Superman: For Tomorrow (Comics) | Review

When DC paired crime noir master Brian Azzarello (Wonder Woman: Blood, Wonder Woman: Guts) with superstar artist Jim Lee (X-Men: Bishop's Crossing, X-Men: Mutant Genesis) for a 12-issue run on Superman, they knew they were taking risks.

What they ultimately got was one of the most polarizing and controversial Superman stories ever told, a deeply religious meditation on power, responsibility and what it truly means to play God with an entire planet and its vulnerable humanity.

Superman: For Tomorrow doesn't care if you're comfortable with your vision of the Man of Steel. Azzarello strips away the boy-scout persona and presents us with a Superman grappling with guilt after failing to prevent a catastrophic event called "The Vanishing" where millions of people, including Lois Lane, simply disappeared.

One year after The Vanishing erased millions of people from Earth, Superman is drowning in guilt and searching for answers. He visits Father Leone, a priest suffering from cancer, in his church, seeking guidance while struggling with the fact that he couldn't save everyone.

The story unfolds through Superman's heartfelt and vulnerable confessions to the dying priest, creating an intimate and deeply personal framework for exploring massive theological and philosophical questions about faith, power, moral responsibility and divine authority.

What makes this premise brilliant is how Azzarello uses the missing Lois Lane as both personal motivation and universal symbol. Superman's desperate and relentless quest to understand The Vanishing becomes a profound journey into his own complex nature as an alien being trying to save a world that may not want his salvation.

The religious overtones aren't subtle at all, with Superman explicitly positioned as a Christ-like figure wrestling with the overwhelming weight of humanity's fate and the enormous burden of cosmic responsibility, divine purpose and moral obligation to protect the innocents.

The mystery deepens when we learn that Superman has secretly created an alternate reality called Metropia, intended as a comprehensive backup plan for Earth's population. This shocking revelation transforms the story from a simple rescue mission into a complex and nuanced examination of hubris and good intentions.

Superman isn't just trying to save people from destruction and harm; he's trying to create his own version of paradise and that dangerous and controversial ambition puts him at serious odds with both his fellow heroes and the natural order itself.

Azzarello doesn't make Superman's choices easy or obviously right. The Justice League members who appear in the story, particularly Wonder Woman, challenge Superman's decisions and question whether his actions are truly heroic or dangerously arrogant.

These intense and challenging confrontations force readers to examine and question their own deeply held assumptions about Superman's traditional role as Earth's protector and whether his controversial methods are justified, morally sound and ultimately beneficial for humanity.

The story's unique structure, told through flashbacks and confession, creates a distinctive noir-like atmosphere that feels completely different from typical Superman adventures. Instead of clear heroes and villains, we get moral ambiguity and complex characters making difficult choices with uncertain and devastating consequences.

The religious framework provides significant depth and philosophical weight but also creates potential barriers for readers who prefer their Superman stories more straightforward, accessible and focused on traditional superhero action and adventure.

The connection to broader DC continuity is minimal, which works in the story's favor. This is essentially an alternate take on Superman that doesn't worry about fitting into ongoing storylines or complex continuity. It stands alone as a complete character examination, though it doesn't significantly impact later Superman comics.

What elevates the premise is how it explores the loneliness of godlike power. Superman's conversations with Father Leone reveal a being who desperately wants to connect with humanity but fundamentally can't because of his alien nature and overwhelming abilities.

This isolation drives many of his questionable decisions throughout the story. The theological elements aren't just window dressing either. Azzarello genuinely engages with questions about faith, sacrifice and the responsibility that comes with divine power.

Whether readers embrace or reject these heavy theological and philosophical themes will largely determine their overall response to the story, its characters and Azzarello's creative vision for Superman's established mythology and moral framework.

Jim Lee's artwork is absolutely stunning throughout the entire run. His dynamic layouts and detailed character work create some of the most visually striking Superman moments. Lee handles the supernatural and cosmic elements perfectly, giving weight to Azzarello's themes and making abstract concepts feel tangible.

Where Lee truly excels is in the quiet moments between Superman and Father Leone. These intimate scenes balance perfectly with large-scale action sequences, showing Lee's range as a storyteller while maintaining Superman's godlike appearance without sacrificing his humanity.

Azzarello's writing is dense and challenging. His background in crime noir serves the story well, bringing moral complexity and psychological depth to Superman that many writers avoid. The religious themes are handled with genuine reverence rather than superficial symbolism, though they may alienate readers looking for traditional fare.

The pacing can feel slow for readers expecting typical Superman action but it serves the story's meditative nature perfectly. Azzarello takes time to explore philosophical questions that other writers might resolve with punches and heat vision, rewarding patient readers.

Superman: For Tomorrow succeeds as ambitious storytelling even when it doesn't work well. Azzarello's vision of Superman as a lonely god figure wrestling with cosmic responsibility feels genuine and emotionally honest, even if it challenges reader expectations. The religious themes add depth without feeling preachy or forced.

Although the story received mixed reviews, Lee's artwork was highly praised and the story was successful enough for DC to publish an Absolute Edition. This divisive reception makes sense; For Tomorrow asks readers to accept a fundamentally different Superman than expected.

If you're looking for classic Superman heroics, this isn't your story but if you want Superman grappling with complex moral questions while Jim Lee delivers career-defining artwork, For Tomorrow offers something truly unique in Superman's history. It's a flawed masterpiece that deserves recognition for taking creative risks.

Superman: For Tomorrow complete saga is collected in a single trade paperback and deluxe hardcover editions in print as a modern epic. For digital readers, the story is fully available on ComiXology, Kindle and DC Universe Infinite.