Superman: Red Son

In the bleak winter of 1955, a young boy named Kal-El crash-lands in a field near Stakhanov, a coal-mining town in the Soviet Union. The infant from the planet Krypton has a strong affinity for the communist ideologies that permeate the air of the region. He is discovered by a Russian peasant couple, Anatoly and Natasha, who take him in and raise him as their own. As Kal-El grows up, his extraordinary abilities are evident, but instead of being a symbol of freedom and hope as he is elsewhere, he identifies with the authoritarianism and collectivism of the Soviet system. Kal-El's transformation into the Soviet Superman commences when he begins to use his powers for the benefit of the Soviet people, earning him the admiration of the Kremlin leadership, who exploit his abilities to further their agenda. His actions become synonymous with the Soviet ideals: the eradication of poverty, the strengthening of the Soviet economy, and the preservation of Stalin's communist regime. He becomes the embodiment of the Soviet people's strength and unity. As his legend grows, Kal-El's name becomes "Kalenin," which is seen as a direct tribute to the great Soviet leader, Vladimir Lenin. His Soviet counterpart is hailed by the Soviet people as a national hero, a symbol of their glorious past and their commitment to communism. Kalenin's abilities, now honed through years of training, make him virtually invincible, giving him unparalleled status within the Soviet hierarchy. However, it is not all heroism for Kalenin. He is constantly at odds with the U.S.A. government, which views him as an adversary to American values and democracy. Lex Luthor, now working for the CIA, plots against Kalenin, determined to bring down the Soviet Superman and the Soviet Union. Luthor, convinced that Kalenin's ideology is misguided, believes it's crucial to show the Soviet people their error in worshipping Superman as a symbol of their authoritarian regime. Another adversary that Kalenin must confront is the U.S. military, who have a hidden agenda to infiltrate the Soviet Union. General Zod is the mastermind behind these plans. The enigmatic Kryptonian believes that he can manipulate Kalenin to his advantage and, through him, create chaos and undermine the Soviet Union. This cat-and-mouse game between the U.S.A. government, the Russian secret police, and General Zod sets Kalenin up against a world where loyalty and trust are scarce. The world outside begins to see Soviet Superman as a threat, rather than a hero, with his actions becoming increasingly militaristic. Kalenin struggles with his purpose, wondering whether he has been deceived by his adoptive parents and the Soviet ideologies that he was raised upon. He begins to realize the darker truth about the Soviet Union: propaganda, repression, and the constant fear of the secret police are hallmarks of this totalitarian regime. Kalenin begins to question the moral implications of his actions. He is faced with the reality of censorship, the persecution of dissidents, and the brutal suppression of freedom of speech. As he grapples with these complex issues, Kalenin starts to form connections with other people who do not share his views, and his perception of the Soviet Union begins to shift. He starts to see the Soviet society as a flawed and oppressive entity, rather than a beacon of hope and progress. With this newfound perspective, Kalenin is forced to confront his own identity: does he truly believe in the ideologies that he has been raised upon, or does he have a choice? The conflict between his loyalty to the Soviet Union and his growing doubts about its morality creates a rift in his character. The Soviet Union now views Kalenin as a threat, and they plot his demise. As tensions escalate, Kalenin is forced to make a difficult choice. His loyalties are divided between his Soviet comrades who are willing to do whatever it takes to maintain their totalitarian regime, and his own growing desire to free himself and others from this oppression. The path to redemption lies fraught with danger, and Superman must confront the darkest aspects of human nature and confront the choices he made when he became the Soviet Superman. Kalenin's journey takes a dramatic turn as he is caught in a fierce battle between the U.S.A., the KGB, and General Zod. He must make a choice between saving the Soviet Union and sacrificing his own sense of self. By doing so, Kalenin will decide whether to continue fighting for the Soviet ideals that defined him or to forge a new path where he becomes a champion of freedom and democracy.