Books : Superman: Red Son (Elseworlds)

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Graphic SF Reader
A very different relationship between Luthor/Superman and Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman, in this recreation of the Superman myth, witch Superman growing up a Ukrainian farm boy.

Taking over for Stalin, the world becomes happy and communist, except for Luthor and the USA.

A little twist at the end, too.

Rating:

- A fine reimagining of the Superman mythos
I've always been a fan of the Elseworlds universe. It provides different possibilities which, while familiar, can also be self contained pieces all on their own without having to be bogged down with the idea that it may have repercussions in the continuity of the larger comic book universe. It doesn't always work, with either the art or the story a little off kilter, but when it does you know you have something special.

"Red Son" is an example of when it does work.

In the world of "Red Son" the Superman we know never crashed on the Kent farm and he never grew up to stand for truth, justice, and the American way. He crashed down in Soviet Russia, and became its greatest advocate, defender and premier. In this world, nothing is as it seems.

Mark Millar does beautiful writing and the story is tightly woven, spanning decades from the moment where Superman becomes Stalin's right hand man, until his final Battle with Lex Luthor and the United States of America! The art is more than passable and melds well with the story, providing just enough action that you'll find yourself holding your breath as you turn the page.

The point of this whole review is to point out that I haven't been this excited and amazed by an Elseworlds book since Kingdom Come and I think I've been waiting for this little gem to come along for a long time without even realizing it. You'd be a fool not to give this work a shufti. Buy it forthwith! The sooner you get it, the sooner you'll agree I was right.

Rating:

- It's great
This take on Superman is great. You get a differnt perspective if he had been a Soviet. Great read for everyone, even if you are not a Superman fan. It's worth your time.

Rating:

- Elseworlds - Brilliant
This is one of the better graphic novels I have picked up in the last few months. I anticipated it to be good - but I never expected it to be this good. What it's strengths were breaking away from the molds in which the DC characters are made from and recasting them in different circumstances. The "humanness" of Superman comes through as well as his capacity to protect all mankind.

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself rooting for Lex Luthor at the end. Throughout the book you get a keen sense of his intellect that rarely shines when he is bent on world domination. I believe this graphic novel gives Lex a new light in which he shines beyond capacity.

I would recommend this to any Superman fan, or anyone familiar with the series.

Rating:

- Fresh and Clever
With twists worth of Rod Serling, this is a great sci-fi story that plays around with all the great Metropolis characters in an alternate reality... or is it ??????????

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