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WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Superman: Red Son, now available on digital HD.
Superman: Red Son is one of Warner Bros.’ most thought-provoking animated movies to date. It wades deep into the politics of Russia and the United States, and how people envision the free world to be. It makes big statements in terms of class and poverty, and how oligarchies and dictatorships affect everyone. In short, it’s not your typical Superman story because it deals with the Man of Steel fighting not just superhuman rogues, but also ideologies.
However, there’s one more surprising direction the film takes. On top of Clark Kent being Russian and Batman killing people, Superman: Red Son makes Wonder Woman the voice for the global LGBT community.
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The current climate in DC storytelling is inclusive, and this film embraces diversity by depicting Jimmy Olsen, a government agent and Lex Luthor’s successor to the U.S. presidency, as a black man. Admittedly, however, no one saw this Wonder Woman change coming, even if it was subtly hinted at in the source material.
After overthrowing Stalin as Russian leader, Superman wants to make the USSR the beacon for world peace, and he invites Diana of Themyscira to visit. Her mother, Queen Hippolyta, remains skeptical and doesn’t want to leave Paradise Island, which means Superman is free to court Diana. As they dance, it seems a romance is brewing, but when Superman takes Diana to the balcony for some fresh air, the truth is revealed.
Superman attempts to kiss Dianam but she gently stops him. He apologizes, but she reveals he has nothing to be sorry about, as she senses he believed there was a spark between them. However, she admits she lives on an island populated by women, and that’s the only gender that interests her. “I come from an island of all women,” Diana says. “Work it out for yourself.”
Superman takes a while to process the news, but he’s relieved because he thought a relationship was a mere formality, and that they might have to sleep together to consummate their partnership. In fact, he’s distracted by Lex and war with the United States, and admits he doesn’t have time for the complications that accompany romance..
They joke about the misunderstanding before talking about diplomacy. Diana wants their countries to unite, but Superman says her ambassadorship won’t matter because the United States opposes freedom. It seems as if Wonder Woman has an agenda, but it’s in the name of unity, so her words resonate with the audience. In the original comic, it was insinuated that Diana might be bisexual.
It’s an intriguing change, seeing as the notion of the Amazons being gay or bisexual cropped up in mainstream DC comics, as well as in Elseworlds stories. Even Gal Gadot has said she would have no issue with Wonder Woman being depicted on-screen as bisexual, because the Amazons never needed men for pleasure. Her stance is similar to that of Red Son‘s Wonder Woman, although she wants to see the world of men prosper, knowing there are many innocent women and children who will suffer if peace is not achieved.
Directed by Sam Liu, Superman: Red Son stars Jason Isaacs as Kal-El, Amy Acker as Lois Lane, Diedrich Bader as Lex Luthor, Phil Morris as James Olsen, Phil LaMarr as John Stewart, Vanessa Marshall as Wonder Woman, Sasha Roiz as Hal Jordan, Roger Craig Smith as Batman, Paul Williams as Brainiac and William Salyers as Joseph Stalin. The film is now available on digital HD, and will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on April 17.
