Originally Posted by
bat39
Its interesting that I can find a SINGLE one of the options as being totally non-negotiable when it comes to Superman. I mean, yes, obviously I have my preferences, but there isn't a single one of these points that I think would violate the fundamentals of Superman if not adhered to.
Superman's costume must always have trunks, no mask and no gloves.
Well, the New 52 and early Rebirth era have already proven that the character is viable without the trunks. I agree about no mask, but I'm sure someone someday could come up with a glove design that works. So ultimately, the suit, while a contentious subject, isn't really the deal-breaker people think it is.
Superman must always end up with Lois Lane. He can romance other women but Lois is endgame.
Here's the thing though - throughout the Pre-Crisis era, particularly the Silver Age and Bronze Age, I have my doubts about whether Lois was really meant to be the 'endgame', at least for the then-mainstream Earth One Superman. And she wasn't really the endgame in the New 52 either. Superman doesn't cease to be Superman if Lois isn't around. The fans might miss her presence, but Superman fundamentally stays the same without her around.
Superman's workplace is the Planet and he is a journalist. He cannot, say, be a doctor instead.
Its already been proven that you can take Clark away from the Daily Planet without rendering the character unrecognizable. And while I can't really see Clark take up a radically different job, like a doctor, I could see him being a farmer if he's living in the countryside. Or actually, any other job if he's assuming another secret identity or if he's not living in Metropolis. And if he's not using a secret identity, then the job thing becomes moot.
Kryptonians must remain extinct save for a few. Things such as New Krypton are temporary at best.
Well, they will always stay temporary because 'Status Quo is God' is the mantra of comic-book franchises. But really, does having a lot of Kryptonians around somewhere fundamentally change the character of Superman? Back when the Bottle City of Kandor was a thing and the Phantom Zone was teeming with Kryptonian criminals (which I dunno, might currently still be the case), does that really not make Superman 'Superman' anymore? I doubt it.
Superman's powerset is permanent and mostly immutable. He cannot, say, develop psychic powers.
Superman developing new powers has been a time-honored tradition, most notably 'Superman Blue' and the recent solar flare power. So again, while it would be jarring, its not totally out of the realm of possibility. Making Superman 'super' in new ways doesn't change who he is.
Superman's home is ultimately Metropolis. He cannot, say, leave Metropolis and go live in Sydney.
Another change that would be jarring, but doesn't really change the character at his core. If Superman, say, lived in the Fortress and patrolled the entire world regularly, he would still be identifiable as Superman.
Superman must have a secret identity. He can't permanently ditch it and openly live as Superman.
Regardless of how people felt about 'Truth', Superman's identity being revealed can be done. He would still be Superman - you'd just be hard-pressed to find the 'Clark Kent' in him.
Lex Luthor must always be Superman's arch-enemy. He cannot be permanently redeemed.
'Status Quo is God' is about the only reason why Luthor can't be permanently reformed. During the periods of time when Luthor isn't a villain anymore, but an uneasy ally of Superman's, it doesn't really make Superman any less recognizable as Superman.
The Kents must stay alive or at least one of them must live.
I'm in favor of them living, but you can't deny that the franchise worked just fine for the half-century they were dead.
The Daily Planet crew is Superman's core supporting cast, they cannot be replaced or sidelined.
Well, they have been replaced or sidelined on occassion so...not a deal-breaker.
In essence what I'm saying is that you can have Superman as a hero with no secret identity and no job at the Daily Planet, all kinds of crazy new powers, a suit that does not include trunks, who is not involved with Lois Lane in any way and doesn't hang out with any Daily Planet staff; with Lex Luthor having reformed, a bunch of Kryptonians living on a colony somewhere nearby and frequently showing up on earth, and Jonathan and Martha Kent being dead; and he would still be recognizable as Superman. It may not be a popular version of the character, but it would still undeniably be a version of the character.