| Superman: True Brit | |
|---|---|
 Cover ofSuperman: True Brit, first published on Oct 30, 2004.[1] | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Format | One-shot |
| Genre | |
| No. of issues | 1 |
| Main character | Superman |
| Creative team | |
| Written by | John Cleese |
| Artist | John Byrne |
Superman: True Brit is aDC ComicsElseworlds comic first published in2004 in the United States, and byTitan Books in theUK. Written byJohn Cleese andKim Howard Johnson, with art byJohn Byrne andMark Farmer, it reimagines the origin ofSuperman, by considering how Clark Kent's upbringing would be different if his spaceship had crashed inWeston-super-Mare inEngland instead of the fictional town ofSmallville inKansas, America.[2]
The story aims to poke fun at the apparent desire to conform embedded in the British psyche, as well as to mock the Britishtabloid press, in particular theDaily Star. Characters with similarities to Superman regularsLois Lane,Jimmy Olsen andPerry White make an appearance.
Kal-El, instead of landing in Kansas, is intentionally sent to England (as it is the heart of theBritish Empire). He is found by the Clarks, who view a headset video found with Kal-El, learning of his origins. They mistake "Kal-El" for "Colin" and name him Colin Clark. Being raised stereotypically British includes belief in the philosophy: "What would the neighbours think?"
When Colin's powers begin to surface, each power causes a unique problem: when he learns to fly, he smashes the ceiling, and when he acquires heat vision, he accidentally burns his mother, though his father createsglasses (from the glass of his spaceship) to help contain the heat. Eventually Colin agrees not to use his powers, to avoid further damage.
Colin goes to university, meetsLouisa Layne-Ferret, who initially ignores him completely, and falls in love with her. After a tragiccricket accident in which the bowler is impaled by Colin's cricket bat, a guilty Colin meetsPeregrine Whyte-Badger, who takes both Colin and Louisa under his wing to become reporters for the British tabloidDaily Smear.
Despite his parents' disapproval of the use of his powers, after heroically savingThe Rutles, Colin adopts a secret identity and garish costume and becomesSuperman.
The book had a mixed reception from British critics, some of whom felt that the jokes and stereotypes used in the book were tired and no longer valid.[3][4]
Comedy legend John Cleese joined forces with artist John Byrne, inker Mark Farmer and writer Kim Johnson for a unique take on the Superman story.Superman: True Brit saw Kal-El's rocketship land on a farm...in the UK.