Thoughts on All-Star Superman

The cover to Gant Morrison’s All Star Superman No. 1 is one of my favorite pieces of comic art. In the issue Superman is exposed to massive amounts of solar radiation resulting in apoptosis, the source of his power has started killing him on a cellular level. This is reflected on the cover. Superman sits on a cloud looking over his shoulder at the viewer with a serene smile. Through the clouds we can see metropolis and the sun half concealed by the horizon line. After reading the issue the imagery becomes apparent as a play on the idea of heaven, the sun now obviously setting, yet I have my own theory as to what will be the ultimate meaning once the series has concluded. Frank Quitely, Admittedly one of my least favorite artist has given use a view of the man of steal at his most human.