Superman Red/Superman Blue

"The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue!" "Superman Red/Superman Blue"
Cover of Superman Red/Superman Blue #1 (February 1998), art by Dan Jurgens.
Publisher	DC Comics
Publication date	(original) July 1963 (adaptation) February–June 1998
Genre	Superhero Crossover
Title(s) (original) Superman #162 (adaptation) Action Comics #742-744 The Adventures of Superman #555-557 Aquaman (vol. 4) #43 Challengers of the Unknown (vol. 5) #15 Steel (vol. 2) #50 Supergirl (vol. 4) #20 Superman (vol. 2) #132-135 Superman: The Man of Steel #77-79 Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #10 Superman Red/Superman Blue #1 Teen Titans (vol. 2) #19
Main character(s)	Superman

"Superman Red/Superman Blue" refers to two comic book storylines published by DC Comics featuring Superman.

Silver Age story

The original Superman-Red/Superman-Blue tale, "The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue!", is an "Elseworlds" tale that first appeared in Superman #162 (July 1963). ^[1] The script was written by Leo Dorfman, with art by Curt Swan.

In the story, Superman is compelled to finish a list of unaccomplished goals, including returning Kandor to its original size and eliminating evil from Earth. To this end, he invents a kryptonite-powered machine that will increase his intelligence. The machine works, increasing Superman's intelligence a hundredfold, but splits him into two beings with red and blue costumes. ^[2]

Supergirl is introduced to Superman-Red and Superman-Blue, art by Curt Swan.

Using their intellect, the Supermen restore Krypton, enlarge Kandor, eliminate kryptonite, and create an "anti-evil ray" that cures supervillains such as Lex Luthor, Mister Mxyzptlk, and the Phantom Zone inmates, and convinces Nikita Khrushchev and Fidel Castro to renounce their communist ways.

Afterwards, Superman-Red and Superman-Blue marry Lois Lane and Lana Lang respectively. Red renounces his powers and moves to Krypton, while Blue remains on Earth, retires, and becomes a scientist.

Bronze Age story

The concept of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue is revisited in Superman Spectacular, where Superman is temporarily split by red kryptonite. These Supermen also make a brief appearance in Infinite Crisis #5.

Modern Age story

Superman-Red and Superman-Blue appear in a 1998 storyline where Superman is split by a trap created by Cyborg Superman and Toyman. The two Superman eventually reunite following a battle with the Millennium Giants. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Superman-Red and Superman-Blue also make minor appearances in Superman/Batman #25 and JLA/Avengers #4 respectively. ^[6]

DC Rebirth

A version of Superman-Blue from the Dark Multiverse appears in Dark Nights: Metal . ^[7] Additionally, Jon Kent develops electrokinetic powers similar to those of the Supermen. ^[8]

In other media

• Superman-Red and Superman-Blue appear in the Superman 75th Year Anniversary short.
• Superman-Red and Superman-Blue serve as inspiration for the Justice League Action episode "Superman Red vs Superman Blue", where Lex Luthor accidentally splits Superman using a kryptonite weapon. ^[9]
• Superman-Red and Superman-Blue is referenced in the My Adventures with Superman episode "My Adventures with Supergirl". After charging up to the Sun's core, Superman and Supergirl use their new found strength, with Superman cancelling blue energy while Supergirl cancelling red, to defeat Brainiac.

References

1. Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 214. ISBN   9781893905610.
2. Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 422–423. ISBN   978-0-345-50108-0.
3. Dallas, Keith; Sacks, Jason (2018). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1990s. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 255. ISBN   9781605490847.
4. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 267. ISBN   978-1-4654-8578-6.
5. • Superman (vol. 2) #122 (April 1997)
   • Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #10 (March 1998)
   • Superman (vol. 2) #134 (April 1998)
   • Superman: The Man of Steel #79 (May 1998)
   • Superman (vol. 2) #135 (May 1998)
   • JLA #20 (July 1998)
   • Superman (vol. 2) #154 (March 2000)
   • The Adventures of Superman #576 (March 2000)
6. JLA/Avengers #4 (December 2003)
7. Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Flashpoint one-shot (February 2021)
8. Gribbin, Sean (April 4, 2023). "Superman Finally Debuts His New, Electric Blue Costume - With a Twist". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved December 20, 2024.
9. Lax, Marc. "Justice League Action - "Superman Red vs. Superman Blue" Review". Superman Homepage. Retrieved December 20, 2024.