Superman

Concept: 09/22/20 | Written: 03/20/21

Superman is the greatest superhero. Period. End of story. He’s the ultimate ally to Good and the utmost threat to Evil. He’s been saving the day since before the invention of Velcro and continues to be, after more than eighty years, the embodiment of American values. So when I’m asked, “Who’s your favorite superhero?”, my answer is a no-brainer. My favorite is and always will be, Superman. And I have several reasons why. For one thing, he’s the first comic book hero I remember being introduced to as a kid, and I’ve been a loyal fan ever since. He’s also the epitome of a protector, standing unapologetically for truth, justice, and the American Way. More importantly, he has a solid moral compass and uses his incredible abilities for the good of others. But most of all, Superman is a symbol of hope. This is true not only in the comic book universe but in pop culture as well. He is my favorite superhero and is, as far as I’m concerned, the greatest hero ever created.

However, despite my sincere admiration for the Man of Steel, it seems like every time I answer the superhero question, I’m greeted with an amused eye-roll or a playful scoff or a lecture on why Superman’s a ridiculous comic book character. These reactions have never been hateful or derogatory, and I’ve never been personally offended. But deep down, it’s always bothered me that there’s an almost contemptuous attitude towards Superman. To be fair, the people who give these responses usually tout Batman or Spider-Man as their all-time favorite do-gooder. So it’s not that they’re indifferent towards heroes who famously save the day. The issue seems to be with the Kryptonian himself.

Don’t get me wrong – superheroes have always been important to me. It’s a genre that I regard very fondly. I grew up with DC Comics’ icons and joined the bandwagon of Marvel fandom later on as a teenager. I have all the paraphernalia necessary for all nerds as well: movies, action figures, t-shirts, you name it. So it’s not that I’m put off by people who don’t have Superman as their favorite hero. That’s completely fine. Rather, what irks me is that so many people I’ve encountered are dismissive of Superman. It’s like you’re almost not allowed to have Superman as your favorite because he’s too obvious a choice; as if he’s not dynamic or relatable enough to earn the top spot on a comic book fan’s list.

This impression became even more apparent when I went to see Zack Snyder’s Batman vs Superman in a massive AMC theater that was packed full of excited nerds alike. Now, I could speak extensively about my personal opinions of the film; a film where two iconic superheroes needlessly sucker-punched each other over essentially poor communication and unwarranted paranoia (yes, I do know it’s directly from the comics, so calm down). But that passionate rant will be for another time. Anyway, towards the end of the movie, during the title characters’ climatic battle, Superman takes a devastating blow from Batman. That forceful stunt instantly evoked excited cheers from the entire audience. It was unsettling. Why did so many people enjoy seeing a great hero falter? It felt as if they had been waiting with baited breath to see Superman fall. As if he (and Captain America too while we’re at it) is too much of a Boy Scout. Why is that a bad thing? Why is that quality considered old and outdated, or worth very little?

This criticism of Superman is exactly why he’s my favorite. With all the power and prominence he possesses, Superman remains humble, prudent, and altruistic. He’s an American hero who, instead of using his unearthly abilities for self-gratification or world domination, chooses to be a force for good. Not for the glory but because he has the ability to help. He’ll protect righteousness and will fight evil with every super-fiber of his being. Superman is a source of inspiration and an unmistakable image of hope and freedom. He’s guided by an unwavering moral compass. He is uncompromisingly good and carries a deep respect for life and liberty. Although some people see these qualities as character flaws, I regard them as some of Superman’s most profound strengths. And I wouldn’t want anything less in Earth’s mightiest protector.

I want to be clear that having Superman as my all-time favorite hero isn’t me simply fangirling over the red-caped Kryptonian (though given the fact that I’m a female fan, I can understand how that’s an easy supposition to make). Superman isn’t number one on my list just because of his immense power, charming personality, or his looks. It’s because he’s a genuinely swell hero who always does what is right. Simple as that. He has compassion, decency, honor, and humility. He values family and friendship and has a beautiful love for Lois Lane. Superman holds an unwavering revere for his adopted home and devotes his life to protecting the yellow-sun planet from peril. He won’t cave to bullies and serves as a warning to anyone seeking to do harm. Superman’s a guardian; he’s a symbol of hope, a beacon of light, and a measure of assurance. Now, I’m not blind. Superman is attractive. I’m not denying that. But he is so much more than his physical features, and that’s something that, in my experience, is too easily overlooked.

Everything I loved about Superman when I was a kid still holds true to this day. Now that I’m grown up, I have a deeper understanding of the level of responsibility intrinsic to the character. Being a role model of virtue and candor to millions is no laughing matter. Superman bears this extraordinary charge so effortlessly that it’s easy to forget the magnitude embedded in that measure of accountability. Having some experience navigating the twists and turns of modern society, I know how difficult and challenging it is to maintain your integrity and hold firmly to your principles. When you’re immersed in a society that judges every aspect of your character, beliefs, and lifestyle, it’s easy to lose your footing. In that sense, Superman’s continued commitment to stand by his principles, regardless of what the world screams, is nothing short of commendable.

