#Clark on stage

[lilacthebooklover]

WHY THE HELL DID NO-ONE TELL ME ABOUT CLARK DOING NPMD KARAOKE SOONER

[whaleiumsharkspeare]

The excitement entering my bones knowing that Clark on Stage is uploading a “For a Moment” video this week so I can enjoy singing along with him

[lovecommajaime]

i just sobbed for thirty minutes straight because i was singing chant with clark on stage the remote came out of my hands and hit the tv

[bbbbbbbbatman]

The real reason none of the batkids want the cowl is bc at some point after they started dating, Bruce decided the best way to keep his and Clark’s cover was to pretend they were in a polyamorous relationship with Superman and Batman, so suddenly the occasions where dick had to wear the batsuit to cover for Bruce became real awkward when they were around other people

[lesbianslugreaction]

Once again I am thinking about how Javert should absolutely be included in the musical's finale. I know some smaller productions have done this, but the bigger ones need to step their game up. I mean, if goddamn Britain's Got Talent can get Javert singing in the finale, so should every other show, too!

Not having him there just goes so against the theme of redemption. Oh, Javert doesn't go heaven? I guess people can't change, after all. Oh, suicide is a sin that people go to hell for? Don't even get me started on that catholic garbage. By that logic, Valjean probably shouldn't be there, either...

It doesn't even have to be a big thing, just let my cringe blorbo sing the song in the background like the rest of the characters. He and Valjean could share a nod, a handshake, a hug, you name it!

Though actually, they should kiss. Who said that

[hipsternumbertwo]

VHS Christmas Carols Opening Night

[dieubius]

i was thinking that bruce should bring around a spare bat shaped domino mask everywhere for emergencies >:) but one thing lead to another and now i have clark yearning over cowl hair

[shhhhimwatchingthis]

STARKID JUST UPLOADED THE FULL HOUR AND HALF CUT OF VHS CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR FREE ON YOUTUBE

Thats the interconnected trilogy of Gift Of The Magi, The Little Match Girl, and of course A Christmas Carol

and if you haven't seen it live or ever bought the digital ticket...ITS SO GOOD

This is a temporary upload, a gift from Starkid in these tough times. WATCH IT NOW WHILE YOU CAN

can not stress how good and fun and heartwarming this show is!

[nighhtwing]

CLARK KENT and DICK GRAYSON in GRAYSON ANNUAL #2

[lonelyzarquon]

Deep in our souls there lurks an instinct which welcomes death. It makes it easier when it comes. It is not very strong, it's only needed once. That's what we saw in the darkness, that is the sleeping phantom that we roused and formed and clothed in black. A phantom feeding on death, creating death, exalting in death!

Madhouse (1974) dir. Jim Clark

[superfam]

THE SUPERMAN STARTER READING LIST

SO – you want to read Superman comics, but you’re intimidated by the near-century of history this character has. Or, you’ve read a few comics with him, but you want to go back to the basics to understand his character and the mythology surrounding him. There are so many continuities, origin stories, and standalones – where do you start? Well…

[Image ID: a cropped edit of the Superman ‘78 #3 variant cover by Lee Weeks, showing Lois Lane sitting on the letters of the Daily Planet globe, and Clark flying above her in his Superman costume, reaching out to take her hand. Hand-written next to them is: "THE SUPERMAN STARTER READING LIST", and hand-written in the bottom right corner is: "by MYTHIC / superfam.tumblr.com". End ID.]

This list isn’t intended to be a full, comprehensive guide to Superman’s decades of history, but a curated taster of Clark Kent in the comics medium. It aims to show you a variety of interpretations from different authors of different contexts, but with the broad goal of helping newcomers understand the heart of the character. Not every comic is able to sum up all aspects of Superman, and some could be argued to miss certain points, but each one has been selected for this list for the goal of conveying the history and breadth of his interpretations.

It’s intended to be accessible to both long-dedicated comics fans and people who are new to the DC universe, or even the medium as a whole. As such, new fans are welcome to enjoy each story as a standalone interpretation.

