Media outlets exploded recently when a story ran that Warner Bros. Studios was lamenting about what to do with Superman to make him relevant to modern audiences. To say that the Internet rallied around the Man of Steel is a major understatement. Comic creators, Hollywood elite, and fans jumped to Superman’s defense and gave an encyclopedia of reasons why Superman was not only relevant but always had been.
Superman has always evolved to reflect the society that he lives in. Many parts of his daily life have changed to match the times. However, certain aspects have never changed and those allow Superman to remain a timeless classic.
10 Relevant: The Ultimate Immigrant Story
“Rocketed as a baby from the doomed planet Krypton…”. Superman is the ultimate example of someone that came from another place to America and “made good”. Immigrants are very much on the minds of Americans today. Superman could be a great help to elevate the negative connotations the idea of the immigrant has now.
America is a nation of immigrants. With the exception of the Native Americans, every single person that has touched these shores is an immigrant. That is something that far too many people forget. Superman, despite fully embracing his life here, also realizes the importance of celebrating his immigrant roots.
9 Not Relevant: The Costume
Creators Siegel and Shuster admittedly counted “The Mask Of Zorro” as an influence and Zorro and Don Diego de la Vega as templates for both Superman and Clark Kent respectively. Early comedian Harold Lloyd was also an influence on the look of Clark Kent. The “underwear on the outside” came from circus strongmen and wrestlers outfits.
Costumes are a staple of the superhero genre. But when we really look at costumes realistically, the whole idea of them is kind of silly. In what situation would you wear something skintight with a cape? Unless it does something to protect, enhance or otherwise empower you, what purpose does the costume really serve?
8 Relevant: Hope
In the film “Man of Steel”, the “S” on Superman’s chest is the Kryptonian symbol for hope. The country is split down the middle because of social and political issues and a figure that inspires hope is something that this country is in desperate need of these days.
Superman works best when he is inspiring. In nearly every incarnation of the Justice League, Batman may make the plans but Superman is the leader. He makes every hero, no matter what their powers or skill set, want to do their absolute best because no one wants to disappoint Superman. Wouldn’t it be a fantastic world if we had someone like that in our real lives?
7 Not Relevant: The Secret Identity
To comics outsiders, a pair of glasses and a suit shouldn’t be fooling anyone when it comes to Clark Kent. Over the years, writers have tried to expand the idea by having Clark study acting techniques, wearing deliberately larger clothing, slouching and several other excuses to hide his identity.
Superman has often claimed that Clark is where he goes to feel “human”, to connect to people and to be himself. And while there is some logic to that, it does seem odd because he really is Superman. Not the costume or the superhero persona, but a man with powers. That is who he is. Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter is the performance. The most capable man in the world becomes bumbling, clumsy and a bit befuddled. As Batman once put it, “You only hesitate when you wear the glasses.”
6 Relevant: Truth, Justice, And All Of That Stuff
The Superman TV series ended with the saying “Truth, Justice and the American Way.” Truth has become subjective and is seemingly under daily attack. The once reliable institutions have become unreliable sources. Justice itself is up for grabs. Money and race seem to be the deciding factors on who gets justice, who gets arrested and who gets shot.
“The American Way” was an idea that was added during the Cold War paranoia and that should be avoided moving forward. However, an icon is needed to reaffirm the ideas of truth and justice for all people, equally, no matter their race, nationality or circumstances.
5 Not Relevant: Smallville
Smallville has always been portrayed as the quintessential small town, where everyone knew everyone. The quiet, sleepy areas where nothing very bad happens, everyone thinks the same, talk the same and mostly looks the same. Those ideas went away with "Mayberry RFD" and black and white TV.
Even though there are still plenty of small towns, they are connected to the world through the internet now. They are more culturally diverse. They are dealing with challenges like never before as the American farm is in serious danger. Overt simplicity and naivete are no longer as valued as people who can think complexly to deal with the challenges of the modern world.
4 Relevant: The First Superhero
Although there is a precedent to argue this point, Superman was the first superhero and the archetype for the “Golden Age of Superheroes”. Superman established a number of the things that became constants of the superhero genre: The altruistic nature, the skintight costume, powers and abilities, a secret identity and an identifying code name.
After his introduction in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and the subsequent publication of the Superman comic in 1939, Superman’s popularity grew exponentially as he was featured in a newspaper strip, a popular series of theatrically released cartoons, movie serials, a nationally beloved radio series, and the hero’s name and likeness began to appear on everything from toys to peanut butter.
3 Not Relevant: The Day Job
“Mild Mannered Reporter for a Major Metropolitan Newspaper”. There is a definite need for good reporters today. People who aren’t afraid to speak truth to power and who will shine a light into the dark places are desperately needed. It is the “Major Metropolitan Newspaper” part that is the problem. The fact is that very few newspapers exist anymore and the readership of those that do is dwindling.
It is the 21st Century and the digital age. News from around the world is a mouse click or a 24-hour news channel away. Waiting for the next day’s paper makes no sense. Recent comics have tried to bring the Daily Planet into the digital age by giving it an online edition. But newspapers are quickly going the way of the phone booth.
2 Relevant: Family
One of the best things about DC Rebirth is that the marriage of Lois Lane and Clark Kent remained part of the continuity but it also gives them a child, Jonathan Samuel Kent, who has grown into the newest Superboy. Unlike some marriages in comics, the marriage of Lois and Clark has redefined both characters and made them stronger and better for it.
The inclusion of Jon has made the “Superman Family” a true family. Superman has been passing on what it means to be a hero to his son, what it takes to put others' safety before your own and what it takes to use your power responsibly. From Lois, Jon has learned tenacity, what true strength is and that there is nothing more important than the truth.
1 Not Relevant: The Stakes
A chief complaint of some writers has been that Superman is difficult to write because it is nearly impossible to challenge him. Any good story has a point where the characters meet challenges that they have to overcome. If Superman is basically a god, what challenges can there be and stakes that make the audience empathize with his struggle?
This was an especially large problem in the Silver Age when one comic famously had Superman dragging several planets through space on a chain. Many writers have famously tried to bring Superman “down from Mount Olympus”. Famously, John Byrne depowered Superman considerably in his re-imagining of Superman in the 80’s Man of Steel miniseries but invariably Superman’s powers crept back up.