Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
-
-
VIDEO
-
Superman: Secret Origin Kindle & comiXology
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherDC
- Publication dateMay 21, 2013
- File size721.7 MB
Customers also bought or read
Customers who bought this item also bought
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Johns was born in Detroit and studied media arts, screenwriting and film at Michigan State University. After moving to Los Angeles, he became an assistant to Richard Donner, director of Superman: The Movie. He and his mentor Donner later co-wrote Superman: Last Son, featuring the return of General Zod.
Johns has written for various other media, including episodes of Smallville, Arrow and Adult Swim's Robot Chicken, for which he was nominated along with his co-writers for an Emmy. Johns was an executive producer on the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and co-wrote the 2017 hit Justice League as well as the upcoming Wonder Woman 1984 film starring Gal Gadot. Johns currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Product details
- ASIN : B00CU16E6Q
- Publisher : DC (May 21, 2013)
- Publication date : May 21, 2013
- Language : English
- File size : 721.7 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Not enabled
- Enhanced typesetting : Not Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Not Enabled
- Print length : 225 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #257,909 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #274 in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Graphic Novels
- #527 in Mystery Graphic Novels
- #2,242 in Superhero Graphic Novels
- Customer Reviews:
Videos
Videos for this product
0:58
Click to play video
Superman: Secret Origin
Amazon - Kindle Sample
About the author

Geoff Johns is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer, film and television producer, showrunner, and entrepreneur known for re-imagining superheroes and other iconic mythologies, past and present. Johns is best known for his work on properties such as Green Lantern, Aquaman, The Flash, Superman, Batman, Justice Society of America, and most recently, the creator-owned hit series Geiger, currently being adapted for television at Paramount.
Since the beginning of his creative career, Johns' hallmark has been writing heroic and inclusive characters, including teenage hero Courtney Whitmore aka Stargirl, inspired by his real-life late sister; the Shazam Family, which he re-imagined into a diverse modern family of today; and the first Arab-American Green Lantern, Simon Baz, as well as the explosive multi-colored Lantern mythology that defined his decade-long bestselling Green Lantern run, among many, many others.
Johns’ most recognized work in television is the critically acclaimed Stargirl series which he created and ran. Some of his film credits include Wonder Woman (executive producer), Wonder Woman 1984 (also co-writer), Aquaman (also story) and Shazam! (executive producer), based on his graphic novel with longtime collaborator and modern legendary artist Gary Frank.
In 2023, Johns co-founded Ghost Machine, the first-of-its-kind creator-owned company. This groundbreaking collective includes some of the industry’s most legendary writers and artists, disrupting the old industry model by giving ownership to its creators, and paving the way for them to retain creative control and financial participation.
Born in Detroit to a Lebanese father, Johns was honored with his own permanent section at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers praise the story for its plausible and well-written retelling of Superman's origin. They appreciate the amazing artwork and well-designed scenes. The writing is described as concise and clear, making it great for beginners. Readers appreciate the heartwarming and compassionate tone of the book, with consistent character development and an excellent portrayal of Lex Luthor.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the story quality. They find it a terrific retelling of the origin of Superman, with a plausible storyline and nice length. The artwork and inking are phenomenal, covering quite a lot of Superman's life. Readers appreciate how Geoff Jones makes Superman believable, and the wholesome tone to the story makes it a fun novel to read.
"...I have to admit though, I am a sucker for a good origin story, and after hearing that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank were going to be writing the new "..." Read more
"...I can tell that there's film influences to this comic book from Richard Donner's Superman series to Gough & Miller's Smallville TV series...." Read more
"This one has superior artwork and inking, a plausible story line, and nice length. All combine to make this an excellent read." Read more
"...What makes this story so damn good is how Geoff Jones makes Superman believable. His Superman is not doll nor out of fashion...." Read more
Customers enjoy the artwork. They find the design well-designed and appreciate the resemblance to the 1978 version of Superman. The depiction of Luthor is powerful.
"...Johns writing is great, and Frank's art is phenomenal. I rate this 5 stars. It was a great book that is worth adding to your library...." Read more
"...I think this depiction of Luthor is powerful...." Read more
"This one has superior artwork and inking, a plausible story line, and nice length. All combine to make this an excellent read." Read more
"...The art by Frank is FANTASTIC. Combined with Jones writing, is like seying Christopher Reeve making his thing one more time. It was so unique!...." Read more
Customers find the book's writing quality good. They describe it as concise and clear, making it a good read for beginners. The story is simple and not complicated.
