At what point do you think writers were trying to "fix" Superman

[The World]

One of those phrases slung around so often but I'm not really convinced most people actually believe in it and rather use as a sort of nerd rank pulling or something. But I'm curious when do you think DC was actively trying to fix the character?

[superduperman]

MOS and Birthright, obvs. Return to Krypton. New 52. Rebirth. Superman Y2K. Basically anytime they tried to change his history or "improve" him by changing some major aspect of his environment. Even things like Doomsday Clock where his parents were brought back could count as trying to "fix" him.

[Vordan]

All of the origin retellings were pretty clearly aimed at trying to “fix” him, starting with Byrne. Byrne’s mandate was to “Marvelize” Superman and he pursued that objective with gusto. Toning down the power levels, getting rid of the “silly” stuff like multicolored Kryptonite, and trying to play up the “lone survivor” tragedy by eliminating all other Kryptonians.

But even the reboots I like such as Birthright and New 52 were aimed at “fixing” him by showing that no, he actually isn’t just a boring perfect character. He has flaws and emotions and quirks of his own. What poor DC fails to realize is that the people deriding him as “perfect” have never read anything with him in it and never will. Those people have written him off and nothing except maybe an acclaimed movie or video game will change their minds. Doesn’t matter how many books they put out that have him **** up or be flawed if the deriders never bother to read them. Not to say that everyone who dislikes him simply hasn’t read him, but the majority of the popular complaints are clearly the product of people who have never read a comic.

Of course besides trying to “fix” his popular image there’s also simply a power struggle about what Superman “should be” and that’s something that divides along lines like “Should the Kents be alive?”, “Should Clark remember Krypton?”, etc. And we see that with Johns trying to roll things back to what he views as “ideal” in DDC.

[manwhohaseverything]

People started fixing him when focus shifted from action and he started becoming boring . They say this shift was necessary because distinguished competition was starting to beat them. But, they were trying to beat the competition by playing their game with their rules.They also believe superman lore, powers and story can't be eye-catching or cool to bring in enough new numbers. Which is another reason why it was done.

With batman his cynicism was sold in a badass way. With spidey, he was the average guy sold as "the amazing spiderman". Clark's optimism kinda rings hollow many times. It isn't sold as true optimism nor does he come of bad ass. He isn't viewed as the risk taker and rightfully so,he isn't Written like that. He is written to have a stick up his ass.

His action and battles sucks . His stories are pointless when other characters do the same with better depth.His powers, movements.. Etc are boring. Ofcourse, writers try to fix him. If someone like al ewing comes around takes the entire lore Starting from the core, shifts perspective back or gives a new one. Then i would be all for it.

[Dispenser Of Truth]

At least as far back as 1971 with Kryptonite Nevermore.

[objectivewatcher2013]

Needs to be fixed now after Bendis lol.

[Kuwagaton]

People started fixing him when focus shifted from action and he started becoming boring . They say this shift was necessary because distinguished competition was starting to beat them.

DC is called the Distinguished Competition.

But like Dispenser said, O'Neil was probably the first conscious effort. Then arguably Wolfman about a decade later.

[achilles]

They've been trying to "fix" Superman for ages, thinking he's broken. Or "update" or "modernize" him. Your basic, classic Superman doesn't need any "help" IMO, but everyone seems to think they can do better.

[manwhohaseverything]

DC is called the Distinguished Competition.

But like Dispenser said, O'Neil was probably the first conscious effort. Then arguably Wolfman about a decade later.

I know, i was just having fun with it. I mean, competition goes both ways.marvel did started beating them around the time as well. Dc hasn't been able to take back the crown. I don't know if it's coincidence but dc's success is kinda tied to superman.When he started becoming less popular.dc itself started lossing steam. Even the movie universe is kinda in this wierd mess right now. superman needs a reinvention that enhances it's core concept .

They've been trying to "fix" Superman for ages, thinking he's broken. Or "update" or "modernize" him. Your basic, classic Superman doesn't need any "help" IMO, but everyone seems to think they can do better.

No offence, if you mean by "classic" superman the guy that has no impact and is safe. A guy that is written to be non-dangerous.The guy that goes around giving his talks. Then well, i disagree. Otherwise, core concept and the world that was built is plenty to work with.