The concept behind alternative history is deceptively easy. Change something from the past (in this case, the wellknown, but still imaginary past) and carry it forward to a logical conclusion. Here, the rocket carrying the infant Superman from Krypton hits Earth 12 hours earlier (or later?) and instead of landing in Kansas, USA, lands in the Ukraine, then part of the USSR.

The American Superman that we all know is a pretty conservative, mainstream fellow, imbued with some old fashioned, if not quaint, Norman Rockwell type values. The constant is that he always thinks he is doing the right thing. So, it is logical to suppose that if he was raised in the good old USSR during the time of Comrade Uncle Joe Stalin, he would assume the values of that place and time, accompanied, once more, with a strong self assuredness in his motives and his actions.

Out of this premise, Mark Millar has fashioned a morality tale, which covers, among other issues, the dangers inherent in even the most benevolent forms of totalitarianism, the value of individuality, and the premise that even the most omnipotent individual can fail. All told in a cinematic noir style, and with an absolutely killer conclusion.

(Special note: and a big thank you to my beautiful and beloved son-in-law for giving this to me as a present. Love you, man.) ( )

Wow -- amazingly good. The premise is what if Superman landed in the USSR and was raised by socialists instead of the Kents -- sounds promising, but what's really great about the book is, while it could have worked as just a gimmick, Millar's taken it and used it to write a really strong, well-crafted story, whilst (and at the same time) hitting on every aspect of this universe that the reader wants to see. Geektastic. ( )

A few hours difference in the arrival of superman's space capsule could mean landing half a world away from Kansas and that is the premise. Superman has landed in the Soviet Union and has been raised by loyal Socialists. Superman's presence in the Soviet Union drastically alters the future.

my favorite sequence involves the city of Stalingrad, which has been shrunk to nearly microscopic size and placed in a test-tube. You see this cityscape in utter chaos as if ravaged by war. Fires burn everywhere in the rubble and citizens stagger through the wreckage of overturned cars. One soldier sternly lectures Superman on "checking the filters" more often. Superman responds, "I'm so sorry, comrades!" Then you realize that the huge creature ... Please click for full review of Superman - Red Son on Valkovalin.com ( )

A very different relationship between Luthor/Superman and Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman, in this recreation of the Superman myth, witch Superman growing up a Ukrainian farm boy.

Taking over for Stalin, the world becomes happy and communist, except for Luthor and the USA.

A little twist at the end, too.

http://graphicsf.blogspot.com/2006/11... ( )