Superman: Red Son Review

My girlfriend and I just finally got the opportunity to read the three part mini series Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar, Dave Johnson and Kililian Plunkett. It was a superb take on the classic, iconic character. My girlfriend, Rachel, was kind enough to write a quick review, so enjoy it!

Hey! I’m Rachel, I’m just passing through to give you guys a quick review of DC Comic’s Elseworld story, Superman: Red Son.

We all know Superman is as American as apple pie and the Fourth of July, but what if he wasn’t? What if Kal El’s ship went into orbit a few hours later and he crash landed on one of the collective farms of communist Russia? Writer Mark Millar takes this concept and runs full speed with it. The story reshapes the World War II/Cold War history that was so instrumental in shaping Big Blue’s creation and history by giving the super-powered edge to the USSR. Superman is a loyal supporter of Josef Stalin and the communist ideals and would defend them to his last breath.

Millar’s use of familiar characters in unfamiliar roles is fresh and exciting. Of course you will see Lex Luthor (as the symbol of hope for the American people), Lois Lane (Luthor’s dedicated wife), Jimmy Olsen and Mrs. Kent. Most of the Justice League make appearances as well, notably Batman and Wonder Woman, though not in ways you might expect.

I would give Superman: Red Son a solid 9.5/10. There’s a few small questions unanswered at the end of it all which is why I can’t give it a perfect 10 but Millar pushed Superman to a limit, playing with a side of him we don’t get to see in continuity. It’s ideal if you want to get some Superman literature under your belt but you don’t want to pick up in the middle of a story arc and risk missing something.