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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I quite enjoyed this. It was a very well done imagining of a Russian Superman, without just going into “capitalism good, communism bad”.
The characters we know and love are in the story and similar to their standard selves, but also adjusted to fit the story, like Superman himself. It was a good tale to read all at once, but I think letting each of the three issues sit for a day or two also would have been good.
I enjoyed how they wrapped the story up, it was very satisfying to me.
The characters we know and love are in the story and similar to their standard selves, but also adjusted to fit the story, like Superman himself. It was a good tale to read all at once, but I think letting each of the three issues sit for a day or two also would have been good.
I enjoyed how they wrapped the story up, it was very satisfying to me.
This is the first DC comic that I have ever read, and as a previous Literary Studies English Major, the imagery and the depth to the writing in Mark Millar's work here absolutely blew me away. The symbolism was also well-placed, subtle, yet significant; and it was not too forced like I feared might happen with a project like this one. As for the plot, I stayed hooked the entire time. Maybe I am only scratching the surface with comic books so far, but that just means that I have a lot to look forward to.
Very cool reimagining of Superman, as well as Batman and US History.
fast-paced
Absolutely loved this book. Such a unique and interesting take on the mythos of Superman (and other DC favorites). Highest recommendation.
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a truly awesome graphic novel. It had a bit of a slow start but quickly picked up. I loved the perspective of communism working and capitalism not working without villianizing or overselling either one. I also liked that Superman is still good but has a different perspective of what good entails. John and Martha Kent raised Superman to believe in an American way that doesn't really match up with reality so it makes sense that the Ukranian farmers would do the same for Communism pointing out that the ideas are good. It's the implementation that gets in the way.
Stepping away from political ideologies, the ending was perfect and brought the novel to a wonderful and fulfilling conclusion.
Stepping away from political ideologies, the ending was perfect and brought the novel to a wonderful and fulfilling conclusion.
Superman’s a commie and Batman has a sense of humor. That’s it. That’s the book.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5/5
Everyone knows Superman landed in Smallville and was raised by good, honest Americans Ma and Pa Kent. *Eli Cash voice* What this comic presupposes is...maybe he didn't.
After his spaceship lands in the Ukraine, Mark Millar reimagines Superman as a Soviet hero instead of the champion of the American way. Other heroes get reimagined in red as well, with appearances by Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern.
I think what I loved about this Elseworld book is how much the question of nature vs. nurture was present over everything. Is Superman's moral code instilled in him by his Earth parents, or is it baked in deeper than that?
And it would've been easy enough for Millar to paint the Cold War as a simple black-and-white, us vs. them conflict. Yet Millar offers no easy answers, as Superman begins to question both ideologies and whether or not (as an alien) *he* can even offer any answers to humanity's problems.
Bonus points for the book's ending taking me completely by surprise. I'm not sure it totally works, but I definitely enjoyed how out of left field it is. I've never been a big Supes fan but this book was more than worth the read.
Everyone knows Superman landed in Smallville and was raised by good, honest Americans Ma and Pa Kent. *Eli Cash voice* What this comic presupposes is...maybe he didn't.
After his spaceship lands in the Ukraine, Mark Millar reimagines Superman as a Soviet hero instead of the champion of the American way. Other heroes get reimagined in red as well, with appearances by Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern.
I think what I loved about this Elseworld book is how much the question of nature vs. nurture was present over everything. Is Superman's moral code instilled in him by his Earth parents, or is it baked in deeper than that?
And it would've been easy enough for Millar to paint the Cold War as a simple black-and-white, us vs. them conflict. Yet Millar offers no easy answers, as Superman begins to question both ideologies and whether or not (as an alien) *he* can even offer any answers to humanity's problems.
Bonus points for the book's ending taking me completely by surprise. I'm not sure it totally works, but I definitely enjoyed how out of left field it is. I've never been a big Supes fan but this book was more than worth the read.