Part one of three showing Marx’s influence as recognition of his 200th birthday, I’ll start with the Elseworld (DC’s version of Marvel’s What If? comics) story pondering the question; What would the world be like if Superman were raised in the Soviet Union instead of America?
Mark Millar of The Kingsman and Kick Ass fame has Superman’s ship crash land in Ukraine in the Thirties. His adopted parents raise him as a normal, early Soviet era child because his powers don’t kick in until puberty. As an adult, Superman a loyal Soviet citizen who is mostly obedient to Stalin yet he really strives to uphold Soviet/Marxist ideals. Meaning, even if he were a Soviet-style commie, Superman would still protect the whole world, including his sworn enemy…the US, from any harm like meteors, disasters and alien invaders. America finds Superman to be too good to be true, so President Eisenhower commissions the country’s smartest mind Lex Luthor to eradicate Superman. The two go on to have a decades long fight until one of them is utterly defeated and the winner will govern (not rule) the planet by their preferred methods.
Other differences in this reality? Luthor is married to Lois Lane. Jimmy Olsen is a CIA agent. The Amazons of Themyscira are openly friendly to the Soviets. Batman is a troublemaker around Moscow. Brainiac is a subdued ally of Superman. Green Lantern is on the US’s side through Luthor’s doing.
Red Son was a very intriguing story and sadly, Millar couldn’t write something like it until the USSR had gone away for at least a decade. Had he written in while the Cold War was continuing, DC Comics probably would’ve been accused of treason in the narrow minds of Reagan’s followers. Never mind that Superman’s core is really the same, he just intervenes way more to keep Earth safe. He does do some questionable things but he never uses his powers to defeat anyone’s military and take over. Superman is in the idealist camp, with the belief in other states coming around to Communism when they how well the Soviet Union and its allies have it. The traditional Superman we’ve had for 80 years is barely different despite having “American” values. He protected our enemies when they were threatened by the same dangers to demonstrate how his moral compass was politically neutral.
The comic is available these days in a trade paperback encompassing all three issues. I recommend checking it out. Get a fresh perspective on a well-known icon.