Cult Media has put together a very interesting examination of why Superman’s attitude and perception has changed over the years… and who’s to blame.
A lifelong fan of Superman takes the popular opinion of the comic hero and turns it on its head. History has glossed over some critical details and shaped the culture’s views with false pretenses. You may never look at the Man of Steel the same way again!
Thanks to Jay Miller for the lead on this video.
Copying my response from Facebook: This treatise proceeds from a false assumption, that Superman was more like Batman and thus, more appreciated. History shows us that National wanted Kane to create a new character that looked like Superman but was different. The Batman is that character, with no sci-fi elements, no powers, yet dealing with the same foe that was on everyone’s minds at the time: organized crime. Siegel and Shuster rooted Superman in science fiction; John Carter of Mars is a direct influence, as well as Jewish faith and Greek myth. The real reason the sci-fi elements were played… Read more »
Excellent post.
Edit: Although some of the Batman hate is a bit unfair/misguided (after Superman, he is my second favorite superhero), and this video does not take into account that BATMAN changed just as Superman did (Batman got away from his roots, but then returned to them in the ’70s, Superman got away from his roots, and Byrne tried to return him to them in the ’80s, and did so with mostly success, I might add, but DC editorial destroyed the character in the ’90s, and he didn’t experience the revival Batman had), this is an otherwise excellent video. The “alien” aspect… Read more »
Ah yes all Batman fans and comic book fans should listen to this. Superman was all business in the early days. In the Adventures of Superman TV show, it was initially described as a Crime Mystery and very “Film Noir” and the dialog and episodes bore this out. There is one ep. “The Evil Three” where Superman utters “Tell me where they are or, I’ll break every bone in your body” it was just too bad they didn’t keep this level of intensity though – out the entire run of the series. That’s the Superman I know and remember the… Read more »
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Really excellent video. The “alien” aspect of the character was always only just the excuse for the superpowers. Nothing more. And that’s the way it should be. John Byrne probably understood this the best of all the Superman writers of the last 30 years.
We need to #MakeSupermanGreatAgain (and that includes the return of the red trunks for color balance/the self made man aspect!!)