" I don't think it matters because I don't understand how Superman could be an American citizen anyway unless the President gave him citizenship at sometime in the past.  Now, even if that did happen, Clark Kent is still an American citizen so whatever citizenship (or lack there of) Superman wishes to have is immaterial.  Perhaps this should be a trend and Green Lantern, whose responsibility is to a whole sector of space will give up his national citizenship, too.  Would that mean that Hal Jordan or John Stewart should follow that example?  If anything, this highlights the problem with vigilantism.  If superheroes choose to interpret right and wrong according to their ethics then those beliefs may not always coincide with the law or with a particular national policy.   "

"  unfortunately he can't seem to make progress at being on his own cause the shadow of his adopted parents looms over everything he does.
"

" P.S. Didn't America blow up new krypton?
"

" @Trodorne said:

"  unfortunately he can't seem to make progress at being on his own cause the shadow of his adopted parents looms over everything he does.
"

That's ridiculous.  By that logic NO citizen of ANY nation can do ANYTHING without being seen as an agent for the agenda of their nation.  That's patently absurd.

The way to disassociate yourself from your nation's agenda- if any- is simple.  SPEAK.  Just SAY you are operating independently.  And if you aren't taken at your word for that what relevance does changing your legal status have on those who won't accept your word?  They'll just see it as a deceptive gesture while you still act with your nation's agenda.

"

He's the American Way!

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

"

" @Demas said:

" @Trodorne said:

"  unfortunately he can't seem to make progress at being on his own cause the shadow of his adopted parents looms over everything he does.
"

That's ridiculous.  By that logic NO citizen of ANY nation can do ANYTHING without being seen as an agent for the agenda of their nation.  That's patently absurd.

The way to disassociate yourself from your nation's agenda- if any- is simple.  SPEAK.  Just SAY you are operating independently.  And if you aren't taken at your word for that what relevance does changing your legal status have on those who won't accept your word?  They'll just see it as a deceptive gesture while you still act with your nation's agenda.

 If he is choosing to be independent than why should it matter. he feels he should drop citizenship. so why not let him go? "

See, this is proof of the short-sighted result-orientated execution I was talking about.  "It doesn't matter HOW Superman goes independent so long as he's independent."If you actually read my post, no where do I state that Superman MUST maintain his citizenship or that renouncing is inherently a bad thing.  The issue is HOW and WHY Superman is doing it.  The WHY I have discussed enough.  It's stupid.  He's renouncing on the basis of PERCEPTION not TRUTH and he's going it because he quits- he's tired- and he's given up trying to correct the perception (although in this particular story he doesn't even TRY, by remaining mute).  The HOW is equally stupid because it changes ONLY a legal status.  Superman isn't suspending his American walk, he isn't leaving Metropolis, and he isn't adopting a more global stance... he isn't doing ANYTHING AFFIRMATIVE... he's not going to the UN to speak out against oppressive regimes or freedom of assembly or press... he's going to act in negation, to say he's NOT something as a mere legal technically.  That's crap writing to be applauded only if you enjoy the shallow- but ultimately meaningless- result. "

Only crazies make arguments over the citizenship of a fictional character.  If he were real, I probably would have an issue with this, but fictional charaters have no precedence in my (REAL) world.

Superman isn't american at all. He was born on Krypton for Jimmy's sake. He was never American,

If Superman is renouncing his citizenship and going global does that he mean is also renouncing  Lois Lane who is an american citizen for Wonder Woman who I suppose who is also not an american citizen and we don't have to deal with Lois Lane anymore? If so..I approve this storyline.

I know this is coming sooner or later

Green Arrow: So you're leaving the US?

Superman: Yes, I'm tired of this %#$

Green Arrow: You're retarded

Superman: What?

Green Arrow:You're just an attention whore. Always has been and always will. This is low and I thought Diana was nuts. 

Superman: How could you say that? Look, I was wasn't born on earth, therefore by default I have no ties to any country on Earth.

Green Arrow: Hey didnt you marry Lois Lane?

Superman: Yes

Green Arrow; What happens to a non-us citizen when they marry an American citizen?

