Superman: Red Son

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Superman: Red Son. Millar, Mark. DC Comics, New York. ISBN: 1-4012-0191-1

SUMMARY

Superman Red Son is a collection of three separate comic books from the Superman Red Son series.

(Red Son Rising)From the very first page readers know that something about this Superman comic book is not right. Lois Lane answers the phone as Lois Luthor. The answer is on page two, it’s the height of the Cold War and Superman is a communist! Instead of landing in America when he was a boy, he landed in the Soviet Union and was raised by farming folk on a collective farm in the Ukraine. Lex Luthor is brought in by the United States government to come up with an anti-Superman deterrent. In the meantime Stalin is trying to play matchmaker with Superman and Wonder Woman. When Stalin dies Superman is asked to succeed him and Lex Luthor creates Superman Two (which turns out to be a bust).

The second part of the comic book (Red Son Ascendant) takes place in 1978: Superman has succeeded Stalin, Wonder Woman is a communist, Batman is a terrorist, Kennedy is president after Richard Nixon was assassinated in Dallas, TX and Lex Luthor has shrunk Stalingrad to snow globe size.

It is 2001 in part three (Red Son Setting) the Unites States is in shambles and Lex Luthor is the president. Can the world ever be made right? Will Lois and Superman ever fall in love? Will Earth survive the power of Superman?

CRITICAL EVALUATION

I have to begin this evaluation by stating that I am not a superhero fan. However, I thought it was important to include a superhero comic in this project because it reflects the interests of teens. I think that the idea of an alternate Superman in interesting. One thing can affect history. What if Superman crashed in the Soviet Union instead of the United States? There are also some great alternate history books availabe as well, like what if the South won the Civil War. I think that this type of alternate history/universe book will appeal to teens. I have to say that even though this was a comic book I had a tough time getting through it, mostly due to lack of interest. Although, the concept is interesting, I found myself bored. I do know some things about Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, but that knowledge did not help me while reading this comic. I felt as though I was missing something. People were mentioned as though the reader should know who they are. I was at a loss because I did not follow any of the superhero comics. I’m sure that a teen boy or girl would be much more interested in this story than I was. They would also understand more of the back story than I would. Unless you’re a superhero fan, it is a tough read.

READER’S ANNOTATION

What would happen if Superman was a Soviet hero? Find out in Superman: Red Son.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Millar is an award-winning Scottish comic book writer. Millar has been the highest selling British comic-book writer working in America this decade. In August 2007 he won the Stan Lee award at Wizardworld in Chicago.

Millar was inspired to become a comic writer after meeting Alan Moore at a signing session at AKA Books and Comics when he was a teenager in the late 1980s. However it was not until having financial problems after his parents died that he decided to drop out of college and take up writing professionally.

His first job as a comic book writer came when he was still in high school, writing Trident's Saviour with Daniel Vallely providing art. Saviour proved to be one of Trident Comics' most popular titles. Millar's British work brought him to the attention of DC Comics, and in 1994 he started working on his first American comic, Swamp Thing. In 2000 Millar received his big break by replacing Warren Ellis on The Authority for DC's Wildstorm imprint. In 2001 Millar announced his resignation from DC. His acclaimed Superman: Red Son story was printed after his departure, and Millar has repeatedly stated his desire to recreate the Superman character both in comic-books and on the big screen.

Millar continued his success launching Ultimate X-Men for Marvel Comics' Ultimate Marvel. Ater 33 issues, Millar left Ultimate X-Men and wrote the number one hit title Marvel Knights Spider-Man in 2004, Millar was among a group of writers that was enlisted by Iron Man director Jon Favreau to give advice on the script. It was Millar who suggested dropping the Mandarin as the villain, and replacing him with Iron Monger, who was originally intended as a villain for the sequels.

2004 Millar launched a creator-owned line called Millarworld that published the books Wanted, Chosen, The Unfunnies, Kick-Ass and War Heroes by four different, publishers. Millar has announced that he will return to Chosen, which he revealed, was only the first part in a planned trilogy American Jesus. (Unknown, Mark Millar)

GENRE

Fiction, Comic Book

CURRICULUM TIES

New York State: Art

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

What if superman was a Soviet hero?
What would happen if other types of alternate histories took place?

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

Ages 13 and up

CHALLENGE ISSUES

None.

In order to prepare yourself should this comic book be challenged you may wish to take the following steps:

•Read the comic book or familiarize yourself with its content.
•Refer to the library’s collection development and circulation policy.
•Find out if reviews for the comic book are available from sources such as Booklist, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), Publisher’s Weekly, or BookSpot.com
•Seek the opinion of tween readers that have read the comic book.

Should this comic book be challenged you should follow the additional steps below:

•Advise the senior staff of the challenge.
•Let the patron know that their challenge will be filed and that senior library management will review their request and notify them once a decision has been made.
•Offer any further assistance should the patron have additional questions.

WHY DID I INCLUDE THIS BOOK IN THE TITLES I SELECTED?

It was recommended to me by my brother.