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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a wonderful new take on Superman mythology. It shows that a hero is a hero is a hero.
This book begins with a great question: What if Superman had landed in Communist Russia instead of America? Predictably, the story itself can’t match the completely intriguing concept—but it’s still a really fascinating book. In particular, I like some of the other questions it brings up. Near the end of the story Superman wonders, for example, what Lex Luthor might have accomplished if he had been free to apply his mind to something other than fighting Superman. Have I done more harm than good on Earth just by being here, Superman reflects.
Lois Lane married to an obsessed Lex Luthor works as an interesting counterpoint to her more traditional role as the love interest of Superman. Is she always destined to be attached to a man who is more focused on saving the world than on building a relationship with her? The character of Lois isn’t as full developed in this book as I would have liked, which is too bad.
The artwork through the whole book looks excellent. Very classic style, without much obvious intrusion of digital enhancement. The dialogue isn’t too bad, which is a pleasant surprise for a superhero graphic novel. The strangeness of the story and setting allow for occasionally hilarious one liners: “Armed only with a pair of magic bracelets and a lasso allowing her to dominate her foes, Diana became my international peace ambassador”; “Life was so simple in those days: deflecting meteorites, welding tectonic plates, managing a global economy single-handed”; “Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen won a landslide victory in 2004, re-elected to the White House with a staggering hundred and one percent of the vote. To this day, scientists and mathematicians are baffled by the result.”
The appearances of classic Superman characters are mostly not distracting. It’s much more natural than what Marvel did with the Spider-verse comics, for example. But that Batman costume . . . who at DC approved that fur hat?
A big problem this book has is just the age-old problem of any Superman story: How does anyone defeat Superman? The answer in this book is no better than any other answer, and so that conclusion is a little disappointing. However, the second ending that comes after that was very surprising and perfect. It’s an intriguing idea, that archenemies were really just fighting themselves, in a way.
Overall, I really enjoyed Superman: Red Son, and I only wish it was at least twice as long. I feel cheated, not getting to see any of Superman’s growing-up years on the farm in Ukraine. There’s also a lot more that could be said politically about what Superman goes through from decade to decade, and how he becomes what he is at the end of his reign.
Lois Lane married to an obsessed Lex Luthor works as an interesting counterpoint to her more traditional role as the love interest of Superman. Is she always destined to be attached to a man who is more focused on saving the world than on building a relationship with her? The character of Lois isn’t as full developed in this book as I would have liked, which is too bad.
The artwork through the whole book looks excellent. Very classic style, without much obvious intrusion of digital enhancement. The dialogue isn’t too bad, which is a pleasant surprise for a superhero graphic novel. The strangeness of the story and setting allow for occasionally hilarious one liners: “Armed only with a pair of magic bracelets and a lasso allowing her to dominate her foes, Diana became my international peace ambassador”; “Life was so simple in those days: deflecting meteorites, welding tectonic plates, managing a global economy single-handed”; “Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen won a landslide victory in 2004, re-elected to the White House with a staggering hundred and one percent of the vote. To this day, scientists and mathematicians are baffled by the result.”
The appearances of classic Superman characters are mostly not distracting. It’s much more natural than what Marvel did with the Spider-verse comics, for example. But that Batman costume . . . who at DC approved that fur hat?
A big problem this book has is just the age-old problem of any Superman story: How does anyone defeat Superman? The answer in this book is no better than any other answer, and so that conclusion is a little disappointing. However, the second ending that comes after that was very surprising and perfect. It’s an intriguing idea, that archenemies were really just fighting themselves, in a way.
Overall, I really enjoyed Superman: Red Son, and I only wish it was at least twice as long. I feel cheated, not getting to see any of Superman’s growing-up years on the farm in Ukraine. There’s also a lot more that could be said politically about what Superman goes through from decade to decade, and how he becomes what he is at the end of his reign.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love this story (it's a re-read this time) and the winks to the characters. And the ending. Wow. Chef's kiss.
I would give it 4 stars if not for the third act, which felt a bit rushed to me. The ending in itself was actually really good, as was most of the story. And the artwork... My this was a little piece of art.
A completely solid story about how circumstance or cultural pressures can sculpt and manipulate a persons psyche.
There is a great progression here over the many years the story spans, as we theoretically start just as we do with Clarke; wonderful moral upbringing and all. But corruption and societal standings gently sour our Man of Steel’s morality.
This is all partnered with some interesting takes on some heroes who have inexplicably been caught up in the changes to the timeline, including a Russian ushanka-hat wearing Batman (which is kind of fun).
This is then finally concluded with a nice little paradoxical cherry to finish the treat.
It doesn’t fill me with unwavering excitement as others have done in the past, but it is still a very solid strand of the DC multiverse.
There is a great progression here over the many years the story spans, as we theoretically start just as we do with Clarke; wonderful moral upbringing and all. But corruption and societal standings gently sour our Man of Steel’s morality.
This is all partnered with some interesting takes on some heroes who have inexplicably been caught up in the changes to the timeline, including a Russian ushanka-hat wearing Batman (which is kind of fun).
This is then finally concluded with a nice little paradoxical cherry to finish the treat.
It doesn’t fill me with unwavering excitement as others have done in the past, but it is still a very solid strand of the DC multiverse.
This was such a fun read! Loved the what if, all the changes and courses the events set in motion! Really a thoroughly enjoyable read. Loved the long timeline this followed, the passage of time, well developed and well done. Loved!
The Alternate History was fabulous they way everything developed the way certain characters were portrayed and brought into the story just brilliantly done. Loved the use of real famous people JFK, and Stalin, mixed within this world of superheroes, it was such an interesting look at history. It was also amazing the look a humanity and what it mans to be free and what Utopia is truly worth. I loved how Superman remained so true to character, he may have been raised communist but you could still see him at the heart of his character.
The Alternate History was fabulous they way everything developed the way certain characters were portrayed and brought into the story just brilliantly done. Loved the use of real famous people JFK, and Stalin, mixed within this world of superheroes, it was such an interesting look at history. It was also amazing the look a humanity and what it mans to be free and what Utopia is truly worth. I loved how Superman remained so true to character, he may have been raised communist but you could still see him at the heart of his character.
I am not a superman fan, nor have I read many superman comics or DC comics in general, but this is far and away the best DC comic I have ever read. It's such a good, compact story that manages to tell it's self in only one trade (which in today's comic world feels insane). I'm sure I missed plenty of references as a superman novice, but I caught enough of them to be impressed. Also I love a good alternate history that doesn't beat you over the head with new history facts, they just slipped them in naturally where they worked. Stupendous.