It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…another subpar superhero movie. Most cinephiles would agree: audiences are tired of the unrelenting output of Marvel and DC films featuring uninspiring heroes and lackluster plots. The latest movie release from the DC Universe, Joker: Folie à Deux, was a major box-office failure. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, its Phase 4 and Phase 5 projects have been met with notably less enthusiasm than the previous three phases, largely due to low-quality CGI and disconnected storytelling. With so many problems, it’s easy to see why moviegoers are tired of superhero content.
Still, in this era of superhero fatigue, there are iconic figures that remind us there is hope for the genre. As June 12 marks Superman Day, it seems like an appropriate time to recognize the Man of Steel himself. Superman retains an enduring charm that transcends generational divides, but what about him is so compelling when more modern, flashy characters leave audiences unimpressed?
Nostalgia and Adaptability: A Rare Combination
Debuting on April 18, 1938, in Action Comics #1, Superman is arguably the oldest superhero. Our society advances at a dizzying rate and tends to leave old-fashioned ideas in the dust (see: typewriters, CDs, flip phones). Superman, however, is one of those rare exceptions. Since his debut in the early 20th century, countless comics, TV shows, movies, and video games featuring Clark Kent’s famous alter-ego have remained popular. Whether it be Christopher Reeve’s classic 1978 portrayal in Superman or Henry Cavill’s dashing 2013 rendition in Man of Steel, audiences across generations know, and more importantly, can connect to, Superman’s timeless story. There is no guesswork. His journey from Kal-El of Kryptonian origin to Smallville’s Clark Kent to the mighty Superman brings audiences comfort regardless of how artists, writers, and directors transform it over time. Few other superheroes can claim to have captured so continuously and consistently the public’s imagination.
A Classic American Story
Many heroes’ origin stories are extraordinary, making them highly entertaining but unrelatable. In a time where political, economic, and environmental disasters threaten America’s once bright future, it can feel alienating to watch larger-than-life characters who haven’t experienced normal, human struggles battling on the big silver screen. Superman is one of the few crime fighters whose journey matches that of millions of Americans.
Born on Krypton, Superman is sent to Earth by his birth parents to escape the destruction of his home planet. He is forced to assimilate by adopting a new identity as Clark Kent to disguise his incredible abilities. Yet, he uses his powers anyway to protect humanity from evil and create a safer society for all. Superman’s story mirrors that of the American Dream. Like all the Americans who came before him and will come after him, Superman is first and foremost an immigrant who worked his way up from his humble beginnings as the son of farmers to become one of the greatest heroes of all time. Although the promise of America is dimming, Superman continues to represent the hope that we still harbor for our country.
A Strong Moral Compass
While Superman certainly possesses supernatural abilities, they pale in comparison to today’s heroes, who are capable of interdimensional travel or can alter reality itself. Still, Superman has a distinct set of qualities that set him apart from the rest. His sense of justice, compassion, and hope for humanity serve as a strong moral compass in times of trouble. There is a simplicity to his code that appears naive at first glance. How can such things be of any real consequence when we are up against an uncertain future? Superman said it best:
“You can’t throw morality in the garbage just because life’s tough!”
His message is simple but clear, and he sticks to it no matter what. Superman not only provides his fans with an ideal to live up to — someone who is kind and brave in the face of adversity — but also reflects our own humanity back to us.
The onslaught of superhero media is exhausting, and superhero fatigue is real. Superman, however, is one of those rare exceptions to this tiring trend. He serves as a guiding light not only for the superhero genre but also for ourselves, reminding us that our past doesn’t define our future. Hopefully, you’ll find a little bit of Superman in yourself.
Interested in digging deeper into Superman’s literary origins? Click here to learn more!
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