Superman Goes Global

I submitted this essay for an op-ed project last Friday:

4/29/11

Truth and Justice before ‘the American Way’

Truth and Justice do come before the American way. A blogger cited in a Dailymail.co.uk article ('A slight on the US': Superman to RENOUNCE his American citizenship in a new storyline, April 28) by the name of Scott Thill pointed this out nicely, referring to the fact that though Superman is based in the U.S. he has always been proactive in protecting the globe. I have followed the comic book hero closely since I was 8 years old and he has been a source of inspiration for me and others, both personally and literately.

But many feel that it disrespects our country for the famed Man of Steel, the father of comic book super heroes, to renounce his citizenship as an American. I admit I have struggled with this issue before. I am reminded of my disgust in 2006 over the omission of “the American way” which ends Superman’s own quotation, in the movie Superman Returns. In the film Superman returns to Metropolis from a 7-year absence and there is speculation as to whether or not he will be different, “Does he still stand for Truth, Justice… all that stuff?” asks Perry White, Editor in Chief of the cities newspaper. I felt that the movie was giving up hope in United States, under the pressure from fighting two wars and other polarizing topics that have endured from that day. I don’t think there was even an American flag in the film, yet the stars and stripes wave proudly in the movie Spider-Man 3 a year later.

“The genius of Superman is that he belongs to everyone, for the dual purposes of peace and protection”, Mr. Thill here echoes the sentiments of the comic book character, who is renouncing his citizenship due to uproar that his presence, at a recent foreign protest, however peaceful, is an act of war. Even the strongest man alive can only bear the weight of self-seeking and ignorant perceptions for so long. The truth is Superman is not abandoning America despite our mistakes. Though he is a fictional character, I see now that my previous attitude about his loyalty is exactly what the comic book writers wish to alter. Superman is not a tool, he is a symbol. But he has been reduced to an agent of one particular system, one sole government or region. Superman belongs to every man woman and child, within the pages of literature and in real life pop culture. Everyone deserves his power in their lives and Superman deserves to choose whomever he will, to empower with Truth and Justice, in every way he can.

MAY 6TH

So that above pic is the cover to Action Comics #900. Honestly the coolest thing about Action Comics lately has been a focus on Superman's nemesis Lex Luthor and his quest for the Orange and Black Lantern rings. And along with that is Superman's latest inspiration, which is to take a more global stance on guarding the earth - by going beyond he U.S.A. and actually looking over the earth. It's a mighty daring step for Supes, if only because of how comfortable American's have already become with him being more active in the U.S. Thing is Superman lends support to some protesters in a foreign land. He simply and peacefully demonstrates along with them by standing for 24 hours not talking or moving. The leader of this country sees this as an act of war on America's part because of Superman's status and image as an American hero. So he decides its time to renounce. The way I see it, Superman is just at it again, trying to protect people. Some say he is a pawn of U.S. policy no matter how he protests the idea. Others could attack our country or endanger others in the name of protecting them from abusive U.S. rule or from a possible Superman dictatorship... backlash essentially. Superman doesn't want anyone in a possible crossfire if he is attacked with the intent to do us a blow by taking our alleged "big gun".

I think this will be a very interesting plot. A good companion to the intriguing Grounded storyline with Supes walking all over the country in his own title, Superman. I'll snatch up the Paul Cornell run continuing in #900 when it hits trade status.

M3/LIFE

So now that I've covered that I wanted to just write. I think the Superman thing coincides with some personal things that I've been working on lately. I myself feel as if I am "going global" or as corporations tend to put it "going public".

I have been thinking a lot about identity, my identity lately. I guess I have been asking myself, the universe and God to show me who I am. And one of em has answered. I have been reading three Superman stories: Birthright, Earth One and Secret Origin. These stories are all separate tales of how Superman came to be.

Birthright tells of Clark's travels to realize his passion: journalism and his origins. After learning who he is the book goes on to show how Clark imitates his Kryptonian forefathers and uses his powers to help the people of earth through truth and justice. The "S" shield becomes a crest that symbolizes Superman's family's household an earth's new-found hope. But especially like how Clark sees images of his family and realizes that the uniform he sports will be a tribute to their culture and that's how his iconic suit is formed: he wants to look like his dad.

Earth One focuses on a 21 year old Clark Kent's journey to find himself. He takes a train to Metropolis and vows to find a place for him to contribute to society. He's very depressed in this story because of just that. He learns he can do ANYTHING in the world and be the greatest at it but none of it makes truly happy. He wants to fit in and being a scientist, pro athlete and business man will bring him money and recognition he can't be his true self. He feels he has to sacrifice his plan to reveal himself to the world because he has now learned how to blend in but he feels he'll be letting his parents down. Through the actions of a new villain, Clark is forced to out himself to save the world that took him in. He realizes that living full out as himself and helping the world really can be done simultaneously. So long as he is happy and who he chooses to be he'll never let his family down.

And finally, Secret Origin tells the definitive back story of Superman from his time in Smallville, meeting a young Luthor and adventures with the Legion of Superheroes. After struggling as a kid with his powers and not fitting in, Clark embraces his powers and sense of self after meeting his legacy in the 31st century in the form of the Legion. When Clark sees the good he can bring it cements in him an identity that screams strength and not fear.

Honestly it's taken me all week to write this thing. But God has been good this week, reminding me of some of these themes in these comic books and how they can actually apply to me. I think I've held back my strength and inner light that I forgot what its like to live and love. I think I have to earn the pride of my loved ones and when they tell me they're already proud of me I'm astonished. I want to be my own Super-Man. At 22 years of age I'm tired of carrying an identity that conflicts with my nature. My past told me I couldn't be anything great and I was fine with that.

BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE.

Kids are cruel period. The immature preached a message that spit on my family values. These values are the reason I was homeschooled back in the 90s. It was taboo then and it is now but when I was in the thick of it, it was taboo NOW NOW lol. Honestly my close-knit family values came out in many ways: respect, clear speaking, curiosity, no fear, etc. But the immature are always striving, always competing and can never rest. The neighborhood kids knew all about that. Its sad that at such a young age (8-14) we already learn to quell the fire in our fellows instead of fanning it into a wild inferno of self awareness. Its a classic sob story but in real life, sadly, it takes the victim a LONG TIME to realize the truth and take their power back.

I have since taken my power back.

I know I'll deal with people challenging my identity for the rest of my life. Heck I do that too, I'm not exempt. Immature people don't know any better. But my mission in life is to immitate my heavenly Father. He looks at hearts and intentions, not the physical only. Failure to see the world through God-stained eyes is what gets us in trouble and keep us from fulfilling our potential to be the best we can be, 100% ourselves. I think that's why Limitless and Adjustment Bureau and Superman and stuff have been on my mind the past several months. God really has been talking to me and bringing me to a new place. He's bringing me to my proper place, seated in the heavens with him so I can see as he sees.

I put out 100% of my soul now as it continues to encourage and love that's what I'm putting out. No holding back. As God trains me I'll run harder and faster the race he's marked out for me. I WILL win my prize.

So the son becomes the father, as Jor-El would say.

I am now going global!

It's time to pick up my destiny, my feet, and cross the River Jordan.

EL FIN