the mid-1980s reboot — interviews (not all original with the book) with top artists about their work and their work on Superman, histories of various characters, discussions of what was going on at DC behind the scenes. Fascinating to me, but I know plenty of people would go "meh." So YMMV.
August 11, 2021
Really a top-notch collection from start to finish.
I got this for my Dad on Father's Day a few years back. When I was growing up he got me a Suprman quiz book, and I was always amazed/ impressed how much Superman lore he knew. He read comics in the 60s but that was about it. (Get ready to cringe - he had all the early Marvels and all that great Silver Age Superman and Batman, and when he went to Vietnam, his Mom tossed it all. Gaaaa!) But he still remembered so much of the Silver Age Superman mythos, and even though I was a total Marvel Zombie in those days, I tucked it all away in the back of my mind.
Later on, I familiarized myself as best as I could with vintage Superman through the various trades and collections DC put out. My Dad just sent me this book because my elder daughter is now getting into Superman and he thought she'd enjoy it. She does - but not as much as me!
I'll keep it for her, though, lest anyone think I'm swiping it. :-)
Anyway - this is a great book, and Michael Eury/ TwoMorrows deserve all possible kudos for it.
I got this for my Dad on Father's Day a few years back. When I was growing up he got me a Suprman quiz book, and I was always amazed/ impressed how much Superman lore he knew. He read comics in the 60s but that was about it. (Get ready to cringe - he had all the early Marvels and all that great Silver Age Superman and Batman, and when he went to Vietnam, his Mom tossed it all. Gaaaa!) But he still remembered so much of the Silver Age Superman mythos, and even though I was a total Marvel Zombie in those days, I tucked it all away in the back of my mind.
Later on, I familiarized myself as best as I could with vintage Superman through the various trades and collections DC put out. My Dad just sent me this book because my elder daughter is now getting into Superman and he thought she'd enjoy it. She does - but not as much as me!
I'll keep it for her, though, lest anyone think I'm swiping it. :-)
Anyway - this is a great book, and Michael Eury/ TwoMorrows deserve all possible kudos for it.
June 18, 2020
Bizarro say "could be much worse." Me dislike tedious and pointless interviews with writers and artists. How Bizarro comprehend so much information? Who care knowing about different editorial approach of Mort Weisinger and Julius Schwartz?
Too much Superman. Need more Bizarro. Or more Super-Turtle. Great, unsung hero of Silver Age Super Turtle is. Bizarro lose big money on bet who win fight between Super-Turtle and Hoppy the Marvel Bunny. Great day for Bizarro! Bad day for Hoppy!
Many checklists for fans to find important moments. Lots of behind the scenes stories about Superman Movies and Novels. Ptoo! Best thing is introduction at end by Bizarro.
No can recommend this book cause Bizarro actually learn new things about Superman comics. UGH! Poison me with Blue Kryptonite.
Too much Superman. Need more Bizarro. Or more Super-Turtle. Great, unsung hero of Silver Age Super Turtle is. Bizarro lose big money on bet who win fight between Super-Turtle and Hoppy the Marvel Bunny. Great day for Bizarro! Bad day for Hoppy!
Many checklists for fans to find important moments. Lots of behind the scenes stories about Superman Movies and Novels. Ptoo! Best thing is introduction at end by Bizarro.
No can recommend this book cause Bizarro actually learn new things about Superman comics. UGH! Poison me with Blue Kryptonite.
January 3, 2016
I was going to gush for several hundred words about this incredible analysis and review of Superman comics from 1958 to 1986 - with interviews with all surviving creators mixed with history, trivia, photographs, and a plethora of black and white line art shot from original covers and pages - but I'll just keep it simple. The Elliot S! Maggin interview with his take on the character reignited my interest in Superman and his place in the pantheon of heroes - and that alone was enough to give this collection a five star review.
I never collected Superman during my prime comic book reading days (1973 - 1983), but after inhaling this book, I am more than ready to catch up on some prime story lines and tales I missed.
So, here's the best compliment I think you can pay ANY one who lovingly writes, interviews and edits a book like this - and that's reawakening the reader's interest and causing them to want to inhale the 1970s issues of Superman and Action Comics.
Thanks, Mike ... fantastic work. Now ... off to the back issue boxes in search of ...!
I never collected Superman during my prime comic book reading days (1973 - 1983), but after inhaling this book, I am more than ready to catch up on some prime story lines and tales I missed.
So, here's the best compliment I think you can pay ANY one who lovingly writes, interviews and edits a book like this - and that's reawakening the reader's interest and causing them to want to inhale the 1970s issues of Superman and Action Comics.
Thanks, Mike ... fantastic work. Now ... off to the back issue boxes in search of ...!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews