”Beginning the true origin tale of Red Tornado! Discover a crew of characters new to the DC Universe, uncover the hero’s true android family! But will it cost him the love of his adopted human one? Think you know everything there is to know about the mighty Red Tornado? Think again!”
Greetings DCU,
Happy Thanksgiving Thanks for stopping by for week 63!
Red Tornado is having a family reunion. And it’s a doozy! Discover what happens when our heroic android, John Smith, meets his family.
HOW TO JOIN THE FUN!
• Read the story between Monday, November 25, 2019 and Sunday, December 1, 2019.
• Reply your answers to the discussion questions, share your thoughts about the story, or both!
• Have fun discussing the book with the community. All are welcome to join, just jump right in!
Not only is this the first time reading it, it’s the first time ever hearing about it, so this could be interesting! According to the credits on DCU, apparently Greg Weisman is also involved in the writing, so that definitely makes me more interested.
Never read it. Issue one was awesome . Loved the quip about spectator sports . Was always curious about Red Tornado so this is terrific. Nice spotlight.
Yeah, I wanted to feel sorry for him because the chair is like his friend and the only thing he has. But he’s the reason he’s in that cell. So I couldn’t really feel bad for him.
Regarding the link - that was my first time seeing borderlands!
And your first exposure is a crazy person talking about chairs – I’m not sure if that’s an odd way to be introduced, or totally on point with how weird the games can be.
Another thing I thought of while reading the first issue was that I couldn’t help but compare this to Tom King’s The Vision series from Marvel. Obviously, both characters have surface similarities: robots with unique powers, created by evil mad scientists and the robot is constantly looking for some sense of humanity. However, both series so far have themes of family, with Vision creating a family like him and all the amazing and horrible consequences that comes from it, and Red Tornado seemingly balancing the human family he’s made, and the machine family he’s trying to find. Also, both books so far eschew the standard first person narration most superhero comics use in favor of an omniscient third-person narrator that’s coldly recounting the tale to us.
Do I think this series is going to end up being up to that same level of quality? Probably not, but I thought it was interesting.
Great series, really glad to have been put on to it. So many great panels! Below is one of my favorites I snapped in my phone. What a crazy brat Inferno was. Still moments like this you gotta wonder, where the hell is superman?
I’m happy you enjoyed it! I’m with you, Inferno was just the worst .
That’s a great panel - thanks for sharing it. I had a hard time picking a favorite panel because there were so many fun ones!
I hadn’t thought about that - good point! Now that I think about it, it’s probably good Supes stayed outta this one because in my experience, family fights get even crazier when outsiders step in.
Thanks so much for reading along and sharing your thoughts on the book!
Is this your first time reading Red Tornado (2009-)?
Yep, long-time fan of RT in the many Justice League runs, first time reading this series.
Who was your favorite character?
Red Volcano. Dude is cold-blooded.
What do you think of Mari (AKA Vixen) in this story?
I love Vixen, but TBH she didn’t seem to be necessary in this series. I get that the Red Siblings are elementals and her attunement with nature allowed her to sense trouble brewing by communicating with the animals, but her abilities didn’t really save anyone. In fact, she was the one that got knocked out in the earthquake.
What was the most memorable moment in the story to you?
When Red Inferno leaves at the end (Issue #6, pg. 23)–
Red Inferno: “I bet our evil brother who just racked up a huge body count could teach me about my powers.”
Red Tornado: “Welp, good luck finding yourself!”
Ummm…
All in all, a fun read. Its quirkiness adds to its charm.
Yes. I remember hearing about Red Torpedo but Inever checked out the series.I
TO Morrow, for sure. I love that crazy guy and his friendly chair. Man, I wish I had a chair that loved me like that!you
I like Vixen, I was a big fan of JL Detroit, but have her powers changed? I don’t recall her being able to talk to animals? I don’t mind if that’s her new power set, just caught me off guard.
Well, that Vixen stuff, and the lovely chair, too. Also, Red Little Guy rejecting the offer of a family at the end was a nice touch because it isn’t necessarily how you would expect these things to go.
The one where it was just Red Tornado and Red Volcano charging at each other was pretty nice.
I’m with you, I love Vixen and didn’t see her as essential in this series, but thought she was a fun addition. I saw her as like the ‘cool aunt’ in this family reunion, and I thought this part that you mentioned below was super cool too:
That’s aweseome!
Thanks for reading along and giving your thoughts on the book!
Does anyone know the answer to this question? I recall her being able to communicate with animals in some way, but I’m not sure about directly speaking to them.
Yes, I think that’s a great point! His rejection totally caught me off guard.
Is this the one you’re talking about? If it’s not, let me know. It’s an amazing panel!
Yeah, total cool aunt vibe, that’s the perfect way to describe her in this series. And it’s about time we got a superhero whose power is the uncanny ability to be chill with kids.
Thanks for stopping by for week 63!
HOW TO JOIN THE FUN!
Our SPOILER discussion begins NOW.
What to Read: RED TORNADO (2009-) Issues 1-6 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Questions? Concerns? Feel free to send me a direct message.
. Loved the quip about spectator sports 
. Was always curious about Red Tornado so this is terrific. Nice spotlight.
So true!
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