The state of Superman in popular culture right now

[Bored at 3:00AM]

For a little while, it seemed like Superman was becoming viewed as increasingly outdated by the larger popular culture. However, with the state of the world becoming more and more dire, it seems that people are once again hungry for the kind of hopeful optimistic fun and adventure that Superman brings with him. In retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised by this. Superman first became a sensation during the uncertain times of the late 30s, and continued to grow in popularity during the wartime 40s and the nuclear anxieties of the 50s. He struggled a bit with relevance during the 60s when he became viewed, rightfully, as a symbol of the establishment. However, as the broken promises of the 60s gave way to the jaded cynicism of the late 70s, Superman again became suddenly relevant again because he was such a cheerfully bright and uncompromised hero in a world seemingly overrun with corruption and moral bankruptcy.

Unfortunately, Superman didn't fare so well in the 80s, despite the momentary buzz generated by his Reagan era makeover as a football jock turned yuppie. It wasn't until his death that Superman became briefly relevant again, but that didn't last long and the character continued his slow slide away from the forefront of the public consciousness.

When 9/11 hit, Superman enjoyed another bounce in popularity thanks to the new anxieties of the age of terror, which buoyed Smallville to a decade worth of low budget superhero soap opera TV gold. However, the overt military and high-tech obsessions that dominated the 21st Century culture were ill-suited for Superman, who is neither a soldier, nor someone who really relies upon technology. Instead, more militaristic characters like Batman and Iron Man came to dominate the superhero landscape.

Most recently, popular culture has, after decades of ignoring them, turned its attention to showcasing a more diverse selection of heroes, which has allowed Wonder Woman and Black Panther to achieve pop culture prominence the likes of which they've never known before. Meanwhile, Superman had seemingly grown less and less important to the conversation as Hollywood, video games and comics failed again and again to recapture whatever it was that had made Superman so popular in the past.

And yet, I suspect that's slowly changing. I think the public is ready for Superman again after the past few years of watching disaster after disaster build like a slow motion train wreck governed by the most corrupt, dysfunctional and incompetent political landscape in decades. People want to believe in Truth, Justice & The American Way again. They want to see journalists uncovering that truth with integrity and professionalism, rather than for clicks or scoring some momentary victory for their political tribe. We might even want to see heroes who aren't billionaires using that vast inherited wealth to outfit themselves with high tech toys (alright, that one is a long shot, I admit). We want heroes who are motivated primarily by altruism, rather than trauma or guilt. We want to believe that people are worth saving and that we can overcome them by inspiring each other to do good.

All this is a very long-winded attempt to talk about where we think Superman is heading in the larger public consciousness over the next few years. The darker, more brooding Superman of Zack Snyder is actually going to get a proper send off now that that trilogy of films is being finished for real this time. The CW is launching a new Superman & Lois TV show focused on their lives as heroes, journalists and parents, the comics have been re-energized by various creators bringing their A-game to bring Superman back to forefront of superhero comics. And I suspect that new technologies are going to finally allow designers to produce a video game capable to doing Superman right.

What do you think? Am I being hopelessly naive? Am I wrong? Am I right? Let me know.

[Will Evans]

One thing. For what your talking about, I’d say the title should instead be “The state of Superman in the zeitgeist right now.”

[Bored at 3:00AM]

One thing. For what your talking about, I’d say the title should instead be “The state of Superman in the zeitgeist right now.”

Zeitgeist works too. I just wanted to make it clear what I am talking about and zeitgeist felt too high salutin' for a discussion of a guy running around in a red cape and underwear outside his tights ;-)

[Vakanai]

Zeitgeist works too. I just wanted to make it clear what I am talking about and zeitgeist felt too high salutin' for a discussion of a guy running around in a red cape and underwear outside his tights ;-)

Also, ditching that might help with the modern pop culture thing...

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Also, ditching that might help with the modern pop culture thing...

I understand that traditionalists want the underoos, and I'm glad the comics have re-embraced them as part of the character's most iconic look, but I would agree that the undies are a stumbling block for a lot of people in the mainstream. Too many of the kids I teach are struck by the bright red underwear, even as they breeze by Batman's equally ridiculous black speedos.
513-5139672_descargar-imagen-tarjeta-de-superman-justice-league-action.jpg
The thing is, they don't need them anymore. If they can figure out a way to make the undies work, great, but I think a big red belt with a yellow belt buckle (or vice versa) is a perfectly acceptable replacement that doesn't sacrifice his iconic look.
[/IMG]

[Vakanai]

I think your putting way to much thought into it and way too much emphasis on eras. All Superman needs to be popular is the same thing that made him popular before - a great story in a medium with real presence. Today that means either a blockbuster movie, game, or Netflix like series. He gets one of those and boom, big again. There's never been more to it than that.

Personal opinion of course.

[Vordan]

The last decade was one of the worst he’s ever had, so if we finally start to see his star rise again, I’ll be thankful. Of course that all depends on what happens. Will Superman & Lois be good or at the very least entertaining? Is Warner Bros Montreal actually making a Superman game and will that be good? Is Cavill going to get another shot or is a reboot for Superman in the works along with Batman? I hold no hopes that the Snyder Cut will be a positive for him. But I do feel a smidge of optimism.

Sadly it’s the outside media that really determines the character’s perception, so no matter how good the comics are they won’t be able to make the impact I wish they would.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Sadly it’s the outside media that really determines the character’s perception, so no matter how good the comics are they won’t be able to make the impact I wish they would.

That has been the case for decades. The George Reeves TV show and Christopher Reeve films had far more impact on the larger pop culture than the comics did. However, it is the comics that lay the first bricks from which those adaptations build from. The comics lead the way, even if the majority of people aren't aware of it

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I think your putting way to much thought into it and way too much emphasis on eras. All Superman needs to be popular is the same thing that made him popular before - a great story in a medium with real presence. Today that means either a blockbuster movie, game, or Netflix like series. He gets one of those and boom, big again. There's never been more to it than that.

Personal opinion of course.

I think the circumstances and concerns of a particular era often have a big impact on art, particularly popular art.

Tarzan was one of the most popular characters in pop culture for decades. Now, not so much, and a lot of that has to do with the ideas behind the character simply aren't relevant to people today. The idea of a white man being raised by apes in the savage lands of Africa and rises up to become Lord of the Jungle was a dynamite idea at one time. Star Wars hit at the exact right time when people wanted a simple story of good vs evil, but with just enough archetypal mythology layered in.

This isn't to say that Star Wars wouldn't have been successful without the exact circumstances of the late 70s, but I don’t think it would have been the blockbuster sensation it became, helped immeasurably by Lucas taking advantage of the insatiable hunger for toys and merchandise of middle class suburban kids

I am not saying creators weren't making good Superman stories during the times when he was less pop culturally prominent, but I think Superman's popularity has been very much determined by the larger anxieties of the times. The more comfortable and safe people felt, the less interested they were in the idea of an altruistic flying man swooping in to save them from disaster.

[Vakanai]

I think the circumstances and concerns of a particular era often have a big impact on art, particularly popular art.

Tarzan was one of the most popular characters in pop culture for decades. Now, not so much, and a lot of that has to do with the ideas behind the character simply aren't relevant to people today. The idea of a white man being raised by apes in the savage lands of Africa and rises up to become Lord of the Jungle was a dynamite idea at one time. Star Wars hit at the exact right time when people wanted a simple story of good vs evil, but with just enough archetypal mythology layered in.

This isn't to say that Star Wars wouldn't have been successful without the exact circumstances of the late 70s, but I don’t think it would have been the blockbuster sensation it became, helped immeasurably by Lucas taking advantage of the insatiable hunger for toys and merchandise of middle class suburban kids

I am not saying creators weren't making good Superman stories during the times when he was less pop culturally prominent, but I think Superman's popularity has been very much determined by the larger anxieties of the times. The more comfortable and safe people felt, the less interested they were in the idea of an altruistic flying man swooping in to save them from disaster.

