Of gods and pretenders: Why a world distrusting Superman makes sense...for now.

To many, the only distinction between the heroes of DC and Marvel are the companies that own them. Fans don’t see “DC heroes” and “Marvel heroes;” they only see “comic book heroes.” At the risk of sounding pretentious, however, that’s a very unobservant thing to say. When you look closely at the two rosters of heroes and the way the two companies approach their respective properties, a fundamental philosophical difference becomes apparent.

To best illustrate it, consider a scenario:

Imagine if Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern and Flash (generally considered the core Justice League roster) were to be hit in the head with an anvil, wake up in the future and find there that world peace had been reached. Poverty had been eradicated. Crime had been abolished. Earth is basically Gene Roddenberry’s utopian fantasy. How would they react?

Superman? He would, for the first time, get a good night’s sleep. For all of his time on earth he has heard the cries for help, the beggings for mercy, the shouts and the painful groanings of crime-stricken victims. At any given second he hears a million different people crying for anyone to rescue them. It becomes a white noise that is ever present, and one that he can tap into in order to search for the next opportunity to help. To wake up in a world of total peace would completely change him. He would still have super speed, super sight, the power of heat vision and the power of flight, but there would be no need ever to use them again. Superman–Clark Kent–was raised by altruistic, morally-minded, down-to-earth middle-Americans. He was taught the virtues of humility and service. Without a world to save, Superman would cease to exist. Clark Kent would probably marry Lois Lane and move to the ‘burbs.

Batman? Here’s a guy whose entire life has been consumed by crime. His most vivid childhood memory is of a crime. His adolescence was shaped at boarding schools being teased by bullies with taunts describing that crime. His young adulthood was spent training to fight crime. His adult years were spent fighting crime. His elderly years (depending on what you read) will be spent at his computer, sending out drones and robots to fight crime in his stead. If he were to wake up in a world without crime, he very well might go insane and end up a super-criminal himself (there’s an “elseworlds” story to write about!). Bruce Wayne would probably sell all of his estate and give the money to various causes before moving to Tibet to live in a monastery, meditating until death.

Wonder Woman? She’d just say “mission accomplished” and return to Themyscira to live out her days.

Aquaman? Same. He’d return to the sea to rule as a king,likely never to surface again.

Green Lantern? Very likely he would just leave the earth and journey to some other world to fight against injustices.

Flash? Probably he’d donate himself to science and spend the rest of his life working very very quickly to invent the next great help to humanity.

With the exception of Batman (who could probably use a few decades just meditating and calming the rage within him), DC’s heroes’ lives would be largely fulfilled, because those are the kind of heroes DC presents in their books. DC creates gods that pretend to be men. Take away the need to be a god and these heroes would see their life’s mission completed. Either they would retire or they would go off to find some other way to help some other people.

Now imagine the same scenario as before, only make the heroes Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and the Hulk. How would they react?

Captain America? He was a soldier before he was a super hero, but in a world without war, he would probably go looking for whoever was in charge and volunteer to be his bodyguard. Maybe he’d run for office. He’s a natural soldier; good at giving and taking orders, so his options are limited. In a world with no need for soldiers, he’d just be a man.

Iron Man? What are his skills? He’s a tech genius, so maaaaybe he can help out in this future world, once he gets used to all the new technology that’s around. People say he’s Marvel’s version of Batman, but that’s only a superficial comparison that only focuses on their wealth and lack of super powers. Bruce Wayne is a detective, ninja, crime-fighting zealot who happens to be super rich. Iron Man is a super rich guy who happens to fight crime. Take away his suit and what is he? He’s a genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist. Billionaire? No, He’s either lost in a crowd of many other rich dudes, or–if perhaps money is no longer a thing in this utopian future–he’s not even that. Playboy? A utopian fantasy world sees everyone as equal, social status is non-existent. Philanthropist? A world without poverty is a world without the need for charity. Tony Stark would be nothing. He’d just be a man.