"...maybe not as basic as the All Star Superman one page version, but simple enough to where it isn't bogged down by details that are irrelevant to the..." Read more
"...All combine to make this an excellent read." Read more
"...What a story!!. First of, Jones makes an UMBELIEVABLE work on writing Superman...." Read more
"...The story is, not surprising, very well written. From the Legion, Lex to Metallo I enjoyed myself immensely while reading this book...." Read more
Customers find the artwork great and the characters well-drawn. They describe it as an excellent achievement from Geoff Johns.
"...The Daily Planet was done very well, as were all of the characters in it...." Read more
"...What I liked most was the characters -- I think they did a pretty good job in the space they had. And the art isn't bad either...." Read more
"...I think the real stand out of this novel is the artwork, it is really great...." Read more
"...this three stars based entirely on the artwork which is superb, flawlessly executed, even stunningly beautiful. The writing is another matter...." Read more
Customers find the book touching and compassionate. They describe the characters as heroic, genuine, modest, and caring.
"...I loved the way they showed Lois, compassionate, fiery, independent, sexy, and yet still feminine all at the same time...." Read more
"...Funny, touching, action, characters introduction. Like I said, I can't stop loving this book." Read more
"...If you love Superman, then you will love this story. It's heartwarming and beautifully illustrated. Check it out today!" Read more
"...I was fun thrilling and humorus and at times very touching. A must for any fan." Read more
Customers enjoy the consistent character development. They appreciate the introduction of characters and find Lex Luthor's portrayal fantastic.
"...Age Lex and the Post Crisis Businessman Lex, which makes for a perfect villain...." Read more
"...Funny, touching, action, characters introduction. Like I said, I can't stop loving this book." Read more
"...The storyline makes sense, hangs together, and is character consistent...." Read more
Reviews with images

Perfect artwork
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2011I really enjoyed this rendition of Superman's origin story. On the whole I think that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank really hit a home run with this one! I am a long time Superman fan, since I grew up watching the Animated Series on Saturday mornings every week, and I have been a strong supporter of Smallville since the first season as well. There have been a lot of origin stories in the last 20 years about Superman, and let's face it, a lot of people are sick of them, at least long time fans are. I have to admit though, I am a sucker for a good origin story, and after hearing that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank were going to be writing the new "definitive" one, I was ecstatic. I loved Johns run on Action Comics, and I was glad to get more of that magic in a Superman story again. Not to mention that Gary Frank is, in my humble opinion, one of the BEST artists that the character has ever had.
When I read this story, I was not disappointed in what I read. To me, it was one of those stories I literally couldn't put down, and after reading it in its entirety, I had to sit back and reflect on what I had read. There has only been 2 other Superman books that have been able to do that to me, "For all Seasons" and "All-Star Superman". I felt that this version of the origin is true to who Superman is, a man gifted/cursed (whichever way you see it) with powers far beyond those of mortal men, who uses those powers to help his fellow man however he can, not expecting reward or compensation. Now, a lot of the origin stories do that, but I think that what drives that home for me is Gary Frank's Art. His Superman captures the look of Christopher Reeve in the original 1978 film, heroic, genuine, modest, and compassionate.
One of the things I like best about this story is how simple it is. This is not a complicated story by any stretch. Basically, two chapters in Smallville showing the awkward teen years, 4 in Metropolis as Superman showing his first adventures in Metropolis. It's as simple as that. While details are in there, Geoff Johns strips down the story to some of the bare essentials, maybe not as basic as the All Star Superman one page version, but simple enough to where it isn't bogged down by details that are irrelevant to the story. Although there are things I wish that Johns would have put in the story that would have made me really happy, such as showing Clark's travels around the world before becoming Superman, like in Birthright, and a few others, but otherwise it made sense to keep everything the way that it is.
I did enjoy the way that Metropolis itself was portrayed in the third chapter when Clark is there for the first time looking up. It made Metropolis seem like it was crumbling under the reign of Lex Luthor until Superman came and was the beacon of hope that he should be. This, as well as the interactions with the Legion, show how much of an impact Superman has on the things around him for the better. It makes him seem like the hero he should be portrayed as, not as a second stringer he has been shown to be lately.
