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Superman Elseworlds
Superman: A Nation Divided
The year is 1863. The War Between the States rages on, with no end in sight. Countless lives, bothe civilian and soldier, have been destroyed. The situation seems hopeless ... until General Ulysses S. Grant discovers a secret weapon among his a Kansas Volunteer named Private Atticus Kent, who possesses power beyond that of any ordinary man.
This prestige-format DC Elseworlds Special is written by Roger Stern ( The Death and Life of Superman ) and illustrated by Eduarto Barreto ( Speeding Bullets ).
This prestige-format DC Elseworlds Special is written by Roger Stern ( The Death and Life of Superman ) and illustrated by Eduarto Barreto ( Speeding Bullets ).
48 pages, Paperback
First published December 9, 1998
2 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Roger Stern
1,562 books112 followersRoger Stern is an American comic book author and novelist.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 13, 2025
A true hidden gem of Superman lore - Superman lands on a small farm before the Civil War - and the Confederate forces are in for a surprise! Roger Stern weaves a tale that will leave you wondering about how Superman would have handled historic roles at critical points in the formation of the US. Eduardo Barreto does a fine job as artist. Nice read.
March 13, 2018
What if Superman had fought in the Civil War? Atticus Kent joins the Union army and discovers his powers when he goes into battle. It's an interesting premise on how it would have shortened the war and changed America. The end was very dumb where he becomes the Lone Ranger with a silver horse he made from his spaceship.
March 13, 2018
A Nation Divided is a frustrating comic. It has an interesting premise: Superman lands on Earth in the 1840s and ends up fighting in the Civil War for the North in 1863, where he discovers his powers. I give Roger Stern credit for not going the Dave Gibbons route and insert a Lex Luthor doppleganger who just happens to have Krytonite. Superman does what you'd expect and roots the South with far less bloodshed and the war ends with a far less bloody Gettysburg.
From there, my big question is what happens? How does this change the shape of America, and of Lincoln? Does a Superman raised with 19th Century midwest values, most likely raised against the backdrop of "Bleeding Kansas," the pre-Civil War skirmish over slavery that set the stage for the 1860s election and the War, differ from a 20th Century Superman? What could the team of Abraham Lincoln and Superman bring to the world? If Superman was similar to his normal self, that would be one of the greatest combinations of goodness the world has ever seen, or would it still be?
And here's an interesting question, could Superman helping the union to a quicker victory actually prolong slavery? While Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, it only applied to those states in rebellion and didn't ban slavery but rather freed existing slaves. The "border states" (slave states that stayed with the North) could still have slaves and could feasibly replenish the Southern slave population. Lincoln himself said he'd be happy not to end slavery if it kept the Union together.
On the other hand, with Lincoln alive, we may have seen a reconstruction that was far gentler on the South and far more generous. Slavery would certainly eventually be on the road to abolition in a decade or so due to changes in the economy that were accelerated by the War. However, without the heavy handed reconstruction which was enabled by a long and bloody war and the assassination of Lincoln, might full emancipation for all and Civil Rights have come with far less fighting and anger leading to more harmonious race relations today?
These are among the fascinating ideas which Mr. Stern's story doesn't address. Now to be fair, this is a Prestige comic book, and not a 300 page novel or a treatise, but if you're going to tell an alternate history as an lLseworld tale, you need to tell how this "What If?" scenario would affect the world or the superhero. Instead, Stern completely avoids the implications and imagines Superman discovering a message from his Kyrptonian parents that leads him to (in effect) become the Lone Ranger. What a waste of a good premise?
From there, my big question is what happens? How does this change the shape of America, and of Lincoln? Does a Superman raised with 19th Century midwest values, most likely raised against the backdrop of "Bleeding Kansas," the pre-Civil War skirmish over slavery that set the stage for the 1860s election and the War, differ from a 20th Century Superman? What could the team of Abraham Lincoln and Superman bring to the world? If Superman was similar to his normal self, that would be one of the greatest combinations of goodness the world has ever seen, or would it still be?
And here's an interesting question, could Superman helping the union to a quicker victory actually prolong slavery? While Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, it only applied to those states in rebellion and didn't ban slavery but rather freed existing slaves. The "border states" (slave states that stayed with the North) could still have slaves and could feasibly replenish the Southern slave population. Lincoln himself said he'd be happy not to end slavery if it kept the Union together.
On the other hand, with Lincoln alive, we may have seen a reconstruction that was far gentler on the South and far more generous. Slavery would certainly eventually be on the road to abolition in a decade or so due to changes in the economy that were accelerated by the War. However, without the heavy handed reconstruction which was enabled by a long and bloody war and the assassination of Lincoln, might full emancipation for all and Civil Rights have come with far less fighting and anger leading to more harmonious race relations today?
These are among the fascinating ideas which Mr. Stern's story doesn't address. Now to be fair, this is a Prestige comic book, and not a 300 page novel or a treatise, but if you're going to tell an alternate history as an lLseworld tale, you need to tell how this "What If?" scenario would affect the world or the superhero. Instead, Stern completely avoids the implications and imagines Superman discovering a message from his Kyrptonian parents that leads him to (in effect) become the Lone Ranger. What a waste of a good premise?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2022
A shame no follow-up was published to this great “Elseworlds”.
November 7, 2017
I really enjoyed it, it was a nice read. I haven't read any Superman comic books even though I have obviously heard about his story. It was interesting to see him in another context than today's society for example. I'll keep reading more about him because I don't really know his backstory and I definitely want to know more even if he is not my favourite DC character (TEAM WONDER WOMAN/BATMAN ALL THE WAY).
February 13, 2016
Nice Civil War Superman tale. Recommended
July 21, 2025
I can't say that I have a detailed enough grasp of the real history to speak to this story's treatment of the real-life figures presented or how credible an account it really is of how the Civil War would have gone differently if one Union private happened to be from the planet Krypton, but it's well-told as a tale in itself—economically paced without feeling rushed at 48 pages, with crisp, authentic-feeling period dialogue from Stern* and superb art from Barreto balancing rich historical detail with a sturdy, classical eye for visual storytelling (not to mention being called upon to draw an unenviable number of soldiers on horseback). fannish annoyance at the evocation of Byrne's Man of Steel (boo, hiss, etc), then still in-continuity, as shorthand for the standard elements of the character's origin aside (birthing matrix shmirthing matrix), the final Twilight Zone twist is unexpectedly bold if nothing else; the full implications are somewhat glossed over in favour of contriving a cute, if slightly random, implied link to another iconic American adventure hero, but I was honestly surprised to see the story go there at all.
*Bill Oakley's lettering is otherwise top-notch, but perhaps my biggest actual complaint is that the cursive handwriting used for the various letters through which much of the story is narrated can be a bit of a strain to read; some authenticity could perhaps here have been sacrificed for clarity.
Update: one of the texts cited on the "Recommended Reading" page at the start of this comic as providing "invaluable aid in researching this story" is the book version of Ken Burns' influential PBS documentary series on the Civil War. some cursory background reading on that series online led to a couple of interesting articles discussing objections raised by academic historians over the years to its treatment of the subject, which helpfully served to contextualise and clarify similar (though, all things considered, less egregious) limitations in how Stern frames the conflict here, namely that the issue of slavery is mostly elided barring two brief mentions, leaving the actual causes of the war, what it is that the two armies are actually fighting over, a little unsatisfyingly vague. Kent laments the tragedy of war in general terms, the loss of life on both sides ("Surely this is the cruelest of wars... Countrymen fighting each other, brother against brother!"), and tells Robert E. Lee that his men are "brave". he remarks on the individual racism of fellow Union soldiers, and Frederick Douglass is shown raising the issue of black soldiers being payed significantly less than their white counterparts to Lincoln, but the racism foundational to the Confederate cause is only referred to rather obliquely. the alternate history of a Union cause aided by a super-being from outer space confines itself to the outcome of battles (and the prevention of assassinations); Reconstruction is mentioned only in passing.
Stern of course is not pretending to offer a comprehensive history lecture here, and he and Barreto succeed at crafting the entertaining superhero comic they actually set out to make. perhaps he considered these issues too weighty to address more substantially here (48 pages is not very many). but as the Smithsonian Magazine article notes, the decision to render the war as antiseptic military history, a series of battles won and lost with brave soldiers on both sides, cannot be considered a neutral one for a war whose legacy is still violently contested in America today.
*Bill Oakley's lettering is otherwise top-notch, but perhaps my biggest actual complaint is that the cursive handwriting used for the various letters through which much of the story is narrated can be a bit of a strain to read; some authenticity could perhaps here have been sacrificed for clarity.
Update: one of the texts cited on the "Recommended Reading" page at the start of this comic as providing "invaluable aid in researching this story" is the book version of Ken Burns' influential PBS documentary series on the Civil War. some cursory background reading on that series online led to a couple of interesting articles discussing objections raised by academic historians over the years to its treatment of the subject, which helpfully served to contextualise and clarify similar (though, all things considered, less egregious) limitations in how Stern frames the conflict here, namely that the issue of slavery is mostly elided barring two brief mentions, leaving the actual causes of the war, what it is that the two armies are actually fighting over, a little unsatisfyingly vague. Kent laments the tragedy of war in general terms, the loss of life on both sides ("Surely this is the cruelest of wars... Countrymen fighting each other, brother against brother!"), and tells Robert E. Lee that his men are "brave". he remarks on the individual racism of fellow Union soldiers, and Frederick Douglass is shown raising the issue of black soldiers being payed significantly less than their white counterparts to Lincoln, but the racism foundational to the Confederate cause is only referred to rather obliquely. the alternate history of a Union cause aided by a super-being from outer space confines itself to the outcome of battles (and the prevention of assassinations); Reconstruction is mentioned only in passing.
