Man of Steel: The Official Movie Novelization is a 2013 superhero novel written by Greg Cox and published by Titan Books. It is a novelization of the 2013 Man of Steel film and follows Clark Kent who learns that he is a superpowered alien from the planet Krypton and assumes the role of mankind’s protector as Superman, but finds himself having to prevent General Zod from destroying humanity.
The story does focus on Clark’s earlier life as well as his transition into his superhero persona. This is as much a story about action as it is a story about growth, acceptance, and finding your way. I loved seeing Clark develop and not just be this goody too shoes that we’ve seen in the character time and time again. This book is about his journey and how his alien heritage has helped shape him. There are some that don’t like the pacing, which does a lot of exposition when it comes to the Kryptonian aspects such as the beginning sequence with the events occurring on Krypton but I liked seeing it. I was hoping to see more concerning the other Kryptonians. One of the subplots revolves around Lois Lane’s search for Clark and the blooming romance that builds between the two. It’s practical and doesn’t feel forced in. Another plotline revolves around the other Kryptonians that make their way to Earth. We get a little more insight into them and their motivations that helps to flesh them out. Really wished there could’ve been more exposition on their journey. Overall the story is good but could’ve added more to the story. (3 out of 5)
The characters have really good development. Clark Kent is the main protagonist of the film. An alien who was sent to Earth during the destruction of his home planet and while growing up on Earth is trying to find his way. I like that about his character. He isn’t some goodie-too-shoes like he is normally portrayed. He gets made, he gets sad, he wasn’t raised to save the world and questions his purpose, traveling the world, helping people. Another major character is Lois Lane, a reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis, who discovers Clark while investigating the discovery of a Kryptonian scout ship. She’s the strong, likable Lois Lane filled with character, smarts, and actual depth. I like that she’s drawn to the truth as well as Clark’s mystique. She does feel as interesting and as important as Clark and I like how their relationship develops.
Really liked the main antagonists, Zod and Faora. Zod is normally portrayed as a self obsessed douchebag that wants only power for himself. In this book, he’s portrayed with a more understandable motivation; the preservation of his species. Faora is much crueler but she has a lot of personality. Especially with her survival of the fittest attitude towards humans. Zod, Faora, and some of their followers first attempt a coup on Krypton to save their species but were defeated and sent to the Phantom Zone. Their second attempt is when they attempt to terraform Earth (thereby killing off humanity) to make the planet ready to repopulate with Kryptonians. There is this one small part where Zod’s plans fall apart and he’s emotionally hurt. The characters are pretty good and I really liked them, on both sides of the fence. (4 out of 5)
Did not mind Greg Cox’s writing style, which actually paints a pretty good picture. I loved the movie and really enjoyed Cox’s adaptation of the screenplay. I was a little disappointed at how little Cox deviated (I would’ve loved to have seen some additional scenes or character interactions) from the film but it’s always nice to get more insight into the character’s thoughts (something movies really can’t do) and he does throw in a couple extra scenes. I’ve read a couple of other books that Cox has written such as Underworld: Rise of the Lycans or The Dark Knight Rises and I thought they were good.
I like that the writing does explore more aspects of the film such as the Kryptonian culture and technology. Another aspect of the writing that I thought worked was how realistic it feels. There’s a lot of violence and destruction when these godlike beings fight and it makes sense. I’ve never liked reading a comic book and there’s this major city battle with lots of collateral damage but no casualties. This illustrates just how dangerous just one is capable of being. I also appreciated the efforts of the military who’s trying to stop them as well. (3 out of 5)
In the end, Man of Steel: The Official Movie Novelization is not only a good adaptation of a good film, but also a good superhero story. The downsides are mainly focused around the pacing and the lack of deviation from the original script. However, I did like the insight into the characters, liked the story, enjoyed the action scenes, and enjoyed the writing. Man of Steel: The Official Movie Novelization gets 3 out of 5.