Please understand that this list is built from my own experience with the character, and I don’t claim it to be better or worse than any other – it’s just one way to approach his history. Essentially, I’m attempting to create the sort of list I wish I had access to when first reading Superman comics. I highly encourage the reader to form their own interpretations of each work.

With all that out of the way, please enjoy!

[Image ID: An edit of Gary Frank's artwork from Superman: Secret Origin. A slightly battered Clark in his Superman outfit embraces Jimmy with his right arm and Lois with his left. All three are smiling. The background, which depicts a disaster scene and a defeated Lex Luthor chained to a building, is covered in a translucent blue overlay. Hand-written next to Clark is: "ORIGINS". End ID.]

SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #1-6 (2009-2010) Geoff Johns & Gary Frank

Just a couple years before the 2011 reboot of the DC Universe, a new definitive origin story was created for a Superman post-Infinite Crisis (a major event which had changed the status quo of the multiverse).

Secret Origin is only six issues long, and a great, efficient introduction to Clark Kent and Superman. It focuses on telling Clark’s origins from his own perspective, as a hero but also simply as a person. It also does a good job of setting up important supporting characters including Lois, Jimmy, Perry, and Lex.

SUPERMAN: BIRTHRIGHT #1-12 (2003-2004) Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu & Gerry Alanguilan

Though replaced by Secret Origin only a few years later, Birthright was written as the definitive origin story to overwrite Byrne’s 1986 reboot of the character. It was intended to bring Superman into the new century, and be more consistent with his modern interpretations. It is also influenced by the popularity of the TV series Smallville.

Birthright is longer and covers aspects of the Superman mythos in further depth, including dynamics between Clark, Lex, and the city of Metropolis, kryptonite, and Krypton in general. Due to its extended length, it also covers more on Clark’s relationship with his powers and heritage.

I highly recommend reading both modern preboot origins to experience different interpretations with different influences and intentions, even only a few years apart.

[Image ID: An edit of Tim Sale's artwork from Superman: For All Seasons. On the right, Clark lies on his bed, looking to the left with a wistful expression and with a hand on his dog curled up next to him. The background, which is his cluttered bedroom in Smallville, is overlaid with translucent grey. Hand-written to the left of Clark is: "INTROSPECTION". End ID.]

SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN #1-3 (2019) Gene Luen Yang & Gurihiru

This standalone story is set in 1946, and primarily draws upon the Golden and Silver Ages as inspiration. It’s an adaptation of an episode of The Adventures of Superman radio series, “The Clan of the Fiery Cross”, which famously dealt a major hit to the KKK’s operations in America by influencing public perceptions.

The story follows Clark as well as siblings Roberta and Tommy, two Chinese-American kids who have recently moved to the Metropolis suburbs, as they uncover and fight a local chapter of the KKK. The story explores themes of immigrant identity and self-acceptance in Clark and the kids’ narratives – it presents important concepts from Superman’s history, straight from the heart of his character, in a really effective way.

SUPERMAN: FOR ALL SEASONS #1-4 (1998) Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale

This miniseries has four issues, each corresponding to a season and narrated by an important person in Clark’s life (in order: Jonathan ‘Pa’ Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Lana Lang). Tim Sale’s beautifully detailed and expressive art captures the complex emotions drawn out by having your life touched by Clark Kent, which works really well with the personal, confessional style of the narration. It’s a very intimate work.

It’s a great insight into both the triumphs and very personal struggles of Clark through the inner voices of some of the most important people in his life, and captures what makes his character work really well.

FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING (SUPERMAN (1939) ANNUAL #11) (1985) Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons

This is a single-issue annual from right before the DC universe was rebooted, and (unsurprisingly for Moore) explores some philosophical and ideological questions regarding the Man of Steel. On his ‘birthday’, Superman falls prey to an alien organism called The Black Mercy, which feeds on its victims while keeping them complacent with vivid hallucinations of their greatest desires. Clark hallucinates a still-living Krypton, which he is a part of – but perhaps not everything is perfect.

SUPERMAN: BRAINIAC (ACTION COMICS #866-870) (2008) Geoff Johns & Gary Frank

Before retelling Superman’s beginnings in Secret Origin, Johns and Frank collaborated on this story arc which massively changes the status quo, partially by reintroducing a variety of pre-Crisis concepts including the original Brainiac and the bottled city Kandor. If you liked Secret Origin, you’ll probably like this one.