Thor? He is really Marvel’s spiritual-interpretation of Batman, in that he’s the one hero that is different from the rest. Steve Rodgers, Tony Stark, even Bruce Banner (when not provoked) are just men: Thor is an actual god, and that’s a rarity in Marvel’s world. If he were to wake up to a utopian Earth, he’d go back to Asgard as the guardian of a realm that didn’t need him anymore. He’d just be an immature god with no purpose or direction to focus his attention and drag him to maturity and heroism.

Hulk? He’d never have a reason to get angry again. Simple as that. He’d be able to suppress the monster within, perhaps permanently, arriving at a defacto cure and returning him to being “just a man.”

In this utopian world, the lives of Marvel’s heroes would suddenly feel minor, depressing and lost. because Marvel creates men that pretend to be gods. take away the need to be a god and these heroes would have no purpose. The reason is because the kinds of characters Marvel specializes in, are the kinds of characters that need a reason to exist. With the exception of Thor, Marvel creates men who pretend to be gods.

That’s the big difference between the two companies. That’s why fans should not look at Man of Steel and Zack Snyder’s take on the DC cinematic universe with contempt. These characters are not Marvel characters. Their movies have to reflect that. Captain America doesn’t have to worry about a cult of people falling at his feet and worshiping him. At the end of the day he’s just a morally-pure soldier on the best steroids in history. But if a guy like Superman suddenly showed up, you better believe people would start bowing their knee before him, while others would be fearful of him, and others still (like Lex Luthor) would use and manipulate that fear for their own purposes. The weight of responsibility, pressure, and even inherent-guilt that comes with BEING Superman is ten-times more weighty than being Iron Man or Hulk or even Thor (who, as stated, is depicted literally AS a god among men). Why wouldn’t Superman’s origin-story be filled with angst? Man of Steel may have been “grim” and “sad” but it’s the realest take on the character I’ve ever seen, simply because it gave me a very realistic portrayal of how someone like Kal El would be received in the real world.

People were upset with Man of Steel movie because it wasn’t the take on Superman they thought it should be. What they wanted was the comic’s take on the character, and though that sounds like a reasonable and obvious way to go, you have to remember that in the world of the comics Superman has been around since 1938. People are used to him. Even when the comics reset and present Superman’s origin anew, the stories usually introduce him to the public as a savior that wins over the opinions of the people almost as soon as he bursts onto the scene. That’s fine for comics, because comics tend to gloss over the finer details of reality for a more stylized universe, where characters like Oswald Cobblepot and Captain Cold can pop up and no one bat an eye.

The movie universe that Man of Steel established and that Superman v Batman will expand upon, is one where mankind believes it is alone in the universe and at the top of the foodchain on earth. The arrival of Superman threw that assured thinking for a loop and it will bring out of hiding other godlike heroes like Wonder Woman to continue shocking society. In that world it makes perfect sense that there would be people distrustful of Superman. When you think about it, it makes Richard Donner’s beloved take on the character silly and absurd. In the United States today, a congressman can’t talk about how best to handle the “illegal immigration problem” with the words “compassion” or “humane” without being attacked mercilessly by radio talk show hosts. Of COURSE the appearance of Superman–the most famous immigrant of the, all–showing up (and bringing three “countrymen” with him to wreak havoc on the earth) would be met with disdain and mistrust by some, and worship and adoration by others.

This kind of take on the character has been hinted at in some comic stories, but rarely has it been explored in depth as it is in the new DC cinematic universe.

There is a quote from the comics, spoken by Lex Luthor to Bruce Wayne, that seems to perfectly convey the tone these movies are striving for. Lex talks about Superman being an alien, whose thought process is inherently different from our own. We simply can’t predict what might cause him to suddenly decide the best course of action is to rule the planet like a tyrant. He might up and decide that the rainforest needs preserving so he will heat-vision a moat around one-third of South America. He might one day come to the conclusion that whales are better than humans and then its bye-bye people. We can’t understand the way he thinks because he’s not “one of us.” Lex and Bruce are having this discussion and Luthor kept referring to Superman as an “it.” Bruce finally replied that “it” has a name. To which Luthor said:

[a name] that we gave him, an attempt to humanize him — as pointless as naming a hurricane. Forget the name, Bruce– and think about what he can do… Think about a hurricane with a will. Then multiply that intensity a thousand fold.

