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natetheworld's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
darksasquatch's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's a very fun read, but was disappointed in the ending being a neoliberal circle-jerk. Unfortunately not surprising for something from the early 00's but was hoping for a more nuanced climax.
emmyc07's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
toebean5's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this- what a unique, original concept, and faithfully carried out. It could have turned jingoistic quite easily, but it did not. The ending also provided a great deal of food for thought.
rebeccadavies2992's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not ordinarily a fan of Superman. It's hard to synpathise with a hero who's only problem is how much better he is than everyone else. Despite my misgivings I really enjoyed this novel. In this alternate reality Superman landing the the USSR instead of the US. His popularity and leadership causes the rise of Communism and the gradual decline of the steadfastly capitalist America. The re-imagining of other popular DC characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman's arch-nemesis Lex Luthor add to the charm of this engaging "what if".
robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
That. ENDING. 😮 I'll admit, I wasn't totally feeling it for a good portion. Perhaps it's recent American history, or just American history as a whole, or my distance from the Cold War, but my main thought for much of the book was 'it's downright bizarre to see the binary thinking of if Superman were raised in the Soviet Union he would have turned into a despot and of course that would never happen in the U.S.' Being raised on propaganda and being guided by suspect political influences to do wrong in the name of an ideology feels like something that could easily happen in the U.S. today.
Definitely some parallels with the Injustice storyline, Superman in a position of power for the good, which is warped, Batman heading the underground insurrection. But the one-two punch of the ending, the letter bringing it home, the line of succession and Luthor's part in it, those names and that plan, the cycle of humanity's decisons?! Damn. I get why this one looms large in people's recommendations of Superman comics.
Definitely some parallels with the Injustice storyline, Superman in a position of power for the good, which is warped, Batman heading the underground insurrection. But the one-two punch of the ending, the letter bringing it home, the line of succession and Luthor's part in it, those names and that plan, the cycle of humanity's decisons?! Damn. I get why this one looms large in people's recommendations of Superman comics.
bobanbang's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly a better story than the original superman narrative