Superman: That's is Clark kent not Superman

Green Arrow: Clark Kent, Superman. Who $%^ing cares? No matter how you sugarcoat it, you were taken in and adopted by an american family, you grew up under the american ideas, you was taught in american schools and even taken an american bride. America invested in you to be a person for America, you wanted to help the entire world is an added bonus. You are Clark Kent and Superman is Clark Kent's contribution to the world even if you wear an American designed uniform. You do this and you are spitting the face of John and what's your mom's name, Martha right?

Superman: You leave my adopted parents out of this!

Green Arrow: Huh? Leave your what? Your American adopted parents? You want to repeat that again Univeral Soldier?

Superman: *Falcon Punch*.... $%^$ YOU, Oliver! I'm Superman, bitch. 

I find it funny how most of us comic readers think this is perfectly fine and completely in Superman's character and then these American die hards like this guy:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRiofVXxEcE&feature=player_embedded

are making a big deal out of it. Get over your American loving ways and this is no offenese to Americans btw I just feel this guy is making too much of a big deal over it by linking this whole load of political stuff to it. Truth, Justice and the Universal way doesn't sound so bad to me.

Oh hang on here's the video. The right one this time. Stupid me:

  

" WHY he is doing this is to be evident to other countries that he is focused on making the world a better place and not by force."

"he did not try to preach to anyone cause that would not get things done. he did not exert force against anyone who would try to harm him in any way. he is presenting the ideology of bringing about change from Gandhi (god rest his soul). "

" WHAT he did accomplish at the end of that story was an example of a protestor giving a flower to the trooper in a sign of peace and he accepted.

" IF you or I went to the united nations saying yeah this guy is evil. 1. that country would either ban you or arrest you soon as you tried to enter their country. 2. Everyone would look down on you to say "who the hell do you think you are for declaring who is evil "

" A man like Superman with his vast power can not just simply become independent and just start declaring people to be good."

 @Feliciano2040: I don't believe that America is the only the only country that thought of freedom, but not every country has the exact same ideals. Not every country has the same constitution, the same policies. If you can find me another country that has ideals and policies that mesh better with my own personal values, I'll begin preparations to move there right away. As it is though, every other country I've been to has more that I disagree with than the USA. I consider myself patriotic because I stand for the exact values laid forth in the constitution.

If an American decides that they like the ideals of another country more, that's fine. I only consider being unpatriotic a character flaw if they are actually against - or don't care about - the principles in the constitution (freedom, equality, inalienable rights, etc.). I don't think that I'm better than people in other countries just because I'm American. I just consider myself lucky to be born into a country with a constitution that I believe - in my own opinion - to be the best out there.

" @-Vigil- said:

" @Feliciano2040 said:

Dude, calm down, seriously.I'll never understand how some people from USA are ridiculously absorbed by their nationality, as if it meant anything other more than your citizenship status. "

 It means a HECK of a lot more than just citizenship status. I'm not saying that the USA is the only country that matters or anything, but it was a country founded on principles, not on geography. Those of us Americans who consider ourselves patriots do it because we care about what our country stands for. And if we don't care about our principles, what's the point of anything, really?I mean no malice in this, just trying to explain. "

I agree, but do You really think that You'll succeed if You'd go look for those principles on the streets now? Drinking, smoking, swearing, spitting, littering and common laxity all over the streets - this what moder world everywhere is. Sadly.

Superman understood that it's time to create his own way of Truth and Justice and expand it worldwide as nobody would care about ideals that nowadays exist (sadly, too) only in words. I can even say that this might be his way of getting rid of any political connections and associations to the symbol on his chest. What he is about to show is that there is even a better way of behaving that the one people considered the best, and he is the one who invented that and who is about to become its spreader.

