November 19, 2024

Alternate Realities, Timeless Stories:

Iron Man 2020 & Superman: Red Son

Hey, everyone! This week’s picks are two stories that take familiar heroes and push them in unexpected directions. We’re talking about Iron Man 2020 (TP)—a character I obsessed over as a kid—and Superman: Red Son (TP), a game-changer that came along after I’d already opened the store and thought I’d seen it all. Let’s get into why these books deserve a spot on your shelf.

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Iron Man 2020 TP: A Dystopian Marvel I Couldn’t Stop Reading
When I first came across Iron Man 2020 (In Amazing Spider-Man Annual #20—I had to go back and find all of his earlier appearances!), I was hooked. Arno Stark’s future felt bold and different from anything I’d read up to that point. The iconic gears on his armor (you can’t miss them) gave him a mechanical, almost industrial edge that screamed “future” in the best 80s way possible. Back then, I’d spend hours imagining what it would be like to wear that suit and navigate a world where technology had taken over every aspect of life, oh, and how goofy his "wheelies" seemed to me.

As an adult revisiting it, what strikes me is how layered the story is. Arno isn’t Tony—he’s colder, more pragmatic, and willing to cross lines Tony wouldn’t dream of. The world he inhabits is grittier, more morally complex, and his choices reflect that. The story explores humanity’s dependence on technology, a theme that feels even more relevant today than it did back then. If you’re a fan of futuristic, thought-provoking tales with a healthy dose of action, Iron Man 2020 is a must-read.

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Superman: Red Son TP: A New Look at an Old Favorite
By the time Superman: Red Son came out, I was already running the shop and surrounded by stories every day. I thought I’d seen every twist and take on Superman. Then this came along and turned everything upside down. Superman as a Soviet hero? It felt like something only the Elseworlds line could pull off, but Mark Millar didn’t just pull it off—he delivered a masterpiece.

What’s brilliant about Red Son is that it doesn’t just put Superman in a new setting—it asks what happens when his ideals are shaped by a completely different system. Kal-El still believes in doing what’s right, but his vision of “right” is molded by Soviet values, creating a Superman who’s familiar yet completely unique. The moral dilemmas and ideological clashes are fascinating, and the alternate takes on characters like Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, and especially Batman are unforgettable.

Even as an adult, I found myself thinking about this story long after I finished it. It’s not just a fresh take on Superman—it’s a reminder of how much our environment and upbringing shape us. And yes, Batman’s fur hat still makes me chuckle every time I see it. "My little babushka."

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Both of these stories remind me why I love comics. Whether they’re from my childhood or came along when I was already deep into the industry, they challenge what we know about our favorite heroes and give us new ways to think about them. Stop by the shop and grab your copies—whether you’re reliving old favorites or discovering them for the first time, I promise you won’t regret it.