Writes Michael Hargett:
Unfortunately, people spoke too soon about old Kal-El. He has decided that, while The U.S. of A. has her warts, she’s not nearly as bad as she seems. As a matter of fact, the speech he gives which concludes his crisis of faith is full of so much jingoism and propaganda, I wouldn’t doubt if someone told me the White House PR office had a hand in it.
Let’s not forget that Supes was born as a New Deal hero. He’s from the era of FDR, and, as such, reflects those ideals. His “truth, justice, and the American way” are from a time when “truth” was that gold ownership was the problem, “justice” was luring Japan into war through illegal blockades, and the “American way” was the overt and blatant redistribution of wealth.
No, nothing has changed for the Boy Scout in the blue spandex, and his decision to not expatriate comes hot on the heels of another “super hero” vanquishing an arch-foe. So, score two for Old Glory: Bin Laden dead, Superman as proud an American as ever.
Maybe it’s time we see somebody adapt Vin Suprynowicz’s The Black Arrow into comic book format. While not kid-friendly, it certainly might draw the fans of The Watchmen and “V” for Vendetta.
9:13 am on May 12, 2011
