"It's very hard for me to be silly about Superman, because I've seen firsthand how he actually transforms people's lives."
-Christopher Reeve
In my reaction to the new Superman teaser, I argued that Superman's humanity makes him more relatable than people often give him credit for. While I stand by my statements, my wording may not have been entirely accurate. When I said Superman was "more human," I was not implying that he was entirely human because, of course, he's not; he's an alien from another planet (Krypton) who looks human. Still, that does not mean he cannot share and embody human traits, attributes, and flaws. To pull a line straight out of the comics, "It was Krypton that made me Superman, but it's the Earth that makes me human!"
The central debate regarding Superman's humanity seems primarily linked to his religious links, intentional or not, and the kind of empowerment fantasy he represents (because all comic book superheroes are empowerment fantasies in some way). It is worth noting that Superman's creators, Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, were children of Jewish immigrants, so there's already a connection to the story of Moses; also, according to a video essay by Bob Chipman, a.k.a. MovieBob, the empowerment fantasy best embodied by Superman is, "...the power to stabilize and restore. Superman doesn't create good situations; he protects and builds them back up when they fall!" While this idea may be entirely optimistic, it is not impossible to achieve or realize. Honestly, I find it makes more sense to begin perceiving the world on the notion that it is already overall good but is susceptible to misdirection, which needs fixing not by a singular all-powerful entity but by the growing individualism embodied by comic book superheroes.
That may be challenging, but we have to start somewhere!
Arguments have been made that Superman's mythology and, by extension, all superheroes are more dangerous than beneficial because they perpetuate an idea that the world's problems can be solved by non-existent powerful entities rather than individual effort.
To those who make that argument, while I understand where you're coming from, you're missing the point of superheroes entirely!
Yes, costumed super-human entities kicking the snot out of evil on behalf of humanity is a lot of fun, a little cathartic, and satisfies a need for escapism, but that is not their ultimate purpose, no matter how many others may want to believe otherwise!
Superheroes are, and always have been, representatives of human potential and individualism. They are meant to guide us through life, offering advice and inspiration to do better, be better, and live better. In that way, Superman is relatable through his human-oriented choices despite his Kryptonian heritage, not because of it. In this Blog entry, I will showcase some stories that best embody these human notions.
This is TheNorm's Top 5 Superman Stories!
#5
Justice League - Season 1 - Episodes 12/13 - War World
You may notice that most of the best Superman stories aren't really about Superman himself; they are about the influence he can have on people and society as a whole. Numerous episodes of the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series offer great stories of many DC Comics characters. Regarding Superman stories, one, in particular, stands out to me as an example of the kind of inspirational symbol Superman was always meant to be and how that inspiration can ultimately bring about real progress in many ways.
In this story, Superman is abducted by aliens and brought to a distant planet ruled by a dictator named Mongul, who keeps his subjects placid and at bay with a gladiator-style show dubbed War World, wherein he sends prisoners and champions to the ruins on their moon to fight to the death for mass entertainment.
This story is compelling because it is not necessarily a Superman story but about the supporting character, Dragga, the local champion of War World. His journey and character arc through Superman's example causes him to reevaluate his stance on essential things in his life, like the nature of honor and the power of compassion and empathy. Dragga learns the importance of stopping to see things more critically and diligently through his encounters with Superman, not to mention discovering that people can do good things, for goodness sake, in a world where such things are challenging.
It's also a good story about building resistance to dictatorships, which is always welcome in my home!
While most episodes in the first season of Justice League weren't the most polished, regarded as the show's figuring-things-out phase, this episode stands out to me the most for how it showcases what being a Superman can mean when executed to its full potential, which we all have the power to accomplish in our own ways. If you have the time, watch this episode, and you'll see what I mean.
#4
Superman for the Animals - Dear Superman...
This one-and-done PSA (Public Service Announcement) comic was penned by Mark Millar in conjunction with the Doris Day Animal Foundation. It was also featured on an episode of the YouTube show Atop The Fourth Wall, hosted by Linkara. At first glance, it may be easy to dismiss this story as cheesy and preachy, with a misplaced sense of priorities. You know, like anything put out by PETA! However, this particular PSA, while a bit exaggerated in some areas, is a well-written story about animal cruelty, mental and emotional health, and the value of standing up to evil however and whenever possible. It may come as a surprise, given the track record of Mark Millar's writing; a mere glance at his body of work says it all.
In this story, Superman takes time out of his day to read letters sent to him by various needy people. After combing through some letters with varying degrees of concern (missing people, armed conflict, etc.), he comes across a letter from a twelve-year-old boy named Tommy, who isn't writing to Superman for help but to explain how he was inspired by Superman's actions to help someone in his life. And, in doing so, offer Superman a little solace that his efforts are having the intended effect on others, especially kids.
Tommy writes to Superman about being the new kid in town and making friends with the wrong crowd, particularly with a young boy who goes by the nickname Ballser (no, the comic never explains it). After spending time together, Tommy discovers that Ballser has serious issues and is taking them out on animals in terrible and terrifying ways. It isn't until Tommy witnesses Superman being himself, using his super-human abilities to help others in need, that Tommy gets the courage to confront Ballser and discover his deep problems and what needs to be done about them.
