Superman 701 - Thoughts

Far too often are the abilities to “leap tall buildings in a single bound” and to “move faster than a speeding bullet” the primary signposts we use to describe the first and the greatest superhero in comic books. With his red cape and his blue tights, Kal-El, aka Clark Kent, aka Superman, is an icon of heroism which towers far and above all other characters that have come since (this coming from a Bat-fan). However, J. Michael Straczynski wants you to see beyond the cape. Beyond the tights. Beyond speed and flight. Beyond heat vision and ice breath. To see beyond Clark’s super-strength and bear witness to the simple strength of character that he represents.

The latest issue features a peripatetic Superman traversing the continental United States. As the story opens up, he is surrounded by journalists of all stripes looking to uncover the motivations behind the Man of Steel’s seemingly ordinary gait. This is a populace aware of Superman’s history and mythos. The inquisitive ask if he’s encountered any red kryptonite, if he is on a secret mission, if there is an ongoing crisis (“There’s always a crisis”), or if it has anything to do with magic. Even Lois Lane, the lady love, takes a private moment to ask Superman/Clark the same questions. Supe claims he is merely walking, to no destination in particular, with no crisis in particular looming.

The plot revolves around Superman acting like a regular joe. Naturally this elicits some rather surprised reactions from those he meets, whether he’s eating at a local diner or assisting the police with a potential roof jumper. All throughout, what strikes me, the reader, as somewhat tragic is the populace’s perception of Superman. They are unable to see that it is the man behind the myth, the mild-mannered Clark Kent, that inspires hope to countless millions (in the DC universe and in our own). There is no Superman without Clark, whose simple, down-to-Earth sensibility is what truly awes. It is this perception of Superman as the iconic hero which has become a crutch. The trope of the secret identity, that which guards loved ones from retribution at the hands of a hero’s enemies, is how the average individual foists their responsibility on their anonymous defenders. One pedestrian out walking his dog asks of the Man of Steel:

“World’s going to hell, and you’re on a walk. I mean, shouldn’t you be our saving the world or something? You’re a hero, right? Isn’t that what heroes do?”
(Superman 701 29)

Isn’t that what heroes do? They save us – from alien conquerors, mad scientists, serial killers, thieves, drug dealers. They save us from all that threatens to do us harm, all the evil in this world and all other worlds across the great fictional cosmos. But how do we ask Superman to deliver us from evil when that evil is inside ourselves?

This issue is pretty straight-forward as far as narrative is concerned. Superman is walking across America and he is offering help here and there. But Straczynski’s project seems to be more of a meditation on humanity’s complacency in the shadow of their super-powered guardians. Superman has saved the world countless times from the menace of Braniac, Lex Luthor, Bizarro, Parasite, Metallo, Mr. Mxyzptlk and so very many others over his seventy years of caped crusading. But how do you save the world from apathy? Intolerance? How do you fight our cruelty? How do you fight our despair?

How does an author write that?

I have never read a lot of Superman in my lifetime. Quite frankly, I find that few writers have the necessary skills to make the character relevant in this day and age. He is a symbol of hope and idealism in a period that no longer celebrates those virtues the way they were a half-century ago. However, JMS is a writer who taps into mythological themes and has the capacity to craft new dimensions to familiar characters. This has worked with varying degrees of success – his run on Thor is a delight to read, though his work on Spider-Man became a little strained as he went on (Spider-Totems?). His work in Superman 701 fills me with hope. JMS makes me feel the weight on Superman’s shoulders. He makes me feel Superman’s desire to help people improve their lives. To become better people. JMS’ Superman makes me want to be a better person.

Buy this issue and judge for yourself. It is not a breakout issue with any new talent. The art is good, but not amazing. The writing is not BAM! POW! sensational. But it tells the story of a man who fell to Earth, who was raised by good, honest people and who only wants to help us be good, honest people in return. It tells a story of hope, and it has the potential to be the jumping on point for a truly remarkable story of not just superheroes, but of ordinary, everyday heroes. The kind of heroes you and I can be.

See you in line for Superman 702.