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Superman: Red Son
Superman: Red Son #2
Twenty years after the events of last issue, Russia's Superman has become the hero of his country -- and the world -- while Lex Luthor has worked with the CIA to bring him down. Faced with ever-looming threats from within and the rise of a mysterious Batman from the underbelly of Moscow, how much longer will Superman's reign continue? What's hidden in Area 51 in the American desert, and how is it tied to Superman?
52 pages, ebook
First published March 23, 2011
12 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Mark Millar
1,515 books2,566 followersMark Millar is the New York Times best-selling writer of Wanted, the Kick-Ass series, The Secret Service, Jupiter’s Legacy, Jupiter’s Circle, Nemesis, Superior, Super Crooks, American Jesus, MPH, Starlight, and Chrononauts. Wanted, Kick-Ass, Kick-Ass 2, and The Secret Service (as Kingsman: The Secret Service) have been adapted into feature films, and Nemesis, Superior, Starlight, War Heroes, Jupiter’s Legacy and Chrononauts are in development at major studios.
His DC Comics work includes the seminal Superman: Red Son, and at Marvel Comics he created The Ultimates – selected by Time magazine as the comic book of the decade, Wolverine: Old Man Logan, and Civil War – the industry’s biggest-selling superhero series in almost two decades.
Mark has been an Executive Producer on all his movie adaptations and is currently creative consultant to Fox Studios on their Marvel slate of movies.
His DC Comics work includes the seminal Superman: Red Son, and at Marvel Comics he created The Ultimates – selected by Time magazine as the comic book of the decade, Wolverine: Old Man Logan, and Civil War – the industry’s biggest-selling superhero series in almost two decades.
Mark has been an Executive Producer on all his movie adaptations and is currently creative consultant to Fox Studios on their Marvel slate of movies.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 23, 2014
Superman's presence in the USSR and as the top communist after succeeding Stalin turned the country into a true superpower. The USA turned into a bellligerent state, kind of like a North Korea in the modern world. Still, because he rules as a benevolent tyrant, there will still be malcontents and one of them is Batman.
The second arc of Red Son has the The Dark Knight Returns inspired Superman versus Batman slug-fest. The Batman's preparation has managed to catch Superman unaware and he draws first blood. Since this is a Superman book, things will only go down from there for Batman, but it does give our cape crusader his Rorschach moment. He will never compromise his free will, not even for his life. Russian Batman stole the second right there.
The second arc of Red Son has the The Dark Knight Returns inspired Superman versus Batman slug-fest. The Batman's preparation has managed to catch Superman unaware and he draws first blood. Since this is a Superman book, things will only go down from there for Batman, but it does give our cape crusader his Rorschach moment. He will never compromise his free will, not even for his life. Russian Batman stole the second right there.
July 23, 2025
As part of the DC Comics Official Discord Book Club, I read this issue and answered these questions:
1. In this issue, Superman’s influence begins to expand globally. How do you interpret his vision of a utopia, and do you believe his methods are justifiable? What tensions arise between his ideals and his execution?
I interpret Superman’s vision of a utopia as a completely interconnected and equal world, but the methods he employs to try and reach that while at times are justifiable (such as using diplomatic methods), most of the time it conflicts on becoming completely unreasonable. To achieve total world peace he has attempted to put the entire weight of the world on himself. Which of course it is impossible, and we see as superman begins to grow distant from human conversation as he focuses 24/7 on helping people. At its core that is wonderful and most of the time superman can have no problem seeing his actions as justifiable. But then you see the bigger picture. You start to understand that Superman can’t do this on his own, and the interconnected society he has built has to rely on others to uphold it. But what happens when certain countries are constantly fighting back, or the brutal foundation this society was built on comes back to bite you through figures like Batman. Then you start to see as Superman's ideal world conflicts with its execution, as the world starts to fall back on the same inhumane methods that built it in order to survive. Suddenly anyone who thinks against Superman is getting surgically implanted superman tech into their heads to comply.
2. Lex Luthor’s arc continues in a drastically altered context. How has his motivation evolved in this alternate universe? Does his opposition to Superman seem more or less valid here than in the traditional canon?
