"Truth, Justice, and the American way." It's a part of Superman and why he protects humans. He's always been a symbol of American patriotism simply because he landed in America. He's always fought for Americans in tough times, and characters within the DC Universe think of Superman as the ultimate symbol for America.

This brings us to the events of Action Comics #900. This issue is taking a lot of heat and it's not because of Superman essentially fighting God in Lex Luthor format. In fact, the story in the book taking all said heat isn't even the main story; it's a back-up one. In the story called "The Incident" written by David S. Goyer and drawn by Miguel Sepulveda, as seen below, Superman takes non-violent action in the Middle East by demonstrating against the Iranian government. He comes back to America, and says this:

I am really tired of this controversy it's not even that big a deal in the comic itself only a few pages later this pin up was included. 

unbelievable

This is reasonable from him. His smart enough to know that those lines on maps aren`t that important and he`s to powerful to protect just one country, when he`s been protecting the world for a long time :) So I say, good for Superman.  

He's the American Way!

But where his is Birth Certificate!!!!!!!

Superman has regularly aided the planet Earth, rendering the "America way" motto altogether nationalistically dated.  Truth and Justice is not a segregated American belief, it's a universal concept applicable to all of humanity. Superman may be an American-born creation from a different and more patriotically blinding decade, but he's never been authentic American. He himself is foreign.  He universally helps people, ignoring the arbitrary things like race, ethnicity, and nationality...so un-American? Pssh! What could be more American than wanting to help those in need with collective acceptance? Many contemporary Americas may have forgotten that moral in their jingoistic arrogance, but that is the authentic American ideal. Despite the founding fathers hypocrisy and crimes and despite how corrupt the system my have become, those were the principles America was founded upon. If anything, Superman is now truer to the original American model.

I don't understand the issue people have with this. 

I dont blame Supes one bit.

Since I'm not American but British, one of the aspects that appeal to me about Superman is firstly th fact he is in a way the most human of us all, embodying all that's good about humanity despite his Kryptonian origin. Then there's the other fact in this article: the fact he is the world's protector not just America's. He belongs to the whole world not just America. His powers mean he should protect the entire world as well as America. Franky I welcome this news. Superman is a citizen of the Earth not just one country

Sick of this debate as well but because of one major point that nobody on the "this is a bad call" side seems to answer

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WHEN DID SUPERMAN EVEN BECOME AN AMERICAN CITIZEN?????

I mean, I know Clark Kent is an American citizen but since when has Superman been one. He's definitely worked with the government (and sometimes against it) in the past and been shown to be on friendly terms with the President but I don't think there has ever been a storyline in which Superman was actually granted citizenship. So if he was never a citizen to begin with how can he renounce it. He could modify the "Truth, Justice and the American Way" slogan to just "Truth and Justice" but can he even renounce something he isn't?

"

I dont blame Supes one bit.

 

   

"

The only "Real American" is Hulk Hogan.

When it comes crashin' down and it hurts inside...

I don't think its such a big deal. When you're as powerful as him you can't just represent one country, sure he still lives there and Clark Kent is American but Superman has to be bigger than that.

Even Captain America has said he represents the American ideal but doesn't represent the American government. Sure he works with them a lot but sometimes he disagrees with them and does whatever he feels is right. And he's got America in his name.

Superman isn't un-american

Think the only thing that would make anyone un-(country) is if they take up a litteral opposition to said country no matter what it did. Captain America didnt even come across me as being unpatriotic when he chose to not be a part of the Superhuman Registration Act, because he believed in the foundation of America, not the wave of fear that got the Act passed, if he had to become un-american, he would have to throw that principle out as well.

The story is actually quite good at getting Superman's point across, as Matt points out; Superman makes a note that he can see the germs living in the eyebrows of the man adressing him, that he possibly has a dangerous type of cancer. This is really no different to Superman if he was to sit down on the moon and look down on the Earth, lots of little things doing alot of things, good and bad, but from afar they arent much different to the germs.

Also this reminds me of something Batman once said of Superman; "Its a remarkable dichotomy. In many ways Clark is the most human of us all. Then...he shoots fire from the skies and it is difficult not to think of him as a god. And how fortunate we are that it does not occur to him."

If Superman has an American Citizenship to renounce, it means he can no longer enter the US at all.  Ever.  I'd love to see that storyline.  With the government decrying or attacking Superman for illegally trying to help them. 

Technically it also means he has to prove he doesn't own money to the IRS (the US tax service).  People used to use it as a tax dodge is why that rule is there.

If he simply wishes to make sure that he's not a puppet of one Earth government or always associated with them when they occasionally mess up, I can entirely understand.  As long as Superman is there to defend the innocent, ensure freedom for mankind, and all that, he doesn't need to be any nationality.  I'm glad that Superman is going pro-earth, as Mat describes.  If he wants to help the Earth better, he should be more impartial anyways.

What bothers me more than anything is that people are taking this opportunity to spew out more hate for Americans. Maybe it doesn't bother you but it clearly bothers some people and everyone should be sensitive to that. I see things like "he's the world's protector, not America's" and think..... did he ever just protect America?

