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Rating:  -
How do you craft an original, startling take on an iconic character? Ask Mark Millar (Ultimates, Wanted) as he offers this Elseworlds tale starring not just Superman, but the whole DC universe. What if Kal-El's space ship had landed in communist, Stalin-led Russia instead of Smallville, Kansas? That's what happens in Red Son, as the Man of Steel is raised behind the Iron Curtain as Russia's greatest hero, symbol, weapon, and eventually, leader. Opposing Superman is the brilliant American Lex Luthor, who has disconnected himself from his wife Lois Lane in an effort to clone Superman, and outduel him. There's more, so much more, going on in Red Son that you'll be amazed how Millar weaves everything together so seamlessly. Other DC characters, including Wonder Woman, Brainiac, Bizarro, and Jimmy Olsen, are here as well, along with some very interesting takes on Batman and Green Lantern Hal Jordan. The finale of Red Son is the crowning moment however, as everything comes full circle like one couldn't imagine. The artwork from pencilers Dave Johnson and Killian Plunkett, and inkers Andrew Robinson and Walden Wong, is easy on the eyes as well, and is wonderfully detailed as well. All in all, Red Son is by far one of the best Superman stories to see the light of day in recent memory, and should be checked out regardless of whether or not you are a Superman fan/reader or not.
Rating: -
This is a graphic novel that will intrigue even those, like me, who know nothing about comic books: Superman, the American icon, re-imagined as a Soviet hero. As a graphic novel, it tells its story through the panel-artwork and dialogue of comic books but contains a complex storyline aimed at adults. However, there's nothing objectionable about the content. Sophisticated kids as well as adults will enjoy this.
Anyway, the usual Superman story unfolds with Superman's parents placing their infant son in a rocket ship which will carry him away from their dying world - except this time he lands not in Smallville Kansas, but in Ukraine where he's raised by loving Soviet parents to embrace Marxist values. He becomes the right hand of Comrade Stalin who tries to fix him up with Wonder Woman. Meanwhile, a Russian Batman lurks behind the scenes, waiting to bring Superman down.
In the United States, mad scientist Lex Luthor races to produce his own superhero in the new "superhero arms race." Eventually the Green Lantern will result. In the meantime, Luthor ignores his long-suffering wife Lois Lane. And so it goes in an epic spanning of not just the Superman story but the consequences of his decision to control humanity for its own good, which will affect its far-reaching destiny. Fascinating. The artwork brims with energy and emotion.
Note: my short Amazon reviews are for readers in a hurry. If you want the details (1000+ words with spoilers kept to a minimum), come to Valkovalin.com.
Rating: -
This story is as interesting as the artwork is inspiring. If you have the money, buy this book. Its worth it. Its an interesting spin on a very iconic character.
Rating: -
This self contained alternate history of Superman and the DC universe is exactly the sort of great storytelling that the graphic novel format was invented for. Not only is it entertaining in a spot-the-reference kind of way but it also manages to reinforce one of the more relevant historical lessons of our time: however well intentioned a dictator starts out, eventually power becomes its own end.
What makes this graphic novel especially brilliant is that it delivers this lesson without changing the essential nature of the main characters. Superman lands on the steppes of Soviet Russia and is raised on a farm collective where he internalizes the dream of socialist utopia. The result is a man whose bearing and morality are identical to the American icon we know and love, but whose political philosophy is diametrically opposed. Lex Luthor, with no one to stop him, grows to unparalleled power in America which he duly abuses. He is the same megalomaniac we know and loathe, prone to casual murder, constant pontificating, and spousal abuse (of Lois Lane, no less!) And yet, as the story progresses it is clear that for all his faults Lex is only a would be petty tyrant, while Superman is a dictator in the terrifying mold of Stalin himself. There are even a few jokes about the two "men of steel" sprinkled into the early chapters.
Unfortunately, Lex seems to have no better luck stopping Superman here than he does in the regular series, and soon America is the only country in the world not under Soviet control. I won't spoil the resolution here, but suffice it to say that it plays on Superman's essentially moral nature to very good effect. There's also a virtual post-script that introduces a twist to the whole story, but I found it a little weak, and I decided to ignore it.
Rating:  -
To begin with I'm not the biggest superman fan. I believe he has a tendency to be written a little flat and not very dynamic personality wise. Which is ironic given his physical abilities. Which is one of the reasons this comic blew my mind and just when i thought i put all the pieces back in my skull it blew it again.
Superman is given a whole new dimension (personality wise) here and his character is so rich and the artwork beautiful the pages might as well ooze beauty. The alternative histories for other major DC heroes, Green Lantern and Batman most notably, collide with Superman's and changed the way I viewed those characters could be written.
My few complaints fall under an umbrella of "realism" that is embedded in the comic. In short no one can stand up to Superman effectively. Some of the DC's most prestigious members go up against this guy and fall drastically short. That is realistically what would happen if Superman would have to fight these in the conditions set by the comic. That is why the comic is so great even my complaint fits in with something good about this comic.
If you like alternative histories. Or often think about what would happen if characters were put in different situations and how they would react in character and development read this comic like its the answer to all your problems. Even though its not. But it could be...
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