Today is the anniversary of Action Comics #1, and I find myself writing an article about the 75th Anniversary of Superman. It is ironic how I watched the trailer for “Man of Steel” last night. After watching the trailer, I was upset by the fact I enjoyed it and infuriated by the urge which grew inside of me to see the movie.
Happy Anniversary Superman
“Man of Steel” Opening Soon
Superman and Me
I am not a fan of Superman. In fact, I don’t like the characterization of Kal-El at all. Yes, I liked the first two Superman movies from when I was young and I liked the 1990s animated series, but this was where my fandom ended until I saw the “Man of Steel” trailer.
Superman is Too Powerful
In Superman, you have a nearly-unstoppable force for good. He can fly, run faster than almost anyone, has super strength, is impervious to bullets, does not need to breath, has laser and x-ray vision, and can blow freezing cold air from his mouth. There are probably at least half of a dozen powers I did not list, but I gave up counting his superpowers a long time ago. Anyways, I always felt the character had too many powers.
Superman and His Struggles
For many years, DC Comics refused to give Superman a decent struggle in life other than the loss of his race. Throughout almost everything I have read on the character, I have found him to be two-dimensional at best and a character which is as near perfect in his psyche as he is in physical form. This was always bland for me since I was drawn to the character who dealt with their own personal demons such as those created by Marvel or Batman once he went through his emotional makeover in the late-1970s and early 1980s.
The “Man of Steel” Trailer
I tried to stay away from the “Man of Steel” trailer as I knew inside it would simply be another two-dimensional telling of the same story I had heard hundreds of times before. I was wrong. In the short run of the trailer, I found myself drawn into a story in which Superman is struggling with what he is and with the acceptance of those around him. This is a basic portion of what should have been his storyline which has been missing for far too long.
The Result?
Will I see “Man of Steel” when it comes out in the theaters? Yes. Will I become a fan of Superman? Probably not. I might become a fan of the new movie version, but we have to wait to know for sure.
