Superman: Birthright

Not a lot of graphic novels can make me cry twice! The first time, there's a moment where the story set up and the art combine that just HURTS. The second I honestly should have seen coming but it still GOT ME! Waid skillfully draws the strong parallel between the many advantages of Lex Luthor and the many advantages of Superman, the potential for isolation on both sides, and how much fear vs acceptance can make a difference. I'm a sucker for a refreshed origin story, and this one really worked for me. Only thing that could have made me love it more is a change in the art style. While heightened emotional moments were skillfully conveyed in how human faces and figures crumpled into grotesqueries of pain or fear or distress or anger, I found the everyday panel to panel rendering of people just a bit off kilter and distracting. I'm all for stylized to fit a mood, but this kept wandering into uncanny valley - too close to be unique artistic choice, not close enough to feel natural. The number of times I realized I was staring at Kent's teeth trying to figure out what was bugging me? Just...little weird. Purely subjective issue? Maybe. 🤷🏼‍♂️