Review: Superman: Red & Blue #6
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Rex Ogle, Tom King, Matt Wagner, Sophie Campbell
Colors:Â See Graphic Below
Letters: See Graphic Below
Artists: Mike Norton, Paolo Rivera, Matt Wagner, Sophie Campbell
Reviewed by: Carl Bryan
Summary
Superman: Red & Blue #6 – 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.
It’s the final issue of this free-form anthology, featuring the Metropolis Marvel in new stories, bedazzled in his signature colors. It’s the only place to see Superman chasing down headlines in a classic style and taking pause to reflect on growing up on a farm in Smallville.
Not to mention, the return of Streaky the Supercat by superstar cartoonist Sophie Campbell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)!
Positives
Matt Wagner’s “The Scoop“ is a perfect old school tale of Clark coming into his own as a reporter. While in-depth reporting arguably is not everyone’s cup of tea, it takes Clark “a minute” to figure out what type of reporter he has to be if he is going to compete with Lois at the Planet. While every career could have benefited from Clark’s super powers, I find it admirable that Siegel and Shuster chose for him to be a reporter…arguably a skill set that he has to develop on his own and not inherent to his powers.
Sophie Campbell’s “Hissy Fit” is not my cup of tea as I am not a cat person. Campbell does her job really well there in reinforcing to me why we don’t own cats, but cats really own us. What a terror! Great writing and art…I just sneeze at the subject matter!
Positives 2.0
Tom King’s “The Special” is just that…special. That pillar of your life that remains constant…the pastor, teacher, or waitress in your local cafe. In this case, it is Annie who has been a background fixture in Clark’s life since he was a child. We see each of Clark’s major milestones through a diner visit where Annie gets not only older, but wiser in her advice to Clark. Read with a cold glass of milk and a piece of pie!
Darcie Little Badgers’ “Son of Farmers” gives us a final piece n the influence Clark had by living on a farm. It is a testament to the hard work and the inspiration we receive on patience, persistence and instruction. It is the final story of this series with Clark’s parents in it and it is hard not to read without a bit of a tear in one’s eyes!
Finally, Rex Ogle’s “Ally” shows us how Clark inspires on an every day basis to be who one’s is…we all carry a secret identity in some ways as we lack the trust of our fellow man. However, when Clark reveals to the world that he is Superman, it shows one young man that it is okay to be himself. Watch how Red and Blue explodes with color in this last story. Well done Mike Norton…your art speaks for many!
Positives 3.0
This began with Batman: Black & White, followed by Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red. It now continues with Superman: Red & Blue & 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 Â
Other than not being a big fan of Streaky the Super Cat (personal opinion as I am a “dog person” and not a “cat person”, this being the final issue of this series is pretty sad. I have really enjoyed the stories that focus on the humanistic aspect of Clark and the influence his parents had on him. I miss timelines that provide the Kents as a duo and I really wish the Multiverse “reset” had given us back the elder Jonathan Kent.
Verdict
Again, I have loved Batman: Black & White, Superman: Red & Blue and Wonder Woman: Black & Gold.  This arena works well for all fans who want a series of stories outside of the typical timeline that provides both historical adventures, as well as new authors and artists. Expand this type of play with all of the DC heroes! It’s time!
