Why Superman?
Why this one, this strongman in blue leotards and red trunks? Why this over-powered alien protector, often represented with overt messianic imagery?
I loved Superman as a kid. DC Comics made it clear: whenever Superman was around, other superheroes showed respect. He was the finest of them, he was Truth and Justice, he was colorful and strong and that cape!
As a preteen and teen, comics weren’t cool, and even if you did find little enclaves where they actually were considered cool, Superman sure as shootin’ wasn’t. This was the Bronze Age (‘70-‘86, remember?), not the most accessible time for Superman stories; this was stuffy TV anchorman Clark Kent, Superman doing some of the zany Silver Age stunts but without any of the whimsy. Actual Silver Age content itself (‘55-‘70 if you’re counting), on the other hand, seemed childish to me as a ‘tween or young teen. I now fully understand my error and I am a big Silver Age fan, please don’t @ me!
Peer pressure is to thank for introducing me to Certified Cool stuff like Chris Claremont’s Uncanny X-Men, but also to blame for forcing me to hide my passion for things like John Byrne’s 1987 Superman reboot. In fact, showing myself as a Marvel fan publicly and a DC addict only in private served to imform my overall tastes. Throw in the hyper-creative time of my introduction to comics, with indies and the black-and-white boom, and wow, there’s a lot to choose from, and a lot of things suggesting you should leave behind your old kid’s stuff, like Superman.
Then they killed him when 1992’s colossal DEATH OF SUPERMAN comic event dropped during a slow news cycle and the world went apeshit, but he was back alive and active in a year and it actually drove some pretty good Superman and DC Universe stories for a long time. I think Superman overall became cool-ish around then in part because of that, and then he tagged onto Batman’s media popularity in the 90s. Superman had some cartoon action and the primetime LOIS AND CLARK television show. There was buzz about a new movie starring cousin Nic.
Superman slumped again as far as world recognition goes, until Warner Brothers decided to make all their superhero movies be Batman movies after the success of the Nolan films. Since then Superman has become a divisive figure as some fans of one media vision argue hotly with the fans of a different iteration. Through all that noise, Superman comics have been telling stories; some stinkers, some sublime. I don’t know if he’s Certified Cool or not, anymore, but I like him. No, I love him, heart emoji!
He was My First, so masculine and strong and gentle. Sure, there’ve been others, from Spider-Man, with his frenetic energy, and hothead Firestorm, even Superman’s own dark reflection, the Dark Knight himself, Batman. Oh, many others, but you don’t want me to list them all, do you? (He asks coyly, fully intending to discuss every single one before he’s through.)
Superman has a son now, grown to young adulthood and taking over the name and role. Seriously, the Superman comic book stars Jon Kent, Superman, while Dad Superman is off doing Cool Other Shit in Action Comics. OMG and sometimes we’re getting Dad Superman drawn with white temples or a beard! Hell yeah, I can actually identify with Superman! You don’t understand how ACES that is! Of course, rabble will rabble, and now this is another point of division in fandom. Two Supermanses, oh noes! <insert random bullshit reason to argue and be hateful online>
Get this, Jon Kent, (new) Superman, is not a straight dude.
I know, I’ll take a moment while the din from pearl-clutching dies down. Okay, we’re settled.
Jonathan Kent, teenage son of Lois Lane and Clark Kent, is Superman with all the responsibilities that bestows, and he even has a boyfriend. Who he kisses. And that is really cool.
I don’t know yet if I want to read about young Jon Kent Superman, myself. I’m not the target audience and for once I am thrilled to see that. A Superman comic definitely not intended for me and other dudes north of their forties! That this is reaching out to a younger audience with an LGBTQ-positive message and superhero comics shenanigans is something I am one hundred percent on board with. I have my comics, I even have my Superman. Several of them, in fact (we’ll get into that another time). I am down to share.
At the same time, DC announced they’ve officially changed Superman’s tag line from Truth, Justice and the American Way to Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow. Cue the comics forums erupting in flames of unfounded outrage and false concern. Or do they even have internet forums anymore? Is it just social media channels these days?
The new slogan’s fine too - all my favorite old Superman stuff will still say what they say. We might just see or hear the just-fine new phrase now, in new stuff. We’re gonna be okay.
Why Superman? Superman is about positivity and doing the right thing. Yeah, it’s that simple, seriously. Stick up for others. Share.
Superman is Christopher Reeves’ enduring spirit.
Superman is Truth and Justice. (Sorry, A BETTER TOMORROW remains some of John Woo’s best work. And yes, that link goes to A BETTER TOMORROW 2, which is even more glorious despite being a sequel. Chow Yun Fat returns as the twin brother of his character from the first. Brilliant. Watch them both! Pardon the digression.)
So, Superman can’t have that line, sorry.
Are you a Superman fan? Of course you are, we all are! Tell me which version you love, in Comments or on Twitter!
It’s The Holidays and that’s a tough time for a host of reasons, so my stream of nonsense may thin out some during this next few weeks. Keep your peepers pointed at your inbox for my mirthful missives, get your Christmas shopping done, wash your hands and stay safe.
Max Cage, Dec 18, 2021
(Oh c’mon, at least watch the trailer for A BETTER TOMORROW II, trust me!
I was a big fan of The Adventures of Lois and Clark; the limited budget of the TV show meant that they couldn't do crazy stuff where Superman would just wipe the floor with everyone. I remember buying a lot of the Return of Superman/Reign of the Supermen comics because by the time I had heard about Death of Superman, it was already sold out everywhere.
When I was a kid, my first introduction to comics was a collection of Silver Age stuff and I loved the absurdity of it all! Thanks for this post that reminds me why Superman is my favorite.