Book Review: Superman: Up In the Sky

By Tom King 

4 Stars 

Superman: Up In the Sky is an amazing story about heroism and love. One normal day in Metropolis, he gets notified by Batman that a break-in has happened in Gotham. Two kids and their foster parents were killed, one kid was hospitalized, and one kid was abducted. The last girl’s favourite superhero is Superman. And when the hospitalized girl dies, he has to save her sister - but should he drop everything and leave a whole city unprotected just to save one girl, or should he stay and protect the city, leaving the girl trapped, alone, and hopeless? It’s a question he struggles with even as he makes the decision.  

I think that Superman: Up in the Sky by Tom King is a really good representation of Clark Kent’s personality, both in his superhero persona and his civilian persona. This story, like any good story, at its core is relatable. This is something that Tom King understands. Though Superman is a hero - and worse still, a superhero - he struggles with such a human conflict that we relate to and love him. His body may be hard as steel, but the inner workings of his mind are inherently human. In the end, Tom King doesn’t present a clear answer to this question. He presents what Superman believes and what choice Superman makes, and lets you decide for yourself which is right. That is the brilliance of this story.  

I would definitely recommend this to someone who’s looking to get into the Superman fandom or to learn more about who he is. 

Reviewed by Ayesha as part of the Teen Reviewer, opens a new window program.

View in Library Catalogue: Print