As this is our first story arc rather than self-contained story, it has more references to the ongoing continuity but is still easy enough to understand without that context. This story also prominently features Kara Zor-El as Supergirl and expands on some cosmic lore and Krypton in general.

SUPERMAN: UP IN THE SKY #1-6 (2019-2020) Tom King & Andy Kubert

This is an accessible, self-contained exploration of the extent of Superman’s moral fibre, following Clark as he attempts to save a single girl who was abducted from Earth and taken into space. It’s quite abstract at points with the questions it asks about themes of compassion and commitment, which I think is conveyed particularly well in the panelling and artwork.

[Image ID: An edit of Frank Quitely's artwork from All Star Superman. Clark in his Superman outfit is flying with his arms outstretched. The top half of his face is cut off. The background is an abstract depiction of the heart of the sun, and has been overlaid with a translucent orange. Handwritten beneath Clark is: "INTERPRETING AND RE-INTERPRETING". End ID.]

THE K-METAL FROM KRYPTON (drafted 1940, restored 2004-2011) Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Studio

The K-Metal from Krypton is an unpublished and unfinished comic from 1940, written by Superman creator Jerry Siegel, and drafted by the studio of the other Superman creator, Joe Shuster. After being lost for decades, the story has slowly been recovered and restored by Superman fans.

Though this one is much more unconventional than the other items on the list, I think it’s extremely important to Superman’s history and generally understanding him as a character. It comes from a time when creative control of their character was being taken from Siegel and Shuster, and though it is unknown why this story was unpublished, that’s a major point of context to keep in mind.

This draft sets up the predecessor to kryptonite in the Superman comics – “K-Metal” – and also contains a scene where Clark reveals his identity to Lois, and they agree to be partners in helping others. This is a major departure from the status quo of Clark keeping his secret from Lois as she tries to uncover it, which would continue for the rest of the Golden and Silver Ages.

The restoration effort can be read online: http://theages.superman.nu/k-metal/splash.php

THE MAN OF STEEL #1-6 (1986) John Byrne & Dick Giordano

This limited series is the immediate post-Crisis origin story and reinvention of Superman. It wasn’t put in the Origins section because I think from a modern perspective it shouldn’t be an introduction to Clark, but rather something you read to understand the history of his character.

It originated major changes in the Superman mythology, some of which have become instilled in it (such as Lex Luthor and Lois Lane’s modern characterisations), and others which have been forgotten or discarded.

One major thing is the great effort this origin made to make Clark American over being Kryptonian… Byrne has expressed great distaste of portrayals of Superman which emphasise his immigrant identity, and that should be kept in mind while critically reading this work.

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #1-12 (2005-2008) Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely

Arguably the most critically acclaimed Superman comic, this has been saved for late in the list as I believe it’s enhanced with more context of and experience with Clark. This is a series which explores the nature of storytelling and legacy, which was created with the aim of creating a timeless Superman story.

When Superman learns he will soon die, what does he reflect on? What does he change? This is heavily inspired by, and is a love letter to, Silver Age Superman.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW? (SUPERMAN #423 & ACTION COMICS #583) (1986) Alan Moore, Curt Swan & George Pérez

Written in the wake of Crisis on Infinite Earths, this is another story about Superman ‘dying’, and is essentially a great mediation on and send-off to the Silver Age incarnation of the character. It refers to itself as an “imaginary” story, and can be seen as one concrete ending for this version of Clark Kent and the rest of the Superman characters, in a medium with few.

It can be found in a collection with For the Man Who Has Everything.

SUPERMAN: RED AND BLUE #1-6 (2021) Various

To finish off our starter reading list, let’s move from Superman’s end to his future. This is an anthology of short stories from various authors and artists, exploring a spread of visions of the Man of Tomorrow.

I think it’s an appropriate end for this starter exploration of Clark Kent’s many interpretations! As with all anthologies, it has its ups and downs in quality, but as a whole I truly believe it captures the heart of this character.

Thank you for reading all this way. I really hope this reading list helps you delve into the character of Superman and inspires you to read further beyond what I’ve suggested here.

