"Getting" Superman

[alschroeder3]

You either get Superman or you don't. Most DC readers and writers are either pro-Batman or pro-Superman. (Sadly, these days, the dark psychopath is a lot more identifiable than the alien idealist.) Elliot Maggin "got" Superman. Denny O'Neil, though an excellent Batman writer, was never comfortable with Supes.

Most writers are the same way. Grant Morrison is one of the few who I can think of who can write an excellent version of both. (Which may explain why writing World's Finest/Superman/Batman is so tricky.)

In Action #26, "MONSTER", Greg Pak, who I hadn't been impressed with up till now--shows he "gets" Superman.

In this issue, Superman encounters a huge monster threatening Lana Lang and her drilling team. Superman tries to stop, but then realizes the sounds the huge, dragonlike monster is making might be words, and then thinks..."but monsters aren't always what they seem."
Flashback to Smallville.

Then, biology trumps environment.

Now, that's SANE on Jonathan's part. First time heat vision, his crops are burning, his son's in trouble, but his son is dangerous, the source of the danger around him.

He may look a lot more human than Ben Grimm or the Hulk, but his abilities make him much more inhuman.

Superman spends several pages DEFENDING the huge dragonlike creature, whom he can clearly distinguish is using words, not animal cries, from missles, drones, and a "ghost soldier" who tries to stop him. Then he moves the huge "monster" to the Fortress...

And we see what happened between Jonathan and young Clark--and really, was there ever a doubt?

Of COURSE Jonathan conquered his fears and went and sat down with his oh-so-strange-son, conquering his terror with his love.

The next page, we see Superman looking at the huge creature, thinking, "..I'm gonna be there for you."

The creature feeds--rests--and when resting, shrinks and turns semi-humanoid.

Great story. Pak "gets" Superman.

Comments

[bewareofgeek]

Because what Superman needs is a childhood full of alienation and trauma?

[nyadnar17]

What trauma? Bad experience does not always equal trauma. Especially when you have a loving support structure to be there for you. Whats more compelling/hopeful? That Superman had a charmed childhood where nothing ever went wrong full of only goodness and sunshine or That Superman had a charmed childhood because no matter what ups and downs he faced in life he had loving friends and family there to support him.

Thanks for the scans.

[bewareofgeek]

Maybe "trauma" is too strong. But given that young Clark was not only curled up crying afterwards, but the experience obviously stuck with him, I couldn't think of a better word.

[alschroeder3]

I'm more with nyadnar17 on this one, but I see your point. But...

He's going to feel alienated, because he's an alien, at least biologically. An alien with more power than a hydrogen bomb.

Some events are going to stick with him. But some he's learned from, as clearly shown by the way in the issue he treats the "monster".

To have Jonathan NEVER scared or hesitant around a child who could destroy everything around him, who doesn't have perfect control of his powers, would be so unrealistic to be laughable. Clark's not Billy Mumy in "It's a GOOD life" but he could have so EASILY been...

But the fact that Jonathan's terrified but overcomes it for love of his son---and his son KNOWS it, and in turn loves him for it--is the lesson I think Clark came away with.

Which is clearly shown in how he treats the "monster".

To me it's not a story of alienation or trauma---it's being loved DESPITE his differences, of how people were there for him when he needed them--and how he'll return the favor.

[donnblake]

I think the takeaway from this for me is less that Clark was freaked out by the sudden development of heat vision (which seems pretty reasonable) but that the Kents were there to comfort him and assure him that he wasn't a monster.

[darkknightjrk]

And that's the thing that sort-of bothers me about a lot of this talk of how the "New 52 is so dark and gritty." In reality, it seems to me that they're about as bright and optimistic as usual, they're just playing with more of the possible, emotional realities that would come from these powers or overall set-ups.

[mrstatham]

This take on Superman actually seems pretty plausible in terms of emotions and experiences, frankly. I think out of all the takes I've seen, Birthright stuck with me the strongest in terms of Clark being an alien and what that did to his parents, especially his father - who actually tries to trash the ship Clark arrived on.

This just makes sense. It's not saying Clark was scarred for life by what happened, but it's sensibly saying that before he really learned to control his abilities, a bad thing happened but his parents were there for him, therefore he understood he wasn't a monster and - presumbly - learned control. Sure, it's traumatic, but it's a kid with heat vision. This is, frankly, a pretty muted approach that involves property destruction, sure, but is surprisingly muted compared to what it *could* have been. I half expected Pa Kent to get cleaved in half by the heat vision, given the usual state of things at DC.

[arbre_rieur]

Sometimes it seems like there's this weird one-drop attitude going on with some fans. The smallest amount of darkness or angst, and that's ALL a series is, never mind all the other tones in other parts of the story.

