For this first article in a series that I plan on writing, I thought I would tackle the first superhero himself, Superman. Superman has been around since the thirties and even those who don’t read comics know who the character is. We all know his origin, his powers, and the ridiculous way he manages to somehow hide his identity by wearing glasses, so why is it that the character gets so much hate?
Maybe hate is too strong a word. It just seems like everyone I talk to dislikes him. When I ask why, they usually have no answer other than, I prefer Batman. Well that’s all well and good but it really isn’t an answer.
Others have told me he is just a silly concept which is just beyond absurd when talking in the context of comics. Let’s step back and examine just what Superman really is.
Superman came to earth after the destruction of his world and was raised by an ordinary couple on a farm, being taught the basic principles of right and wrong. After discovering he has godlike powers, he sets out to fight the injustices of the world. This is of course the simplified version but how is that really different than any other origin. People often complain that he has no tragedy in his life, thus no reason to fight crime. Well I think having your planet blown up on you is pretty horrific. Let’s not forget that in some stories, Superman’s adopted father died before he even donned the cape. This guy lost two fathers in his lifetime. Not to mention, he isn’t even an earthling. He is the ultimate outsider. That in itself is intriguing. Here is a character that could conquer the planet if he chose to and instead, he proves to be even more human than some of the threats he combats.
Speaking of his enemies, Superman has one of the best rogues gallery in comics; chief among them being Lex Luthor. Everyone knows who he is which is a testament to his character, considering that aside from being bald, he looks just like a normal person in a business suit. Lex is the Burger King to Superman’s McDonalds. They’re always at war with each other despite Superman’s attempts at trying to find Lex’s angelic side. Lex is considered his ultimate enemy and one of the few who really manage to get under his skin. Not everyone can claim to have made Superman’s life a living hell but Lex can and does so with pride. A normal human with no superpowers besides a genius level intellect, which few can match, manages to always find a way to piss off a demigod.
Other noteworthy enemies like Metallo, Parasite, and Brainiac have had varying degrees of success rubbing Superman the wrong way, but if there is one being that brings out the man of steel's ugly side, it’s Darkseid. While not really strictly a Superman foe, Darkseid is considered the God of evil, so it only makes sense that the living beacon of hope that is Superman would combat his otherworldly tyranny. Darkseid has conquered the earth, killed his friends, and enslaved his cousin, each on different occasions and just seems to relish putting Supes through the wringer. Never mind the fact that he is on par with Superman in terms of strength and his omega beams can reduce almost anything to ash, he has a whole planet full of slaves ready to fight on his behalf.
Enough about his enemies, let’s talk about his powers. One of the main complaints is that Superman is overpowered. True, I cant argue with that, but he has more than enough weaknesses to make up for it. Kryptonite proves to be his ultimate poison; radiated pieces of his home world that for whatever reason proves life threatening to him, reducing him to a shell of his former self. Get a chunk of it, though a sliver would suffice, and you have him at your mercy. Of course, that’s only the green kind. There’s several other colors, one for each color of the spectrum, and each with their own side effect. Also, while this really isn’t considered a weakness, it can be used against him: Superman refuses to kill. No matter what the threat, no matter if someone has a gun to a hostage’s head and all it would take is heat vision through the skull to save that person, Superman refuses to take a life. I find this interesting because every enemy Superman has had takes advantage of this and Superman still refuses to give them a dirt nap. Even when throwing a punch, he makes sure to hold back just enough so that the impact doesn’t knock someone’s skull off.
Thinking about Superman’s powers, what is there not to like? He has every power someone could want; super strength, speed, flight, eye lasers, frosty breath, and extended youth. Why is having so many powers an issue when he takes care never to abuse them? Half the time he cant even use them to their full potential because his foes are one step ahead of him. The fact that he is going to outlive just about everyone of his friends and family adds a whole new layer of depth to the character that most people tend to ignore.
Most writers claim that its too difficult to write the character, prompting them to look for ways to weaken him. Others simply try to ignore his current group of foes and come up with someone new and physically imposing to challenge him. Then there is the group that decide to drown him in emotional instability, turning him from a mythic hero to a teary eyed idiot.
Why? Why is it so hard to write a good Superman story? Look at what Geoff Johns has done in the last year. Don’t look for ways around what you perceive to be the character’s short comings; embrace them. Johns has taken everything about him and simply gone back to find what worked in the first place.
Superman is the ultimate hero, the ideal that all others aspire to be. He may be too heroic and honest for his own good, and it may be a bit much considering how dark the real world, is but if you’re like me, you may come to appreciate that never fading beacon of light that the character represents. There is a reason he is the yard stick that all other comic heroes are measured against. With war and economic struggle taking place in our world, is there really a need for a darker character even if it is more realistic? With most comics beginning to reflect the current situation of the world, Superman is a welcome relief, representing what a true Superhero and the world he inhabits should be.
Recommended Reading:
Action Comics 855-857 & 858-873
Superman: Birthright
Superman For all Seasons
Superman/ Batman: Public Enemies
Superman: Secret Origins
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow
The Death of Superman
Allstar Superman 1-12
Superman: Panic in the Sky
Superman/ Batman: Supergirl
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