FDK: Truth, Justice And Superman's Way - 05/29/06 12:28 PM
This is very interesting indeed, Tank. You are addressing the following question here: If Superman had been for real, how would he have made his presence felt in the real world? He would, of course, help out at natural disaster sites, we all know that. But would he take part in wars? If Superman had existed for real and the current Administration had ordered him to go to - well, just for the sake of the argument, let's assume they ordered him to go to Iraq - and let's assume, too, that they ordered him to become an active part of America's war effort, so that he was supposed to scour the land for insurgents - what would he have done?
Back in the very early days of the Second World War, I do believe there was a Superman comic where Superman captured Hitler and someone else - could it have been Chamberlain? Or even Stalin? - and ordered them to fight their grudges out on their own, between themselves, man to man, instead of setting huge armies against each others and killing millions. I believe that in this comic, Superman had his way. Hitler and this other guy fought it out between themselves, and there was no war. Of course, in the real world the war could not be tamed and put out so easily.
The thing about Superman is that he's a fantasy, and basically he has to remain that. He can't put a stop to wars anywhere, and he can't topple any tyrants. We should be content to let Superman inhabit a fantasy world where wars are not a great priority.
Nevertheless, Tank, I thank you for showing us your vision of what Superman should be all about, and for showing us how you think he ought to have tackled the question of real wars, if he had existed for real. The way I read you, you are saying that Superman would not have become a soldier in Iraq. He would not have become an active part of America's war effort. And I'm glad. Because that's the only way I can really accept Superman myself, if he is not a warrior. Of course, there are so many shades of gray here. I don't think I would have protested at all if Superman had gone to Darfur to put a stop to the incredible human suffering there. Basically, though, I don't want to think of him as a warrior, a soldier.
This story is called Truth, Justice and Superman's Way. It used to be said that Superman fought for truth, justice and the American way. So, what about Superman and the American way? How should we look at Superman's American nationality? How American should he be?
To me, a Swede who is definitely a political liberal, it's clear that Superman must be an American. First and foremost because he is an American! He was created as a character by two young Jewish-Americans in the 1930s, in the middle of the Depression. There is something about this that is so moving. Imagine the 1930s, when the persecution of Jews was growing ever more serious and Holocaust was just about to happen. And the great Depression had hit America so hard. In the middle of this, the two young kids, Siegel and Shuster, created this wonderful, optimistic, futuristic symbol of America's strength, youthfulness, good will and faith in the future. I love it. To me, Superman represents a thoroughly beautiful symbol of America, of everything that is good about America, of the American dream.
But I've never liked it when America wages war on small nations for what seems to me to be insufficient reasons. To me, that betrays the idea of what America should be. That's why I need to believe that if Superman had existed for real, he might have gone to Darfur to put a stop to the massive human suffering there, but he wouldn't have gone to Iraq to bring about a regime change.
But I also love it that you said in your story that Superman would have broken all his rules to save Lois. That resonated very strongly with me. I like to think of him that way: He can't stand by passively and just watch when his wife is about to be murdered, no matter what rules he may be breaking or what principles he may be violating by interfering.
Finally, I have to add two things. Thank you so very much for not turning this into a death-of-Lois fic, seeing that it could so easily have become one.
Lastly, though, I'm a little surprised at you. You have those terrible terrorists practically shave off a patch of Lois's hair, but you don't use this opportunity to give her a real haircut? What? Have you lost your edge, Tank, or maybe your scissors?
Ann
Back in the very early days of the Second World War, I do believe there was a Superman comic where Superman captured Hitler and someone else - could it have been Chamberlain? Or even Stalin? - and ordered them to fight their grudges out on their own, between themselves, man to man, instead of setting huge armies against each others and killing millions. I believe that in this comic, Superman had his way. Hitler and this other guy fought it out between themselves, and there was no war. Of course, in the real world the war could not be tamed and put out so easily.
The thing about Superman is that he's a fantasy, and basically he has to remain that. He can't put a stop to wars anywhere, and he can't topple any tyrants. We should be content to let Superman inhabit a fantasy world where wars are not a great priority.
Nevertheless, Tank, I thank you for showing us your vision of what Superman should be all about, and for showing us how you think he ought to have tackled the question of real wars, if he had existed for real. The way I read you, you are saying that Superman would not have become a soldier in Iraq. He would not have become an active part of America's war effort. And I'm glad. Because that's the only way I can really accept Superman myself, if he is not a warrior. Of course, there are so many shades of gray here. I don't think I would have protested at all if Superman had gone to Darfur to put a stop to the incredible human suffering there. Basically, though, I don't want to think of him as a warrior, a soldier.
This story is called Truth, Justice and Superman's Way. It used to be said that Superman fought for truth, justice and the American way. So, what about Superman and the American way? How should we look at Superman's American nationality? How American should he be?
To me, a Swede who is definitely a political liberal, it's clear that Superman must be an American. First and foremost because he is an American! He was created as a character by two young Jewish-Americans in the 1930s, in the middle of the Depression. There is something about this that is so moving. Imagine the 1930s, when the persecution of Jews was growing ever more serious and Holocaust was just about to happen. And the great Depression had hit America so hard. In the middle of this, the two young kids, Siegel and Shuster, created this wonderful, optimistic, futuristic symbol of America's strength, youthfulness, good will and faith in the future. I love it. To me, Superman represents a thoroughly beautiful symbol of America, of everything that is good about America, of the American dream.
But I've never liked it when America wages war on small nations for what seems to me to be insufficient reasons. To me, that betrays the idea of what America should be. That's why I need to believe that if Superman had existed for real, he might have gone to Darfur to put a stop to the massive human suffering there, but he wouldn't have gone to Iraq to bring about a regime change.
But I also love it that you said in your story that Superman would have broken all his rules to save Lois. That resonated very strongly with me. I like to think of him that way: He can't stand by passively and just watch when his wife is about to be murdered, no matter what rules he may be breaking or what principles he may be violating by interfering.
Finally, I have to add two things. Thank you so very much for not turning this into a death-of-Lois fic, seeing that it could so easily have become one.
Lastly, though, I'm a little surprised at you. You have those terrible terrorists practically shave off a patch of Lois's hair, but you don't use this opportunity to give her a real haircut? What? Have you lost your edge, Tank, or maybe your scissors?
Ann