It's ironic because one of the biggest complaints you hear about grimdark is that it's making comics monotonous, that there should be room for more than one tone. But if even the smallest amount of darkness in a story is enough for you to dismiss it, if the only stories you'll accept are completely devoid of it, then who's really the one trying to make comics more monotonous?

[darkknightjrk]

YES. Sometimes it seems like the only way some fans will be happy is if everything was done in the style of Tiny Titans or My Little Pony.

[jlbarnett]

you haven't actually read MLP have you?

[darkknightjrk]

No, can't say I have.

[benuben]

Agreed. Old DC did disgusting shit like Batman the Dark Knight 23.4 all the time. New 52 isn't darker it's just dumber.

[darkknightjrk]

Wait--which one was Dark Knight 23.4 and what happened?

[benuben]

Joker's Daughter villain issue. A little bit from that issue has been posted here.

Basicly, it's cliche, tries to be dark and edgy but instead coming of as ridiculously over the top and gross, just plain offensive in some ways and "hey kids comics".

[benuben]

Also just wanted to add, I think some people who see new 52 that way might just be comparing those books that really were bright and optimistic with current ones. The current Batgirl really IS way more darker and grittier than Stephanie's or even Cassandra's books. Not to mention Blue Beetle who was seen as the epitome of fun superhero books in old DCU.

[superfangirl1]

Clark have to be like 8 years old here and his heat vision just had to ruin the moment and destroy his bike. I hope Jonathan and Clark had a cool bonding father and son moment, with Jonathan teaching Clark how to control his heat vision like in smallville.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtUEd25FojA

Also did his heat vision cause him to change directions mid air somehow.

[alschroeder3]

Updraft from the super-heated air, maybe? They ARE treating it more like Cyclops' kinetic energy blasts...but that's my rationalization.

[donnblake]

Unconscious early manifestation of flight, perhaps?

[shadowpsykie]

heh when smallville was good it was OH SO GOOD.

i also love the one line from "Connor" where Lois was like "Are you telling me that Connor Kent is the genetic love child of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor?"

also i like how heat vision is related to strong emotion. (i think "excitment" Makes more sense, and unbridled joy would make more sense with flying, but it still works here)

(can't kind that clip anywhere....)

[shadowpsykie]

AHA! i found it! best line ever in smallville history.... right next to "Are you my father!?!?!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfROyU4uoCg

[sinesofinsanity]

I think the greatest thing about that scene is Jonathan's expression at the end. It's 1 part "Holy crap what is he and how is he doing that?" 89 parts "I'm so proud he figured it out" and finishes off with 10 parts "Heh, what'll he come up with next"

[flash_fan]

I love what Greg Pak has been doing with Superman in Action Comics #25-26. Its actually my favorite interpretation post Morrison. My favorite panel is the one you described after the doors open with the alien in the floating dome.

However I have to strongly disagree with that statement "You either get Superman or you don't". These characters are largely up to personal interpretation and they always have been. Its a personal pet peeve of mine but it irks me that comic fans frequently confuse the version of a character they fell in love or grew up with as the "true" or "definitive" version. There is no such thing. That's the great thing about these characters Imo.

My favorite Batmen are the Brave and the Bold, Nolan Trilogy, and DCAU versions. All are vastly different. My favorite Supermen are All Star, Red Son, and Chris Reeves. All different all great.

[crimsonmoonmist]

I sort of have to disagree, while it's for the most part true.
It also brings to mind that scene in Kill Bill with the guy talking about how Clark Kent is Superman's critique of humanity. While yes, there was a time where Clark's goodness came from his Kryptonian heritage, that portrayal is simply outdated as the Kents' upbringing have been shown to be what shaped him into the idealistic beacon of hope that he is for decades now.
To disregard that consistent part of the character just seems, and I'm sorry for being so harsh, ignorant.

[flash_fan]

I find your response to be a bit pretentious more than rude to be honest. I wouldn't think of myself as ignorant when it comes to the matter of Superman. I've loved/disliked many aspects of every version of the character dating back to the original stories. The social activist, the 50s space dad, the alien outsider, the soldier, and the sun god.

The version Greg Pak is doing right now is a combination of my favorite Superman qualities.

Also, at what point did I even mention the Clark Kent/Superman dynamic?

[draganoche]

Yeah they are all very different but don't they all share a common core? it could be argued that you can tell very different stories as long as there's still that commonality that tells you "this is a superman story" or "this is a batman story" and people who include that commonality are those who get the character

[flash_fan]

Yes, but I'd argue that the core is a little more broad than some might think. Basically "pinnacle lifeform who fights the good fight and wears an S on his chest". That can be interpreted in so many different ways.

