Superman: True Brit
October 25, 2004 | Comics
Superman: True Brit
Kim “Howard” Johnson, John Cleese, John Byrne, Mark Farmer, Alex Bleyaert
DC Comics
$37.95/$24.95 US (Hardcover)
**** (out of five)
Superman used to fight for truth, justice and the American way, but now he’s just too proper for all that.
True Brit, an Elseworlds tale co-written by comedy legend John Cleese along with Kim “Howard” Johnson, imagines that instead of Kansas, the Man Of Steel lands in rural England, where he receives a ‘veddy proper’ upbringing. Rather than being taught to right wrongs and help the helpless, Colin Clark, as he is named by his adoptive parents, is taught the most important of English credos: what would the neighbours think?
This mentality keep young Colin from becoming a hero, but his nature still leads him to become a reporter. The only difference is that he signs on with a tasteless U.K. tabloid, called The Daily Smear, and proceeds to become part of the problem by using his super-powers to scoop the competition.
But the desire to use his powers for good – in spite of the neighbour’s opinions — is too strong and Superman takes centre stage after swooping in to rescue a pair of celebrities in danger.
The Man Of Steel quickly becomes embroiled in a hilarious circle of doing great things in costume — like getting the British rail system to run on time and speeding up the waiting times for hip-replacement surgery — and having to write innuendo about himself as Colin for the paper.
True Brit is a scathing look at British culture and a riotous re-imagining of the Superman legend.
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