Superman Quits America, Fox News Readers Take the News Badly

[Sylocat]

It's worth noting that the "...and the American Way" part actually wasn't added to his creed until the 1950s, when the anti-Commie hysteria was forcing every comic writer to RetCon in some jingoistic wankery to appease the idiots.

 

[Dorian6]

I see. So when superman, an alien from a distant planet, decides that he needs to use his incredible power to protect people all over the world rather than in a single country. That means he hates America.

 

[subtlefuge]

I'm torn. I'm not offended by it, but I almost feel that I should be.

Global focus is an excellent idea, way better than just being American and makes way more sense. Renouncing citizenship on the other hand, is a bit more of a dick move.

I'm sure it's just the writers' poor foresight on how this would look, rather than anything intentional, so I'm completely fine.

 

[Kuilui]

Has superman ever given up his citizenship before or anything like that? I'm not really into comics but Superman is a pretty iconic American figure so it is rather odd to see him say hes giving up his citizenship. Which is kind of like exiling himself. Who knows maybe this is all some stunt by the writers to draw more attention to superman because their sales have slumped a bit or something. I'm sure he'll be eating apple pies in Kansas soon enough. Besides his alter ego still has citizenship right? Or is he going to quit his job as well or?

I knew this would turn into some political debate as soon as I read the title, thanks for not letting me down escapist.

 

[Callate]

If I were one of the people behind the new Superman movie, I'd have to be gritting my teeth right now.

I'm glad Fox was unusually even-handed on this story, but I can't say the readers' reactions surprise me. It's rather amazing how many people seem to think no one in the rest of the world, not even our closest allies in Europe, should have any influence on American policy, even when it involves military action in their backyard. It would be laughable, but these people vote.

I love America, but some people really need to get it in their heads that America is not, well, God: We can be good based on what we do, but good is not defined by what we do.

 

[2fish]

Gotta say if I was superman I would have left in about 20 years, traveled the world for another 20 years then left the whole damn planet behind. I giggle at those who confuse every action that does not have "pro-american" written on it as anti-american.

 

[lead sharp]

And why is everyone pissed over a COMIC again?
Really?..

Actually I'm quite chuffed this has happened, especially in comics. As a character Superman is, in all fairness a global character, he's never quoted as having 'saved America' but always quoted as 'Saved the world'. Sure America is were Clark Kent needs to hang his hat but the world stage is more important than America as a single place.

I think this story is about when patriotism becomes jingoism and the fact that you can (and should) do more for your fellow man despite were they come from.

As for 'getting pissed at comics'? Why not? The are just as valid a medium as saaay video games and people are always getting pissed about them. Just because comics can get in under the idiot radar doesn't invalidate their credibility as a medium, in fact it gives them a unique stance to get away with more than most mediums do.

As for the whole 'if he's not American then he's a commie/terrorist/republican/Sarah Palin' view that people seem to be putting out then it's a good job we have those people to tell us exactly what it means to be an American...because looking at them, I have no idea.

 

[zombie711]

[

So Superman doesn't have a US citizenship anymore?

So what?

Its kinda like slaping culture in the face. It that America is relitivaly young as far as countries go and superman is a large part of american culture, so to say superman would rather not be american, would be taking a huge chuck of american culture would like not to be assosciated with America. Im sure its happened before but never got any attention because it was a silver age comic with some goofy plotline.

 

[Palindromemordnilap_v1legacy]

"The liberal, America hating scumbags who now run DC Comics are just adding another feather in their cap with yet more anti-American culture and tradition jihad. F--k 'em,"

Oh dear. Incorrect use of the word 'jihad'? Bye bye all respect for your opinions because you're clearly a bit of a bigot

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

That's almost like coming to the epiphany that Stephen Colbert, is in fact, not on Bill O'Reilly's side.

He's not?

...I need to rethink my life.

 

[Manji187]

People sure love the symbols of their ideologies.

 

[MovieBob]

This has probably been brought up already upthread, but what's the point of this, exactly? Yes, its silly for a godlike alien living on Earth to be tied to ONE country and its an overdue symbolic gesture for him to just say "I'm for everyone," awesome, I support this...

...But unless Clark Kent is ALSO jumping ship, I'm not sure what the big deal is in-story. "Superman" isn't a legal citizen of ANYWHERE because he's just a cover name Kent uses. He doesn't have a license that says "superman" or a mailing address; as far as normal folks in the DC Universe know he's an alien who lives in Antartica. So him "renouncing" citizenship just means he's doing the "because I can fly" version of activists who write "citizen of the world" on their passports.

 

[rsvp42]

Just a bunch of jingoistic windbags. They want storywriters to conform to some standard of conservative values that just aren't supported by real world issues. They can boycott every form of entertainment and call it all "liberal," but the reality is that these are the stories we're telling now. We don't have the luxury of living in a dream world of American moral superiority anymore and neither Hollywood nor DC Comics should expected to perpetrate such a facade.

 

[Mrsoupcup]

Cry me a river. I know exactly why DC would have done this, to make more people from other countries more comfortable reading a Superman comic. I say good, the whole American Superman thing was just because of the Cold War anyway.

 

[Canid117]

Is Clark Kent giving up his citizenship too? Because as I recall Superman is not his legal identity.

 

[zombie711]

[

So Superman doesn't have a US citizenship anymore?

So what?

Its kinda like slaping culture in the face. It that America is relitivaly young as far as countries go and superman is a large part of american culture, so to say superman would rather not be american, would be taking a huge chuck of american culture would like not to be assosciated with America. Im sure its happened before but never got any attention because it was a silver age comic with some goofy plotline.

I obviously missed the bit where he flipped Obama the bird, pissed on the bill of rights and then took a shite on the tomb of the unknown soldier.

He's not turned his back on America. He's helping the ENTIRE WOOORRRLLD. You know, that big round thing America is part of.

You know the Last time He left America behind to make every country in the world better?
SUPER MAN IV. Do ya really want that again?

 

[Brad Shepard]

Got to love over reacting, right wing asshats

Sure, because over-reacting, left-wing asshats are /such/ a pleasure to read.

Oh your funny, Both sides are fucking stupid, and anyone who cant realize that is the bggest asshats of all.

I /am/ funny! Thank you Brad Shepard!

Your quite welcome good sir and or ma'am.

 

[Alleged_Alec]

How is going out to save the rest of the world "betraying America".

He can save the rest of the world, that is fine. Read the comic clipping again, he said "I am renouncing my US citizenship".

Here in America, we take citizenship seriously. Renouncing it is tantamount to betraying the country.

I just don't see how that is hard to understand.

Because Superman's doing it for the right reasons. If that doesn't get through to those people, they're idiots.

Well the reason he gives in the comic is no reason at all. The writer is stupid, he is writing for Superman, not himself. It's Superman, he can do whatever the hell he wants shouldn't give a crap about what people say about him.

If I were to do something that helps the world and what America really stands for, and somebody blasted me saying that I was just doing it under the pretenses of Obama's crazy administration, all I have to do is say no I'm not, or even better say I do give a crap what they say. If I know in my heart and mind that what I was doing was right for the world and my country, renouncing my citizenship would be just plain stupid and be a dick move.

There is no reason for it.

From what I've heard, he had a pretty good reasons: people were refusing to accept his actions as a person his help because he was seen as an American. Giving up his nationality was a good move, as it said: "I'm here for the entire world. I do not pick sides."