The older I get, the more I love Superman

General Discussion
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I just kinda wanted to share this, because I’ve been thinkin’ about it a lot lately.

When I was a kid I didn’t have much appreciation for Big Blue. I was never one of those “Superman is boring because he’s too powerful” types but I wasn’t all that into him either. He was kinda neat, I liked seeing him do stuff with Batman, but I couldn’t really call myself a Superman fan.

By the time Justice League Unlimited reached its finale I liked him more, especially after the “World of Cardboard” speech. I was in awe of how powerful Superman truly could be, and how amazing he was in moments when he embraced that.

And then I actually started reading monthly comics with the New 52 when I started college. And it definitely wasn’t instantaneous. I like what Geoff Johns was doing with him in Justice League, and I checked out some of Morrison’s Action Comics stuff. I also picked up a few trades and graphic novels, like Birthright and Red Son and the Earth One books, and I was growing to like Supes more, but I still didn’t have that real appreciation for him yet.

And then Greg Pak took over Action Comics. And I found out a few months after that’d already started and got into it because I liked his Hulk work. And that’s when I finally opened my eyes. I think I checked out the Pak AC run because I was feeling very depressed and looking for something to cheer me up, and somebody recommended it. And the warmth, the love, and the humanity of him really shone through. I think by this point I’d already read AC #775, but now it was really clicking. And over the next couple years, when Convergence happened and they brought back pre-Flashpoint Superman and Lois, I fell in love with the character even more.

For the first time in my life, Superman was my favorite comic right after Rebirth had started. And I look back on all that material I’d experienced before, all the cartoons and movies and comics, and I finally get it. I get why Superman is so wonderful. In our ever-more-angry world, the values and pure goodness he embodies get me through some hard times. It’s funny. Now that I have a better understanding of the Man of Tomorrow, all those comments people make about why he’s lame seem so… immature. I’m not putting you down if you don’t like Superman, folks are gonna dislike stuff and they’ve got their reasons. But every time I see someone criticize Superman now I feel like they just don’t get him, and they might be a little happier if they did. And maybe that’s kinda crazy and cultish, but I just can’t help it. As I’ve left childhood behind, Superman brings me comfort, not as some security blanket I use to try and cling onto childish notions, but just as a reminder that goodness and hope aren’t things we have to abandon, no matter how bleak reality gets. And it makes my life better, and I think it makes me a better person.

If anyone else gets what I’m talking about, I’d like to hear it. Lemme know if you’ve gone on a similar journey with Superman or any other character over the years.

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@CaptainMax, THANK YOU for sharing this. What a beautiful and well-written homage to Superman.

I have a similar love for Batman that not many seem to understand. I can’t articulate it nearly as well as you have here (some things just don’t have words) but this part of what you said seems to do it some justice.

But every time I see someone criticize Superman now I feel like they just don’t get him, and they might be a little happier if they did. And maybe that’s kinda crazy and cultish, but I just can’t help it. As I’ve left childhood behind, Superman brings me comfort, not as some security blanket I use to try and cling onto childish notions, but just as a reminder that goodness and hope aren’t things we have to abandon, no matter how bleak reality gets. And it makes my life better, and I think it makes me a better person.

I find strength in Bruce and what he’s been through, how he will never stop, and always stands up for what he believes is right no matter the odds. I’ve loved him since I was a child and as I get older, I only love him more. Being a Batman fan has positively impacted my life and helped me connect with others who inspire hope and courage every day. I’m lucky and grateful that Bob Kane and Bill Finger put their ideas into the world.

Big love to our DC Heroes! :superman_hv_1: :heart: :batman_hv_1:

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Bookmarked this so I can share in on the love when I’m a bit more free. Love this :slightly_smiling_face:

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Absolutely. I’ve said for a while now that the best thing about Batman isn’t that he’s dark or realistic, it’s that he is hopeful and defies reality. Batman fights a war he knows he can never win but refuses to give up on, so determined to save one more life and make the city just a little safer. There’s something uncharacteristically optimistic about Bruce Wayne’s quest that’s fantastic and inspiring.

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I’m pretty sure I’ve written posts like this before, and I’ll probably be repeating myself here for the most part, but what the heck…I can’t pass up a Superman appreciation thread.

My first experience with the character that I have vivid memories of was in the mid to late 80s. I was 7 years old. I’m pretty sure this wasn’t the first time I was introduced to Superman…but it’s definitely what I most strongly remember. Superman: The Movie was on HBO. Anyone remember their old 3D spinning logo with the awesome music? The first thing that hit me is that John Williams score. Of course at that age I don’t know John Williams nor do I care…to my 7 year old ears, it was just the most uplifting thing. Then of course you watch the movie…you watch that helicopter scene and are jumping up and down in excitement when he swoops in and saves Lois aaand catches the helicopter after for good measure. You see this idealistic character that always wants to do what’s right…is always helping…from saving a cat from a tree to fixing the San Andreas fault…he does it all…and he flies…and that awesome S on his chest…and that cape! I was hooked. We recorded it on VHS. Every day that summer I would wake up and watch it, until the tape was so worn out that no tracking function could help it. Naturally, watching all the sequels followed, along with a trip to the theater to see Superman IV. All that stuff they say now about how the sequels were no good? You wouldn’t have convinced young me back then. God bless your soul Christopher Reeve.

Somewhere within that time period I also got to watch the Super Friends cartoons. I forget if it was Saturday morning or reruns after school. I would have to figure out when they’re on from TV Guide. This is where I got go see Superman work as part of a team. I was so into it, my big sister picked up a bunch of the Super Powers figures for my birthday. I wore those things out.

Then…well…at some point I grew out of it. I still liked Superman…still got excited when he was on TV. Still argued with other kids about how he was better than Batman (blasphemy in the Keaton days). But from the tween years on, he was just a character I liked…the wide eyed childhood admiration wained, for a good long while. Lots of Batman stuff came out in the meantime. I liked the Batman stuff :slightly_smiling_face:. In the mid 2000s the kid in me came back to life when Superman Returns came out…loved it. I started rewatching the old movies again and also started catching up on the Bruce Timm cartoons for Justice League and Superman. That was enough for a while.

Then in 2011 I saw an ad while I was browsing for the New 52, promising a fresh starting point, which took me to Comixology. That’s pretty much when I started reading comics, at the ripe age of 31 and I haven’t stopped since. Superman comics took me to Justice League to Batman and Wonder Woman, to learning there’s a DC Trinity. In the comics you see him more fleshed out in so many different ways…the survivor, the immigrant, the hopeful, the leader, the badass. You see him travel galaxies to fight evil and you see other heroes stand in awe in front of him…but he never loses that humility. Is he Kal El, one of very few survivors of a powerful and advanced alien race? Is he Clark Kent, the down to earth, mild mannered reporter raised by kind farmers? Is he Superman, the super powered hero that has helped save the universe on more than one occasion? He is a multifaceted character with many layers to peel, yet he’s not difficult to understand, because his mantra is how do I always do what’s right? How do I always give the best of me? No matter how simple or dire the situation is, you can always count on Superman to do what’s right. That’s why we call him a beacon of hope. I feel that way every time I take glance at his statue sitting on my desk :slightly_smiling_face:

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Beautifully said. Don’t know what else to say other than its great to see so much love for the man of steel.

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I’ll always love Superman!

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