Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar

Illustrated by Kilian Plunkett, Andrew C. Robinson, Walden Wong, Dave Johnson, colored by Paul Mounts, lettered by Ken Lopez
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Red Son explores a very interesting what if: What if Superman wasn't Clark Kent? What if he didn't land in Kansas, but in Soviet Russia? What if Superman wasn't the American symbol of the good-ol-farmboy, but the Picture-perfect Communist Worker ready to do whatever he could for his comrades?   Along the way, Superman meets a princess named Diana who becomes a partner to Superman in his quest to bring the Earth into a Communist Utopia.  Lois Lane is actually Lois Luther, Daily Planet editor with a complicated relationship with Lex.  There's even an alternate Batman, spurred on by his hatred for the Party that murdered his parents.  

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This title is fabulously written and illustrated, and harkens back to the Golden Age art style in many ways.  The plot could have been a simple US vs. Russia, Good vs. Evil type story, but Millar doesn't let it become that simplistic.  There are varying shades of grey along the moral questions raised on governance and personal freedom.  This is a great stand alone to add to any collection, and would compliment lessons involving The Cold War.  

Sara's Rating: 10/10
Suitability: Grades 7-12

Tags: Rating: 10/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Comicbooks,  
Superheroes ​