Perhaps - but I still think the more likely thing is just getting a good take in the media that's widely consumed. People largely don't change that much whatever the era when it comes to entertainment - a good story is a good story, and when was the last time Superman had one of those outside the comics?

You want Superman to be a larger part of pop culture, then instead of timing the more important part is getting Superman out there in a story people enjoy.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Perhaps - but I still think the more likely thing is just getting a good take in the media that's widely consumed. People largely don't change that much whatever the era when it comes to entertainment - a good story is a good story, and when was the last time Superman had one of those outside the comics?

You want Superman to be a larger part of pop culture, then instead of timing the more important part is getting Superman out there in a story people enjoy.

Agreed, but the anxieties and concerns of the world are often what drive creators to make great art that resonates with people.

[Vakanai]

Agreed, but the anxieties and concerns of the world are often what drive creators to make great art that resonates with people.

Yeah, but that also depends on the artist. The anxieties and concerns if the world of every generation is enough to produce a score of great Superman films and shows, but we usually don't get that. One era is no more or less suited for Superman than another, they all could have made great Superman media. But you only luck out so much. Those eras where Superman didn't do as well? Nothing to do with the era or Superman, just simple bad luck that the right people and events didn't come together at the right time to make something. Luck has more to do with it than not being a natural fit for a certain time - any character can be updated to fit modern sensibilities while sticking true to the core of a their character.

[Soubhagya]

For a little while, it seemed like Superman was becoming viewed as increasingly outdated by the larger popular culture. However, with the state of the world becoming more and more dire, it seems that people are once again hungry for the kind of hopeful optimistic fun and adventure that Superman brings with him. In retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised by this. Superman first became a sensation during the uncertain times of the late 30s, and continued to grow in popularity during the wartime 40s and the nuclear anxieties of the 50s. He struggled a bit with relevance during the 60s when he became viewed, rightfully, as a symbol of the establishment. However, as the broken promises of the 60s gave way to the jaded cynicism of the late 70s, Superman again became suddenly relevant again because he was such a cheerfully bright and uncompromised hero in a world seemingly overrun with corruption and moral bankruptcy.

Unfortunately, Superman didn't fare so well in the 80s, despite the momentary buzz generated by his Reagan era makeover as a football jock turned yuppie. It wasn't until his death that Superman became briefly relevant again, but that didn't last long and the character continued his slow slide away from the forefront of the public consciousness.

When 9/11 hit, Superman enjoyed another bounce in popularity thanks to the new anxieties of the age of terror, which buoyed Smallville to a decade worth of low budget superhero soap opera TV gold. However, the overt military and high-tech obsessions that dominated the 21st Century culture were ill-suited for Superman, who is neither a soldier, nor someone who really relies upon technology. Instead, more militaristic characters like Batman and Iron Man came to dominate the superhero landscape.

Most recently, popular culture has, after decades of ignoring them, turned its attention to showcasing a more diverse selection of heroes, which has allowed Wonder Woman and Black Panther to achieve pop culture prominence the likes of which they've never known before. Meanwhile, Superman had seemingly grown less and less important to the conversation as Hollywood, video games and comics failed again and again to recapture whatever it was that had made Superman so popular in the past.

And yet, I suspect that's slowly changing. I think the public is ready for Superman again after the past few years of watching disaster after disaster build like a slow motion train wreck governed by the most corrupt, dysfunctional and incompetent political landscape in decades. People want to believe in Truth, Justice & The American Way again. They want to see journalists uncovering that truth with integrity and professionalism, rather than for clicks or scoring some momentary victory for their political tribe. We might even want to see heroes who aren't billionaires using that vast inherited wealth to outfit themselves with high tech toys (alright, that one is a long shot, I admit). We want heroes who are motivated primarily by altruism, rather than trauma or guilt. We want to believe that people are worth saving and that we can overcome them by inspiring each other to do good.

All this is a very long-winded attempt to talk about where we think Superman is heading in the larger public consciousness over the next few years. The darker, more brooding Superman of Zack Snyder is actually going to get a proper send off now that that trilogy of films is being finished for real this time. The CW is launching a new Superman & Lois TV show focused on their lives as heroes, journalists and parents, the comics have been re-energized by various creators bringing their A-game to bring Superman back to forefront of superhero comics. And I suspect that new technologies are going to finally allow designers to produce a video game capable to doing Superman right.

