
Superman: Red Son
By Mark Millar, Dave Johnson, et al.
Length: 168 pages
Rating: 9/10
First Published: 2003
DC’s universe, flipped. What if Superman were raised in Ukraine and Batman an enemy of the soviet state? This mini-series deals with themes of personality, tolerance, and nature against nurture. The art is beautiful and clean, the splashes memorable.
Very possibly, darling, but at least Lex Luthor is a demagogue who speaks English.
Why I read it: A full-length animated movie version came out this year, and after people pointed out that the ending was different than in the original script, I decided to read the comic.
Notes
You already know Mark Millar from the big screen. He wrote the original books behind:
- Kingsman
- Civil War
- Old Man Logan
The re-imagination of the universe goes beyond just Batman and Superman. Bizarro is a good guy who sacrifices himself for the greater good. Lois is, well, Lois Luthor. And Batman’s parents were killed by the Russian police.
It asks good questions:
Is your personality and character innate or is it the product of your environment?
Are farmers in Kolkhoze (Ukraine) very different to the ones in Smallville?
“Even if everything works, am I too authoritarian ?” asks Superman
Random thoughts:
Why is Lois staying with Lex ? Unless her personality is also flipped ? She’s not an enamoured 14-year-old.
Batman was well done! Ideologically super good.
It’s very interesting to see turn that Superman takes from book 3 as he becomes more tyrannical.
Why does Batman have an Ushanka? Doesn’t he have expensive gear ?