December 9, 2004 Meeting

Superman: Red Son
by Mark Millar, Dave Johnson, Kilian Plunkett, Andrew Robinson, & Walden Wong

Current Comic of the Month | About the Club

Superman's been called "as American as apple pie."

And why not?� In his never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American Way, Superman symbolizes freedom, independence, self-reliance, and opposition to tyranny � distinctly American values.� Sure, he represents some other, more universal virtues � which is why he's only "as American as apple pie," not "as American as fireworks on the Fourth of July" �� but at his core, Superman is almost synonymous with America.� He's the ultimate immigrant, an alien from another world who uses his superhuman powers for the greater good.� And as Clark Kent, he struggles and competes on a level playing field with ordinary journalists like Lois Lane.� (Talk about equality of opportunity!)

In the 1980s, DC tried to make the Man of Steel more cosmopolitan by removing that vague bit about "the American Way" from his tagline.� Similarly, the Justice League of America became merely "the Justice League."� Neither change lasted long, and Superman was routinely waving the Star-Spangled Banner on comic book covers by the mid-'�90s, his status as a national treasure reaffirmed.

But what if Superman hadn't been an American icon?� What if this strange visitor from another planet had immigrated to a different shore and been raised with a different set of core values?� He would still be able to change the course of mighty rivers, and he would still use his amazing powers to serve the greater good.� But this Superman might fight for truth, justice � and the communist way.

This is the starting point of Mark Millar's excellent mini-series Superman: Red Son � our Comic of the Month for December.� In it, Millar cleverly subverts the iconography of Superman to an entirely different view of the world.� By doing so, he draws fascinating parallels between the Cold War-era Soviet Union and America on the cusp of the 21st Century � and sheds new light on the character of Superman.

Join us in the H&D Game Room at 7:30pm on Thursday, December 9 to discuss the Soviet Superman � and lots more!� If you've never attended a Comic Club meeting, this is a great chance to visit with us and learn what we're all about.� Find out why the HDCC is Columbia's Best Kept Secret for comics fans!

RESOURCES

• Millar discusses Red Son on Superman Through the Ages in 2003 ...

• ... and right here on heroesanddragons.com in 1997 (six years before it came out)

Superman: Red Son is available at Heroes and Dragons for $17.95.� Comic Club members pay only $14.36 when they show their membership cards at check-out!

REMEMBER:
Comic Club members save 20% on all graphic novel purchases at H&D (not just Comic Club selections)!

Previous Comics of the Month:

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