Review: Superman: Red & Blue #2

Review: Superman: Red & Blue #2

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writers: Stephanie Nicole Phillips, Dan Panosian, Chuck Brown, Steven T Seagle

Colors:  See Graphic Below

Letters: See Graphic Below

Artists: Dan Panosian, Denys Cowan, Marley Zarcone

Reviewed by: Carl Bryan

Summary

Superman: Red & Blue #2  –  This new series presents fresh new visions of the Man of Steel in his two signature colors of red and blue! Around the world, everyone knows that when they see a red and blue streak in the sky, it’s not a bird…it’s not a plane…it’s Superman.

Explore the world of Superman in a way you’ve never seen before. Five brand-new stories, a visual tour de force, with only the Man of Steel’s signature colors. There are tales starring Clark Kent, the original Superman, including a showdown with his most tenacious foe, Lex Luthor

There is also a great space adventure with Val-Zod, the Superman of Earth-2, going up against an amped-up version of Prometheus.

Featuring a tale of Cyborg Superman, a warped reflection of the real deal, with a mission as opposite to Superman’s as any could be.

But no matter how out there the situation gets, it always comes back to the one man and the planet he loves and has sworn to protect—and the people he inspires, young and old.

Positives

Steven Seagles’ “Own” provides Martha Kent the perfect opportunity to show two busy bodies what adoption is really like.  Seagles’ passionate story in the voice of Martha provides the right kick in the seat of the pants as well as celebrates the fact that Clark is adopted.  Every parent of an adoptive child needs to read this story.  I am an adoptive father and I shared it with our daughter.  Loved every second of reading this one!

Chuck Brown’s “Into the Ghost Zone” is a unique tale featuring Val-Zod and Krypto like you have never seen the Dog of Steel before.  In fact, the word bubbles for Krypto are in the shape of a dog bone.  How clever to tell the story.  Val-Zod needs to be featured more….it’s time!

Dan Panosian’s “Patience” is an old school Luthor tale that provides the calculating and “Dad Bod” Luthor of old.  Is he overthinking?  Is he calculating?  Is he biding time?  What a great peek into the Luthor I grew up with.

Stephanie Phillips wins show-and-tell with this pearl of a story “My Best Friend Superman”.  This seems like a precursor to Naomi in that Superman is literally everywhere inspiring others.  Those nuggets when he does hear a child being bullied for what could be perceived as a made up Superman encounter are pretty special.

Jason Howard’s “S is for Cyborg” is a pretty special piece as his art along with story telling is off the charts on this one.  In fact, he should simply be rewarded by “rebooting” the entire Death of Superman tale with his pencils alone.  I don’t know what is better…the writing or the art!

Positives 2.0

This began with Batman: Black & White, followed by Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red.  It now continues with Superman: Red & Blue.  Soon it will go further with Wonder Woman: Black & Gold, so why don’t we get some others, like Green Lantern: Green & White or maybe something like Booster & Beetle: Blue & Gold …so many playgrounds for a host of authors and artists!

Negatives  

Crickets chirping….the sound of the wind as a Red and Blue streak passes by.

Verdict

While the Black and White is Batman’s playground, Red and Blue fits our Big Blue Boy Scout just fine.  When you think you have heard every angle to Superman, Red & Blue provides just more evidence that this character, and the many timelines touched by Superman, can go forever.  This second issue hits the ultimate home run, and gives us priceless stories to add to the legend of Superman in all timelines.

I cannot wait for the same treatment of Wonder Woman, and hopefully Green Lantern and every mainstay character DC has to offer …hint, hint.