McKenzie Frey Professor Jablonsky Revisionist Superhero: Essay #2 November 28, 2012 The Static Superman Born in 1938,

Superman became the first superhero to live by and fight for truth, justice, and the American way by interweaving a pattern of beliefs, literary conventions, and cultural traditions of the American people (Engle 1). While characters like Batman have undergone multiple deconstructions and reconstructions throughout the years since they were first created, publishers of Superman have fiercely resisted the idea of deconstructing Americas first costumed superhero. But what is so special about Superman that makes these individuals so adamant to keep Supermans character static? The answer is simple: Supermans character is relatable to a world-wide audience in that he has roots as an immigrant and orphan, he influences the idea and commodity of being morally virtuous, and he inspires people to be themselves and to believe they are capable of achieving what they dream. According to Gary Engle, among a nation rich with legendary figures, Superman is the great American hero (Engle 1). Superman, being both an immigrant and orphan, tends to appeal to a variety of relatable fans. As American pioneers ventured to the New World on the Mayflower, Superman was shuttled to Earth in a rocket ship (Loeb 18). Thus, fans find similarities between themselves and Superman as all Americans have an immediate sense of their origins elsewhere (Engle 2). Likewise, Superman appeals to those individuals with orphan backgrounds, because, in addition to American society, orphans can be found everywhere in the world. Therefore, Superman allows audience members the opportunity to reflect on their own social identities and provides individuals an opportunity to gain a sense of community with other individuals on a social level.

Asserting the value of the American immigrant culture, Supermans character allows individuals to come to terms with the immigrant experience by not losing his sense of self (Engle 2). After his native planet, Krypton, explodes, Supermans rocket lands in Smallville, where he is adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent (Engle 1). Although his adoptive parents tell him the story of how they found him, Superman does not resist who he has become by attempting to discover where he came from, but continues to live his life, following and believing the ethics and virtues he was raised with. Even when he migrates to Metropolis and realizes that he lives in a world where nobody sticks their neck out for anybody, Superman carries out his Smallville assets to help others in a positive way (Loeb 66). According to Engle, in America, physical dislocation serves as a symbol of social and psychological movement (Engle 3). In other words, the American identity is about forsakingthe past for the opportunity of reinventing oneself in the future (Engle 3). Therefore, the relativity that Superman is an orphan becomes prevalent. For instance, Superman, not knowing where he came from or who he was supposed to be prior to landing on Earth, sets his mind to becoming whatever he chooses. Martha Kent further encourages him to pursue his dreams by claiming, You can do anything you set your mind toas long as you believe in it with all your heart (Loeb 47). As he takes this mindset with him to Metropolis, Superman gains confidence that allows him to excel in his heroism. For audience members, especially those with orphan backgrounds, Supermans ability to reinvent himself and build his life over his unknown is pleasing and inspirational. Thus, audience members relate to Superman as they attempt to build a life of their own. In addition to having orphan and immigrant roots, Superman appeals to audiences with his display of virtuous values. Ian Gordon claims in his article, Nostalgia, Myth, and Ideology:

Visions of Superman and the End of the American Century, that Superman offers infinite possibilities for storytelling focused on virtue (Gordon 180). This implies the notion that Superman has become a legendary role model for fans. While nobody can fly, see through walls, lift up cars, or bounce bullets off their chest like Superman, they can still display heroic qualities similar to Superman. For instance, in Jeph Loeb and Tim Sales Superman For All Seasons, Superman displays the capability of sticking his neck out for everyone by lending a helpful hand to those who need it (Loeb 67). With his virtuous, do-good attitude, regardless of his super-powers, Superman influences readers to establish and follow positive morals such as those he portrays in himself. An example from Gordons article shows that in his early years, Superman saved a woman mistakenly condemned for murder, confronted a wife beater, prevented the United States from becoming embroiled in a European conflict, destroyed slums to force the government to build better housing, tore down a car factory, and fought a corrupt police force (Gordon 181). From these instances in Supermans history, audience members are able to relate to Supermans virtues by using Superman as a role model towards performing acts of kindness. Another example arises in Superman For All Seasons, when Superman catches a young child playing on the roof; he saves the boy by catching him before he falls to his death (Loeb 54). Audience members can relate by understanding that, like Superman, they have the ability to perform good deeds, even if they are incapable of flying. Thus, Supermans influence becomes one of many central reasons why publishers are so adamant to keep the static character of Superman. In addition to being an orphan, immigrant, and influencing a virtuous nature, Superman has established the ability to effectively be an American icon. According to Gordon, Superman has been an important archetypal image (Gordon 183) in many instances of history since his

birth in 1983, while the commercialization of Superman has partly been responsible for his character becoming an American icon (Gordon 182). For example, troops serving in the army during World War II [had] 100,000 copies of the comic book [distributed]overseas (Gordon 183). These comics were meant to provide soldiers a sense of confidence and comfort, because, although Superman operates in a mythical dimension, he symbolizes as an American warrior and stands for freedom, justice and the American way (Gordon 180). Likewise, when Supermans virtue tied to Franklin Roosevelts New Deal politics in the 1930s, Superman captured an audience of young fans whoreveled in his short-cut solutions to social problems and defiance of conventional authority (Gordon 181). Thus, constituting as a war icon, media icon, and, later, a toy icon, Superman stresses the importance of the role of individual over social forces in producing character, in the moral sense, thereby affirming Supermans adherence to individualism (Gordon 184). Therefore, American fans find Superman an inspirational role model to defend themselves and the values they believe in. Aside from the commercialism produced by Supermans character, publishers consider the influence Superman displays in living a double life. As Lois articulates in Superman For All Seasons, We all have our little secrets (Loeb 84). In Supermans case, he lives as both a superhero defending the world and as a news reporter, Clark Kent. While Superman grew up in Smallville, he migrated to Metropolis in order to help as many people as possible (Loeb 46). By setting his mind to achieving his goals and successfully living two lives at once, Superman has inspired Americans to pursue their own dreams and become their own heroes. For instance, parents who work full-time and have a family, because they go to work during the day and come home at night to hang out with their children, have been considered heroes. Children who attend school have set a basis for achieving their dreams. Whatever the scenario, Supermans static

character creates and influences awe and inspiration for fans and many other Americans to do what they aspire. From his birth, Superman has morphed into an idol by American society through his virtues, his lifestyle, and his symbolism. Through his ability to be himself, to overcome his early-life obstacles, and to achieve his aspirations, Superman, the character publishers refuse to deconstruct, has influenced American society to become what they believe they can achieve. Thus, in order to continue inspiring fans across the world, publishers refuse to deconstruct Superman from the character he has been since 1938.

Works Cited Engle, Gary. What Makes Superman So Darned American? Gordon, Ian. Nostalgia, Myth, and Ideology: Visions of Superman at the End of the "American Century". New York, 1 January 2001. Loeb, Jeph and Tim Sale. Superman For All Seasons. New York: DC Comics, 1999. print.