"

" @Emerald Dragonfly said:

" @-Vigil- said:

" @Feliciano2040 said:

Dude, calm down, seriously.I'll never understand how some people from USA are ridiculously absorbed by their nationality, as if it meant anything other more than your citizenship status. "

 It means a HECK of a lot more than just citizenship status. I'm not saying that the USA is the only country that matters or anything, but it was a country founded on principles, not on geography. Those of us Americans who consider ourselves patriots do it because we care about what our country stands for. And if we don't care about our principles, what's the point of anything, really?I mean no malice in this, just trying to explain. "

I agree, but do You really think that You'll succeed if You'd go look for those principles on the streets now? Drinking, smoking, swearing, spitting, littering and common laxity all over the streets - this what moder world everywhere is. Sadly.

Superman understood that it's time to create his own way of Truth and Justice and expand it worldwide as nobody would care about ideals that nowadays exist (sadly, too) only in words. I can even say that this might be his way of getting rid of any political connections and associations to the symbol on his chest. What he is about to show is that there is even a better way of behaving that the one people considered the best, and he is the one who invented that and who is about to become its spreader.

"

But where are we if we don't fight for those principles? If we say "Ah, forget it, this country is a lost cause" aren't we dooming it to be that way? "

But looking back at the last couple of years of foreign policy and can't help but think the america my grandfather told me about is long gone.

I think Goyer is tried to remind us of the Watchmen in this number.  Remember Doctor Manhattan was first introduced as "The superman exists, and he's and American", even if the actual quote was "God exists, and he's an American".

Goyer is taking a less radical view than Moore, but the point is the same. When a individual of God-like powers is linked to an specific ideology and political agenda, is the sign for radicalism and abuse of power. Doctor Manhattan accepted it because he no longer cared about human events, but Superman still feels connected to humanity, not to an specific country, but the species as a whole, so he rejects to be a tool of the government to become symbol of true humanity.

That's why I applaud Goyer, taking an idea than only someone like Alan Moore is capable of tackling to it's full consequences.

" When a individual of God-like powers is linked to an specific ideology and political agenda, is the sign for radicalism and abuse of power. Doctor Manhattan accepted it because he no longer cared about human events, but Superman still feels connected to humanity, not to an specific country, but the species as a whole, so he rejects to be a tool of the government to become symbol of true humanity. That's why I applaud Goyer, taking an idea than only someone like Alan Moore is capable of tackling to it's full consequences. "

I have no problem with Superman "denouncing" his US citizenship.  I'm American and yet I don't label Superman as strictly a US citizen. Like most everyone else I think Superman belongs to the world.

However...

The issue with this WHOLE issue is simply this:

Why even write about it?

It was a NON - Issue that became a big issue.

It was one of those things that you don't expect to read; something just catches you off guard, and you go "Huh? Where did that come from all of a sudden?"

Superman's citizenship is one of those things that generally people don't even think about openly. It's one of those things we know subconciously; keyword: subconciously. It's not like Superman is out there fighting crime wearing a Captain America outfit proclaiming to everyone that he's American.

No.

He just does his business (mostly in the US ironically, aside from outer space and/or other dimensions), and from time to time in other countries.

Like other fans from other countries have said, Superman's citizenship was never questioned in their minds. They just accepted who he is and is just glad to read about his adventures. Not only that, but they accept him not as a US citizen, but the World's citizen.

So there's no reason to really write about the issue.

It didn't help that Bin Laden's death came after but around the same time frame as this issue, especially when America feels so much more patriotic. Unintentional, but really bad timing.

Simply put it was a non-issue, that turned into an issue.

Just imagine if a story about Professor X was written where he denounces the functionality of Rogaine and he tells the reader that he is so sick of being bald. Why even write a story about this and basically hurt all your bald readers?

Again, why even write about non-issues?

This somewhat reminded me of a Batman issue where he proclaimed that he used to pee his pants in his Batman suit during his first few times as Batman.

I mean we all figured (again subconciously) that we can understand that normal human beings would be scared their first time too. But to even write about him peeing his pants? Why even write it?

Let them stay as non-issues.    

These kinds of things are better left not even written about.

Are you an American Superman, or a American't? Though I have to say as a native of Smallville, I love how the rest of the country is trying to take credit for the hero we made! 