Describing the position Luthor is in compared to superman as “drastically altered” is 100% the best way to put it. This is not a simple flip flop of roles, but the grand standing of the entire world has shifted from two men to two super powers going head to head. But ultimately I do not see Lex’s motivation as changing that much in the alternate universe. In this world Lex has become the central brain behind all of Superman’s rogues. But as we see at the start of this issue, Lex taunts Superman with the shrunken city of Stalingrad (at the hands of Brainiac) and challenges him to finally prove that what everyone is saying about him always being the smartest and best is really true. Fix it yourself and prove everyone right “ALIEN.” This motivation exists from this world’s Luthor to the main Luthor we are used to dealing with. At his core he sees superman as an existential threat to humanity and needs to prove that his power is more of a danger to the world than a helping hand. And in a way, in this alternate world, Lex’s concerns are a bit more valid. The lengths he goes to and the way he devotes himself to his goal can still be seen as insane, especially through Lois' eyes, but now he is put up against a superpower whose foundations are crumbling from within and constantly trying to piece itself together by “correcting” dissidents. By the end of this issue we even see that Superman is completely compliant in these practices, even if earlier in the issue he spoke out against Stalin’s inhumane practices. So yeah, I do see it as a bit more valid. Take Batman as the perfect example of what Lex is going through, willing to go out as a martyr for the rest of the world rather than become another superman robot.
3. Lois appears in a more complex light in this issue. How does her relationship with Lex, and her interaction with Superman, affect your understanding of her character and her moral compass?
This question really made me go back and re-examine the scenes with Lois, and I may be thinking of this the wrong way. But seeing these scenes where Lois interacts with Lex’s "occasional" sanity and almost complete abandonment from anything that does not work towards his goals. Then seeing Lois stick through everything with Lex, and does so while remembering the strong image of superman that we’ve only known her to see once in person, it makes me think that she has been influenced by Superman to uphold the stronger values that is keeping her relationship together. From her interaction with Perry, to everywhere she gets dragged around and treated like nothing by Lex, she has ample cause to leave him 10 times over. She isn’t staying with him to get the big scoop and progress her career, but genuinely staying with him as a caring partner. The image we see of Lois thinking back to superman is not one of gloom and fear for the future that only Lex can stop, but a bright shining future. One that she may want to reach with Lex. I am not exactly sure, but that is the thought process this question led me down.
4. As Superman enforces peace across nations, how does the story handle the theme of freedom versus security? Can peace achieved through surveillance and control still be considered peace?
Through the lens of this story, freedom and security are utterly mutually exclusive and Superman wants to make sure that the world is a secure and peaceful place with his power. What that means is that when people start speaking out or thinking on their own, then they must be secured and controlled through other means. This story keeps them alive but forcibly cybernetically augments these people into controlled “Superman Robots” to get them back into line. Seeing this world gripped by surveillance and control you can see how it leads to a very un-peaceful and un-restful society. Even with all of this security in place, freedom tries to rip itself back out. We see this through the problems Superman faces everyday, namely Lex Luthor as an agitator from outside, but even from within through the ever elusive Batman. Superman still likes to maintain the allure of a peaceful world, he has the power but has not gone out and stomped out Lex or Batman with a few bursts of laser vision. But deep down their very presence and the people they inspire and fight for, fight against the very possibility that there could be true peace in a society like this.
5. Are there any specific visual motifs or symbolic moments that stood out to you in this issue? How do they support the themes being developed?
One hugely symbolic moment that stood out to me was Batman’s manipulation of the fireworks during Superman’s birthday celebration to form the bat signal instead of Superman’s crest. Not only is this a ploy to draw Superman into a trap meant to slowly kill him, but it is a total desecration of a grand celebration meant to show how powerful and just they all are in building their global society. That peaceful world Superman wants so bad, is exposed through the shining bat signal as the very next moments between Superman and Batman, have Batman physically beat down Superman’s vision and brings Superman down to Batman’s level and the reality that Batman and so many other people have experienced in this world to create someone such as the Batman. Ultimately Batman’s sacrifice does not help to change Superman at all, in fact with the loss of Wonder Woman and the reveal of his closest advisor betraying him…it only sinks Superman lower into the inhumane practices of his own society. But this act also helps to inspire others to take on the mantle of the Batman and try and claw their own freedom away from Superman and this world.
6. Issue #2 introduces new takes on classic characters and events. Which reimagining surprised you the most, and why? Did any changes feel especially effective or unsettling?
Unsettling may not be the right word but it somewhat fits when examining Wonder Woman and her situation in this world. It really seems that a lot of Diana’s motivations for following Superman’s vision and bringing “peace” to the world through her combat is not driven by her own desires for unity, but for her desire for Superman himself. Not a huge fan of this, especially when seeing the vengeance and lengths Batman will go to in this world in a bit more of an effective situation, but this does shine a lot on the godly status Superman has risen to in the world. Not only does everyone basically see him as this all intelligent dictator/god that leads them into a new world, but he has reached such lengths that he has even commented on not being able to see the feelings Wonder Woman expresses for him right in front of him. As I said, unsettling may not be the best word, but it feels ineffective when we see Wonder Woman fighting for these petty reasons and even being captured and bound by Batman and ultimately sacrificing all of her powers to save Superman.
