The Man of Steel will be getting a fresh coat of paint, thanks to a new anthology debuting in March. Superman: Red & Blue will feature some of the industry's top creators taking an innovative look at the Big Blue (and red) Boy Scout and what he means to both the world and himself.
The new anthology series was announced on Twitter. In addition to the anthology's distinctive red-and-blue art style, the mini-series will feature a plethora of major comic book creators, including DC Future State: The Next Batman writer John Ridley, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen's artist Steve Lieber, artist Jill Thompson of Scary Godmother fame as well as DC Bombshells writer Marguerite Bennett and many more. The six-issue mini-series will debut in March.
This isn't the first time a major DC superhero has received a color-themed anthology. Batman Black and White first debuted in 1996, and also spotlighted its crusading vigilante with a variety of top-notch creators. The anthology ultimately ran over the course of four volumes in 1996 and 2013 through 2014, though some of the volumes appeared as back-up stories in Batman: Gotham Knights. Regardless, the series hosted Batman tales from legendary creators, including Archie Goodwin, Chuck Dixon, Neil Gaiman, Denny O'Neil, Neal Adams, Bruce Timm, and more. The story "Perpetual Mourning" by Ted McKeever from the anthology's first issue even received an Eisner nomination.
It's clear DC hopes Superman: Red & Blue will have a similar impact on comic book readers. The slated stories are definitely aimed at exploring Superman from a much more cutting edge perspective. For example, Ridley will be teaming up with artist Clayton Henry to explore how Superman has influenced an entire country, all while being haunted by a mysterious villain. Like Batman Black and White before it, Superman: Red & Blue hopes to show a very different side to the Man of Steel.
The success of Superman: Red & Blue will likely depend on how well each story can peer into the perspective of both Superman and those around him. Though Superman is one of the most iconic superheroes around, the character traditionally lacks the moral ambiguity which had made Batman a more dynamic and compelling figure in popular culture. Of course, numerous creators have succeeded in showing Superman from equally unexpected perspectives over the years. Hopefully, this series, with its dual color palette and top-notch talent, will succeed in changing just how people see the Man of Steel for years to come.
Source: DC Nation/Twitter