Superman: Red Son (Mark Milar, 2003)

[shariqq]

This book has a great premise - one that beckons an immediate reading: what if Superman had been raised in the Soviet Union?

In Red Son, Superman's rocket ship lands on a Ukrainian collective farm rather than in Kansas, an implied reason being a small time difference (a handful of hours) from the original timeline, meaning Earth's rotation placed the Ukraine in the ship's path instead of Kansas. Instead of fighting for "... truth, justice, and the American Way," Superman is described in Soviet radio broadcasts "... as the Champion of the common worker who fights a never-ending battle for Stalin, socialism, and the international expansion of the Warsaw Pact."

Mark Millar works on an extraordinary level of retelling the Superman story by imagining the whole series as an alternate reality, complete with DC characters redone to fit this new world. Communist Soviet Union is the world's strongest power (obviously) and Superman uses peaceful, defensive methods to slowly expand Communism to the entire world - except USA where the genius Lex Luthor pits his mind against the Russian Superman. Lana Lang, Louis Lane. Pete Ross, Jimmy Olsen, Wonder Woman, Batman, Hal Jordan and even Jor-L are re-imagined with such beauty that it makes Red Son a MUST for all Superman and comic book fans. I've not read many Superman books, but of the few  have, this is definitely the best yet.

[sulphurhead]

I read shariq's copy (before he did ) Absolutely amazing book. Am definately out to buy a copy for myself.

In retrospect made me wonder why superman didn't try running for president in the democratic US of A.

[X.]

Interesting spin on the Superman mythology.

[fizz]

Interesting spin on the Superman mythology.

Having read it twice now, I think its safe to call this the best Superman story this decade (and its not just the novel spin that makes it so), and arguably one of the most interesting concepts in comicbook history. The graphic novel has carved itself a place in comic mythology, not just because of its interesting ideas (some of which work, others don't - plus some of the dialogues is admittedly, very weak) but also because an ending that has to be read to be believed.

Shariq and I have discussed it offline quite a lot - but lets just say, after reading this book, you will never look at the relationship between good ol Superman and bad, balding Lex the same way again.

[X.]

You know, this sounds like exactly the kind of new direction the movie franchise needs. In our very desperate times, Superman's brand of idealism has lost its value.

[ozzylogic]

Coincidentally, Smallville Season 8 Episode 1 finds Clark Kent stuck in Russia...minus his powers.

[fizz]

Coincidentally, Smallville Season 8 Episode 1 finds Clark Kent stuck in Russia...minus his powers.

Since when has Smallville been known for its originality. You're still watching that garbage?

[X.]

Coincidentally, Smallville Season 8 Episode 1 finds Clark Kent stuck in Russia...minus his powers.

Since when has Smallville been known for its originality. You're still watching that garbage?

As a former, disgruntled SMALLVILLE fan, I echo Fizz' second comment.

[shariqq]

You know, this sounds like exactly the kind of new direction the movie franchise needs. In our very desperate times, Superman's brand of idealism has lost its value.

I'll beg to differ here. The book is very good in the premise it sets, the way it adapts to the world that it defines, as well as that singular closing. But it is a concept that is not suited for a major motion picture. Maybe as an "Elseworld" movie idea (read Independent film), but the budget requirement would be too high.

[ozzylogic]

Coincidentally, Smallville Season 8 Episode 1 finds Clark Kent stuck in Russia...minus his powers.

Since when has Smallville been known for its originality. You're still watching that garbage?

As a former, disgruntled SMALLVILLE fan, I echo Fizz' second comment.

Err...well, yeah, there are no other superhero tv serials to watch. I got tired of Heroes in Season 2.

[sulphurhead]

I bought a copy for myself. Amazing buy from kinokuniya which has given an amazing assortment of unaffortable comic books to buy from at Dubai mall.

I was reading it a couple of days ago and found a line I missed the first time - which changed the entire ending, mythology and the book's impact on me completely.

[fizz]

What line was that?

[sulphurhead]

[spoiler]Where superman is talking about the fate of the earth under Luthor. He talks about Luthors descendents all of whom had the surname Luthor and mentions that the last famous descendent was one particular Jor-L, before showing that opening scene of the parents sending off their child in a rocket - but only proving Kal-L was a time traveler not a space traveler AND also descendant of the Luthor Lineage[/spoiler]

[fizz]

Wait...you missed that?

The was the reason the book was so great!

If I missed that, I don't think I'd be in such awe of the story to begin with. It setup a great continuity loop by doing this...

[sulphurhead]

I loved the book even without that little line... the way all the characters had been represented in this universe with such reality...
[spoiler] Hal jordan as leader of the anti superman corps, Braniac as Superman's advisor, Batman as a rebel revolutionary, Louis Lane as Luthors wife, Luthor as a struggling scientist, Bizzaro as well... bizzaro... [/spoiler]