For Tuesday: Millar, Superman: Red Son (Book Three: Red Son Setting)

Answer TWO of the following...

Q1: Once Luther takes control of the US, Lois fears that he has become just another Superman—and possibly an even more dangerous one. To which her sister responds, “very possibly, darling, but at least Lex Luthor is a demagogue who speaks English” (113). What do you think she means by this? How might this explain how people like Luther and Superman get elected in the first place?

Q2: Why does Superman resist so long using military force to subdue the US, even when it’s clearly going down the drain? What event finally shatters his resolve? Do you think this is where Superman becomes a true ‘villain,’ or has this happened long ago (or perhaps, does it never happen)?

Q3: How can a letter with a single sentence (which Luther gives to his wife as a last resort) destroy Superman when an entire army of Green Lanterns and Wonder Women couldn’t? Is Luther correct—or is he just playing on Superman’s fear and guilt?

Q4: Science fiction stories and even shows like The Twilight Zone love surprise endings which turn the entire story on its head. What is surprising, confusing, or aggravating about the ending of this book? How does it change how we read the events of the story, and/or what might it say about the nature of Luther’s “success”?