The Daily Planet was done very well, as were all of the characters in it. I loved the way they showed Lois, compassionate, fiery, independent, sexy, and yet still feminine all at the same time. That is the way that Lois Lane should be done. Jimmy Olsen was done fantastic, as I could really see the elements of a Superman's Pal in him, while the rest of the Daily Planet were done true to the way they should be done as well. The interactions between Perry White and Lois are what I imagine it would be like if I ever worked as a reporter.
Finally, the villains. Lex Luthor's portrayal here has been fantastic. He was intelligent, arrogant, vain, and manipulative, exactly the right blend between the Silver Age Lex and the Post Crisis Businessman Lex, which makes for a perfect villain. And while you don't get a direct fight between Superman and Lex, you see Mr. Luthor controlling things from behind the scenes like an evil puppet master. That is the way I would imagine a man like Lex to be in real life. Metallo and Parasite were great additions to this book, and I loved the way Clark used his head to defeat them rather than just pound the snot out of them. It was a very silver age way of dealing with the villains, and I think that is the best way to show Superman, smart as well as strong. Metallo's new revised origin was definitely a step above the old one, and as much as many people criticize his new costume, I actually kind of like it. It may look a little cheesy, but hey, if a superhero gets a costume why can't one of his villains right? Parasite's origin was a little corny and predictable, but not terrible.
For all of the things I liked, there are a few nitpicks I have to point out. First off, Lex Luthor has a very strange leap in logic when it comes to kryptonite. Read the book and you'll understand, but it just seems strange that based on such little information he can assume that Clark is 1) an alien, and 2) vulnerable to the rock. It just kind of comes out of nowhere. Another thing I found was that teenage Clark's head seems a little big for the rest of his body in certain panels. Not a major thing but it looked a little strange. The last thing is how surprisingly supportive Clark's parents are about his decision, and considering that Clark is just in high school when he starts off helping people, it seems odd that parents like Ma and Pa Kent are not even a little worried about him. I am in a career that is dangerous myself, and my parents understand it, but they still are visibly worried about what I do and the situations I end up in. So speaking from my own personal experience, it just seems a little odd that any good parents would have no problems with what Clark does.
All in all, Johns and Frank do a very good job in telling a definitive, basic origin story that will last for awhile. Johns writing is great, and Frank's art is phenomenal. I rate this 5 stars. It was a great book that is worth adding to your library. Now the only thing I can say to Johns and Frank is to please start writing Superman again soon!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024For this comic book, I have very superlative things to say. If this version of the story was made into a movie, I think it would be easily be my favorite Superman movie. I can tell that there's film influences to this comic book from Richard Donner's Superman series to Gough & Miller's Smallville TV series.
The thing that I really enjoyed that Gough & Miller designed in Smallville was that Clark's development of his powers slowly developed over puberty. This comic book plays with that concept as well. What I love as an additional concept is that the glasses he wears protects people from being burned with his eyes. Making the glasses very "coke bottle" also adds to the geekiness, but with a reason. I love the evolution of these concepts. There's also a small reference to Chloe Sullivan, a Smallville creation. I also like the simplicity of it not working out with Clark & Lana being that he was afraid that he'd hurt her. This comic didn't play out a several year on and off again relationship, but a simple and concrete fear that I would have if my eyes could vaporize someone.
There's really profound things in the portrayal of Lex Luthor in this comic, & there's other things that... if I were the writer I'd copy more what Smallville did. I loved that Lex also had an origin in Smallville in this story, and similarly to Smallville, the comic juxtaposed Jonathan Kent with Lionel Luthor (the fathers). In this story, Lex is not someone who inherits wealth but makes it. His story is more similar to the story of Lionel Luthor in Smallville. I personally like the inherited wealth story, but that's not a deal breaker to me. There's good reasons why the authors made these choices, & I respect that. I like how Clark & Lex meet in this story briefly in Smallville, but it doesn't have even close to as much of a forging friendship towards good & evil compared to the Smallville TV show friendship. That's ok, but I really would love see that dynamic played with more.