Bruce then replies “That’s some storm. Good thing he’s on our side.”

Luthor then calmly retorts:

What if he changes his mind? What if… Tonight– he looks down at us and decides we’re not capable to manifest our own destiny? What if tomorrow he wakes up believing he knows what’s best for us? What if comes to believe that it’s not enough to protect the world…when he can just rule it? The only safeguard we have against that happening… is his word.

No one wants to see a well-established Superman hated by the people. Luthor will always hate him. That’s his character, but ultimately Superman needs to be viewed as a hero to the world. As a way to introduce him, however, I can’t imagine a more real way to do it. Fans would do well to exercise a little patience, and let DC play its stories out. It’s clear that Batman goes after Superman in the upcoming film because he has bought into the hype that an alien being with such unchecked powers must be taken out for the good of humanity. Judging by the defaced statue in the recently released teaser, a lot of people agree with him. It will take some kind of mutual threat to force Batman and Superman to team up, and that threat will have to be big enough that humanity sees the need–despite the risks–in having a hero in blue and red watching from the skies.

Until then, Superman will continue to be a god pretending to be a man, and man will rightly fear him as a result.

COMMENTS

Please read our Commenting Policy before you join in with the discussion.

Note: If you have email notifications enabled, please check your email spam folders to ensure emails are not missed.

3 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

MidNight

2 years ago

It’s true that I find it easier to imagine the DC heroes’ lives after there is no more crime. One day they will stop and live happily because they value their lives as human beings. With Tony Stark’s characteristics, he will keep on making robots and continue being Iron Man. Same goes for the rest of Marvel’s heroes, even if it’s done outside of the Earth. Both are natural course based on how the characters are design.

eag46

5 years ago

You make some very interesting points about how the DC heroes would react to Utopia on Earth, and I like your analysis on the suspicious take Lex and Bruce Wayne have on Superman in the upcoming movie. However, who’s to say that the Marvel heroes wouldn’t also adapt to the changes? There’s still problems on other planets and other worlds; they can use their technology and skills there.

Freedom Cobra Couragewolf

Nice stuff, is pretty good to see an article not crying “muh fun! muh bright colored happy meal movie!”.

Cookie	Description
_pxvid	This cookie is used for detection of the browser and distinguishing whether it is a real user or malicious bot.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	This cookies is set by GDPR Cookie Consent WordPress Plugin. The cookie is used to remember the user consent for the cookies under the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Non Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	This cookie is used to keep track of which cookies the user have approved for this site.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-preferences	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Preferences".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-uncategorized	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Uncategorized".
CraftSessionId	This cookie name is associated with the Craft web content management system, where is functions as an anonymous session identifier.
csrftoken	This cookie is associated with Django web development platform for python. Used to help protect the website against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks
DSID	To note specific user identity. Contains hashed/encrypted unique ID.
JSESSIONID	Used by sites written in JSP. General purpose platform session cookies that are used to maintain users' state across page requests.
PHPSESSID	This cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
viewed_cookie_policy	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Description
b30msc
btc
CMST
cref
d
gpl
i
icts
ig_did
mdata
na_rn
na_sc_e
na_sr
na_srp
session_depth
visitor-id

