The best thing about the Golden Age Superman was the potential for social commentary.
(I'm about to piss somebody off) Since fans want Superman to be unchanging in his seemingly "old-fashioned" values, I would make Superman embody those values.............and be a conservative. Many of his enemies would thus be metaphors for certain socio-political ideologies and problems and both sides.
Lex Luthor: as in the Byrne era, he would essentially be the "Stock evil rich guy", as well as a seeming embodiment of the "pick yourself up by the bootstraps" rags to riches story.
Zod: embodies a highly militarized mentality, as on Krypton he unleash Doomsday to scare the planet back into a state of perpetual war mindedness. Allegory for war profiteering and somewhat of the Bush administration.
Metallo: a literal dark mirror of Superman, having a twisted version of what Superman is. Superman is seemingly a patriotic character, while John Corben would be jingoistic and racist. Superman belongs to no government, whereas Corben is the worst of the American military. Superman is born with the capacity for his powers, whereas Corben takes steroids for his muscles and is later turned into a cyborg. Superman is a gentleman, Corben is a chauvinist. He would later cause an Abu Graib like controversy and make the U.S. army look terrible. You can see the socio political elements right?
Parasite: an "evil poor guy" who steals people's identities, he would be a parasite before he even gets powers. He also collects several benefits due to stealing identities, mooching from the system. Compare Superman (was "given" his powers for free but uses them to help others) with Parasite ("works" for the powers that he steals but uses them for himself). Essentially a commentary for liberal "charity" mindset.
Livewire: a liberal dyke feminazi shock radio host, she hates Superman for obvious reasons.
I think just doing this alone for these villains (i.e. in a Superman universe by a talented writer........such as myself) would help elevate many of these characters from beyond just being people that Superman punches.
Log in to comment