Red cape, red boots, red underpants. Physiognomy of a soc-realistic sculpture holding a stack of wheat (a proud product of the collective harvest), that could stand right next to ol’ V.I. Lenin. And as if that’s not enough. A big “S” on his shirt. And we all know what “S” stands for….
…no, not “hope” sit down, little nerd.
Its Socialism!
Recently Grant Morrison, an accomplished comic-book writer, and author of “Batman: Arkham Asylum” said for an interview:
“At the beginning, Superman was very much a socialist superhero. He fought for the unemployed, the oppressed, he beat up wife-beaters. It’s about a man driven by a burning sense of injustice — there are no monsters or robots, he fights against corrupt council officials! He was conceived as a Depression-era superhero, who dealt with the problems of ordinary people.”
Yes, much before Superman fought alien invaders, Lex Luthor or Popeye (readtill the end ;) ...), Superman was a hero of the masses. He was a problem solver, a new Jesus figure, a complete opposite of the Ayn Rand philosophy.
He is a simple farm boy, who grew up with strong sense of morality, person who offer, even against his own interest, sacrifices himself over and over to protect others.
The concept so obvious that there have been several comic book branchings where Superman took his dedication a bit too far and established an authoritarian society, Injustice:Gods among Us and Red Son, to name a few.
So, what really bugs most weekend web surfers is how such a particularly boring guy like Superman, with no tragic past (Yeah his planet blew up – how many of you can relate to that), a boy scout, a self sacrificing, benevolent Titan of power is the most important and popular hero of the DC universe? How is it that he is one of the synonyms for the american way of life?
But what it really makes me think is: is america, unwittingly, harboring love for communistic elements?
That would be a sight, right? Land of the liberal capitalism, whose red-underpants wearing symbol flies around, not looking to selfishly maximize and capitalize his potential, but save, sacrifice and help out.
Geeezz. What a brain-nut to crack… Now if only there was a competition, a pool, an election, have it if you will, where a socialist would fight a money grubbing, orangutan toupee wearing Godzilla-man...
Oh, btw, as promised -
Don't forget to like if you enjoyed. You'd help out a starting writer a lot :)