I would say that the most profound pages in the comic book are the first day of adult Clark coming to Metropolis for the first time juxtaposed with the last page of the story. Clark comes to a version of Metropolis where it is dark, & there is no hope. Luthor has the entire city around his finger. Some scenes remind me of depictions of the Great Depression where desperate people are just trying to get a little bit of work from the guy who just wants that seat of power to grant privilege or deny it at his whim. I think this depiction of Luthor is powerful. It shows why a lot of people think he's a good guy because he's providing them with privilege, but he's also evil.... a Lucifer that not everyone can see. The story first starts with Clark bumping into a woman who is snarky and has no hope. The story concludes with someone bumping into the same woman and after seeing Superman bringing hope to the city.... and she is joyful and has hope.
The word "hope" got thrown around a lot in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel movie, and it is a theme of Superman in general, but I feel like this comic drove it home so viscerally. It's one thing to use the word "hope", but it's another to demonstrate it in a story tangibly in a way that people can taste it. That's what this comic book did.
If I were to have added anything to this comic book, this story featured Parasite as a sub-villain. I would have added another issue using Toyman as well as Parasite with Luthor as the invisible puppet master behind it all with over course a "tight" alibi of plausible deniability that he had nothing to do with either of them. I feel like Toyman and then Parasite crescendo sub-villains from easier to harder & larger. Toyman has no super powers, & he's kinda Joker-esce. That's not to say that the lack of Toyman makes this comic book bad or deficient.... that's just what I would have done if I were the writer.
I mentioned that the comic had Richard Donner's Superman style influences as well. I would generally say that the artwork and how Superman was depicted reminded me significantly of Christopher Reeve. This comic book captures the substance of a Superman story. It's not just about a flying alien wearing tights who fights a bald guy. It's about a man of pure goodness fighting greed and power & giving hope through hidden power. You can use these characters and not really tell a Superman story, but this IS a Superman story.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2023This one has superior artwork and inking, a plausible story line, and nice length. All combine to make this an excellent read.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2011Geoff Jones and Gary Frank are the dynamic duo when it comes to Superman. I'm fresh of reading Superman and the Legion of Superheroes and now this, Superman: Secret Origin. I normally take my time to read new book but this one, I had to keep reading and tasting the writing and the art. What a story!!.
First of, Jones makes an UMBELIEVABLE work on writing Superman. It was like having a Superman story with all the ingredients Superman: The Movie had. I'm not saying that the book is based on the movie, but it have the "flavor" and it's given in such a sutil way that it made me smile every now and then.
The art by Frank is FANTASTIC. Combined with Jones writing, is like seying Christopher Reeve making his thing one more time. It was so unique!. An experience that I haven't had with no other artist.
What makes this story so damn good is how Geoff Jones makes Superman believable. His Superman is not doll nor out of fashion. He's as confused as you and I would be if we try to save the world alone. He have doubts. He's not perfect, but reachs a point where he knows what to do and what NOT to do.
Smallville portion was all about the parents and the true friends. The Legion of Superheroes portion was a breath of fresh air, and the Metropolis portion was a big bang bum!. Funny, touching, action, characters introduction.
Like I said, I can't stop loving this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024Book is in Excellent condition and the artwork is fantastic, I think this is what every comic book should look like its perfect. havent read the story yet but ive heard its one of the best Superman stories.
Book is in Excellent condition and the artwork is fantastic, I think this is what every comic book should look like its perfect. havent read the story yet but ive heard its one of the best Superman stories.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
- LennoxReviewed in Brazil on May 28, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars So good!
One of the first Superman stories I've ever read. It's a really good read. It is one of the best Superman stories.
- SheilaReviewed in Canada on February 18, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME!!
INCREDIBLE Superman book!! Really love it! Good art and good story!! 5 STARS!! :)
-
DavidReviewed in Belgium on June 18, 2024
1.0 out of 5 stars La reliure est à l'envers
La reliure est à l'envers
-
José de Jesús Adame CarrilloReviewed in Mexico on June 4, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Increíble
El origen definitivo de Superman, que nos demuestra que Clark Kent siempre s eha sentido como alguien solitario por los dones que posee, y cuando llega el momento de mostrarse al mundo, comprende que lo importante no es que tan fuerte es, sino a motivar a los demás a ser mejores personas. Eso nos muestra que Geoff Johns conoce muy bien la escencia del personaje. Todo se complementa con el Arte de Gary Frank, que recuerda bastante al Superman de Christopher Reeve.
- papa sanchezReviewed in Australia on May 7, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Just wow!
I am just amazed by the writing & the artwork of this graphic novel., it’s so cinematic & so brilliant., that again…, I’m just wowed