[drexer]

"You either get Superman or you don't. Most DC readers and writers are either pro-Batman or pro-Superman. (Sadly, these days, the dark psychopath is a lot more identifiable than the alien idealist.)"

Really? I won't deny that there's talk to be had about the concept of Superman, how he should be written and his contextual cues from time to time. But this is just a fractory and awful statement to spike the fanbase.

Even from your small comment I find parts which I dislike and which for me go against part of the concept of Superman, so the idea that there is somehow an universal concept that divides the fans strickly in two leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.

There's also something here that feels off to me in the story, but I really would have to read the issue proper to identify it.

[leoboiko]

I don't like the alien idealist, and I don't like the dark psychopath either.

I like Superman that's truly alien and noble in an awe-ful (awe-some) more than superman who is preachy and better-than-thou. (I most definitely do ~not~ mean grimdark violent Superman, but I do not mean Captain-America!Superman either.)

I like Batman who is a rational, efficient detective using his wits to actually curb crime (with the support of a social-worker Bruce who is an actual identity, not an empty mask) more than revenge-fantasy obssessive Punisher!Batman.

[starwolf_oakley]

Stuff like this is why I have to admit I prefer the "Clark's powers didn't kick in until his late teens" take on things. It does show that love is stronger than fear, though.

Although, this could work for other heroes. An "alternate X-Men" scene like this between Scott Summers and Christopher Summers would be amazing.

[jlbarnett]

you know what; if what Jonathan Kent did there is sane, I'd rather he not be sane.

I'm sorry but I want my paragons damn it and the Kents should be right up there with their son as that

[alschroeder3]

I think they are. (Paragons of parenthood, that is.)

Who does more, the parent who has to overcome a momentary fear, or the one who rushes in blind to the danger? One requires bravery AND love, the first one.

To me, this makes Jonathan Kent MORE of a paragon, not less.

If there are any patron saints of parenthood, the Kents qualify.

[jlbarnett]

I guess for me it shouldn't require bravery to comfort your kid.

[kamino_neko]

When your kid is a flamethrower, then you can judge.

[arbre_rieur]

This reminds me of what Steven Grant said a while back, about how people say they want paragons in fiction because it's inspirational, but what paragons really do is *excuse* not living up to their example. We know it's impossible to be as good as these paragons, so it becomes okay that we aren't. Showing fallible people doing heroic, good, inspiring things, on the other hand? That tells the reader, "Hey, you can do this, too, so why don't you?"

[jlbarnett]

it's impossible to be like the flawed heroes to, because no matter how hard you try to keep things real, superhero book are to different from reality.

[benuben]

There is a BIG difference between writing unrealistic situations and unrealistic people.

[janegray]

Motto.

[jlbarnett]

I tend to feel like once you get into unrealistic scenarios you can never truly know how unrealistic your characters are.

[benuben]

Well it is called speculative fiction. Sure, you may never truly know but there is such thing as degree of propability. And even if, to say you can't be like fictional characters in any way is just ridiculous. It's not like everything they do involves fighting aliens or that those unrealistic situations don't have any basis in real life.

To get Superman AND others..

[silverzeo]

Yeah, it's kinda sad now a days that characters we like are being turned into unlikeable jerks for no real clear reason... and stick to it.....

Like how in The Simpsons: Ned Flanders was religious nice who never got angry to whatever was thrown at him (and that is ALOT when it comes being a friend/neighbor to Homer) but now adays: he is a just a religious straw man, pretty much over zealous jerks that get on the news for being over zealous jerks... and they've been doing to this for him for some time now... same thing goes for Skinner: I remember when he was a rather bad-ass, yellow-breaded "Non-Giving Up School Guy" who took out Disney goons in a swift manner, sang in a Babar-Shop Quartette, and proclaim his virginity to the whole town to keep both his and Edna's jobs... but now he gets all the mock and scorn like he is somehow the child of Moe and Moleman....

I would also list Family Guy show itself. It started off as sort of a slightly raunchy take of the Simpsons with more loose logic but can still be endearing... but the show has gotten SO far up it's own butt that pretty much destroyed all aspects of what we like it from the begging and just turned into a wannabe South Park show (funny how they brought up Muslim fate and even a reference to drawing Muhammad but NOT to that South Park episode that burn them for being just a show that makes people life and NOT have messages to them.... guess that last part WAS a bit dated...)

[philippos42]

I appreciate what you're saying about "getting" Superman. It's nice to see Supes being considerate of a "monster."

[shadowpsykie]

I have always loved Pak's work, he did an AMAZING job with the Hulk (i noticed he has a certain gift with Humanizing characters) it would be interesting to see what he could do with Wonder Woman concidering one of the complaints about her is that they have trouble humanizing her....