69 Readers
96 Writers
headspinningfromvagueness

Ironic Contradictions

I'm a long time reader - since way back when I was seven. That makes it over three quarters of my life that I will be a reader for. But it is worth it. When I'm not reading or wasting my time online on here or Goodreads I'll be off playing video games, studying teaching and messing around with friends and pop culture. Or reading some more.
Superman: Red Son - Dave Johnson, Mark Millar, Walden Wong, Kilian Plunkett, Andrew    Robinson This was a unique re-imagining of Superman that was entertaining and thought provoking at the same time. Can you imagine what would happen if the all-American Superman were to end up crashing in the Ukraine instead of Kansas? Well neither could I. Fortunately Mark Millar's imagination was up to the task.

Millar spins a tale that re-envisions all the classic elements of Superman lore. For instance Lex Luthor becomes married to Louis, Diana (aka Wonder Woman) still lives on Themiscyra (she becomes an ambassador for the Communist nations) and Batman is born as a Russian. All of Superman's classic enemies become the brainchild of Lex Luthor, head scientist of S.T.A.R labs as he attempts to find a way to destroy the now all soviet Superman. Also Superman may not actually be from Krypton in this re-imagining but a place a little closer to home.

As well as proving an entertaining and well designed graphic novel Red Son provides some interesting political thoughts. After all Communism does feature prominently in this novel. And Superman under that system tries to take over the world 'bottling it' as Brainiac later states. My favourite thought was shown in how the other heroes arrived around Superman's appearance as they historically did. It was just a sentiment based around 'is it that the Superman triggers all the other heroes to exist?' And as such the idea that the existence of heroes provides means for other heroes to rise. I particularly like that philosophical idea. And because of little touches like that I fully recommend this.