Superman: Dawnbreaker

DC Icons Series

By: Matt de la Peña

Narrated by: Andrew Eiden

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The blockbuster DC Icons series that began with Leigh Bardugo's Wonder Woman, Marie Lu's Batman, and Sarah J. Maas' Catwoman continues with the story of the world's first superhero - Superman - from award-winning and number-one New York Times best-selling author Matt de la Peña.

When the dawn breaks, a hero rises.

His power is beyond imagining.

Clark Kent has always been faster, stronger - better - than everyone around him. But he wasn't raised to show off, and drawing attention to himself could be dangerous. Plus, it's not like he's earned his powers...yet.

But power comes with a price.

Lately, it's difficult to hold back and keep his heroics in the shadows. When Clark follows the sound of a girl crying, he comes across Gloria Alvarez and discovers a dark secret lurking in Smallville. Turns out, Clark's not the only one hiding something.

Teaming up with his best friend, Lana Lang, he throws himself into the pursuit of the truth.

What evil lies below the surface of his small town? And what will it cost Clark to learn about his past as he steps into the light to become the future Man of Steel?

Because before he can save the world, he must save Smallville.

©2019 Matt de la Peña (P)2019 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"A wonderful, bold interpretation of a DC icon that aspires to embrace all readers, new and old." (Kirkus Reviews)

“In his brilliant take on Superman, de la Peña shows us that there’s a chance we’ll all need to step up like Clark Kent - with or without a cape.” (Jason Reynolds, New York Times best-selling author of Miles Morales: Spider-Man and Long Way Down)

“Matt de la Peña’s Superman is the quintessential American alien. Despite being caught between two worlds, he’s everything we love about the Man of Steel: courageous, compassionate, and full of hope.” (Gene Luen Yang, author of New Super-Man and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature)

Interesting, but Somewhat Unimpressive

I liked some aspects to this novel, but I think I got hung up on the over sensationalizing of the immigrant aspect. I got real middle of the road there because I like pairing the situation of him as an alien feeling ostracized with no where to go and illegal immigrants feeling a version of that. I just think throwing in race and immigration into a superhero novel with the political climate of today takes away from some of the key aspects superheroes are designed to address with subtlety.

Wonderful Superman story

Superman at his best. The greatest Superman stories are never about who he can beat up, but about who he can help. He was always intended as a symbol of hope, the best that a human upbringing has to offer. The issues tackled in this story are the perfect way to showcase just that.

Love

I really enjoyed this book. If you like superhero,action then you should get this book.

Super beginning

Feels like the smallville show condensed. They had cute easter eggs in the story, some original characters, and the early days of Clark. How he deals with high school, his powers, and his social life give an interesting look into Clark's mind and his development to Superman. Like most superman stories you get the feeling of him being an outsider among friends, you also get to see him get angry feel human emotions, and kinda struggle to find himself like everyone in life does. How the story lines up with current issues is a interesting treat I wonder if the author even saw coming. Definitely give it a listen especially if you like origin stories.

Good, but not great

I'm a fan of Superman and then Narrator was good, but the story definitely had a one side political view that I didn't appreciate. Maybe next time the author can leave their political leanings off or at the very least try and give a more fair view of the opposition and their viewpoint with less extreme stereotypes.

Smallville-esque audio book

Very reminiscent of Smallville...loved every minute of it. Had a lil bit of the animated series history Alon with a Smallville vibe to it. I highly recommend it

Superman in the modern age

it is so difficult to put superheroes into modern-age this story did that very well and incredible tale that has to do with so much that is going on in the world and incredible story would recommend even to those Superman haters.

A warm reminder

This was a perfect reminder of why I have always and will always love Superman

Phenomenal!!!

Best origin story I’ve heard yet!! I loved it all. The narrator was excellent. Well done!😁👍🏼

amazing modern 👌

love the modern setting the author took and kept the original lure with it. really hope we get a book 2.