Reading the blurb on the back of this comic I was very intrigued as it was very different to anything I have ever read before. It’s set in a different universe, however like most of DC comics it’s quite dark. Superman is not the superman they we all know in fact he doesn’t even know about his powers at the start of the comic so it tells the tale of how this different version of Clark Kent realises that he do something more to help the poorer people of this industrial city.

After reading about the comic I loved the way it was written and drawn and was interested where they got the inspiration from after I vaguely remembered reading something about a similar story or movie but couldn’t quite picture it. After some research I found out the comic was based on German Expressionist Cinema and the writers had taken inspiration from the 1927 film Metropolis directed by Fritz Lang. Even the cover page of the comic looks very similar and you’d be forgiven if you thought they could actually be for the same thing.

The comic is actually the first part of a trilogy all based on the same Expressionist Cinema. These are titled Batman: Nosferatu and Wonder Woman: The Blue Amazon I shall be trying to get a hold of these comics in the near future so I can read the other books.

I would certainly recommend this comic to anyone wanting something a little bit different from a Superman comic or even someone interested in old German Expressionist Cinema that this comic is based upon.

Warning the next few paragraphs contain plot spoilers and my opinions on the characters and the subtle differences between them and the mainstream characters you see.

**Spoilers**

This story of Superman is set in a future where the city of Metropolis is split between two social classes. The upper class and the working class. The upper class live a life of luxury while the working class live and work in harsh conditions and sometimes die of exhaustion and accidents that occur when manning the giant machines that run the industry of Metropolis. In this story Clark is named Clark Kent-son who is the son the the Great Architect (Jon Kent).

Early on in the story Lois breaks in to Jon Kent’s personal quarters with a number of the workers which allows Clark to see the separation of the classes. This is where the Story really starts, Clark joins the workers and sees the harsh conditions that they live and work in. Lois however has started holding meetings where she speaks of a Savior.

Little do we know that the City is not run by the Jon Kent who appears to be the Master of the city it is in fact run of a Mad Scientist Lutor. We find out a little back story about Jon and Lutor here. Years ago when the City was still young both men fell in love with the same woman Marta. However once she chose Jon, Lutor killed her. Using some sort of hypnosis Lutor then turned Jon in to a slave for him thus taking over control of the city Jon one had so much hope for.

Hearing about the meetings and the so called Savior Lutor decides to Kidnap Lois and reveals that he is actually part robot, however there is no more robot than there is man. He tell Lois his plan of creating a robot clone of Lois who will cause chaos and ultimately will lead all the workers to their death. He names the robot Futura (same name as the robot in the original novel Metropolis, another link back o the original content this comic is based upon).

While this is taking place Clark Kent-son finds out his own heritage in that he is not of this Earth and is in fact an alien. He discovers that Lutor found out about Clark’s powers when he killed Martha. Using the hypnosis abilities he removed Clark’s memories and blocked his powers. However upon remember, Clark unlocked his powers and feeling the strength surge through him he knew he was in fact the Savior Lois has prophesied about.

He flies to Futura who appears as Lois has already started a rebellion (As she did in the movie – Metropolis). Clark realises this is not the real Lois and fights her. After his first fight and several panels which can be seen as a tough battle Clark defeats Futura by throwing her in molten metal.

On the other side of the city reveals that the thing keeping him living is in fact a Kryptonite heart discovered at the crash site of Clark’s space ship, and a metal body. Lutor kills Jon who has sacrificed himself for his son after finally fighting off Lutor’s mind control. Clark speeds to find Lois, but because of the Kryptonite weakening Clark it is a fierce and hard battle. Lois jumps on Lutor’s back and manages to pull his heart from his body and Clark eventually defeats him. Clark becomes the Savior, and decides to take up an outfit of his heritage, that he found in his ship, and finally becomes Superman. Clark and Lois become the new rules of Metropolis.

The main character of this comic book follow the characters from the novel and book Metropolis. However you can see that each Character also matches very well with the characters in the comics we know. Lois as a person showing the rest of the world or city what needs to be done, a voice for the people that can’t speak out. Luthor as a mad genius. Clark becoming a Savior of the city and Jonathon Kent ending up doing what ever he can to eventually save his own son, always having the right but sometimes not going about it in the right way. Lutor being revealed as the actual Master of the city and eventually a version of Metallo was a great twist. Another great part was the way Clark recognised it was the real Lois, as we have seen in a number of comics their love is what keeps them both fighting.

I personally would recommend this comic book to anyone as it is so different and I can’t wait to read the other two comics that make up the trilogy.

Metropolis Superman's_Metropolis_1

As you can from the two covers. The one on the left coming from the movie and the one on the right coming from the comic they are even similar in the covers.