Thursday, November 17, 2005

De-ne-leh.

Tonight's episode of Smallville will be showing the new Superman Returns teaser trailer. We will be taping it. Hankies will be at the ready.

Last night we stood in the kitchen discussing the man himself for the uncountedth time--so stridently that I think we may have driven our landlady into the snows. The standard half dozen or so topics were raised. That Superman is to America what Jesus is to Christianity. That it's no coincidence he popped up around the same time the U.S. was becoming the major superpower. That he is arguably the most complex and fascinating comic book character (sorry, Bats.) That he can only be portrayed by the best of men--also, is this quality a requirement for the job or the other way around (does the role make the man or the man make the role?)? That Chris Reeve defined the character for our generation.

And finally, that, at any time, there can be only one Superman. And that somehow Reeve understood this down to its essence in passing on the red cape. In any case, the thought makes his death a little easier to accept.

19 comments:

goose said...

I don't know about the "Superman/America Jesus/Christianity" analogy. Maybe at one time but certainly not now. Jesus is God, that which is Divine to Christians. I just don't see Superman having that role for America. Maybe for some people, but not all, not by a longshot anymore. In terms of popularity maybe an analogy could be made, though I would argue Mickey Mouse is as popular, if not more so, than the big blue guy in this country. I'll most likely watch the episode tonight to catch the trailer though anyway, it looks like it could be good.

Greg said...

Now I have an image of a weeping Mickey Mouse stuck in my head, his bloody stigmata hands cradling a lamb.

Supes died to save humanity from Doomsday and then rose again. That's pretty damned Jesusy.

Mickey ain't done shit, 'cept whistle on his frigging steamboat and make brooms dance.

Jess said...

and "He gave his only son...that the world might be saved through him" has such a familiar ring to it, no?

goose said...

That's a biiiiig reach gang.
and G$ if it wasn't for MM, we'd have no "Black Cauldron" nor excellent theme park in FL. That's pretty spectacular!

If we didn't have comic-book hero Superman, I'm not sure it would have had the same effect on humanity, as millions don't really know him like they do the mouse. I think it's a PR and marketing issue, not a savior-of-mankind one.

PS wasn't Supes created by 2 Jewish gentlemen? If so, I'm not sure they would link him in any way to the Christian Messiah, though I could be wrong, just a thought.

Johnny said...

I think I hate all of you.

Now I have an image of Jesus, Allah, Buddah, Mickey, Minnie and Ciaphas all dancing around Superman, scourging him, and asking him if he is able to prophecy who has struck him. which he can, 'cause he has XRAY GODDAMN VISION!!!

I need to...sheesh, I don't even know.

Anonymous said...

Hey goose - non Catholic christians don't beleive that Jesus is God. Didn't mean to blow your mind. And I want to hear zero of that "one true God" crap. This is a Superman discussion. How about this: Superman is to America what Superman is to Canada.

Scott said...

I think you're all missing the point. Anyone with a shred of intelligence would agree that Superman, while not necessarily America's Messiah, is more culturally connected with being American than is the Mouse. But in general, people are stupid. Given the choice, the average American Joe would take the Mouse in a heartbeat, simply because he's had more recent pop culture exposure, and he's always smiling.

Alex said...

Jesus Christ.

Okay. Superman is to America as Christ is to Christianity. He's the embodiment of an ideal.

Christ, in his life and acts, was the perfect Christian. Christians are supposed to try to be like him (except for the time he went apey in the temple). He was pious and kind and all that.

Superman is what America should be and for the most part is. The strongest thing on Earth which, lucky for everyone, uses its powers for good.

goose said...

Alex thanks for explaining the analogy.

Hoffmania, so non-Catholic Christians don't believe Christ was God? Then I guess the basic tenets of the New Testament as written in the Gospels, Immaculate conception, mentioning by Christ that He is one in being with the Father, miracles, resurrection, The Apostles' Creed and all that are not really read and believed by the vast majority of Chrisitans. Wow, you're right that really does blow my mind;) Excellent comparison about the U.S. Canada thing though. It made me laugh my ass off too, I'll add that I think Superman is either one thing or he is another

Scott thank you for being the only one to understand my point of POPULARITY of an American cultural icon.

Major Beers, my point about the Jewish creators of a fictional character was not meant to be offensive, it simply was my opinion that I wasn't too sure they'd create one with any particular Christian Messiah like undertones, that's all. (As for American-ness in a comic book superhero, I don't know if anyone could be considered more representative of the U.S. than Captain America!! just a thought)

Finally, I love this analogy game! I will say that I think Aquaman is to sea life what The Beastmaster, Sheena, and Steve Irwin are to land creatures.

Mike Garvey said...

This doesn't really follow the point of the post, but a lot of people think he more closely parallels Moses.

So long as I know he can kick Wolverine's ass, I really don't care.

Peter said...

Superman can FLY. And he'll get the kitten out of a tree for a little girl before mamma doles out some corporal punishment. Let's see Jesus do THAT.

Hey, Jim! That's a bad outFIT! Wooo!

Who the fark *knows* Mickey Mouse? Shut up, all of you.

Anonymous said...

Hey goose - Martin Luther keeps calling. He's left like 95 messages for you. I nailed them to the door.

And if Jesus was a Jew, why does he have a Puerto Rican name?

goose said...

Hoff,
It must have been in Luther's 96th thesis where he states Christ isn't divine, because it isn't anywhere in his 95 messages you left me. maybe it was the one you left for Shaun when you called? I have got to change that answering machine!

Peter,
so sorry to confuse you by mistyping in a previous comment it should have read "know of" MM and Supes. I thought Scott translated best the point I was making, but I do hope this clears it up for you.

Jess said...

Now, now, boys, you're ALL pretty.

Peter said...

Not as pretty as you, Jess.

Anonymous said...

Hey everybody! It's peanut butter jelly time!

-John

Anonymous said...

Did someone say superman is god? That explains a lot. So, is heaven like planet krypton, or crypton, or however the hell you spell it? Cause if it is, uh, i think we're all screwed.

-John

Jess said...

Is that "krypton" with a C-R-I?

Peter said...

Kriptin, as Brando says.

Criptown? Stay out, mang.