" Are you an American Superman, or a American't? Though I have to say as a native of Smallville, I love how the rest of the country is trying to take credit for the hero we made!  "

" 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 "

" Oh hang on here's the video. The right one this time. Stupid me:

  

"

I think it's cool that Superman is separating himself from the US government; and I don't think it's "un-american". 

Maybe it's just that in his time (the 1940's) the "American way" was something noble, brave and worth emulating, and nowadays it simply isn't anymore. 

I think I was overly harsh before, The US is country of good people; unfortunately it's run by a lot of Evil People who want to take over the World. Which is way some of us are resentful. I'm sorry, I don't mean to be anti-american or anything like that.

"

@MKF30:
Well ya dc will get a boost of sales at 1st just like the death of superman which for many who understand the characters basic traits this feels as if its the same thing.But superman hasnt been a top ten saleing comic book in a long while.

 

One superman fan site i went to only two people had a problem with it.An they were mocked pretty badly for old fashoned ideals.Theirs nothing wrong with havieng ideals.But its been said by many it feels as if dc is rudderles again.

 

But if what was said about brightest day ending was true.. its rudder is stuck left it apears.Again i stand by my statment dc warner brothers does not deserve the characters ot has. Be it Captian marvel or Superman.

 

By the way that cover i posted was just from 25th of november of 2010 .An now their will be a small patriotic wave dc surely will not have superman ridieng to more sales.Could not have picked worse timeing if they tried.

"

"

" Maybe it's just that in his time (the 1940's) the "American way" was something noble, brave and worth emulating, and nowadays it simply isn't anymore.  "

Guys,Kadeem and Feliciano...you shouldn't assume things about people you don't know(example, I'm Mexican, Spanish American....my bloodline does NOT come from America by origin....) I'm also American a proud one and like Superman wasn't born here, but elsewhere so if anything I have a better idea then most already born here and I was also adopted myself, so aside from super powers and krypton I can actually relate to Superman in a few ways....everyone is entitled to their opinion here but I don't get how some people are saying "Superman isn't American" yes he is lol, when you come here from another country or in this case planet and live here in America, you must become a citizen(it's the law) considering his past of "Fight for truth, justice and the american way" yeah I say this is a dumb move regardless... "

More so Feliciano then yourself, I just noticed you agreed with him so wanted to get that out there ;)

Is Clark Kent still an American citizen?

" Is Clark Kent still an American citizen? "

He has a fake citizenship as Clark Kent and never actually became a citizen as Superman so he's stil the motherfucking Superman. Except now he's making it official that he's an alien who wants to stand for truth and justice, it should be global thing anyway not just American.

The writer David S. Goyer went to college at  the University of Southern California. He is obviously has liberal views and most likely a pacifist. I hope they don't let him anywhere near the new movie or any other comic book icons. DC needs to step up and start editing.

By the way the Mightiest (American) Mortal is still Captain Marvel!

@MKF30 said: 

I totally get the whole American Citizenship is something that needs to be done for legal purposes, but if effects your personal life ultimately if you live here. That aside though, if it wasn't so much for Superman's famous quote and beliefs based upon it, this probably wouldn't be as BIG a deal as it is...but this move pretty much goes against the Superman way of "I fight for truth, justice and the American way" I think most Superman writers and Vintage Superman would never, ever agree to that. Just saying.

@Kadeem, I agree with you on that except for the last part, I don't think acting as a guardian means he's political since he's always done so yet hardly political. Superman/Clark/Kal-El has always done what's right, fair and about justice. Much of the way he was raised by the Kents who are American. If not for them who know how he would have turned out...in the past, he never got that involved with governments but just did what he felt was right.

" @Demas: There is a difference between perception and reality, this is very true.  The issue here is how using and manipulating peoples perceptions can have very real consequences.  While Superman is percieved as being an US citizen serving US interest, the US government can misrepresent Superman's actions as reflecting their authority and misrepresent Supes as their national weapon as a sort of means to assert more influence and power internationally.  By explicitly declaring himself a lone agent acting as a citizen of the world, Superman successfully neutralized the possibility of such actions. "