Must-read graphic novels are futuristic classics that shouldn’t be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That’s why we’ve rated them 1-5 on the patented “crunchy goodness” scale.
Title: All-Star Superman
Date: 2005-present
Vitals: Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely create their own zany tribute to the Silver Age Superman, with stories about Superboy, a wackier version of Jimmy Olsen, and the Bizarro world. These pop-sci-fi stories straddle a serious undercurrent: Superman is slowly dying after overexposure to solar radiation.
Famous names: Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Jamie Grant
Crunchy goodness: 5
Elevator pitch: What if instead of Superman’s supporting cast “grounding” him as usual, they catapulted him into a psychedelic supernova made of cheese?
The shit: Lex Luthor, in prison, lectures Clark Kent about his hatred of Superman, never realizing whom he’s talking to. Luthor is vain, deluded, petty — and more magnetic than he’s ever been.
Design breakthrough: Superman’s trappings look alien and cool for the first time in years. His Fortress of Solitude is huge and over-the-top, containing the Titanic, a space-shuttle and a baby sun-eater. The headquarters of PROJECT is trippy and shiny. And Jimmy gets to wear a crazy iridescent rainbow coat. It’s futuristic and colorful.
