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tshepiso's review
Started on January 29th, 2023
DNF'd on February 6th, 2023
DNF'd at 68 pages (47%)
I really tried giving New Super-Man a chance, but, after 8 issues, I still couldn't connect with its story or characters. There was just something stilted and bland about Gene Luen Yang's writing here which was a disappointment. Protagonist Kong Kenan felt like he was going through the motions of a well-worn character arc. Familiar story beats aren't necessarily terrible, however, New Super-Man lacked the strong, detailed character writing that makes even the most heavily trod storylines impactful. Side characters Baixi and Deila continued to be moderately interesting but, even the possibility of learning more about them didn't intrigue me enough to finish this volume.
I think the real nail in the coffin for me with the series was how much I didn't like the art. The first handful of issues, pencilled by Billy Tan and inked by Yanqiu Li, often felt stiff and rushed. Action scenes especially felt as if characters were posing rather than moving. The character models and especially Kenan frequently had uncanny, plastic-y facial expressions and lacked a warmth that could have helped me connect with them.
So this is the end of the road for me and New Super-Man. I really did try to give this book a chance but it just didn't click with me.
DNF'd on February 6th, 2023
DNF'd at 68 pages (47%)
I really tried giving New Super-Man a chance, but, after 8 issues, I still couldn't connect with its story or characters. There was just something stilted and bland about Gene Luen Yang's writing here which was a disappointment. Protagonist Kong Kenan felt like he was going through the motions of a well-worn character arc. Familiar story beats aren't necessarily terrible, however, New Super-Man lacked the strong, detailed character writing that makes even the most heavily trod storylines impactful. Side characters Baixi and Deila continued to be moderately interesting but, even the possibility of learning more about them didn't intrigue me enough to finish this volume.
I think the real nail in the coffin for me with the series was how much I didn't like the art. The first handful of issues, pencilled by Billy Tan and inked by Yanqiu Li, often felt stiff and rushed. Action scenes especially felt as if characters were posing rather than moving. The character models and especially Kenan frequently had uncanny, plastic-y facial expressions and lacked a warmth that could have helped me connect with them.
So this is the end of the road for me and New Super-Man. I really did try to give this book a chance but it just didn't click with me.
ketallpot's review against another edition
4.0
This absolute feels like a shonen manga and I love it!
1_and_owenly's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this an extra half star if I could. Enjoyable and fun. Keenan is really growing into his role. I like contrasting the Chinese heroes with their American counterparts.
lukeisthename34's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable. A unique look at a fun idea. What if Superman was Chinese and kind of a jerk?
pun_intended's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a huge Gene Luen Yang and will enjoy anything he writes. This has been fun.
birdmanseven's review against another edition
4.0
This series has a lot going for it, plus I'm digging the mystery.
We discussed this series a little more on a special episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/off-the-books-social-distancing-episode-2
We discussed this series a little more on a special episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/off-the-books-social-distancing-episode-2
skylarprimm's review against another edition
5.0
"Man, qi is so weird." –Kong Kenan
This whole series is so much more entertaining than it has any right to be. The integration of superhero tropes with Chinese cultural concepts is a blast.
This whole series is so much more entertaining than it has any right to be. The integration of superhero tropes with Chinese cultural concepts is a blast.
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