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85 years later (and a slight update to the phrase) and pop culture fans all over the world are still impacted by a character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster that defines what we think of when we hear “Super-Hero” mentioned.
Flying out of the pages of Action Comics #1 in 1938, Kal-El of Krypton aka Clark Kent of Smallville has transcended the comics world into becoming a multi-media icon. Whether it’s movies, tv, comics and all points in-between, the “S” inside a diamond shaped object causes an instant reaction with whoever sees it.
It represents Superman, but more importantly, it represents hope.
Throughout the years of stories, Superman has been classified as the ultimate boy scout. The epidemy of good. No matter what challenge arises, Superman will find a way to save the day. It is easy to believe that with the powers that he possesses, what threat could stand up to the last son of Krypton? (Note: John Bryne does deserve a great deal of credit for streamlining his abilities when he was writing Superman in the late 1980’s). Even with those amazing powers, Superman became an icon for what he did with those abilities rather than just having them.
Superman has always shown compassion for the people of Earth by consistently trying to save others in danger. He goes above and beyond the call to help time and time again. Another hero is synonymous with the phrase “With Great Power comes great responsibility” but this rings true for Superman as well. With his near unlimited abilities, he could have sat back and do whatever he wants at his leisure. If you really want to put it in perspective, Superman could have just taken over the DC Universe and very few others could step up and stop him. It is his choice to help. It is his choice to care about the people of Earth. That is what gives him his true strength. That is what inspires hope in every fan who has seen him be “faster than a speeding bullet” or “More powerful than a locomotive”. Superman inspires others to be better thru his own actions.
This is why the symbol of hope has crossed over into pop culture as magnified as he has. When done right, it is a relatable message to all that come across it. The late Christopher Reeves brought the core essence of Superman to life with the original Superman movies starting in 1978. Tom Welling modernized it to a whole new fanbase in the CW’s 2001 series “Smallville.” Henry Cavill was the last to play the Man of Steel on the big screen in the last incarnation of the DC Movie Universe. Tyler Hoechlin has made a strong impression capturing the core essence of Superman on the hit CW show “Superman and Lois”. Those are only a few of the talented actors to portray Superman in various forms of media. No matter who was in the role, the message has always been the same.
It is probably why when DC Comics made the call to “Kill” Superman in the 1990’s, it had such a strong reaction. Granted, the comics audience had just entered into a new era post-“Watchmen”, where the blueprint of Superman was most challenged, but fans were still saddened by the news. The story that led to it was classic Superman: He had to find a way to stop Doomsday no matter what the cost, because the people of Earth needed help. Even after he was gone, comic life imitated art with 4 people stepping up claiming to be the new Man Of Steel, with one in particular in John Henry Irons being inspired by Supes. That subtle move reflected what Superman had been doing for years: inspiring hope in others.
Now entering year 85, Superman is as impactful and timeless as ever. Happily married to Lois Lane and father to Jonathan Kent, the life of Clark Kent continues to grow its’ legacy. The “Dawn Of DC” push from DC Comics has featured a renewed focus on the entire Superman Line. I highly recommend Superman by Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell and Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent by Tom Taylor and Clayton Henry. Both books have engulfed the themes of what makes Superman who he is. “Superman and Lois” has entered its’ third season on the CW with a solid start. As for the movies, James Gunn (Co-Lead of DC Films) has made it clear that Superman is a focal point of what he’s building by personally writing the new movie “Superman: Legacy.” Suffice to say, there is no shortage of content involving Krypton’s last son on the horizon.
No matter what the year, no matter what the time. Superman still sets the blueprint of what a hero should be. The blueprint remains true: a hero’s actions are what makes the hero and in 85 years, it hasn’t been broken, so why try fixing it? Few other characters come close to the impact of Superman but when it’s all said and done, no other hero can claim the impact of the ideals of a hero quite like the Man of Steel.
Hit me up on Nerd Initiative social media and let me know your thoughts on Superman. Thanks for reading.