Stern of course is not pretending to offer a comprehensive history lecture here, and he and Barreto succeed at crafting the entertaining superhero comic they actually set out to make. perhaps he considered these issues too weighty to address more substantially here (48 pages is not very many). but as the Smithsonian Magazine article notes, the decision to render the war as antiseptic military history, a series of battles won and lost with brave soldiers on both sides, cannot be considered a neutral one for a war whose legacy is still violently contested in America today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2025
Excellent! DC Elseworlds can truly turn out an amazing story with just a few alterations to the history with fresh results, and this one delivered. But more than it being an Elseworlds story that caught my eye is that it's set during the Civil War, and I am a major Civil War buff. This story puts out the idea that the being we knew as Superman was to have come to Earth in the middle of 19th-century America and fought in the Great War Between the States.
Most of the action is set during 1863, or as it's known in this story, as the final year of the Civil War. Private Atticus Kent has lived a great life for the past eighteen years as an ordinary young man living his life on a Kansas farm, but it hasn't been pleasant. His childhood was marred by the cruelties of the Bloody Kansas affair, and his parents, Josephus and Sarah, are against the pro-slavery groups by providing sanctuary to slaves. This instills a great sense of righteousness for him when he fights for the Union alongside his best friend, Jeremiah. They are assigned to General US Grant's command in Vicksburg when in the midst of the battle, Atticus appears to have taken a fatal wound, only he survives and is far more capable than simply chucking hay but cannons as he successfully and ably wins the battle for his commander. The next month, as a sergeant, he then fought for William Sherman as he successfully won the city of Atlanta. The next month, as a captain, he then fought for the Union at the Battle of Gettysburg and won, and in the months later as the war met its end, he saved the President from being assassinated and triumphed for the Union, protecting future presidents and freed slaves. The Union is a strong and free nation for all, all thanks to having all these great powers and abilities, which include speed, heat vision, and flight. But as he deals with personal dilemmas and learns the truth about his abilities, he learns a tragic truth that forces him to end his service with the Union and live on in a Wild West that could use a Man of Steel to protect it.
This was an amazing turn, not just of DC Elseworlds but of alternate history in general. And while I enjoy this story, I wish there were more to it than 48 pages. It is interesting that they had his origins explained only at the very end, and that his powers developed right as he hit eighteen instead of gradually throughout his childhood and teens. This deserved sequels, a nice romance, but even more iconic Superman imagery, like his friends and enemies from the comic book. I'm kind of glad there is no Lois Lane. But I wish they included Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Perry White, etc. I do like how they adapted Jimmy Olsen as Jeremiah, Jonathan and Martha Kent as Josephus and Sarah, with Clark as Atticus. That last bit is a tease about Clark's favorite movie, To Kill a Mockingbird. No surprise they adapted the Post-Crisis version of Krypton's stark and sterile environment. It was interesting seeing him become a different kind of Wild West hero at the very end. This was short, but so sweet.
Most of the action is set during 1863, or as it's known in this story, as the final year of the Civil War. Private Atticus Kent has lived a great life for the past eighteen years as an ordinary young man living his life on a Kansas farm, but it hasn't been pleasant. His childhood was marred by the cruelties of the Bloody Kansas affair, and his parents, Josephus and Sarah, are against the pro-slavery groups by providing sanctuary to slaves. This instills a great sense of righteousness for him when he fights for the Union alongside his best friend, Jeremiah. They are assigned to General US Grant's command in Vicksburg when in the midst of the battle, Atticus appears to have taken a fatal wound, only he survives and is far more capable than simply chucking hay but cannons as he successfully and ably wins the battle for his commander. The next month, as a sergeant, he then fought for William Sherman as he successfully won the city of Atlanta. The next month, as a captain, he then fought for the Union at the Battle of Gettysburg and won, and in the months later as the war met its end, he saved the President from being assassinated and triumphed for the Union, protecting future presidents and freed slaves. The Union is a strong and free nation for all, all thanks to having all these great powers and abilities, which include speed, heat vision, and flight. But as he deals with personal dilemmas and learns the truth about his abilities, he learns a tragic truth that forces him to end his service with the Union and live on in a Wild West that could use a Man of Steel to protect it.
