“Superman Red & Blue” #1

Superman returns in a format meant to touch the hearts of readers, young and old. Does it achieve its goals?

Cover by Gary Frank & Brad Anderson

Written by John Ridley, Brandon Easton, Wes Craig, Dan Watters, and Marguerite Bennett
Illustrated by Clayton Henry, Steve Lieber, Wes Craig, DaNi, and Jill Thompson
Colored by Jordie Bellaire, Ron Chan, Wes Craig, DaNi, and Jill Thompson
Lettered by Dave Sharpe, Clayton Cowles, Deron Bennett, Dave Sharpe, and Troy Peteri

Inspired by “Batman Black & White,” “Superman Red & Blue” takes a look at what makes the world’s most famous superhero so beloved. It looks deep into the heart of the character and providing readers with stories that feel like they could be plucked out of various eras from the Man of Steel’s publication history. Showcasing five stories that will remind readers that when done right, Superman is an incredibly layered character who still deserves praise and truly interesting stories.

Academy Award winning screenwriter John Ridley has been behind some of the hottest current books at DC Comics and he kicks off this anthology with his latest effort “Untitled.” A sequel of sorts to a previous story about Supes getting captured and held in the country of Lubania, it follows Clark returning to the Eastern European country under the guise of an interview for the Daily Planet. It’s an incredibly bleak story to open this series with and while I can praise its attempts at showing a darker side of Superman, and Clark Kent, it’s definitely the type of story fans are not looking for.

Having been tortured and nearly brought to the point of completely breaking, Clark comes face to face with the man responsible for his alter ego’s darkest moment. This leads him down the path of imagining different scenarios, resulting in his worst desires to fill his mind. The story attempts to answer the question that many fans have had: What if Superman unleashed his powers to destroy those that cause pain rather than being the savior the world so desperately needs. A well told story, with excellent art by Clayton Henry, it exists for the sole reason to show us the line that Superman will never cross, even if he has thought about it from time to time. Unfortunately, we all know he will always do what is right and an insight to these terrible thoughts does nothing but leave a bad taste in your mouth.

The stand out of the story is really the teaming up of Clayton Henry and Jordie Bellaire. Henry’s clean, crisp lines capture a style that is both incredibly modern, and decidedly retro. Keeping the stories main characters in full detail, and sticking to the red and blue palette, they push all background details to their bare minimum, feeling like nothing more than the most basic blueprints of these environments. It’s a great look and plays both with simply being stylistically different and showing what is at the forefront of Superman’s thoughts throughout the story. The lettering by Dave Sharpe is the third point of the triangle making up Clark’s inner workings. His work seems to change and move with a purpose, allowing us to really take in how our hero is feeling with each passing moment.

“The Measure of Hope” is sad and haunting in its own way, but to a point that all of the greatest “Superman” stories do, in the most human way possible. Even with all his intentions, and all his powers, Superman can’t be everywhere at once. We mortals know that feeling. We have obligations to work, to family, to friends, and so on. We know that desperate feeling of trying to accomplish everything we need to and simply not having enough time. Putting ourselves in Superman’s boots is something we have all done, but maybe not in this way. How does he handle so much? Well, by doing the best he can, and even then it isn’t always enough. Brandon Easton’s writing reminds us that even an all-powerful alien being can be as human as the rest of us.

Lieber’s illustrations are the perfect match for this story. Bold, yet somehow giving the delicate touch needed. Among everyone else, Superman still looks as human as ever. He never pops out as anything other than a man. Chan’s color work is exceptional. It both feels like Americana of old and modern comics. He really uses the reds and blues to full emotional effect. The story is heartbreaking, relatable, and definitely one of the best of the bunch.

Wes Craig pulls double duty writing and illustrating “The Boy Who Saved Superman.” Quite possibly the best story in this premiere issue, the young boy at the center of the story, is just that, a kid. This kid sees Superman get badly injured in a fight and attempts to help him. A story about mutual respect and admiration, it is both Craig’s writing and outstanding art that lets this one rise to the top.

Craig knows his way around exceptional line work and his unique use of negative space is on full display here. Every panel is beautiful and is reason enough to wish he was doing the art for “Superman” on a regular basis. Readers of “Deadly Class” know how expressive he can make characters and he does an incredible job with that here. The style is all Craig, but I couldn’t help but reminded of some of my favorite work by Tim Sale. The playfulness of the lines, colors, and heavy black lines really came together in beautiful way. The entire issue is great, but this story makes it a must buy.

“Human Colors” is the most fantastical story in this issue, and that is partially what makes it such a delight to read. An Imp from the 5th Dimension comes to Earth and removes all color. After a while the Imp begins to feel sorry for what its done as people begin to forget what colors even were in the first place. He goes to Superman, with all the Earth’s colors sealed in a box, laying the decision to return color in his hands. It’s probably the simplest story, but Dan Watters’s writing allows us to really sit with Superman and the decision he has to make.

DaNi’s artwork is stunning, but due to the story it both uses the Red & Blue motif and breaks from it completely. Both expressionistic and deeply detailed. Her work brings out both the human and God-like side of Superman, his powers, and his responsibilities to the world. It’s a wonderful fantasy tale and another reason this book should be in your hands.

The final story is “The School of Hard Knock Knock Jokes.” Written by Maruerite Bennett with artwork by Jill Thompson, we go back to Clark’s first day of kindergarten. It’s a wonderful and sweet story that shows us that Clark Kent/Superman has been and always will be the hero we need. And it’s in no small part to the lessons and his upbringing by Jonathan and Martha Kent. This is the kind of flashback story fans need from time to time. Bennett tells this tale with a simple goal. To show us Clark’s heart at the tender age of 5. Thompson’s artwork is a delight feeling both like a comic and a children’s book. If the opening to this issue went too far into the dark, this is the right way to end it.

“Superman Red & Blue” #1 is exactly the type of anthology book fans should be looking for. It has a list of varied ideas and themes it wants to explore, and for the most part, it achieves what it set out to. Even if not every idea lands, there is something in this issue for every comic book and/or Superman fan. It’s an excellent look into the psyche of one of the most powerful beings ever brought to life on the page.

Final Verdict: 9.0, An incredible look into the heart and soul of the Man of Steel.