1. In this issue, Superman’s influence begins to expand globally. How do you interpret his vision of a utopia, and do you believe his methods are justifiable? What tensions arise between his ideals and his execution?
I interpret Superman’s vision of a utopia as a completely interconnected and equal world, but the methods he employs to try and reach that while at times are justifiable (such as using diplomatic methods), most of the time it conflicts on becoming completely unreasonable. To achieve total world peace he has attempted to put the entire weight of the world on himself. Which of course it is impossible, and we see as superman begins to grow distant from human conversation as he focuses 24/7 on helping people. At its core that is wonderful and most of the time superman can have no problem seeing his actions as justifiable. But then you see the bigger picture. You start to understand that Superman can’t do this on his own, and the interconnected society he has built has to rely on others to uphold it. But what happens when certain countries are constantly fighting back, or the brutal foundation this society was built on comes back to bite you through figures like Batman. Then you start to see as Superman's ideal world conflicts with its execution, as the world starts to fall back on the same inhumane methods that built it in order to survive. Suddenly anyone who thinks against Superman is getting surgically implanted superman tech into their heads to comply.
2. Lex Luthor’s arc continues in a drastically altered context. How has his motivation evolved in this alternate universe? Does his opposition to Superman seem more or less valid here than in the traditional canon?
Describing the position Luthor is in compared to superman as “drastically altered” is 100% the best way to put it. This is not a simple flip flop of roles, but the grand standing of the entire world has shifted from two men to two super powers going head to head. But ultimately I do not see Lex’s motivation as changing that much in the alternate universe. In this world Lex has become the central brain behind all of Superman’s rogues. But as we see at the start of this issue, Lex taunts Superman with the shrunken city of Stalingrad (at the hands of Brainiac) and challenges him to finally prove that what everyone is saying about him always being the smartest and best is really true. Fix it yourself and prove everyone right “ALIEN.” This motivation exists from this world’s Luthor to the main Luthor we are used to dealing with. At his core he sees superman as an existential threat to humanity and needs to prove that his power is more of a danger to the world than a helping hand. And in a way, in this alternate world, Lex’s concerns are a bit more valid. The lengths he goes to and the way he devotes himself to his goal can still be seen as insane, especially through Lois' eyes, but now he is put up against a superpower whose foundations are crumbling from within and constantly trying to piece itself together by “correcting” dissidents. By the end of this issue we even see that Superman is completely compliant in these practices, even if earlier in the issue he spoke out against Stalin’s inhumane practices. So yeah, I do see it as a bit more valid. Take Batman as the perfect example of what Lex is going through, willing to go out as a martyr for the rest of the world rather than become another superman robot.
3. Lois appears in a more complex light in this issue. How does her relationship with Lex, and her interaction with Superman, affect your understanding of her character and her moral compass?
This question really made me go back and re-examine the scenes with Lois, and I may be thinking of this the wrong way. But seeing these scenes where Lois interacts with Lex’s "occasional" sanity and almost complete abandonment from anything that does not work towards his goals. Then seeing Lois stick through everything with Lex, and does so while remembering the strong image of superman that we’ve only known her to see once in person, it makes me think that she has been influenced by Superman to uphold the stronger values that is keeping her relationship together. From her interaction with Perry, to everywhere she gets dragged around and treated like nothing by Lex, she has ample cause to leave him 10 times over. She isn’t staying with him to get the big scoop and progress her career, but genuinely staying with him as a caring partner. The image we see of Lois thinking back to superman is not one of gloom and fear for the future that only Lex can stop, but a bright shining future. One that she may want to reach with Lex. I am not exactly sure, but that is the thought process this question led me down.
4. As Superman enforces peace across nations, how does the story handle the theme of freedom versus security? Can peace achieved through surveillance and control still be considered peace?
