The Christopher Reeve Superman movies, especially the first one, set the tone for what all other superhero movies should aim to achieve. But does DC treat the Christopher Reeve Superman films with too much reverence? Is it time to move on?
In the latest instalment of our “Great Debate” feature, we ask the question…
Does DC Treat the Christopher Reeve Superman Films with Too Much Reverence?
Yes
The Christopher Reeve Superman films are special, both as comic book films and in the history of the character. The first film came out at just the right time to reignite interest in the character during the harsh cynicism of the 1970s. While the following films would gradually decline in quality, “Superman: The Movie” would set the standard for how to make a straight faced comic book film, and is a shining example of how to write Superman and his supporting cast. That being said, DC Comics treats the film with way too much reverence.
Before I get started, let me make it abundantly clear that I adore the Christopher Reeve Superman films. Yes, even the bad ones. There’s something in the way that Reeve portrays the Man of Steel that makes you believe he’s really the character. “Superman: The Movie” and “Superman II” are on my list of comfort films — a list of movies I can watch at any time that will make me feel better, regardless of mood. This is in no way an attack on those films, especially the first one, as they are beloved and for good reason.
For as long as I can remember, DC has worshipped the ground these films have walked on. It’s almost at a suffocating level of adoration. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy little references and nods every now and then, but it seems as if significant elements of the Superman mythos has been reworked over the last 50 years to resemble the world of the Richard Donner’s film. Prior to the 1978 film, the Fortress of Solitude was essentially just a giant cave in the arctic that typically had a door at the entrance, and in the Silver Age, famously required a massive key to open. It has since fairly consistently become a crystalline structure with technology that is operated by crystals.
The Phantom Zone also received some cosmetic changes. To the best of my recollection, prior to the Reeve films, there was no physical representation of the Phantom Zone, and you needed a special device to see the prisoners. It has since largely been portrayed as the floating, rotating space tile we see in the first two films.
Then there’s the subject of Gary Frank — a tremendously talented artist in his own right, but one who far too often evokes the likeness of Christopher Reeve. Make no mistake, I love Frank’s work. Whenever I see he’s attached to a project, I perk up because I know that at the very least, the art will be good. I just wish he wouldn’t draw Superman as Christopher Reeve so frequently. It feels a tad weird to me, and sometimes pulls me out of the story.
I acknowledge that these are really just cosmetic changes that don’t impact the quality of the stories being told. Further, I acknowledge that these changes are both writers and artists paying tribute to the ultimate representation of Superman. I have no real issue with that, because I also love those films. What I take umbrage with is how it seems to be the only source of inspiration anyone ever draws from. Nobody ever really pulls from the George Reeves TV show or the Kirk Alyn serials. Sometimes we’ll get a nod to the Fleischer/Famous Studious Superman shorts. I’d love for DC to do a comic series set in the “Adventures of Superman” universe like they did with the Reeve films. I know it won’t happen, though. Partially because everyone’s so enamored with the Reeve films, and partially because — despite being a cultural juggernaut in the 1950s — the Reeves series doesn’t consistently pack the same cultural punch as “Superman: The Movie”. I understand it, but I wish things were different.
No
In 1978 one of the best things that ever happened in the world of Superman made the scene: “Superman: The Movie” starring Christopher Reeve! Of course I can go on and on about the movie and my experience seeing it in the theater and of course gush over Reeve as Superman. But I think we’ve heard all that before by myself on this site and many others. The point of all this is that while I may feel the Christopher Reeve movies were the best thing since sliced bread, many people have different opinions.
The movie premiered in 1978, the height of DC’s Bronze Age. While the movie took many liberties changing some of the origin as well as some story beats, this characterization was very close to the Superman we were reading in the comics. DC of course took every opportunity to capitalize on the movie and its success. DC was proud of this movie and they had every right to be. Their title character getting the big screen treatment for the first time (okay there was the Superman serials and “Superman and the Mole Men” with Gearge Reeves but you understand my point). There were contests and tie in books but of course no comic adaptation (thank you Mario Puzo) but there was a tie in magazine. I’m sure they gained new readerships as well. This was a great thing for DC, who I believe at the time was second to Marvel and had just gone through the implosion. The thing is through the years DC has kept going back to that well. Yes, 40 years later it might be time to move on. But then again maybe not.
I don’t need to read a story in the current comics that echo the movie. I’ll admit Richard Donner and Geoff Johns went a little crazy with there run post “Infinite Crisis”. Oh, I enjoyed the books. The Last Son story was very good even though scheduling kind of ruined it. But they did lean a little too much into the movie continuity. The Phantom Zone villains. The crystal Fortress. Still I looked forward to reading the books every month. In hindsight some of those stories brought the books, which seemed to be languishing at the time, back to form. Despite leaning hard in to movie continuity I still look on the run fondly.
Now over the last forty years the Fortress of Solitude has gone through many changes but DC keeps going back to the crystal Fortress. I like that. It’s familiar. Depending on the creative team it’s been used to great effect, and of course the Phantom Zone villains as well but mainly Zod. Before the movie Zod was a minor Phantom Zone villain. Post movie Zod is one of Superman’s greatest adversaries. People who haven’t seen the movies know Zod. We’ve gotten a great adaptation of the film with “Superman ’78”. And even the new book “Superman: Space Age” is very influenced by the movie. And that’s an awesome book!
I understand people complaining that it’s too much and move on. But the movie is indeed revered not only with DC but with fans too. Again, I don’t want the Super books to continually go to that well, but most of the times they have I think they’ve been very successful. The one major quibble is Gary Frank’s depiction of Clark. We don’t need him to look exactly like Christopher Reeve to reference movie continuity. It actually got creepy after awhile. But that does not mean that DC and the Superman creators can’t take a dip into the movie pool. It’s part of the zeitgeist. It’s also part of Superman’s legacy. As long as DC doesn’t over do it, and in recent years they haven’t, I really enjoy when we get a glimpse of the movie continuity.
Many thanks to our Great Debaters – Mario Bennese and Marc Lax.
I am a big fan of the Reeve’s films, much like you Steve even the bad ones. I feel they did a great job of blending the two halves of Superman identity. The newer movies lack this. I do still enjoy them though.
I just love how both sides of the debate agree that DC is maybe a bit too obsessed with the movies. Anyway, I believe that yes, I believe the Christopher Reeve movies (even the bad ones) often get the lion’s share of attention from both fans and creators. I understand their success and the impact they had on Superman’s greater mythology, but it’s not fair to consider these movies as the best expression of Superman’s mythology. If you want to truly understand the Superman mythos, your knowledge must not be limited to these movies. Your knowledge must take everything into… Read more »