Comic Review – “Superman: True Brit”

This is an Elseworlds tale based on a story by John
Cleese. You’d think that would have to be funny,
wouldn’t you?

General Information

Title: Superman: True Brit

Author: Kim “Howard” Johnson, based on a story by
John Cleese

Illustrator(s): John Byrne, Mark Farmer, and Alex
Bleyaert

Original Publication Date: October 13, 2004

ISBN: 1-4012-0022-2

Cover Price:

Buy from: Amazon.com
or Amazon.ca

Past comic reviews can be found here.

Premise

In this Elseworlds tale, Kal-El crash lands in
England instead of
America.

High Point

Meeting Batman.

Low Point

The impaling scene. Not nearly enough reaction to
that.

The Scores

This wasn’t particularly original. It’s a
Superman origin
retelling that takes constant potshots and the press
in general and
British tabloid journalism in particular. I give it
3 out of 6.

The artwork is decent, but it doesn’t amaze.
You always know
what’s going on, though. I give it 4 out of 6.

The story is not that impressive, either.
There’s not that
much here, although the Batman bit was nice. I give
it 4 out of 6.



The characterization is poor. There are
about three
personalities here, shared by the entire cast of
characters, and none
of them are deep. I give it 3 out of 6.

The emotional response was the biggest
disappointment. This
doesn’t come close to being as funny as I’m used to
from John Cleese,
partly because the same jokes are repeated so often.
I give it 3 out
of 6.

The flow wasn’t bad, after some of the rapid
introductions.
I give it 4 out of 6.

Overall, it’s not bad, but I wouldn’t pay
the hardcover
price. I don’t even expect to reread it. Wait for a
paperback. I
give it 3 out of 6.

In total, Superman: True Brit receives 24
out of 42.

One reply

  1. Emotions

    The emotional response was the biggest disappointment.

    Maybe if you were a brit you’d be mumbling “God save the queen…” with a
    tear in your eye?

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