In the end we know this won't mean anything. It's a backup story in an anniversary issue. Life will go on.... and more than likely Superman will still be an American citizen.

" The only "Real American" is Hulk Hogan.When it comes crashin' down and it hurts inside... "

"

If Superman has an American Citizenship to renounce, it means he can no longer enter the US at all.  Ever.  I'd love to see that storyline.  With the government decrying or attacking Superman for illegally trying to help them. 

 

Technically it also means he has to prove he doesn't own money to the IRS (the US tax service).  People used to use it as a tax dodge is why that rule is there.

"

Superman always leads by example. He's a boy scout. I have no problem with Superman as a role model.

I have now lost that little shred of respect I had for Superman. Not because he's no longer american but because the stupid writers are getting way too political! Seriously the only person I respect less than Sups is Aquama-hahahahahahahah what a joke.

pfft that's like saying Captain America or "Bed,Bath, & Beyond" is un American 

One of the things that I love about America is that it cares about other countries, and not just itself. I think this event actually makes Superman MORE American.

This might lead to that rumored Superman's World Tour.

" @Gambit1024:  I know right. He looks sinister. Great article Mat. "

" One of the things that I love about America is that it cares about other countries, and not just itself. I think this event actually makes Superman MORE American. "

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. 

@  Mat 'Inferiorego' Elfring err we been hasing this one for a bit here

http://www.comicvine.com/superman/29-1807/superman-renounces-us-citizenship/92-610247/?

an um when one renouces their american citizen ship their not wanting to be american any more right?whatever the lame reson week sause story.So from that point on their not american in real life their refered to as expatriots or xpats for short.

The whole cant be american because he was born some where else is so much a straw dog with out merit.In real life tho many a american citizen was born some where else but became a citizen.

a few examples would be ..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela_anderson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Ferguson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_McDermott

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mayhew 

I never saw Superman as a patriotic hero. Superman's job is to protect HUMANITY, not represent one country. He's always thought larger than that.

Even in Red Son his aims were the same. He wasn't thinking just Soviet Russia, he wanted to do what he believed was right for all humanity. Sure, his methods were pretty repulsive, but he was still attempting the same thing the canon one does, and it's what made Red Son such a good story.

I think Goyer's got the right idea with a scene like that. I might read it.

He's an alien from another planet, but many people would say he is more american than people born in america, but with parents from a different country

 i always think of superman as an international figure

I never cared for superman, but I got to respect him for this. I think that he is American in the sense that he doesn't want to be a puppet or control he wants his own sense of freedom and isn't that what america is all about?

"

He's the American Way!

But where his is Birth Certificate!!!!!!!

"

Yes he can save the world and still be an American citizen but I think his point is the only way he can show the world he doesn't answer to the government and that people within the government can't use him to further their own agendas he has to renounce it. Otherwise people would still think he's doing America's dirty work.

The thing about Superman is that he's the ultimate immigrant. He came to this country an orphan, was raised by great parents and taught to use his powers for right and never for wrong. Taught to use his powers to help everyone not just the United States. If there is any character in comics who has the most balanced view in terms of what is good or bad it's Superman. An he's doing what he feels is right, you can't fault him for that. There are more than enough America themed heroes in DC comics (some of them work for the government) so Superman fighting for truth and justice for the entire world is credible and very right.

However, something like this just feels like a publicity stunt on DC's part. A good way shake the pot and get the news, conservatives, and comic book fans up in arms to talk about and sell Superman books. Personal politics aside, it's not the 1950s anymore he doesn't need to be an American citizen to be a good hero; he's Superman for crying out loud.

It's all irrelevant though, it's not going to last.

And another thing, just to be smarmy; everyone does realize Superman is an alter ego right? Clark isn't Superman all the time. Superman doesn't even pay taxes, Clark pays taxes, Superman is a dude in a costume. Why do they do this in comics, pretend secret identities or alter egos don't exist anymore? That's the real issue here.

Actually Clark Kent is Superman's alter ego.

The writers are un-American. 

Superman will always be American. 

" @PrinceIMC:  How? Did the Kents know someone that could forge him a birth certificate and social security number once they picked him up from the spaceship?Lol, I love talking about this kind of silly stuff. "

wait a darn-tooting seond here, as far as most comic-world-people are concerened Superman lives in his fortress of solitude in the Arctic, so sure he dose all of his super-heroing in america and other parts of the world, but as far as their concerned he then goes back home to the arctic to put his feet up..... So he's actualy a ciztizen of the North pole!!!!!! with santa.

 http://www.the-gutters.com/
i found this to be quite amusing.

What upsets me is the sheer amount of negative attention this issue is getting in the media.  Are people so narrow-minded that they are missing the reasons for Superman to do this?  America is the land of the free, but Superman felt that his actions were too constricted by politics and that he wasn't free to help in the ways he saw fit.  If anything, Superman is now more free to help people without having to worry about the political reactions it may bring. 

One of my favorite reactions was from the New York Post: "When did our flag- waving, crime-fighting superheroes become a bunch of Muslim-friendly, politically correct, US-bashing weasels?"    

Wow.  There so much going on in that statement that are wrong. 

I'm kinda ashamed of being American by the way a lot of people are reacting over this in the name of America.