DC Comics has introduced a new combo pack featuring a graphic novel and a Blu-ray/ DVD set. One of these combo packs features the graphic novel Death of Superman and the movie Superman/ Doomsday. This box set of a book and Blu-ray/ DVD set captures a moment in American culture that shocked the world as Superman died.
The graphic novel:
The death of Superman is considered to be the best selling graphic novel of all time. The graphic novel touches upon many different components including plot, emotions, and ideals. The plot starts out in a unique way as Superman is viewed as being indestructible and nothing can damage him. This changes with the threat of Doomsday, who is an alien that is killing people and causing mass destruction. Doomsday confronts the JLA and easily defeats them leaving Superman alone when he needs help from other heroes. This challenges the notation of Superman being an impervious hero as he needs help. The graphic novel ends with Superman and Doomsday killing each other while the citizens of Metropolis watch. As a result of this Superman is not only defeated but dies in the process of saving millions of lives from a new threat. His death highlights the idea that there are creatures who harness more power than the kryptonite hero. This graphic novel changes the ideals about Superman and puts an emphasis on the man in him as he can die. This graphic novel allows for the character of Superman to be able to die and humanizes the character and ties him closer to humanity.
Superman/ Doomsday the Movie:
The movie is included in this set and captures many of the same ideas as the graphic novel. The movie speeds up the fight between Doomsday and Superman as it occurs midway into the movie rather than the fight being at the end. This allows for the movie to focus on the aftermath of what a world looks like without Superman. A new element is introduced in the movie and that is of Superman being cloned by Lex Luther to make a new controllable Superman. This expands the idea that the graphic novel sets forth as it shows a world without the Clark Kent Superman, and a world with a new Superman. The movie begins to reveal a second showdown between the Clark Kent Superman and Lex Luther’s Superman, setting forth the return of Superman. The movie focuses on how Superman dies and the aftermath of his death until he returns to Metropolis to reclaim his superhero status.
The book and movie play well off each other and are paired correctly as they complete each other. The graphic novel establishes the basics of Superman’s death while the movie refreshes his death and focuses on the aftermath and his return. DC Comics is smart to produce this box set as it reintroduces one of the greatest comic book stories ever to be written and adapted into a movie.
You can purchase the Death of Superman here.