Through the lens of this story, freedom and security are utterly mutually exclusive and Superman wants to make sure that the world is a secure and peaceful place with his power. What that means is that when people start speaking out or thinking on their own, then they must be secured and controlled through other means. This story keeps them alive but forcibly cybernetically augments these people into controlled “Superman Robots” to get them back into line. Seeing this world gripped by surveillance and control you can see how it leads to a very un-peaceful and un-restful society. Even with all of this security in place, freedom tries to rip itself back out. We see this through the problems Superman faces everyday, namely Lex Luthor as an agitator from outside, but even from within through the ever elusive Batman. Superman still likes to maintain the allure of a peaceful world, he has the power but has not gone out and stomped out Lex or Batman with a few bursts of laser vision. But deep down their very presence and the people they inspire and fight for, fight against the very possibility that there could be true peace in a society like this.
5. Are there any specific visual motifs or symbolic moments that stood out to you in this issue? How do they support the themes being developed?
One hugely symbolic moment that stood out to me was Batman’s manipulation of the fireworks during Superman’s birthday celebration to form the bat signal instead of Superman’s crest. Not only is this a ploy to draw Superman into a trap meant to slowly kill him, but it is a total desecration of a grand celebration meant to show how powerful and just they all are in building their global society. That peaceful world Superman wants so bad, is exposed through the shining bat signal as the very next moments between Superman and Batman, have Batman physically beat down Superman’s vision and brings Superman down to Batman’s level and the reality that Batman and so many other people have experienced in this world to create someone such as the Batman. Ultimately Batman’s sacrifice does not help to change Superman at all, in fact with the loss of Wonder Woman and the reveal of his closest advisor betraying him…it only sinks Superman lower into the inhumane practices of his own society. But this act also helps to inspire others to take on the mantle of the Batman and try and claw their own freedom away from Superman and this world.
6. Issue #2 introduces new takes on classic characters and events. Which reimagining surprised you the most, and why? Did any changes feel especially effective or unsettling?
Unsettling may not be the right word but it somewhat fits when examining Wonder Woman and her situation in this world. It really seems that a lot of Diana’s motivations for following Superman’s vision and bringing “peace” to the world through her combat is not driven by her own desires for unity, but for her desire for Superman himself. Not a huge fan of this, especially when seeing the vengeance and lengths Batman will go to in this world in a bit more of an effective situation, but this does shine a lot on the godly status Superman has risen to in the world. Not only does everyone basically see him as this all intelligent dictator/god that leads them into a new world, but he has reached such lengths that he has even commented on not being able to see the feelings Wonder Woman expresses for him right in front of him. As I said, unsettling may not be the best word, but it feels ineffective when we see Wonder Woman fighting for these petty reasons and even being captured and bound by Batman and ultimately sacrificing all of her powers to save Superman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2023
The second book of the series sees Superman as President of the USSR in a world where the political status quo has been defined by him and Wonder Woman fighting to promote the cause of Communism. However, as Lex Luthor continues to develop strategies to topple the super-powered dictator an unlikely ally arises in Russia in the form of the anarchist known as Batman.
This book has two very strong elements.
The first is its exploration of how the maxim 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' affects the otherwise incorruptible Superman, with us seeing him still having a rigid code of conduct but becoming increasingly frustrated by human individualism.
The other strong element is Batman. Now, this isn't really a Batman you'll recognise (he's not Bruce Wayne and uses tactics that Bruce never would) but I liked the idea of Batman being the symbol that stands in the face of oppression, using his cunning and tactics to counter Superman's power advantage.
Aside from those two elements the rest of the book feels pretty toothless (like Book 1 did), when it could have been an interesting critique of a world where Communism has triumphed and an ageing JFK is struggling to hold the United States together. None of that gets more than a casual mention, however.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
This book has two very strong elements.
The first is its exploration of how the maxim 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' affects the otherwise incorruptible Superman, with us seeing him still having a rigid code of conduct but becoming increasingly frustrated by human individualism.
The other strong element is Batman. Now, this isn't really a Batman you'll recognise (he's not Bruce Wayne and uses tactics that Bruce never would) but I liked the idea of Batman being the symbol that stands in the face of oppression, using his cunning and tactics to counter Superman's power advantage.
Aside from those two elements the rest of the book feels pretty toothless (like Book 1 did), when it could have been an interesting critique of a world where Communism has triumphed and an ageing JFK is struggling to hold the United States together. None of that gets more than a casual mention, however.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
December 2, 2025
Corre la década de 1970, y el mundo de Red Son se ha distanciado mucho del nuestro. John F. Kennedy es presidente de Estados Unidos, tras reemplazar al trágicamente asesinado Richard Nixon, quien ganó las elecciones de 1960 pero fue asesinado en 1963. Luthor ha ideado y ejecutado varios planes para frustrar a Superman, ninguno de los cuales ha funcionado. Solo Estados Unidos y Chile permanecen independientes de los soviéticos, y ambos están al borde del colapso, mientras que el presidente Kennedy se ve obligado a conceder la independencia a Georgia. La Unión Soviética, liderada por Superman, ha crecido sin recurrir a la guerra y prácticamente ha eliminado la pobreza, las enfermedades y similares, pero esto ha comenzado a vulnerar las libertades individuales, y Superman se está convirtiendo rápidamente en una figura similar a la de un Gran Hermano. Se utiliza una técnica de neurocirugía que convierte a los disidentes en drones obedientes, o "Robots Superman".
