Who would have thought that an image of Superman saving a group of factory workers in this week’s issue of “Action Comics #987” would have caused so much controversy?!
A panel in the comic book shows Superman doing what he’s always done… being a champion of the oppressed. However, due to people assuming those he was saving were “illegal aliens”, an uproar was created on social media, with some “fans” suggesting Superman should have seen stood aside and done nothing to save them.
FoxNews.com reporter Todd Starnes published an article titled “Superman defends illegals against angry American”, starting the debate, which has escalated. Starnes wrote: ‘Instead of rounding up the illegals and flying them back to where they came from, the Man of Steel snatches the white guy and with a menacing look snarls, “The only person responsible for the blackness smothering your soul – is you.”‘
Superman is for everyone, regardless of their race, religion or political opinions. He saves lives. And that’s exactly what he’s done in this situation. All other arguments are moot.
This is one of the more reprehensible examples of people using Superman politically. Several important things to add: The issue never refers to them as “illegals” or even immigrants. It explicitly leaves the ambiguity standing, more than likely to avoid the perception of the very bias this sh$# editorial from Fox is implying. It states that they are not citizens. Like, you know, my friend from Venezuela who hopes to visit on a work visa legally? The editorial on Fox also explicitly ignores and doesn’t state that the man isn’t an “angry American,” he’s a homicidal maniac with a machine… Read more »
The irony of him slamming DC for using Superman for so called political reasons, and then turns around and does the same thing. I agree with your statement 100%
Go after Fox, which is tilting to the LEFT as I write this…you may as well go after Breitbart, Infowars, Drudge, One America News…you know…the ALT media that is neither left nor right…just NEWS.
If this is not sarcasm, please share whatever drugs you’re taking with me. /s
If you think Fox is to the left, or that Breitbart, Infowars, or Drudge have no bias, please see a doctor. Your perceptions of reality are unhealthily distorted.
That isn’t snark. It’s genuine concern for your cognitive dissonance. You might drive through an intersection thinking red is green, or breathe water thinking it air. I am concerned for you.
In the immortal words of Lois Lane: “Way to go, Superman!”
With this logic, Superman is also a racist for beating up African poachers in the same issue.
I can’t believe this is actually turned into a thing. Superman saves lives no matter what.
I actually think that when people react negatively to things like this it is because they feel they are being caricatured or misrepresented. I believe that among those people who have issues/concerns over immigrant workers taking their jobs the man with the machine gun seems like a caricature of them. An extreme and unfair representation of their point of view. While it’s true that there are extremists who would go as far as the man with the machine gun there are many who feel as disenfranchised as him but would not go to those lengths. I think people are reacting… Read more »
And I can understand how that would make them angry, however what this gentleman is doing is not presenting the story as is but rather as he wants his readers to perceive it.
That’s not the way it was presented in the article, or there wouldn’t be this uproar. Beyond that, the white guy’s resentment portrayed in the issue is very real in this country right now, and often ludicrous and biassed to the point of caricature. If we declare that we can’t dare present a group of people with ludicrous views as having ludicrous views for fear of offending them, than we’ve lost all of our super villains in one fell swoop and most of our characters with questionable motivations. Even more to the point, however, if there’s anyone who would understand… Read more »
I think they should keep Superman out of political issues. It divides superman fans on both parties. That being said, politics shouldn’t prevent Superman from saving lives. I know It sounds like I’m saying one thing but then saying another, but what I mean is that for Superman, every life is important regardless of politics. Still as I said I don’t think Superman and politics should mix either. It makes it look like Superman is for a certain political. If they keep him out of politics, than the reader can decide for themselves what his politics are. Keeping certain parts… Read more »
I might have type out one of my sentances to fast in my previous post, but I think was able to get my thoughts out.
In one sentance I meant to say that it makes it look like Superman is for a certain political party. but as I said I think I got my thoughts on the subject out well enough.
The author fails to mention that superman also prevented a disenfranchised person from burning down a millionaires house. To say that he took one side or the other Would be dishonest. My guess is that the author didn’t read the issue and I’d be surprised if he reads any comicsz. Probably doesn’t have any sort of knowledge of superman outside of his own perceptions. Of course superman is going to save people. That’s kind of his thing and if you’re going to defend a person mowing down people with a machine gun then maybe you need to reevaluate your interpretation… Read more »
“Maybe you need to reevaluate your interpretation of morals.” Um, was that directed at me or the artical? Because I did say everyone person matters to Superman regardless of politics. See this is why politics and superman shouldn’t mix. It gets his fanbase upset and it causes fans to argue with each other. It really is the writers fault for bringing politics into a place where politics really shouldn’t be in. That’s just my take though.
My fingers got ahead of me again, I meant to say everyone matters to superman.
I was talking about the author, not you.
I see. Thank you for clarifying my question sundevil82.
Figuratively speaking…Superman is not an American, rather an illegal alien (wink wink) with an American identity. Upon his arrival, like most of us know…He Has been raised in the heartland of America and was instilled with strong morals according to American culture and upbringing through wise and kind couple. His actions were correct to defend helpless people, regardless of ethnicity, creed, religion and political views. Superman would also defend a criminal from being killed if need be. Time and time again, he has stood up for the oppressed, the defenseless and helpless through countless stories throughout the decades. And this… Read more »
What better way to tell that Fox News is incredibly out of touch with the Comic Book World at large, than picking one of the least harmful Superman panels out there, instead of the seemingly bottomless pools of actual propaganda that Marvel has been churning out for the last 2 years.
Right?? I hate when they cherry pick things out of book to fit their agenda. Same thing happened with Action #900. I remember hearing people talk about it and I couldn’t help but interject to correct them.
It goes to show that what they really care about is causing controversy for the clicks.
Like a political version of Gawker
Haven’t read the issue, so I’m sad to say I can’t say a thing.
Actually, just one thing to say:
#ComicsForKids #MakeComicsGreatAgain
#simplisticreductionistviewsdontmakeanythinggreatandcomicshaventbeenjustforkidsinfiftyyears
I dont want Superman comics to be an adults only affair or have the series get too bogged down in doing political commentary either BUT I could watch Superman standing up to bigotry all day and that’s something I would want kids to see him do.
I think that’s a valid point.
I usually have a pretty conservative viewpoint, but this is just bonkers. I don’t see how anyone can defend a character gunning down a crowd of people. I’ve lost a job for what I felt was an unfair reason, and I have had friends in the same situation. I understand the fear, anger and the storm of other emotions that comes from that. Losing a job, however, does not justify violence. Certainly not of this magnitude.
I don’t think I could agree any more than I already do with the last paragraph of this article.
So I don’t spoil this issue I will refrain from spoiling Mr. Oz’s identity. That being said, i knew it. My suspicion of his true identity was true. I so called it in a previous post about a month ago or so. The cover of action comics number 987 with the holographic revolving cover gave it away.