Nuking Metropolis in 1963
May. 14th, 2011 12:54 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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The Chris Claremont-written miniseries SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN: WHOM GODS DESTROY was an Elseworlds miniseries where Superman first appeared in 1938 and World War II either didn't happen or ended differently, with the Nazi's controlling most of Europe. And Metropolis was nuked in 1963.
Some set-up. Lana Lang has gone to Europe for some reason. But Superman can't go to Europe to find her. Why?

It seems there's no Kryptonite in this Universe. Superman is only injured due to magic-based attacks, the first time he's been hurt... ever.

I wonder if a scenario like this is why "our" Superman would give up his American citizen: he's worried other countries would attack America to "get" him.
WHOM GODS DESTROY is very... Claremont-y. As in, Clark, Lois and Lana end up together in OT3 bliss.
Some set-up. Lana Lang has gone to Europe for some reason. But Superman can't go to Europe to find her. Why?
It seems there's no Kryptonite in this Universe. Superman is only injured due to magic-based attacks, the first time he's been hurt... ever.
I wonder if a scenario like this is why "our" Superman would give up his American citizen: he's worried other countries would attack America to "get" him.
WHOM GODS DESTROY is very... Claremont-y. As in, Clark, Lois and Lana end up together in OT3 bliss.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 05:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 06:51 am (UTC)That's not even vaguely what happened in the story.
He caused an international incident by showing up at an anti-government protest in Iran.
The Iranian government complained. The US State Department took him to task for it.
He acknowledged that both groups were completely correct in their complaints toward him.
He gave up his citizenship to keep that from happening again.
No 'disappointment', no fit of pique. Just refusing to let the world burn because he's an American.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 09:38 am (UTC)Honestly, I thought it made good sense. It's too bad the takeaway has been "SUPERMAN WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA SO MUCH."
no subject
Date: 2011-05-15 03:00 am (UTC)As an example: the Red Cross is still seen as a largely Euro-American White Oppressor People organization, despite the fact that they do nothing but good wherever they go. They tried to shed the last bits of possible nationalism and religionism by starting the Red Crescent and a few other options so that folks who were unnerved by crosses and Switzerland could still work together. And yet they still have to stay the hell out of any kind of politics, or all belief in their neutrality is lost. They can't stand with protesters or step in front of bullets. UN workers without a defense mandate, other charity groups, it's the same thing. A former US president has to be very careful what he endorses lest it be seen as an American policy statement. Americans overseas are careful what they do lest their actions be seen as directed by their government instead of their hearts.
To think that Superman could say "I'm not an American, I'm a world citizen and I am only here to help", and then stand with protesters on one side of a political conflict believing that people would somehow believe that he wasn't in some way representing American policy - of that the other side would *claim* this as an excuse - is naivete and ignorance on a level that even comic books for children would be ashamed of. I expect better of the writers and I expect better of Superman.
It's not "why does he hate America", it's "why is he acting so stupid as to believe this won't endanger just as many Americans".
no subject
Date: 2011-05-16 01:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 01:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 06:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-15 03:17 am (UTC)(Though I still don't see how Supes is considered an American citizen. But that topic was covered in an earlier thread, so I'll not rehash it here.)
no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 03:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-15 03:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 07:53 am (UTC)