Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
 

Superman. The quintessential American hero that continues to inspire hope in the hearts of people since the 1930s. But what happens when the Man of Steel lands in another country—the USSR? Would he still be the hero we all know? This is Superman: Red Son—*cue the dramatic music*—a cinematic story that explores who Superman would be in a completely different context. Packed with social and political commentary, Superman: Red Son explores the good, the bad, and most of all, everything in between. With Superman once again in the zeitgeist and America and Russia again at the center of global politics, it’s a good time to talk about this Elseworlds classic.
 

The Premise:

We all know the story of Superman. A baby sent to Earth to flee his dying planet of Krypton, Kal-El lands in Smallville, Kansas, where he’s found and raised by two farmers, Martha and Jonathan Kent. Superman represents the American experience, especially as an immigrant, and is a symbol of good and the best of humanity, despite not technically being a human himself. But what if the Man of Steel didn’t land in Kansas? What if he instead landed in Cold War-era Ukraine and became a symbol of Soviet Russia while serving the infamous Josef Stalin? How would that shape him? Who would he become?

In Red Son, the world shifts from a nuclear arms race to a superhuman one when the USSR announces the existence of Superman—their most powerful weapon yet. We get to see what the world looks like with Superman no longer brandishing the symbol of hope on his chest, but rather the hammer and sickle.
 

Let’s Talk Talent:

This 2003 classic is written by Mark Millar, the writer of Marvel’s Civil War and Wolverine: Old Man Logan, as well as Kick-Ass, Kingsmen and Wanted. In Superman: Red Son, Millar raises the stakes of Superman’s arrival on Earth, blending historical fiction with the most iconic superheroes in history. The premise of a Soviet Superman could easily have been oversimplified into basic “good” vs “evil,” but Millar lets this story be morally gray, which adds so much depth to this daring interpretation of the Man of Steel.

Pencils on Superman: Red Son are by Dave Johnson, the co-creator of Ben 10 and an acclaimed cover artist for some of the biggest publishers in comics. Inks are by Andrew Robison and colors are by Paul Mounts. About halfway through the limited series, Kilian Plunkett, who has worked on countless comics and was a designer on the 2008 animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, takes over the penciling duties. The Inkwell-winning Walden Wong joins him on inks.

Collectively, the art team brilliantly brings to life the concept of a Soviet Superman, particularly by drawing inspiration from Soviet propaganda posters while adding in elements of art deco and retro futurism. The use of high contrasted black linework and deep reds adds to the harsh nature of this world. Though the artwork changes to a new team halfway through the series, the transition is incredibly smooth.
 

A Few Reasons to Read:

• The story explores who Superman is at his core. Who is he without Smallville, without his parents Martha and Jonathan Kent and without Lois Lane? This comic examines the concept of nature vs. nurture and who the Man of Steel is under different circumstances. Is he a cog in the machine, a soldier that fights for his country no matter if it’s the right thing to do? If given the power, would he become an authoritarian ruler similar to Josef Stalin? Or is Superman always good down to his core, a champion for the people and a symbol of hope? The answers may not be as black and white as you’d expect them to be.
• You’ll see familiar faces in a new setting. Superman isn’t the only iconic DC character you’ll see in a new light. Red Son also features heroes like Wonder Woman and Batman, and part of the fun is discovering what side they’re fighting for. Lex Luthor is a major player in this comic as well, but the question is, who is really the antagonist of this story? You’ll see other characters that will shock and excite you, but I won’t spoil those appearances for you. You’ll have to read the comic yourself!

• A bold approach to art, with some thrilling redesigns. The biggest shock as a reader is seeing Superman wearing the hammer and sickle on his chest while dressed in black with splashes of Soviet red. He isn’t the only one either. We get to see Wonder Woman and Batman’s redesigned costumes that also reflect the era and help to set the tone of this story. Many aspects of this story, both visually and thematically, have elements of retro futurism, which adds to the world building.
• The ending of this comic is brilliant. For those who don’t know, Superman: Red Son features a twist ending that serves as a full circle moment weaving together the beginning and the end of the story. It flips the script in a genuinely surprising way and will make you see the entire story in a different context. It also lends a lot to the many themes explored in this comic, such as the flaws of humanity and those in positions of power failing their own people.
   

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Superman’s story is an inspiring one that represents the good of humanity. He is a household name that has inspired people to be the best versions of themselves for over eighty years. To see a classic hero through a completely new lens is fascinating and at times even scary—it’s impossible to put this comic down because each page keeps you guessing as to who this Man of Steel will become. It all boils down to what makes Superman human and his relationship to that identity. Since it is the Summer of Superman, it’s the perfect occasion to read one of the most iconic Superman stories in history and discover the answers to these questions yourself in the pages of Superman: Red Son.
 

Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar, Dave Johnson and Kilian Plunkett is available as a softcover graphic novel in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers. It can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.

Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.