When I picked up Superman: Birthright at the public library a few days ago, I was almost hesitant to read it. I wondered if I could enjoy yet another Superman origin story. Seriously, how many times can you tell the story of the man of steel without it feeling overtly monotonous? I’ve read Geoff Johns’ Superman: Secret Origin, Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman, and Max Landis’ American Alien, as well as seen all of the film and television interpretations. I wasn’t sure if there was another story that could bring anything fresh to the mythology. Still, this is one of those quintessential graphic novels that I hadn’t gotten to before, and it was written by my favorite comic writer, Mark Waid.

Fortunately, my fears were unfounded. Birthright turned out to be the best telling of Superman’s origin that I’ve ever come across, and it is one that remains as entertaining and relevant today as it was when it was first released.

Originally published as a 12-issue miniseries between 2003 and 2004, the book became DC’s definitive Superman origin for several years, replacing John Byrne’s seminal 80’s book The Man of Steel. While there’s inevitably material in it that’s familiar, there’s also a lot of reinvention and additions to the mythos which readers can enjoy, or at least appreciate.

For instance, after the opening pages retell the destruction of Krypton and Superman’s coming to Earth, Waid and artist Leinil Francis Yu jump to 25 years later, when Clark Kent is a world-traveling journalist reporting on a tribal struggle in West Africa. As it turns out, he studied and worked abroad for a while after leaving Smallville, and eventually moved to Metropolis. This is one of the best parts of the book, as it reaffirms Clark’s alienation, while also showing him do more investigative journalism. In other incarnations, his becoming a reporter just kind of happens without any solid foundation. Waid treats it as an integral part of his character from his youth, giving his time at the Daily Planet more gravitas.

Likewise, the story does a great job exploring the ideological conflict between Superman and Lex Luthor by making it a more personal one. Here, Clark and Lex start out as friends in Smallville, bonding with each other over their scientific interests and their status as outsiders. It isn’t until a misunderstanding and one of Lex’s lab experiments goes wrong that their relationship falls apart. This flashback scene is perfectly placed just before the climactic showdown, when Lex tries to frame Superman as an extraterrestrial invader by using old and manipulated Kryptonian footage.

As far as the other characters go, Lois remains the fast-talking, won’t-take-crap-from-anyone, top-notch reporter we all know and love; Jimmy Olson is still the timid, innocent, “Yes Chief!” photographer; and Perry White is as cranky an Editor-In-Chief as ever. As for Clark’s parents Jonathan and Martha Kent, they too play a pivotal role in the story. Waid portrays Jonathan in a way that’s not dissimilar from the version in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, but a little more nuanced. Yes he’s concerned about his son’s powers and wants to protect him, but he also knows Clark’s heart and that there’s a reason he’s unique. These scenes are particularly well-executed and connect nicely to how Superman’s biological parents Jor-El and Lara-El are incorporated into the story.

Between Waid’s writing and the stellar art by Yu, colorist Dave McCaig and inker Gerry Alanguilan, Superman: Birthright is essential reading for every DC fan, providing plenty of great additions to the man of steel’s mythos while remaining faithful to the character.