Pros:Incredible and moving story, excellent artwork
Cons:The binding makes for awkward page turning
The Bottom Line: This is a quiet but excellent story with superb art about a man's limitations, even if he is Superman.
“I look upon my powers as a gift, not mine alone but for anyone who needs them.”
—Clark Kent, Superman: Peace on Earth
Superman is the quintessential superhero. The mold was broken when they made him so it’s quite understandable that people see him as the best there is. Because of that perception, they also see Superman as someone who can solve everything and make things right in the world. His wondrous powers and abilities from those of mortal men make him a deity-like figure, a “god” who came down from the heavens to save mankind. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, as it’s jarring to learn that even Superman can fail.
Superman: Peace on Earth is the first in a series by Paul Dini (writer of the Batman: The Animated Series television show) and Alex Ross (artist of Marvels and Kingdom Come) that takes a look at superheroes facing world problems. There are no super-villains or alien threats in these stories. In fact the real scourge is a problem that mankind knows all too well… world hunger. And Superman believes it’s time that the issue is addressed.
“It’s not my place to dictate policy for humankind. But perhaps the sight of me fighting hunger on a global scale would inspire others to take action in their own ways.”
—Clark Kent, Superman: Peace on Earth
The sight of a famished girl during the Christmas season has Superman thinking about the subject of hunger in the streets of Metropolis. As he notices more and more homeless people who are starving, he starts to realize that this is an epidemic that spreads not only across the United States but also around the world.
This is Superman’s concern as he addresses Congress in Washington, D.C. America has a surplus of food that goes to waste in storage. His idea is to distribute as much as he can to hungry people around the world in one day.
Here’s the problem. As much as his heart is in the right place, as much as he doesn’t want people to suffer anymore, he set himself up that people expect him to show up every day to bring them food. Even a Superman can’t perform miracles like that. It gets even worse when there are those who try to stop him from helping, those world dictators who threaten the lives of innocent if he doesn’t stop messing in their affairs. There are even people who look at him like he is a fraud and an outsider who doesn’t understand the inner workings of how things should be since he is an alien from another planet. It has gone so far out of control that other governments are willing to poison the food that Superman bring if it means that it usurps their own authority and power. The political underlining and mistrust from people come to an apex as some see Superman as a scourge to their way of life. How dare he try to impose his will upon other people?
“I now see that taking on this responsibility was too ambitious for one man, even a Superman.”
—Clark Kent, Superman: Peace on Earth
Dini and Ross present Superman in a different light. The problem of world hunger isn’t something that Superman can solve, despite his amazing abilities. It has to come from the people who have compassion in their hearts and extending it to their fellow man.
Ross excels as an artist with his amazing paintings. His Superman is powerful and striking yet he also has that look of someone who is approachable, someone who you can talk to quite easily. It’s interesting to note that throughout the book, Superman is the one figure, the only thing, painted in vivid, primary colours. Everything else, from the landscapes to the people, is rendered either in muted colours or gray tones. It’s evident that he wanted to portray Superman has a beacon of light in the world.
Dini fashions a superb story about a man who is still limited to what he can do, but never gives up hope despite the obstacles. He presents the story as one would see in a children’s storybook; this isn’t a comic book by any stretch of the imagination despite the fact that a comic book character is in it. Told from Clark Kent’s perspective, Dini shows the readers the inner turmoil Superman faces allowing the reader to feel his emotions and frustrations through this trial.
The oversized tabloid format (10”x13”) makes this stand out from a regular comic book. It showcases Ross’ art much more magnificently and it gives it a larger-to-life scale of grandeur and wonderment. However, the binding is glued in an awkward fashion that makes turning the pages laborious and frustrating.
The message is clear and simple. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace tried to send a message about the dangers of nuclear weapons but it was overshadowed but the shoddy production and terrible storyline. Even though Superman: Peace on Earth is a more quiet attempt in stabbing at the social consciousness of people, it has been more effective thanks to the care and efforts by Dini and Ross.
Maybe the world doesn’t want a Superman, but it does need to adopt his attitude and optimism.
“I ask everyone to share what they have with those who need it. Their knowledge. Their time. Their generosity. Especially with the young, for on them rests our future… and all hope of a true peace on Earth.”
—Clark Kent, Superman: Peace on Earth
Product Details:
ISBN: 1563894645
Format: Paperback, 64pp
Pub. Date: November 1998
Publisher: DC Comics
Related Reviews in This Series
Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth by Paul Dini and Alex Ross
Related Superman Book Reviews
Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid and Leinel Yu
Superman: The Man of Steel, Volume 1 by John Byrne
The Superman Story by Marty Pasko, Curt Swan, and Frank Chiaramonte
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