Coinciding with the release of Action Comics #1000, Ricky Church celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Man of Steel…
It’s almost hard to believe Superman has reached his 1000th issue in Action Comics, the very comic he made his first appearance, but when you think about it its not that surprising at all. Superman has been around for all my life, he’s been around for all my parent’s lives and for most of my grandparents as well. There are very few people alive today who can remember a time without Superman in pop culture.
Superman’s iconic status is something to celebrate. Not many fictional characters have withstood the test of time and still be as recognizable as he, especially in a medium some considered (and still do) to be a lowbrow form of entertainment. However, whether its through comics, television or film, Superman has remained vastly popular throughout his 80 years. What is it about the Man of Steel that has endured for so long?
Superman is one of the most powerful heroes of the superhero genre. With his invulnerable skin, super strength, heat vision, flight and other powers, there are few heroes and villains who can match him in a fight. Yet it is not his powers that endear him to fans, but the actions he undertakes with them, using them responsibly and to inspire others.
Indeed, it is his placement as an inspirational figure as to why he’s endured for so long. Superman says he stands for “truth, justice and the American way” – one of the most famous catchphrases and slogans for a fictional character ever made. While ‘the American way’ was an add-on during the war years of the 40s and 50s, truth and justice have always been central tenants to his character as he fought for the underdog as Superman and reported on the corrupt as Clark Kent.
Superman’s infallible sense of right and wrong is what makes him a cornerstone of the DC universe and a template for superheroes in general. He is what they aspire to be, but it can cause the same reaction in readers. Sure, fans would definitely like to have his various abilities, but it is Superman’s ideology that makes him a relatable and inspirational figure in pop culture.
His is the ultimate immigrant story: a refugee from a doomed planet come to ours as a baby, taken in by a kind and ordinary couple who teach him the value of life and discovers a greater purpose as he strives to protect his adoptive home from any and all threats. He is an outsider, forever to be labeled different from nearly everyone around him with some, such as nemesis Lex Luthor, reducing him to a mere alien while others hail him as a god. It is only as ‘ordinary’ Clark Kent that he feels as one of us, yet he never feels completely separated from humanity and Superman is the beacon many look up to.
Superman’s presence even softens Batman up. They have a rocky relationship in the comics at the start (in most origin stories at least), but Superman helps Batman be a bit less brooding. In the Justice League episode ‘Hereafter’ where Superman is thought to have died, Batman says to Superman’s grave that despite their differences he always respected the Man of Steel for showing him justice didn’t always have to come from the dark.
Moments like these are plenty throughout Superman’s history, from how young heroes look up to him to how his death affected the world – both the fictional one and real world (just search for tall the national and worldwide headlines in the early 1990s in reaction to The Death of Superman). Superman’s humanity is the core of his character, one which comics, cartoons, film and all other media have explored and emphasized. A great example of this is in Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman in one of my personal favourite moments – if not my most favourite – in Superman’s history. As he rushes to complete several tasks before he dies, Superman drops everything he’s doing to save the life of a teenaged goth woman about to take her own life. Just before she jumps off a roof, he calmly lands next to her and tells her “You’re much stronger than you think you are. Trust me” and hugs her. He never judges her for her appearance, decision to end her life or anything else, but instead shows her love and understanding.
Superman’s popularity and endurance is even shown in the various media I mentioned. No other superhero, save for Batman, has appeared in as many radio and TV serials, cartoons and films than Superman. From the 50s serials with George Reeves, Lois & Clark and Smallville, Superman’s presence in multimedia is without question. Undoubtedly his most famous onscreen interpretations are that of Superman: The Movie and its subsequent sequels with Christopher Reeve in the title role and Man of Steel with Henry Cavill starring as Superman in it and the other films of the DC Extended Universe, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.
The films and television series have only strengthened Superman’s presence for the mainstream audience. Many fans, myself included, got into the comics because of shows like Lois & Clark or Superman: The Animated Series. Each interpretation has offered a different look at Superman, yet even with their differences most have retained his humanity and why that, not his powers, are his greatest asset. Even his resilience in the face of overwhelming odds is a characteristic he’s well known for, never giving up to protect those he loves until he’s drawn his last breath.
Superman’s longevity and popularity resides in how strong of a character he is. His ideology may be considered old fashioned, but I find it to be a refreshing one compared to many other new superheroes such as Kick-Ass or The Authority who have sprung up in the modern age who don’t have the same morals as Superman. His belief in humanity to do the right thing and better themselves is a strong appeal to his character, especially in an age where cynicism and negativity in politics, life and even entertainment seems to be the norm now.
Superman serves as a reminder of the type of person we can be. His endless compassion and heroism stands as an example for fans and mainstream audiences alike and is one of the biggest reasons for his 80-year existence. His popularity may wane from time to time, but Superman’s significance in the superhero genre will always be felt and needed. It’s almost a cliché to say, but, as its said in Man of Steel and other media, the ‘S’ truly does stand for hope.
Ricky Church