July 27, 2025
another fantastic part. some time passes as Superman has been the leader of the USSR which is now the entire world except for two countries: the US and Chile. Superman is a dictator of the entire world. Batman (not bruce wayne but rather the kid whose parents were killed in front of him in Russia) teams up with Dr. Lex Luthor and Pyotr to help kill Superman. They create a Red Sun to take away his powers. They fail, but JFK shows Luthor the Green Lantern…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2020
This issue is a bit better and includes Batman. But again, I don’t see what the high appeal for this what if scenario is. When the word “WHACK” appeared during their fight, I thought it was a fitting description of the story.
December 30, 2019
Such an interesting concept and definitely essential superman reading.
October 29, 2008
Ketika dunia berada di bawah kendali satu pemimpin, yakni Superman yang merupakan 'anak haram' pemimpin Uni Soviet Joseph Stalin. Hanya Amerika dan Chili yang belum bergabung di bawah bendera Uni Soviet.
salah satu komik yang paling kucari sejak dulu, sekarang sudah ada yang menerbitkan dalam bahasa Indonesia. Sayangnya, masih banyak yang enggan menjual komik Superman dengan lambang palu arit ini. Red Son edisi bahasa Indonesia terdiri 3 seri, sayang aku baru dapat seri 2. Masih cari seri 1 dan 3. ada yang punya?
salah satu komik yang paling kucari sejak dulu, sekarang sudah ada yang menerbitkan dalam bahasa Indonesia. Sayangnya, masih banyak yang enggan menjual komik Superman dengan lambang palu arit ini. Red Son edisi bahasa Indonesia terdiri 3 seri, sayang aku baru dapat seri 2. Masih cari seri 1 dan 3. ada yang punya?
November 10, 2013
#Program BUBU
Pertama kali dibeli dan dibaca pada tanggal 1 November 2008.
Superman versus Batman!
Saat Uni Soviet kehilangan Stalin, Superman menggantikan kedudukannya, dan Uni Soviet menjadi pemimpin dunia! Tapi tak semua orang puas dalam kepemimpinan Superman yang totalitarian, di mana para penentangnya dicuci-otak untuk menjaga perdamaian. Batman muncul sebagai salah satu pemimpin gerakan bawah tanah penentang kekuasaan Superman!
Pertama kali dibeli dan dibaca pada tanggal 1 November 2008.
Superman versus Batman!
Saat Uni Soviet kehilangan Stalin, Superman menggantikan kedudukannya, dan Uni Soviet menjadi pemimpin dunia! Tapi tak semua orang puas dalam kepemimpinan Superman yang totalitarian, di mana para penentangnya dicuci-otak untuk menjaga perdamaian. Batman muncul sebagai salah satu pemimpin gerakan bawah tanah penentang kekuasaan Superman!
April 12, 2014
** Spoilers **
I liked the overall concept of a USSR Superman. It was excellent for a change to see an anti American superhero. Wonder woman is beautiful as always but what a dud they have made of Batman?! Guess the writers wanted to or were made to take the story that way. And president Superman is too communist relying on human ideals that only US is the sole democratic nation left in the world! Duh!
I liked the overall concept of a USSR Superman. It was excellent for a change to see an anti American superhero. Wonder woman is beautiful as always but what a dud they have made of Batman?! Guess the writers wanted to or were made to take the story that way. And president Superman is too communist relying on human ideals that only US is the sole democratic nation left in the world! Duh!
July 2, 2013
Wow Batman!
May 29, 2014
Batman should have appeared more.
I liked the way his acts are similar to V in "V for Vendetta."
I liked the way his acts are similar to V in "V for Vendetta."
July 17, 2014
They made a true mess of Batman in this one. Wasn't nearly as good as the first.
September 8, 2014
Superman's perfect communist regime comes under attack from the fur hatted batman.
January 9, 2017
Communist president Superman. Check.
Russian anarchist/terrorist Batman. Check.
Russian anarchist/terrorist Batman. Check.
December 17, 2024
continuing greatness
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews