Comments on: All-Star Superman Biological Review: Apoptosis

By: Chris Galdieri

Chris Galdieri — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:26:36 +0000

Quintum’s line that “only nothing is impossible” also calls to mind the title of one of Christopher Reeve’s books — whether it’s an intentional nod or not, it certainly adds to ALL-STAR SUPERMAN’s oddly evocative of all things Superman-in-the-Seventies mood.

By: Jon H

Jon H — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 02:11:51 +0000

A more interesting story might have resulted, had the exposure *stopped* apoptosis, and turned Superman into a Super-Tumor.

By: Monitor Duty

Monitor Duty — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 21:56:04 +0000

I now fear Scott at Polite Dissent

When I got married in 1999, I had some things I wanted to do in the ceremony. I wanted to perform “Come Live With Me and Be My Love” (which really is so beautiful you may not realize it’s a…

By: David Oakes

David Oakes — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 05:27:34 +0000

Since I “knew what he meant”, I simply glossed over the differences between apoptosis and necrosis and continued reading. (And enjoying, though Clark was even more more goofy than Superman was more noble.)

But now that you bring up the mechanics of apoptosis – and HIV in particular – I am realizing that it is what Morrison meant in the first place. Sure, necrosis comes from high energy exposure. And “bursting from within” certainly fits it better than apoptosis. (Even with the onomatopoeia.) But this is Superman so this isn’t death. And because it is Grant Morrison, this isn’t just a near-death experience, this is a transformative event. This is Superman as tadpole becoming the Super-frog he was supposed to be. (Or to be more poetic, this is Super-Caterpillar becoming Super-Super-Butterfly. And being able to use an AIDS metaphor is just icing on the meta-textual cake.)

Even when Morrison does “Superman: the Other”, he can have so much fun doing it that we don’t care. Bless his little bald Scottish head.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 05:13:07 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It was one of my favorite Superman stories ever (so far, any way). Doesn’t mean that I’m not going to pick on his biology though (just a little).

By: Randy

Randy — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 04:09:15 +0000

Still, it was one of the best Superman stories I’ve read since Alan Moore’s “For the Man Who Has Everything” and “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” Answer: He’s in Morrison/Quitely’s All-Star Superman #1!