SUPERMAN: RED SON by Mark Millar

The fantastic illustrators and inkers of this graphic novel: Dave Johnson, Kilian
Plunkett, Andrew Robinson, and Walden Wong

In 2003, comic book writer Mark Millar presented the ultimate what-if scenario in DC Comics. Millar, along with his fabulous artistic team, redirects the rocket ship that carries baby Kal-El to Earth, veering it away from Jonathan and Martha Kent's homey farm in Smallville for the fields of Ukraine while it is under the Soviet Union. In Superman: Red Son, the Hero of the American Dream and the All-American Icon becomes the Comrade of Steel and the poster boy of the U.S.S.R.

Comic book companies seem to be very fond of what-if scenarios, which can be very risky. If not done correctly, these alternate universes can turn out to be just well-funded, badly-written fan fictions. Millar, however, proves his writing prowess by masterly manipulating Superman's back story. Not only does he successfully paint a picture of a communist Superman, he also provides a gripping and creative story with multiple ingenious plot twists (especially the ending), exciting action, amusing name-dropping, and dynamic characters. 

Millar's characters develop very well throughout the graphic novel. One of the things I find wonderful about Millar's work is the fact that he did not simply move the DC characters to the Soviet Union, give them the Russian versions of their names, and make them do the same things they do in the mainstream universe. In Red Son, Millar really changes everything to make it a more compelling and more believable what-if story, though there were some changes made which I didn't understand how Superman's not being raised in America could have affected it.

To be honest, I am not a fan of the Man of Steel. I find him to be irritatingly self-righteous, naively big-headed, and too much of a boy scout in tights to be likable. His only saving grace is that he fights for the common good without any reluctance. In Red Son, Superman is every bit as self-righteous, big-headed, naive, and boy scout-y as he is in the mainstream continuity, but he stands for the ideals of communism instead of democracy. In Red Son, he also fights for what he believes is right, but he enforces his ideas of right and wrong differently. But it's not all nobility and goodness in this title. As Superman continues his fight for communism, he slowly becomes his own version of a dictator. 

Red Son features other key players in the DC Universe. There is Lex Luthor's portrayal in this graphic novel, which is nothing short of amazing. At one point in the graphic novel, I found myself rooting for Lex Luthor instead of the man in tights. Lois is present, of course, though h her interaction with the Comrade of Steel is quite minimal. James "Jimmy" Olsen is there as well, though he is much cooler here than in the mainstream continuity. Other members of Superman's rogues gallery like Brainiac (still as awesomely dangerous as ever), Bizarro, and Metallo make appearances as well.

Other DC heroes leave their mark on the story as well. The most prominent among them is Wonder Woman, which irritated me because she is the DC hero that I hate after Superman. Batman is as amazing as ever. Still fueled by his parents's murder, he aims to take down the soviet government. The Green Lantern Corp. (always a pleasure to read about) makes a small but exciting appearance as well. 

When it comes to the plot and the characters, my comment is "MORE". I wanted more action with Batman, the Green Lanterns, and even Bizarro. There could have been more in terms of relationship exploration between the different characters. There could have been more about the Warsaw Pact and the Cold War. Generally, the graphic novel could have afforded to have more going on. Don't get me wrong: Millar's work is undeniably excellent, but it leaves much to be desired. 

As important as the plot and the characters is the theme, something which Millar never fails to present very well. Red Son, like many of Millar's stellar works, carries multiple themes. These themes includes democracy versus communism, the fine line between benign dictatorship and despotism, and the difference between what is right and what is ideal.

Let's not forget about the art (which I am guilty of doing from time to time). The art, in my opinion, was fantastic. The art in Red Son is engaging and attractive. Many of the panels can leap off the page. This is the kind of art that I think most, and I emphasize the word, superhero comics should have.

Overall, I give Superman: Red Son four out of five stars. It is one of the better Superman titles that I have read and is one of the best alternate universe story arcs that I have encountered from both DC and Marvel. I definitely look forward to reading more from Millar, a comic book genius, and seeing more art by Red Son's four talented artists.