Superman: On Trial by Dirk Maggs (Audiobook Review)

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Title: Superman: On Trial
Author: Dirk Maggs
Narrator: Full cast
Copyright: 2010, AudioGo
Duration: 1 hour
Genres: comic heroes, radio drama
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by AudioGo.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: This exclusive special edition of the BBC Radio full-cast drama with never-before-heard scenes features Adam West, Jenette Kahn (President, DC Comics), and Dave Gibbons (Co-creator, Watchmen).
This long-awaited release features Stuart Milligan as Superman, Shelley Thompson as Lois Lane, William Hootkins as Lex Luthor and Bob Sessions as The Batman and was written to celebrate Superman’s 50th birthday.
Accused of crimes against humanity, the Last Son of Krypton stands powerless before a court dominated by Lex Luthor - criminal genius turned prosecutor. Has Superman really corrupted our children? Can he justify his continued interference in world affairs? Do we know the truth about his powers? Can Lois Lane defend ‘50 years of the Man of Steel’?
Packed with spectacular sound effects and a thrilling orchestral score, mixed in cinematic Dolby Surround, this specially-extended, remastered, and unedited recording can now be heard as writer/producer Dirk Maggs originally intended.
Guest appearances include Adam West (TV’s Batman), Jenette Kahn (President, DC Comics) and Dave Gibbons (DC Comics artist/Co-creator, Watchmen).
©2010 D.C. Comics (P)2010 AudioGO Ltd

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Lex Luthor finally has the Man of Steel right where he wants him. Using all the power and influence money can buy, Luthor has managed to drag Superman into a court of law, charging him with crimes against humanity, and set himself up to be the chief prosecutor. Normally, Lex is no match for Superman, but for some reason the Last Son of Krypton is oddly speechless, and seemingly too weak even to defend himself. What nobody knows, is that the manacles Luthor bound Superman in are laced with traces of Kryptonite, a radioactive substance that is deadly to Superman. So it’s Lois Lane, feisty, hot-headed Daily Planet reporter, to the rescue. It will be up to Lois to defend Superman from Luthor’s trumped-up charges, but is she up to the task?
I hate to admit it, but I think Lex Luthor has a valid point here, that point being that maybe Metropolis would be better off without Superman. I mean, let’s face it, 90% of the super-villains that come around Metropolis, are only there because they want to destroy Superman. He’s like a magnet to them. And property damage? Supes can’t even flex his muscles without knocking down a skyscraper or two.
Okay, okay, I’m being a little too hard on the guy, and to tell you the truth, I collected quite a few Superman comics in my day. If we start over-analyzing comic books, where will it end? Next thing you know we’ll be criticizing a judicial system that allows power-hungry tyrants to drag superheroes into court, and sets up newspaper reporters as defense attorneys.
Superman: On Trial was written to celebrate Superman’s 50th anniversary, which would put it somewhere around 1988. The story is, admittedly, short on plot, but it’s still an entertaining recap of the life and times of one of our planet’s greatest superheroes. Through the various witnesses called to testify in the trial, we are treated to glimpses of Superman’s life: how he came to earth, his upbringing, the first time he met Lex Luthor in person, and the origins of his complex relationship with Lois Lane.
My favorite part of this audiobook actually came at the very end, when Luthor’s evil plot is revealed and he is arrested. At the police station, Luthor demands his phone call, and he uses it to call his legal staff. Here, Lex begins to rant and rave, beginning with “I want you to sue…”, and then he proceeds to read off the list of actors who lent their voices to the production. This was William Hootkins shining moment. I really got a kick out of that scene, and I thought it was a pretty clever way to read the credits.
Along with Hootkins’ convincing portrayal of Lex Luthor, I thought all of the voice actors did a decent job in their roles, with the possible exception of the guy who voiced Jimmy Olson. He didn’t do a bad job necessarily, he just sounded too old for the part.
Superman: On Trial is not a display of brilliant story-telling, but I think you might get a kick out of it, especially if you enjoy radio dramas.

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome by Dirk Maggs
Final Crisis by Greg Cox
The Supergirls by Mike Madrid

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This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
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