Is Superman Un-American?

oh, and one more thing (which everyone seems to forget) he's actualy part canadian.

 http://www.comicbooked.com/superman-is-half-canadian/

I think renouncing citizenship due to an overbearing government sounds like a positively American thing to do. If memory serves, this country was founded under similar conditions (Kryptonians excluded).

This whole discussion is ridiculous f(ox)aux news playground politics.

Writers have tried to pull Superman away from being a Nationalist symbol before Goyer and other writers have pulled him back into it and will again after this.

I've always felt that Superman should be bigger than just one nation. He's a hero for the planet Earth who should protect and represent us all equally and to the best of his ability. Yet, it's important to recognize his associations with America. He was raised in the U.S. and lives in the U.S.. Sometimes he even acts like an avatar for values and controversies America is experiencing at the time (much like using him to criticize American policy concerning the Middle East). I believe Superman loves his country, acknowledges it's shortcomings, and knows he should belong to the world.

I think complaining about this issue speaks to a childish form of Nationlism that should be left in the dust.

I posted a blog over the weekend about this issue. There's a lot of propaganda spreading going on right now and it's really getting out of hand.

He's not anti-American. He's pro-Earth.    

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I dont blame Supes one bit.

 

   

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I always thought that line was a contradiction when Superman used it. Maybe at first the ideal was there but these days you can see a lot of holes in the old doctrine. I could give examples but that's good. lol

Can someone tell me bout the stuff with the Iranian goverment?

Really liked this article, about time someone faced this head on, nationalism for the sake of it is absurd, and I'm glad that Superman can acknowledge this.

about time he gave up that citizenship...........

@kungnima: 

what do you want to know?

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I don't get why people are hating on this. it's so pointless....

Batman never denounced his citizenship. Just saying. (At least I think he didn't). 

Because of one slogan people have equated Superman with Captain America.

This is so retarded IMO, goes against everything Superman believes in since he grew up and was raised in AMERICA.....Kansas, Smallville...as a baby, period.
This writer sucks and I hope he doesn't write Superman anymore....

Superman will always protect the world, but Superman/Clark the character himself would never renounce his american US citizenship....so stupid, I hope they change this down the line....


This also puts Superman in the political spotlight which I hate....since the JL aren't political, they just do what's right and not wrong. It's others who make it political....

This is excellent news.

glad he's renouncing American citizenship.  Superman has to remain above all the American warmongering rhetoric and state that he's here to protect everyone.  I think its a good move that solves a lot of problems

 I think this pretty much explains this topic.

" @MKF30:  Just to let you know...David S Goyer wrote this...Here are some films he written and helped write:All three Batman films (The Nolan ones)All three Blade filmsUpcoming Ghost Rider filmDark CityI hope he continues to write... I love his work. "

Some  people on here clearly do not realize that Superman always protects everyone... I don't think half the people in here saying they're "glad" for this never read vintage Superman....and actually, if anything the un-americans are the one who support this. Again Superman quote" I fight for truth, justice and the american way" 
So you're off batty...not to mention, as myself wasn't born here in America I also know that umm if you're not born here, whether another country or planet and you come to America you kind of need something called American citizenship if you LIVE here...which oh yeah, last time I checked Superman/Clark Kent does unless Smallville and Metropolis isn't located in America....

Honestly there is really not a more American superhero, except for Captain America and U.S. Agent, than Superman

Superman is not un-American. Whichever writer on the book (the one who wrote that story) that's the guy we need to be concerned about LOL.

I think the principle of the thing is that there was a clear political message that was insinuated with those panels right there and in the end I believe that's what's gotten the passions flared up among some people with regard to Action 900.  Sure, alot of it does ride on the fact that we are in a renewed patriotic sense from not only finding the mastermind behind 9/11 and by having Superman renounce his American ties that it seems "un-American." Problem is when one starts to tread into the realm of politics within comic print, one is invariably going to upset somebody or something.  And the door swings both ways on it.  After all, I think we remember this a little while back in Captain America 604: 

" I think the principle of the thing is that there was a clear political message that was insinuated with those panels right there and in the end I believe that's what's gotten the passions flared up among some people with regard to Action 900.  Sure, alot of it does ride on the fact that we are in a renewed patriotic sense from not only finding the mastermind behind 9/11 and by having Superman renounce his American ties that it seems "un-American." Problem is when one starts to tread into the realm of politics within comic print, one is invariably going to upset somebody or something.  And the door swings both ways on it.  After all, I think we remember this a little while back in Captain America 604: 

Now this was something profound and it rattled a lot of people and with good reason.  Now anyone who knows me by now knows that I am a reactionary conservative and of course would have a bone to pick with things like this or the Superman panels above.  Truth is I don't because at the end of the day I realize full well when I'm reading subliminal propaganda or political allegory or just a fun read.  And the truth is with those panels unfortunately you have a little bit of all three put into the mix.  Does it get me wanting to say Superman is un-American?  Absolutely not.  Do I think it unwise to put into print? Maybe, but regardless, we are as free to read and criticize this apparent panel as much as the creator was allowed to create it.   