Cookie	Description
__gads	This cookie is set by Google and stored under the name dounleclick.com. This cookie is used to track how many times users see a particular advert which helps in measuring the success of the campaign and calculate the revenue generated by the campaign. These cookies can only be read from the domain that it is set on so it will not track any data while browsing through another sites.
__stid	The cookie is set by ShareThis. The cookie is used for site analytics to determine the pages visited, the amount of time spent, etc.
_ga	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, camapign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assigns a randoly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_60765351_1	Google uses this cookie to distinguish users.
_gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
ad-id	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content
demdex	This cookie is set under the domain demdex.net and is used by Adobe Audience Manager to help identify a unique visitor across domains.
DigiTrust.v1.identity	Registers data on visitors’ website-behaviour. This is used for internal analysis and website optimization.
dmvk	This cookie is set by DailyMotion who display videos, it registers statistical data of visitors' behaviour on the website.
gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
GPS	This cookie is set by Youtube and registers a unique ID for tracking users based on their geographical location
is_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
sc_is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
v1st	This is set by DailyMotion to display videos.

Cookie	Description
__asc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__auc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__qca	This cookie is associated with Quantcast and is used for collecting anonymized data to analyze log data from different websites to create reports that enables the website owners and advertisers provide ads for the appropriate audience segments.
_cc_aud	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_cc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_dc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_id	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_kuid_	The cookie is set by Krux Digital under the domain krxd.net. The cookie stores a unique ID to identify a returning user for the purpose of targeted advertising.
_px2	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxff_tm	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxhd	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
ab	This cookie is generally provided by agkn.com and is used for advertising purposes.
ad-privacy	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content to the users.
ayl_visitor	This cookie registers data on the visitor. The information is used to optimize advertisement relevance.
bafp	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bafp_t	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_pl	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rf_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rt_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_t_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_td_2d31c94105a0aa6d1ceaea0c86c6b656	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bito	This cookie is generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bitoIsSecure	This cookies are generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bsc	The cookies is set by ownerIQ for the purpose of providing relevant advertisement
CMID	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPRO	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPS	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
dc_id	This cookie is used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. They are usually placed by advertising networks with the website operator's permission. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers.
did	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
didts	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
dpm	The cookie is set by demdex.net. This cookie assigns a unique ID to each visiting user that allows third-party advertisers target that users with relevant ads.
eud	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
euds	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
everest_g_v2	The cookie is set under eversttech.net domain. The purpose of the cookie is to map clicks to other events on the client's website.
evo5_popin_instance	Prevents an interaction from reoccurring for visitors not accepting 3rd party cookies.
id	This cookie is set by DoubleClick (which is owned by Google) to build a profile of the website visitor's interests and show relevant ads on other sites.
IDE	Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
io.narrative.guid.v2	This cookie is generally provided by io.narrative.io and is used for advertising purposes.
KADUSERCOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
KTPCACOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
matchliveramp	This cookie is provided by w55c.net and is used for advertising purposes.
mc	This cookie is associated with Quantserve to track anonymously how a user interact with the website.
mxpim	This cookie is generally provided by mxptint.net for advertising purposes.
na_tc	This is a Social Media sharing tracking cookie.
NID	This cookie is used to a profile based on user's interest and display personalized ads to the users.
nnls	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxrc	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxvid	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
rlas3	The cookie is set by rlcdn.com. The cookie is used to serve relevant ads to the visitor as well as limit the time the visitor sees an and also measure the effectiveness of the campaign.

Cookie	Description
__jid	Cookies set on the website by the third-party commenting platform Disqus.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
disqus_unique	These cookies are set by Disqus so that users can comment on website/platform.
G_ENABLED_IDPS	The cookie is used by Google and is used for Google Single Sign On.
mid	The cookie is set by Instagram. The cookie is used to distinguish users and to show relevant content, for better user experience and security.
na_id	This cookie is set by Addthis.com to enable sharing of links on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter
ouid	The cookie is set by Addthis which enables the content of the website to be shared across different networking and social sharing websites.
ov	This is a generic functional cookie that provides enhanced functionality and personalisation.
ts	This cookie is generally provided by PayPal and supports payment services in the website.
vuid	These cookies are used by the Vimeo video player on websites.

Of gods and pretenders: Why a world distrusting Superman makes perfect sense…for now

You might also like

FIND THE TOPICS YOU WANT...

Recommended for you