Warning: SPOILERS ahead for the 900th issue of Action Comics. If you don’t want to know, stop reading now.
Superman is celebrating his 900th issue of Action Comics this week. And the issue is creating some conversation on-line.
In the new issue, the Man of Steel renounces his U.S. citizenship.
After officials criticize him for joining a million protesters in a peaceful anti-Ahmadinejad vigil in Iran, he reflects, “I’m tired of having my actions construed as instruments of US policy. ‘Truth, Justice and the American Way’ — it’s not enough anymore. The world’s too small. Too connected.”
The move is being done to help rebrand and make Superman more marketable to a world-wide audience says DC and Warner Brothers.
Um, while I appreciate the sentiment, this is completely redundant. Superman has been a citizen of the WORLD for decades now. I think the last time the character was Americentric was during the Silver Age. Also, back then he couldn’t fly, just leap, and was a bit of a jerk-ass (superdickery.com).
Oh for the days when comics were fun escapism written with kids in mind… now I guess they’re just another cog in the political media machine.
I appreciate the sentiment on the part of the writers. I also laugh my butt off at anyone who makes a big deal out of this. As Arkle said, Supes has been a citizen of the world for a long, long time. I’ve always seen him as a protector of all humans, not just a small segment. Superman is universal.
Add this to the made-up fury about comic book heroes eschewing their supposed allegiances to apple pie, just like the yahoo who tried to tell me that the new Captain America movie was anti-American because of muted colors, the de-emphasis on the title, and the involvement of Jon Faverau. Faux patriotism for the proverbial win! 😛
It saddens me. What worries me more is that generations of jaded people have no idea why anyone could possibly find it bothersome and even deride those who do.
Good luck DC. This is one buyer who won’t do business with you, but you won’t miss this old fart with all those new fans from other countries.
Cue Fox News going INSANE…
Isn’t Superman an illegal alien anyway? Oh that’s right. if you’re white, it doesn’t matter.
Just another medium pushing a political agenda…I prefer my entertainment to be politics free and fun…hate it when everyone starts preaching. Why can’t he just be Superman..why does he have to be America’s Superman or the the World’s Superman?
I too am turned off by the political tone of this comic. I guess that’s what the writers wanted. Actual print comics have basically been irrelevant for some time now (most kids don’t read them any more). Don’t worry though, the Wal-Mart bargain bin has some extra space waiting once the imported discs arrive.