I guess what I'm saying here is, one cannot expect to put something into print like this and NOT have some kind of backlash.  It will happen one way or another when politics come into the realm of some widely circulated mass media such as comics.  Yes, in the end Kal-El is symbolically the ultimate illegal alien with his origin story (though John Byrne's Man of Steel kind of changed that even. Remember the birthing matrix people?).  But the way he has been WRITTEN over decades shows that he is as American as apple pie even if he is Earth's champion...just like in a way America is Earth's hegemon.  When one starts to write stuff like this out of the blue, its going to cause a controversy.  Just roll with the punches people and let those who criticize it do so, and those who love it for just the story enjoy it for what it is.

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I am 100% against this.   I think the Editors and Writers of the DC Universe are pushing their agenda onto us. I am not sure why they are choosing to distance themselves from America or why they are choosing to utilize Superman a Well Known Patriotic character for this.   Superman has always supported the United States Country and was always proud to be an American.   How many photos have there been with him holding the American Flag or an Eagle or other form of American Symbol?   I understand that Superman may want to help the entire world.   I am for that.   If he wants to be made available to all those in need. That is a good thing and by all means go for it.   However, why does his status as an American effect this?   Why can he not be a World Hero and a American?   Furthermore, if he does not wish to be an American anymore.   Why must he make a big spectacle about it.   Why must he call a conference with the United Nations to publicly renounce his U. S. Citizenship?   I find it to be an offensive gesture.   A crudely offensive gesture.   One that is really unnecessary.   I also raise the question will Clark Kent retain his U. S. citizenship?   If so, well that's pretty damn hypocritical. America needs heroes and she needs symbols now more than ever.   For Superman to come out and publicly denounce his citizenship is a low blow.   One that I never could have ever fathomed him taking. I wonder what Ma Kent has to say about this.   After all, a young Clark Kent/ Superman was raised with the American Ideals and fundamentals as his foundation. Truth, Justice and the American Way.  

Outside the story.   I think the writer's and editor's of DC Comics are doing two things.   I think they are possibly trying to appeal to a foreign market.   I also think they are following the trend of being Anti-American.   I think they are fusing the two together.   I hate the direction the politicians are driving this country in.   I really do.   The American System of Government is great system. Democracy is a beautiful thing.   The politicians and Government officials have taken this beautiful system and twisted it and turned into a very dimly lit shadow of its former stuff.   I still believe in my country. I still believe America can and one day will reclaim the ideals of Morality and Freedom and Liberty and Justice for all.   With every person that turns their back on this country... on America they turn their back on the ideals our Forefather's held dear.    Not the Government.   I believe our Government has lost its way.   The system works, but the men and women charged with facilitating the system have led it astray and people are confusing the actions of the Government for America and everything she represents. DC Comics is obviously jumping on that same bandwagon.   The gesture of having Superman Renounce his American Citizenship may be because of the Government's Current Actions and not against America herself.   Or maybe they don't like the American Way of Life anymore?   Maybe they are a part of the same source that is tearing our Government to shreds from the inside out.   Regardless of their intentions or beliefs.   The gesture alone of Superman renouncing his America Citizenship because "Truth, Justice and the American Way isn't enough anymore" is at the very core a representation of them turning their back on America and what she stands for.    That is the message received by me and apparently lots of others.   It’s a very sad day.    

 

I do not wish DC Comics to back track. I believe in freedom of speech. If this is the direction they choose to go.  If this is what they believe to be right then so be it.  I will commend them for taking a stand for their beliefs.  However, I feel I must as well and as a result I no longer wish to read DC Comics. 

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its kinda sad that you have to renounce your citizenship in order to have better appeal in the world.....or foreign markets..........that should say a lot to what it means to be an american these days

I find it ridiculous that people get butthurt about Superman renouncing his US Citizenship. Sure, he was raised in Smallville, Kansas, but he was instilled American values, he wasn't born in America, he was born in Krypton.

