Superman: Red Son #1Review

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Reviewer: Jesse Baker
Story Title: Red Son Rising

Written by: Mark Millar
Penciled by: Dave Johnson
Inked by: Andrew Robinson
Colored by: Paul Mounts
Lettered by: Ken Lopez
Editor: NA
Publisher: DC Comics

Kept on the shelf for almost a full year, “Superman: Red Son” was the last major project that Mark Millar worked on for DC Comics before his very public blackballing from the company over the Wildstorm comic book “The Authority”. Many wondered if DC would even release this Elseworld mini-series given the amount of bad blood between Millar and DC Comics. But they did, under the radar without a bit of publicity.

Set in the 1950s, “Superman: Red Son” asks the question of what would have happened if Superman’s rocket had landed in the Soviet Union during the 1930s and how he his presence would affect the world around him. Raised to believe in Communism, Superman becomes the Soviet Union’s trump card in proving their superiority over the Americans.

But despite being a loyal Soviet agent, Superman has decided to not let himself be a tool of Soviet propaganda. He works across the globe, saving lives wherever someone is in danger regardless of politics or nationality. Stalin doesn’t mind this, as Superman proceeds to melt the sadistic mass-murdering dictator’s heart through their interaction together.

Unfortunately America isn’t too thrilled with Superman’s existence, even after Superman repeatedly saves the US from various catastrophes. The US government hires top scientist Lex Luther to find a way to kill Superman, leading to him creating “Superman Two”, a Bizarro-type clone of Superman whom the US Government sends out to liberate the Soviet Satellite Nations from Russian control. “Superman Two” then launches a sneak attack on Superman, and after beating the Man of Steel proceeds to sacrifice it’s life to stop a runaway submarine missile that is fired when Superman Two accidentally blasts a nearby submarine with dangerous X-Ray eye beams.

The book comes to a climax though with its ending as Lex Luther proceeds to dump his wife, Lois Lane, on the phone after the death of Superman Two and announces his plans to dedicate his life to destroying Superman. This comes after Superman Two beat Luther at chess before his final fight. Meanwhile Stalin dies from poisoning and Superman turns down an offer to reign supreme over the Soviet Union.

Overall a decent book that doesn’t totally stray from the core characters too much. Superman is portrayed as the same guy as the regular Superman who happens to be a Communist and who seems to be able to rise above soviet politics and even make Stalin go from evil monster to somewhat benevolent leader who acts like a fanboy around Superman. But the real scene-stealer of the book is Lex Luther. Millar portrays him as your stereotypical square-jawed, good looking movie serial scientist who one would expect to be the hero who saves the day in most 1950s science fiction movies or comics. Hired to kill Superman and restore American pride, his reaction to being defeated by both his clone in chess and his clone’s defeat at the hands of Superman, as well as his “Dear John” phone call to Lois telling her that he was leaving her in order to kill Superman which was just utterly priceless to read.