What do you think? Am I being hopelessly naive? Am I wrong? Am I right? Let me know.

I wish this were true. And it might be true as well. But it can't be denied that Superman needs to have some great stuff if the character has to come out of the doldrums. People nowadays tend to consume things in bulk.

Suppose i liked Spider-man in Civil War. I can look up the Raimi films. MCU films. Spiderverse. PS4 game. Cartoons of varying quality. Even the Webb series has fans. If i like Batman and i am curious for more. I can have the Nolan trilogy. Arkham games. Batman TAS. Batman has a lot of great outside stuff. Sadly, Superman does not have that. The Donner films, even though i love them aren't that attractive to a modern viewer. If nothing at least for the visual effects. No good games except Injustice which would actually turn you off from Superman. Shows and cartoons are of a mixed bag.

All you need is one great product. Or a couple of good ones. Nobody cared for Thor, till Ragnarok, followed by a good show in the following films. Nobody cared for Captain America as well before Winter Soldier, Civil War and the later Avengers films. No one cared for Iron Man till he hit it big with the first Iron Man. Nobody knew who Guardians of the Galaxy were before their movie.

People tend to like Superman. There was palpable hype before Man of Steel, which grew even more for Batman v Superman. Why do you think the producers thought Man of Steel would gross a billion? Even Batman Begins was a moderate hit earning under 400 million. Its a combination of bad luck and films that did not turn out as expected. Which isn't that surprising as they are very difficult to make. Look at Iron Man 2. Even if you hit it the first time, its not necessary that you can recapture the same magic twice.

[Soubhagya]

Now this is going to be a controversial opinion but i am beginning to think that the Superman 2000 idea would have really helped the character. Its not necessary that good comics make good films. But they can help.

One thing i don't like from that idea is the return to the Clark/Lois/Superman love triangle. But all ideas were pretty solid. You had three of the best Superman writers in modern times given the rein to Superman's world. I don't think Morrison could have made something phenomenal like All Star Superman, but his run could have been pretty close. Mark Waid and Millar are great writers. After a two or three year takeover, it would have influenced the writers after them to follow suit.

Here's a brief rundown to the idea.



I am however positive to the recent comics. Superman Smashes the Klan is an instant classic. So, is American Alien to a lesser extent. Superman's ditching the secret identity could lead to something great too. Even though i have fuzzy ideas at best. Stories like Mr Oz and formation of United Planets didn't turn out as great as they could have been, they can make some great movies. Jon Kent is a great addition to the mythos. How can no one see the potential to family mixed with superheroics? Incredibles anyone? Up in the Sky can very much be Finding Nemo set in space, if you want to.

I have been thinking a while, but i think Superman can have much better 3D animated movies then live action. Live action has higher costs. But animation has ability to bring insane worlds and scenarios to life with lesser costs. WB can try to be be ambitious in animation. Instead of making some 2D snimated films for fans, why not make CG animated films for theatrical releases? That media seems more profitable for comic book characters. Into the Spiderverse is the best Spider-man film imo. And Pixar films often turn out way better then most live action films.

I am still waiting for that elusive Superman game. Megaton Rainfall had some aspects you can put in a Superman game. Technology seems more closer to bring the Superman experience.

The Snyder Cut news actually makes me happy. I am not a big fan of these films. But we are going to get some form of Superman in film. Its hard to be in a time of superhero boom, where there is no Superman movie in works.

[Electricmastro]

For a little while, it seemed like Superman was becoming viewed as increasingly outdated by the larger popular culture. However, with the state of the world becoming more and more dire, it seems that people are once again hungry for the kind of hopeful optimistic fun and adventure that Superman brings with him.

Not to disrespect Superman, but aren’t there other superheroes that can bring hopeful optimistic fun to the masses? I’m certainly sure he’s not alone on that like how he was back in 1938, or is he still?