What makes this a great story is how well it understands Superman and what he is meant to be, especially in kids' eyes: an inspiration. Witnessing someone doing something good, superpowered or not, is enough to inspire that same drive to follow in others. It's easy to forget today, especially given most of the world's political and sociological situations (some more unfortunate than others). Still, it's a simple truth that doing good is good in and of itself and can bring about more good one way or another, even if we never notice it.
#3
Superman: The Movie
It is downright impossible to discuss Superman in any context without mentioning the masterpiece from 1978, directed by the late Richard Donner and starring the late great Christopher Reeve. Still, I've already talked about my feelings toward this beautiful film in my Retro Review, so rather than repeat myself, allow me to reiterate my favorite moment in the film, which exemplifies Superman as a character in two simple words.
In this movie, when Superman rescues Lois Lane from a deathly fall off a skyscraper, then lifts a falling Helicopter from the same building, drops them both back onto the roof, and reassures Lois that flying is still safer than most methods of transport, Lois finally asks Superman, "Who are you?"
To which Superman replies, without hesitation and with great confidence, "A friend!"
That moment unquestionably cemented that everyone in the cast and crew of this movie, especially writer Mario Puzo, wholeheartedly and with unbound verisimilitude understood and embraced Superman and what he means to the world; a friend who sees us and wants to help out of love.
#2
For The Man Who Has Everything
This is one of Superman's darker and more in-depth character examinations, which could only have been accomplished so eloquently by master comics writer and storyteller Alan Moore.
First, a little context.
Alan Moore is regarded as one of the greatest comic writers of the 1980s and 1990s, having written seminal classics such as Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and Swamp Thing. However, he is also known for having a less-than-ideal relationship with Hollywood regarding adaptations of his works. He has not only insisted against having his name in the credits but has reportedly refused well over a million dollars in royalty fees, demanding they be redirected to his long-time collaborator, Dave Gibbons.
Given this, it is worth noting that, to this day, the only adaptation of Alan Moore's work bearing his name in the credits is an episode of Justice League: Unlimited, which adapts the same story. While the adaptation is well executed despite missing a few mature elements (after all, the show was primarily intended for younger audiences), I always recommend reading the original comic first. Not only is it a fantastic story that delves deep into the kind of person and hero Superman is at heart, but it is also a carefully crafted story about desire, duty, and the courage to distinguish between the two.
In this story, Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman visit Superman at his Fortress of Solitude to celebrate his birthday. Upon their arrival, they discover Superman comatose with a mysterious plant embedded in his chest. It's then revealed to be a revenge plan by the villain Mongul (the evil dictator mentioned in the #5 story earlier). Mongul explains that the plant is known as The Black Mercy: a parasitic plant-like creature that dries up the life force of its victims while diving deep into their subconscious, enabling them to live out their deepest desires in their minds. Think of the dream technology from Inception, but it slowly kills you in your sleep.
In his mind, Superman is living out his deepest desire: a reality in which his home planet, Krypton, isn't destroyed, and he can live a whole, loving life with a wife and children. While this desire is noble and clearly born out of love for others and pride in one's heritage, it is not entirely without its unfortunate and painful faults.
I won't spoil how that is so or how the story resolves itself because this is one of those stories that demands to be experienced. It is a clever, deep dive into what makes Superman a compelling character and showcases how relatably human he can be. Once again, please read the comic before watching the adaptation, should you decide to do either.
#1
Superman vs. The Elite
Based on the comic story What's So Funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way penned by Joe Kelly, this animated feature film may be my favorite Superman story ever conceived. Without holding anything back and making a few minor adjustments here and there, this film expertly displays why Superman is not only a relevant character in the superhero world (along with why his inspiration is so important), but it also showcases what a Superman who embraces modern cynicism and misguided societal anger looks like; it is far more terrifying than you might have thought.
In this story, Superman is challenged to question his conviction and moral identity when confronted by a "modern" approach toward justice. Superman encounters a group of dark anti-heroes calling themselves The Elite: a group of edgy, cynical superbeings who embrace the darker ideas of "heroism" through excess violence, intimidation, and the threat of death. Superman, justifiably so, rejects this idea of "modern heroism" and tries to remind the world of the better parts of humanity that can easily be lost when embracing that kind of darkness. However, his words and actions become lost in the noise of a society blinded by their frustrations and desire for what they perceive to be more instantaneous justice.
Too many people demand that Superman become what they believe to be a more "appropriate" vision of justice. And, in the words of Oscar Wilde, "There are two tragedies in life: not getting what you want, and getting it!" The people get to see precisely what they wanted, a darker and more "modern" version of the hero they once revered, and they soon learn to regret that desire.
Unlike the case with the Alan Moore story I previously discussed, this is a case where I find the animated adaptation to be better than the original comic. Primarily for visual and art style differences (admittedly) but also for successfully retaining the overall point and spirit of the original comic story. Not to mention, it's a fantastic film in general, with witty writing, fluid animation, and solid voice acting all around. This is an actual deconstruction of Superman and why he is still as relevant as ever in these dark and uncertain times.
Superman is, first and foremost, a symbol, representing the brightest light that shines in all people, contrasted by those who have chosen to ignore or extinguish it with selfishness, cowardice, and blindness. Superman reminds us of humanity's better qualities if we allow ourselves to be brave enough to see it, embrace it, and act upon it in our own ways. For this reason, above all, our capacity for good, we have Superman to look up to...and embody.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
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