Superman: Red/Blue Reading Guide

Overview:

The 1998 Superman Red/Superman Blue arc brings a unique twist to the Superman mythology. Written by key creators such as Dan Jurgens and Stuart Immonen, with artwork from Ron Frenz and Tom Grummett, this story arc reimagines Superman’s abilities and appearance after he undergoes an energy-based transformation. Instead of his classic, all-powerful Kryptonian form, Superman is split into two beings: Superman Red and Superman Blue. These new versions of the hero come with distinct personalities, powers, and challenges.

The main plot explores how both Supermen deal with their divided lives while facing some of their classic adversaries, including Lex Luthor and The Parasite. They also contend with the psychological and practical complications of being separated entities.

Fans and critics have had mixed reactions to the arc. While some appreciated the creative risks and fresh take on Superman’s powers, others found the story’s deviation from traditional Superman lore to be jarring. The arc is remembered as an experimental period in Superman’s long publication history, receiving a combination of curiosity and confusion from longtime readers. Overall, it stands out as a bold attempt to redefine a familiar character for the late 1990s.

Best Way To Read:

Not Collected

For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.

For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.

Reading Order:

References:

• Wikipedia

Feature Image from Superman #132 cover art by Joe Rubinstein and Ron Frenz