Superman ’78 Volume 1 by Robert Venditti is a good old-fashioned nostalgic trip back to Richard Donner’s Superman universe. Richard Donner directed Superman: The Movie in 1978 and started shooting the Sequel Superman II, before he was fired. I feel like this comic happens after the first Superman movie. The graphic novel nails the dialogue, the costuming, the characters, and the cheesiness of the original Superman. Gene Hackman’s charisma as Lex Luthor is captured so well. Christopher Reeve’s hopefulness and delightfulness are felt throughout the page. Lois Lane is more of a side character but she shines when on the panels. The other side characters Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Jor-El, and Lara all reminded me of their screen characters. The art was good and had me feeling nostalgic, it nailed the costumes of Superman and minor characters. The faces of the characters weren’t always the best but each character had one drawing that captured the character and the actor who played him or her. The plot wasn’t mind-blowing but it felt like a continuing story for this version of Superman. The story had me smiling and enjoying myself. The book moves rapidly and could have been longer. The climax could have been better but Brainiac the villain felt a little weak and could have had his motivation explained more throughout the story. I’m happy that they just announced a sequel to the story and am excited to see where it goes, especially the Jor-El and Lara storyline that is left hanging. Superman ’78 Volume 1 was published on July 19, 2022 by DC Comics. Superman ’78 is comprised of 1-6 of Superman 78′.

Plot Summary: A robot has come to Metropolis and he is seeking an alien from Krypton. The robot searches violently scaring people until Superman stops him. Before the robot is shut off he mentions Brainiac which is a computer system based on a race. He is the last one left and wants to stop interference from other species, like an alien intermingling with humans. Superman takes the head of the robot to a just-released Lex Luthor from prison and asks him to do research for the good of the human race. Brainiac sends a fleet of Robots to stop Superman and he gives up in a deal that Brainiac will leave Earth alone. Superman on Brainiac’s ship finds that Kryptonians still exist and Brainiac will take him there and imprison him. Lex figures out how to communicate using the robot’s head and Brainiac decides if someone can figure out alien technology then it was Superman who corrupted the humans and they must be destroyed.

What I Liked: How Lex Luthor is written is perfect, I could hear every line delivery in my head the way Gene Hackman would have done and it made me giddy. I loved all the little easter eggs, Otisburg graffiti was in two places which is graffiti itself from Otis played by Ned Beatty in Superman: The Movie. The book even has a meta easter egg with the kids from The Goonies on a field trip from the movie Richard Donner directed. I liked how it nailed the writing and felt like this story could have been a continuing story from the 1980s. The art was good enough to give me a lot of nostalgia.

What I Disliked: Brainiac is a hard villain to sell, and I don’t think the story did a good enough job with it. The background for his character needed a lot more to make him a sympathetic villain. I liked the way the Kryptoians were worked in but there are some plot holes between this story and Superman: The Movie now.

Recommendations: This story was fun and very nostalgic. If you’re a fan of Christopher Reeves Superman films then this book is for you. I read both Batman 89′ and Superman 78′ and I have to say I liked Superman 78′ more overall even though Batman 89′ had the better meatier story. Superman 78′ is pure nostalgia and made me very happy is the reason I’m recommending it to my followers. It was announced that both Batman 89′ and Superman 78 are getting another graphic novel and I can’t wait to read them.

Rating: I rated Superman 78′ Volume 1 by Robert Venditti 4 out of 5 stars. As much as I did enjoy it I needed Brainiac to be a better villain.