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Topic: Superman: The American Way No More (Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post ReplyPost New Topic
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Petter Myhr Ness
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 1:34am | IP Logged | 1  

So, it's official:
Superman will renounce his U.S. citizenship.

This fresh from ACTION COMICS #900.
Full spoilerish story:
http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/04/27/superman-renounces- us-citizenship/

Aside from wondering exactly HOW he will do this (it doesn't say Superman in his passport), I find this to be very sad and misunderstood gesture - and a further distraction away from what the character was always about. And I'm not even American.

What say you?

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Michael Todd
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 1:51am | IP Logged | 2  

I think that it's stupid, the Superman I grew up following (the Curt Swan version) would never do this.  In my opinion, none of the DC Comics Super-Heroes have really been themselves since Crisis on Infinite Earths back in 1985.

Edited by Michael Todd on 28 April 2011 at 1:56am
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Francesco Vanagolli
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 1:53am | IP Logged | 3  

When writers don't get a character and misunderstand him, episode 830.

Superman as an "US government puppet" is one of the classic opinions from those who DON'T read the character. Ditto for Captain America, of course.

If those at DC wanted to underline how Superman isn't a puppet, there were several good ways to do it: telling good stories about his tie with USA is one. But in those panel, it almost seems Superman (or who's writing him) is ashamed to be connected only to the USA.

I see Superman as a citizen of the whole world, but one who was raised and educated in the largest democratic Nation of the world. I can't see why he should deny that. Who wrote "For truth, justice and the American Way" first? Jerry Siegel? Aw, well, of course the character's creator's vision wasn't right enough.


I feel the need to reread my copy of the JFK Action issue!


Edited by Francesco Vanagolli on 28 April 2011 at 1:54am
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Michael Roberts
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 2:05am | IP Logged | 4  

Lame.

It's also an anniversary issue backup story that probably serves no purpose other than to stir up controversy and publicity, so I think the appropriate response is "Meh." Giving the story more attention than that is likely what DC wants.

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Simon Bucher-Jones
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 2:23am | IP Logged | 5  

This is ill thought through, since unless Superman gives up being Clark Kent he presumably has Americanm citizenship.

The result is a form of 'gesture politics' that ought to be below Superman.  It's a shame too because the main story in Action 900, by Paul Cornell is brill, and so is Paul Dini's short tale.

The citizenship one's by David S. Goyer and fails in other ways too. How many people die by accident or criminal activity while Superman keeps his vigil. Where's the cost benefit analysis? Superman, historically keeps his humanity by reacting to the nearest actual danger and *not* doing cold mental gymnastics, but if he's going to start "preventing deaths by doing nothing" he'll have to start thinking about the cost to the world of 60 minutes of inactivity. Writer's shouldn't focus on what Superman can't do, but on what he can.

Simon BJ

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Didier Yvon Paul Fayolle
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 3:19am | IP Logged | 6  

Stupid idea...

Superman is international ... BUT he represent the American Dream...

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John Byrne
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 3:58am | IP Logged | 7  

Gonna score a few headlines tho, isn't it? And that's really all that matters to the various Powers that Be. Get people who might otherwise not buy comics (ie, uninformed civilians) running to the comic shops to pick up "hot" issues.
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Armindo Macieira
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 4:44am | IP Logged | 8  

Superman was an American citizen?
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Petter Myhr Ness
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 4:53am | IP Logged | 9  

Get people who might otherwise not buy comics (ie, uninformed civilians) running to the comic shops to pick up "hot" issues.
--

Just wondering when they're going to realise that that strategy doesn't work in the long run?
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John Byrne
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 5:08am | IP Logged | 10  

"The long run" has not been a consideration for, well, a long time. Stunts, gimmicks, "events" targeted more at the uninformed than the possible long-term customer-- this has been the shape of comic marketing for almost as long as I have been in the business.

Smash and grab, basically.

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David Henriot
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 5:22am | IP Logged | 11  

As much as i found this idea stupid, i can understand the political view behind this.
A few months ago, Hollywood stated that they wanted to do more "international" movies, not only based on the american way of life (but, of course with occidental values)

So, "citizen of the world" is the next thing, and it's good, for those who promote it, to have a character as famous as Superman to serve this.

It's just like a giant Pacman eating countries and cultures - including USA - and melting all that in a new world.
Standing for a country is bad, being citizen of the nonexistence is good.

Great.

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Craig Robinson
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Posted: 28 April 2011 at 5:24am | IP Logged | 12  

What's next?  Is he going to renounce speaking English in favor of Esperanto?

And thus will begin the "Zod was right!" viral t-shirt campaign....

Freneza!

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