I believe my new-found perspective and appreciation for the eighty-two-year-old character comes, in part, from learning about how he came into being. Superman was born from the imaginative minds of two young American men, not much younger than I am now. Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, who came from immigrant Jewish families, created Superman on the cusp of World War II. The world in which they lived was moving rapidly into a second global conflict with the terrifying memories of the Great War still fresh in the minds of many. Jews and Christians alike were being hunted. Tyrants were starting their invasions. Millions in the United States alone were suffering from the disastrous effects of The Great Depression. The world of the 1930’s was a scary and dismal place. And yet, despite the uncertainty and bleakness of their time, Shuster and Siegel created a super-human hero who was intrinsically good and who used his god-like abilities to fight evil. Like Tolkien and Lewis, Shuster and Siegel chose to add a small piece of good to a world which was experiencing so much bad. They gave people across the globe a beacon of hope, a reminder that there is good still left among the human race. Maybe that’s one of the reasons Superman’s been around for so long: people need hope, and that’s something innately Superman.

Fast forward eighty years and the world is again, a frightening place. People are at each other’s throats. Truth and kindness have all but disappeared. Injustice runs rampant, good seems to be at the mercy of evil, and fear has successfully infected society. For the first time in my twenty-seven years, I see how utterly terrifying uncertainty is and just how powerful fear can become. The myriad of history lessons that were taught during my years behind a school desk have suddenly become glaringly relevant. For more than a decade, I learned about the manner in which ordinary people reacted to the overwhelming evil forces of their respective times. In these pivotal situations, an ultimate decision had to be made: hold tightly to hope or surrender to the monstrous void of despair. What has always fascinated me is the conviction with which these historic people (like Superman’s creators) chose to hope rather than submit to fear. It is remarkable to say the least and never fails to fill me with awe. However, having lived through the first wave of decidedly alarming times, I have a much more grounded understanding of the incredible feat which these people in history truly achieved. While staying hopeful amid dark times has morphed into a rather romanticized literary device, it is, in truth, one of the most difficult disciplines to practice. It’s a taxing struggle which I’ve become very familiar with.

During the long months of quarantine, I was often in no mood for artistic endeavors. Frankly, I didn’t see the point in spending any effort on fantastical projects when the world was so bleak. So the fact that Shuster and Siegel were able to create something good and hopeful when their world was sorely lacking it is remarkable. They were born at the start of World War I, entered adolescence during the Great Depression, and had recently begun their careers with the onset of World War II. And yet somehow, they were able to put all that horror aside and construct an archetype of a hero who still inspires people today. While I don’t think it would be proper to equate 2020’s pandemic with the global atmosphere of WWII, I believe I’ve been given a chance to know what it’s like to live through turbulent times and appreciate the level of resolve it takes to remain optimistic.

As I get older, Superman continues to be a character who I grow to love and revere more and more. His iconic S-shaped crest centered boldly on his chest is arguably the most widely recognized symbol in the world, and with good reason. Since 1938, Superman has embodied truth and justice, freedom and hope. These values, displayed strikingly in exhilarating adventures, have captivated more than eight decades of fans and will continue to do so for generations to come. I am one of those fans. As a kid, I recognized the innate integrity of the Kryptonian. But at that young age, I simply wasn’t at a level where I could identify exactly why I gravitated towards this hero specifically. But now I can: Superman is the embodiment of American ideals. He was raised from humble beginnings in the heartland of America and maintained his small-town, farm boy values even in the bustling city of Metropolis. He recognized that success is earned through hard work and faced the many challenges on the road to prosperity head-on Because of his merit, he garnered the respect of his peers as mild-mannered reporter, Clark Kent, and earned the world’s trust as its greatest protector, Superman. He didn’t allow his circumstances to dictate his future but chose instead to use the gifts he’d been given to help others.

That's why I have such a high regard for Superman. As a six-year-old kid, Superman was an exciting superhero to watch save the day over and over. And that trademark certainly hasn’t lost any of its charm. Malfunctioning planes rescued spectacularly in midair and bullets ricocheting off Superman’s chest will never, ever get old. But now as an adult, I’ve graduated to an entirely new level of respect for the Man of Steel. Despite all his power, Superman remains humble and genuine, two qualities that seem to be slipping all too quickly from modern society.

In many ways, he is just like the rest of us, with hopes and dreams and concerns about the future. But at the same time, he is the best of us: a righteous hero - resilient, steadfast, and true. The Man of Steel is, in the poignant words of screenwriter, David S. Goyer, “An ideal to strive towards.” Superman is a reminder that people are capable of kindness, goodness, and even greatness. That’s why, for me, Superman is the ultimate comic book superhero. And that is why he will forever be my favorite hero.