This was an amazing turn, not just of DC Elseworlds but of alternate history in general. And while I enjoy this story, I wish there were more to it than 48 pages. It is interesting that they had his origins explained only at the very end, and that his powers developed right as he hit eighteen instead of gradually throughout his childhood and teens. This deserved sequels, a nice romance, but even more iconic Superman imagery, like his friends and enemies from the comic book. I'm kind of glad there is no Lois Lane. But I wish they included Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Perry White, etc. I do like how they adapted Jimmy Olsen as Jeremiah, Jonathan and Martha Kent as Josephus and Sarah, with Clark as Atticus. That last bit is a tease about Clark's favorite movie, To Kill a Mockingbird. No surprise they adapted the Post-Crisis version of Krypton's stark and sterile environment. It was interesting seeing him become a different kind of Wild West hero at the very end. This was short, but so sweet.
June 9, 2025
Superman, a hero who famously stands for truth, justice and the American way! In Elseworlds the question of what Superman would be like in a different setting is often explored. In this Elseworlds in particular he is put into the context of the American Civil War. How does America being at war with itself effect Superman as a quintessentially American hero? Would he feel conflicted about joining a military conflict? Would there be tension between fighting for peace and fighting for a side (understandably north)? What about the villains? How does the setting effect Lex Luthor and which side would he be on? Unfortunately none of this is explored in this awful comic. There is no villain, no secret identity, there's weird changes like in Superman's name, Superman's powers are simply discovered while he's in the army and from that point on the book is mostly just him smashing through enemy lines and preaching against racism. There's changing history at the end and a really dumb future for this Superman after the war. It's a horrible book that only serves to entertain you if you are looking for no substance and just want a cartoonish power fantasy of fighting against racism.
March 13, 2020
Like all Else World comics, this comic plugs Superman into another time and place. His name is Atticus Kent and he has no idea of his powers. Cool right? While fighting for the Union Atticus becomes aware of his powers when he takes a hit from a cannon ball to the chest. Slowly with each battle he discovers his powers like flight, and his heat vision. The comic was drawn well and I loved the panels, they flowed well. The writing was good until the end of the war where Superman saves Lincoln. Now I am NOT saying that it would have stunk if Lincoln had lived but from there the story gets a little odd. It's almost like the writers were not sure how the story was suppose to end. I don't want to put a spoiler but the ending felt REALLY forced and almost a last minute idea. Still a great read though, and I will never stop looking for Else World back issues
May 11, 2019
There's not a whole lot of point to this, not much new it'd explore of Superman's character, nor much in the way of bizarre new directions the history of America would've taken because of him. The twist ending actually teases for a far better and more interesting comic it could have been.
But it's quite inoffensive for what it is, decently-written, the art is fine, and it gets at least some credit for not putting in a steampunk Lex Luthor or something as well.
Would be two and half stars if we had halves.
But it's quite inoffensive for what it is, decently-written, the art is fine, and it gets at least some credit for not putting in a steampunk Lex Luthor or something as well.
Would be two and half stars if we had halves.
May 26, 2019
It's alright I guess. Given the concept, it really lacks ambition or creativity. It's Superman in the Civil War...and that's exactly what you'll get.
December 24, 2022
An extremely clever elseworlds story that proves Superman’s ideals are timeless as well as an interesting look at the American Civil War!
November 8, 2025
One of the better Superman Elseworlds stories, especially for slotting him into a different historic context.
January 18, 2026
Superman - Uma Nação Dividida (Mythos)
February 21, 2011
Nggak heran kenapa pihak utara memenangkan Civil War, karena Superman jadi prajurit pihak utara. Btw, dia baru tahu semua superpowernya di dalam perang, dan langsung beradaptasi dengan mudah, nggak pakai latihan lagi.
Superman juga mengubah sejarah, menyelamatkan Presiden Lincoln, karena kebetulan sedang jadi tamu kehormatan sang presiden.
Superman juga mengubah sejarah, menyelamatkan Presiden Lincoln, karena kebetulan sedang jadi tamu kehormatan sang presiden.
January 7, 2014
Incredibly odd. But I will read anything that randomly drops superheroes into the civil war. And this was way better than the legitimately bat-shit insane (no pun intended) Batman civil war book.
August 25, 2015
I love the Elseworlds series. This entry was solid, offering a new take on the characters, but was a little simplistic. A quick, fun read.
November 12, 2019
This was about what I expected. A bit cheesy, but some cool action. The epilogue concerning his "true" purpose was...interesting. Nothing great here, but can't fault it too much.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews