It was less of a tweak than a realignment.

While a sequel never materialized, Last Son reads like a natural extension of the film.

However, its Brainiac which will really get you humming John Williams familiar theme music.

Franks Superman is, for all intents and purposes, Christopher Reeve.

Brainiac had long been a potential Superman screen villain.

And with good reason.

Its a tricky proposition, but it works.

Im not implying that Johns is ripping off an unproduced script that he almost certainly never read.

However, the real star of the second half of this Superman volume is Gary Franks artwork.

His delineation of Superman as a remarkable homage to Christopher Reeve aside, Franks art is evocative and dynamic.

The alien worlds, Kryptonian technology, and terrifying, sterile robotic figures are spectacular.

Rarely in recent years have Superman and friends looked thisright.

Has there ever been a better time to capitalize on these elements of the Superman mythology?

Johns and FranksSuperman: Secret Originowes a tremendous debt to 1978sSuperman: The Movie.

Do yourself a favor, and keep your John Williams soundtrack handy when you read this.

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