“Redemption: Part One”
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Artists: Allan Goldman (p), Ron Randall (i), Marta Martinez (colors)
Publisher: DC Comics
When Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Superman, they told the story of an immigrant boy coming to America and eventually adopting the country to be his own which led him to uphold truth, justice and the American way. Since Superman Returns, the true undertones of Superman and Siegel and Shuster’s vision have begun to make their way to the surface. Superman took elements and themes of prominent religious figures such as Jesus Christ and Moses. His surname “EL” even means “of God” in Hebrew. Religious undertones have always been present with Superman, and until recently, they were kept “under the cape.” However, Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza have begun to toy with the religious implications of the Man of Steel. While many may cry foul, and controversy is bound to follow, I’ve been patiently waiting for someone to open the floodgates as Superman and religion is a relationship I often toy around with when scribbling out ideas. There’s a very fine line of what constitutes religious reference and what does not, but it is an element of Superman that absolutely must be explored in more depth. Bryan Singer prominently featured religious themes in Superman Returns. While some were blatantly Christian, there were many that covered every religion. Fabian Nicieza is now walking that fine line of Superman and religion. In Superman #659, Busiek and Nicieza began to play with the religion angle and personally, I loved it. In this issue of Action Comics, Nicieza takes it one step further.
There have been multiple “Elseworlds” stories about Superman: Baby Kal-EL has landed in the Soviet Union in Red Son; Superman turned himself into a major corporation in Superman INC., and Superman fought during the Revolutionary War in Action Comics Annual #6. These are but a few of the many interpretations of Superman that have come to fruition over the years. But what if Superman landed in the farm of an Evangelist preacher? Or a cult leader? Or in the laps of the religious right? These are ideas and concepts that feel taboo. They almost feel as though they should not be explored and instead left alone. However, Fabian Nicieza introduces Redemption, a blonde haired, blue eyed, religious super-man. Of course, superheroes and religion have been toyed with before but not in-depth and not directly with Superman.
I really like where Nicieza places this in terms of continuity. It starts during 52, the year in which Superman had no powers and it flash-forwards to what would seem to be right after “Up, Up and Away.” But what really caught my attention about this issue right off the bat was the fact that Nicieza treats us to Clark Kent, the reporter. Clark is investigating Redemption and his method of operation, worried that Redemption may start an entirely new Holy War amongst the metas. Usually, he would just put on the cape and tights and fly wherever he needed to go, but with no powers, Clark is subject to the Daily Planet’s accounting department. It’s a wonderful concept that does two things: it shows Clark is just as persistent a reporter as his wife even without super-powers, and it allows Redemption to go on his crusade without Superman’s interference. Redemption is sent to protect his religious sects’ missionaries from what appear to be African militant soldiers. From the beginning, Nicieza shows Redemption’s power is enormous and very dangerous.
However, fast-forward “One Year Later” and Superman has got his powers back, and he’s out to find Redemption. The first two pages featuring Superman “OYL” are compelling. He floats and then stands over a complete wasteland, saddened that he could not do more to stop Redemption. Allan Goldman, Ron Randall and Marta Martinez’s art is fantastic, and they capture the “iconic” look of Superman.
When Clark tracks down Redemption, it is very interesting and very clear what he finds. Redemption is basically the embodiment of Kal-EL and what could have happened had Kal-EL been raised by a radical Christian congregation. Redemption feels guilty for what he has done, regardless of whether or not everyone around him tries to convince him he is doing God’s work. He cannot control his powers, and my initial interpretation is that being in the presence of those who believe in him is what fuels his powers. A great concept, a faith-powered superhero whose power level fluctuates based on the level of belief around him. Whoa.
But Redemption feels this guilt and is in search of the very thing he has named himself after, which leads Clark to an old Evangelist. This is where Clark’s religious role really takes front and center. He feels threatened by this Evangelist, who may arguably be a representation of Satan, and he ponders whether it is his place to step in and teach Redemption the “great power, great responsibility” spiel. But ultimately, there is Superman who operates on helping those in need and quelling danger, and there is Redemption who operates based on faith and what the Evangelist teaches. The issue concludes when Redemption is sent to protect the missionaries once again and is prepared to kill the African soldiers, but as he starts to use his power, Superman confronts him.
The artwork on this issue is fantastic. I was pleasantly surprised overall by this issue, but the artwork is really outstanding. Superman looks fantastic, as does Redemption. All of the artwork is just crisp, bright, clear and well done. Anyone who knows me or reads my Superman reviews knows I have a special place in my heart for Lois Lane, and I love when she’s drawn well. I have to say in the few panels in which she appears throughout this issue, she looks great, even with the short-hair. Another notable piece of art is the facial similarities and differences between Clark Kent and Superman. Obviously, there are the glasses, but there are two panels (one a close-up of Clark’s face and the other a close-up of Superman’s face) that look almost identical yet so different that it really highlights the talent these artists possess.
Thank you, Fabian Nicieza for opening the doors of Superman and religion. It’s a fine line to tread, but it’s something I have always toyed with and wondered about. While the “Last Son” arc has been delayed again, Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza are really doing a great job keeping up quality Superman stories with these “fill-in” issues. This issue is definitely one that might stir up a little controversy, but it’s also one that you might find yourself checking out more than twice.
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