Most of all, I hope it helps at least some people grow to love Clark Kent as much as I have.

A PDF version of this reading list is available here.

[cyanide-sippy-cup]

So wait. The way Kryptonian naming conventions work are that males take the last name of their father (Kal-El, Jor-El, Dru-Zod) while females take the full name (Kara Zor-El, Lara Lor-Van). But in My Adventures With Superman, Kara has no idea who Zor-El is. She seems to think Brainiac is her only father.

So does Kara think her name is "Kara Primus Brainiac"?

[justarandombrit]

I love compilations like "Starkid breaking the fourth wall" because you always know what's coming:

. That one moment in Twisted (Subliminal messaging)

. That one moment in Starship (Damn that G.L.E.E)

. That one moment in AVPSY (The same Hermione you know and love)

. The end of TGWDLM (WHY ARE YOU CLAPPING)

. A few moments in AVPM (Voldemort threatening A.J when he starts playing the piano, when Voldemort just walks around the stage door, etc)

. About half of Firebringer (The fourth wall hadn't been invented yet)

. All of Trail To Oregon (The fourth wall still hadn't been invented yet)

. Red Vines (what the hell can't they do?)

[zosa95]

Greta: Unca Dude, Unca Dude!

Little Greta raced to her uncle as fast as her chubby legs could manage. She flung herself at Jude,  squealing in delight as he swung her high.

Sybil: Gemma!

Sybil ran over to hug Gemma and started talking silly baby talk to Greta. Then she turned to Gemma.

Sybil: When are you going to have the baby?

Jude frowned, giving his daughter a warning look.

Jude: Sybil, what did I say about asking personal questions?

Sybil: I'm not five anymore. And I'm not asking because she's fat. I know there's a baby in there.

Gemma: (teasing) It could be a food baby.

Sybil: A what?

Gemma shook her head and laughed.

Sybil: My dad can come over when you have the baby. If the baby gets stuck, he can help.

Jude: Sybil, stop talking, please.

Sybil: He can just reach in and pull the baby out—

Jude: Sybil! She’s not a ewe! And this conversation is inappropriate.

Sybil huffed and stared at her father.

Sybil: Does she know how babies come out?

Jude: (desperately) Not another word.

Sybil: But—

Jude: No. More. Words. Go back to play with Giles and Betty. Now.

Sybil looked bewildered. Her father wasn’t usually grumpy with her. She threw her hands up in the air and shrugged. Then she made a zipping motion across her lips with more sass than compliance. She reached out her hand to a giggling Greta, leading the toddler to the playground. Jude took a deep breath, burying his face in his hands.

Gemma was speechless. There was a part of parenting she had not foreseen. She took a quick peek at a silent Jude. He didn’t meet her eyes.

Gemma: How about we pretend that conversation never happened?

Jude: Yes, please.

The uncomfortable silence between them continued.

Gemma: What topic should I study before quiz night?

Jude’s shoulders relaxed as he launched into familiar topics, trying to shake off the confusing feelings that Gemma stirred in him.

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 143

You know what I think would be hilarious. The batfamily (or even all of Gotham but it’s dismissed as just another Gotham tale by Outsiders) being able to turn into cats. Not big cats either but like, housecats. And none of their teams know. 

They think that the cats must be their local bat’s, because the collars have their symbols on them. And honestly how else would this giant fluffball get onto the Watchtower? Now of course they would have told the teams all eventually, but well, it’s become a competition now. How long can they keep this under wraps, and which of them will win in keeping it hidden. 

[henrysglock]

So far:

Bob Newby canonically knew Henry Creel.

And they killed him off before Henry was even introduced on the show.

Joyce and Hopper canonically knew Henry Creel.

And they were kept away from Hawkins in ST4, the only season where Henry was introduced by name.

Scott Clarke should know Henry Creel.

And he was suspiciously absent from ST4, the season where he’d have crucial knowledge about their serial killer.

I was right. The Duffers cleared house for ST4 to create a situation where we don’t have many solid facts and most of what we hear about Henry is almost entirely unreliable.

So…who was Henry Creel? And on top of that…who the fuck is Henry Creel?