Now if Superman had renounced his American citizenship and then immediately said he was a citizen of another country (United Kingdom or Nigeria to randomly pick two) I could see how people would be upset. But maybe that would have solved a few problems if they just had dozens of other nations making him citizens of their country as well. Like dual-citizenship. But then countries who weren't involved in it would still say he's covering the interests of the countries that call him a citizen.

  the Golden and Silver ages of comics Superman as well as many other comic heroes were often used as propaganda devices.  Unfortunately the use of these characters as propaganda devices greatly hindered both the growth of their characterization and story development.  It wasn't until the modern age (with a few exceptions perhaps) that comic writers really started to put their foot down, since they didn't want to be stifled artistically, as they wanted to make stories with a more mature sensibility and more complex intriguing characters.  Since the modern age Superman has been the story of an alien child who was adopted by the Earth, and grew up to be a man of integrity who defends humanity out of his sense of respect and affection for all of us globally, rather than any nationalistic or patriotic motivation.  There are even times before recently that Kal-El had to confront the government out of this sense of respect and affection for humanity. Superman declaring himself a citizen of the world is very consistent with his characterization.

" Superman has lost his roots. "

Here's the thing that's got me thinking, Goyer was the guy who came up with the plot for the new superman movie, could this be in any way similar to what the movie will be?

O_o WWWWWWWWUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTT??????????????? why? That's kinda even more dumb now that Osama's dead. Also as previously pointed out: Why does he look evil in that one picture where he says: "The world's too small. Too connected."

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                @inferiorego said:

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                @MKF30:  Just to let you know...David S Goyer wrote this...Here are some films he written and helped write:All three Batman films (The Nolan ones)All three Blade filmsUpcoming Ghost Rider filmDark CityI hope he continues to write... I love his work.
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yeah me too.......he does a great job...........i hope he continues..........the un-americans are the ones that oppose this change and call it retarded
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Ohh so if i just opose it an think its stupid week story an not call it retarded im not un american .. ok thats fair....

Or did you mean one or the other. If thats the case of painting some one who uses the freedom of speech as un american.That would ignore its simple fact freedom of speech is a american value .

Renounceing ones american citizen ship actualy logicaly would be counter amercian.In its simple form.Your not wanting to be american for what ever reason ( sigh said this earlyer) so it cant be even more american .

lets see if we see more covers like this..If not than 9 page of backup story over writes years of a character trait.

Let's wait and see what DC's take on this issue is once that Captain America movie starts raking in the dough.

Superman is for everyone on earth! I'm sick of this double standard. Why do comicbook characters get to be treated as such when they try to be holistic? I never heard anyone complain when Chuck Norris claimed the universe!!!!! Double standard is disgusting!

this is betrayal  dc ought to be ashamed of there selves

" @battyfan1 said:

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                @inferiorego said:

"
                @MKF30:  Just to let you know...David S Goyer wrote this...Here are some films he written and helped write:All three Batman films (The Nolan ones)All three Blade filmsUpcoming Ghost Rider filmDark CityI hope he continues to write... I love his work.
            "

yeah me too.......he does a great job...........i hope he continues..........the un-americans are the ones that oppose this change and call it retarded
            "

Ohh so if i just opose it an think its stupid week story an not call it retarded im not un american .. ok thats fair....

 

Or did you mean one or the other. If thats the case of painting some one who uses the freedom of speech as un american.That would ignore its simple fact freedom of speech is a american value .

 

Renounceing ones american citizen ship actualy logicaly would be counter amercian.In its simple form.Your not wanting to be american for what ever reason ( sigh said this earlyer) so it cant be even more american .

 

lets see if we see more covers like this..If not than 9 page of backup story over writes years of a character trait.

 

 

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" this is betrayal  dc ought to be ashamed of there selves "

@MKF30:
May have more to do with lazy editoral at dc or writer who wants to run a 1st go with the comic fan base on what he would like to do for the movie.Testing the waters so to speek as goyer will be writer for the new super man movie.

Dc canon has been more of the glass slipper canon imho.they have retconed the fun out of the multiple earths.The difrent fun of the golden age an silver age worlds.It feels more to me its last hayday that apealed to me was sandamn ,dark knight returns,watchmen era.Now i have noting but time an very limited funds im looking at hardbound trades for my comic needs .As the new stuff just seems meh more than not.

The boy scout by far is not one of my favorite comic characters.But i enjoyed a few older comics as well as the movies.May have to look at superman vs doomsaday move on dvd to since adam baldwin does the voice over work.In dcuo he makes super man sound intresting.But ill wait to see if this is indead the direction dc goes.If it is ill just buy used.

Its bad enuff when hollywood disreguards their comic book source for movies.But when the comics companies do it to their own characters i can only vote with my wallet.

I wouldn't have taken the news so badly if, in the same week, Brightest Day hadn't ended with a TOTAL leftist slant. Brightest Day ends with the Swamp Thing killing off executives of an oil company and possibly a tobacco company? I think tobacco companies are awful and oil spills are horrendous but if anyone gets killed in comics for their actions, it should be people like Bin Laden or Hitler. I have completely cancelled all my DC subscriptions. I'm fine with comics making a statement, but only as long as it's one we all agree on, or if they show both sides of the argument.