Is superman being a dork(if you believe him to be) essential to you?

[manwhohaseverything]

I have seen many who like that kind of portrayal and many that don't. What's the reason for the preference?

For me, superman is kinda of a dork. Sometimes it's done in a way that's good like in superman for all seasons or all star.But,more than not its insufferable. Especially when, "my mom made the suit" thing is taken to the extreme. The suit wasn't meant to make you feel "awe! How nice and cute" nor "geez! What a dork" .Sure enough, a hero's appearance shouldn't matter. That should be the fundamental basis. But, this(i wear red underwear outside my pants) is kinda of basically used to trivialise the character itself and make fun of it. What i am saying is, the strongman suit should be respected and so the character. If the explanation is something that trivialises the character then it's better left not being explained at all.

[Vordan]

I don’t see “humble” and “dork” as the same, but I voted yes. However there’s a caveat:

Clark is absolutely a dork. Some of that is just him playing up his “disguise” obviously.

However:

Some of it is indeed just a part of who he is. That’s part of the appeal of Superman: Beneath this awkward, shy, introverted, wallflower that no one would ever give a second glance in the street, is the greatest hero Earth has ever had. It’s a nerd power fantasy in the same way that Batman and Spider-Man are.

But Superman himself is not a dork. He’s cool in a way that we all wish we could be, our “best selves” personified. That’s not to say flawless or that he doesn’t **** up or fail now and then, but I prefer Clark as the window into Superman’s humanity. That’s what he’s meant to be used for after all.

[manwhohaseverything]

I don’t see “humble” and “dork” as the same, but I voted yes. However there’s a caveat:

Clark is absolutely a dork. Some of that is just him playing up his “disguise” obviously.

However:

Some of it is indeed just a part of who he is. That’s part of the appeal of Superman: Beneath this awkward, shy, introverted, wallflower that no one would ever give a second glance in the street, is the greatest hero Earth has ever had. It’s a nerd power fantasy in the same way that Batman and Spider-Man are.

But Superman himself is not a dork. He’s cool in a way that we all wish we could be, our “best selves” personified. That’s not to say flawless or that he doesn’t **** up or fail now and then, but I prefer Clark as the window into Superman’s humanity. That’s what he’s meant to be used for after all.

That yes, was meant for people who see the humility in clark through his general dork like behaviour. Essentially for people who don't believe it's done badly. Sure, everyone has that dorkish or goofy side to them. Even, bruce wayne can be that sometimes. The guy eats burger with forks and knife. I wasn't really talking about that though.From my readings, superman the champion generally has the personality of zorro. He is smiling, dashing Debonair. Clark's persona is entirely based on harold Lloyd. He can be as dork like as he wants.

Is he a dork? That's just an act to distance Clark Kent from the Superman persona. Clark isn't a dork. He's from Kansas but that doesn't equal Dork. he has certain values yes but I've never understood him to be a dork

Certain characterisations do lead to this kinda thing happening.

The kids perfectly describe what this does.

[Coal Tiger]

That yes, was meant for people who see the humility in clark through his general dork like behaviour. Essentially for people who don't believe it's done badly. Sure, everyone has that dorkish or goofy side to them. Even, bruce wayne can be that sometimes. The guy eats burger with forks and knife. I wasn't really talking about that though.From my readings, superman the champion generally has the personality of zorro. He is smiling, dashing Debonair. Clark's persona is entirely based on harold Lloyd. He can be as dork like as he wants.


Certain characterisations do lead to this kinda thing happening.

The kids perfectly describe what this does.

Yeah that kid with the hat is an *******. It’s always those sullen teenagers who don’t get Superman.

[manwhohaseverything]

Yeah that kid with the hat is an *******. It’s always those sullen teenagers who don’t get Superman.

It's a valid opinion. If i don't like red, then i don't like red. I think, siegel and shuster superman's advice would have been this.

[Riv86672]

Yeah that kid with the hat is an *******. It’s always those sullen teenagers who don’t get Superman.

^^^who sometimes grow up to be sullen adults.

But yeah, Clark is kinda dorky, nothing wrong w. that.
Hell, I’M kinda dorky, and there’s nothing wrong w. that. I would hazard a guess everyone on this site can list dork on their job application. There’s no stigma to the term.

[superduperman]

He doesn't necessarily have to be a "dork" but his disguise does have to be distinct enough from Superman that people don't equate the two. "Superman with glasses on" isn't much in the way of a disguise. Keeping his inner circle small helps. But if the people at the Planet know both Clark and Superman, then Clark needs something to make him seem different from Superman in that they both have the same build and facial structure. The guy who wrote the first Superman article just happens to look like him is a bit suspicious. I think Birthright kind handled it the right way in that he wasn't a "dork" so much as he just kept people at arms length and wouldn't let people get to know him.

[dietrich]

That yes, was meant for people who see the humility in clark through his general dork like behaviour. Essentially for people who don't believe it's done badly. Sure, everyone has that dorkish or goofy side to them. Even, bruce wayne can be that sometimes. The guy eats burger with forks and knife. I wasn't really talking about that though.From my readings, superman the champion generally has the personality of zorro. He is smiling, dashing Debonair. Clark's persona is entirely based on harold Lloyd. He can be as dork like as he wants.


Certain characterisations do lead to this kinda thing happening.

The kids perfectly describe what this does.

It's ironic but when Batman has moments like that fans hold it up as the best examples of what Batman should be. like that Ace moment from animated series.

These are just examples of Superman being heroic and human not dorky. That kid knows nothing.

[Riv86672]

That kid knows nothing.

This is why children should be seen and not heard.

[manwhohaseverything]

It's ironic but when Batman has moments like that fans hold it up as the best examples of what Batman should be. like that Ace moment from animated series.

These are just examples of Superman being heroic and human not dorky. That kid knows nothing.

Because batman has personality of a shtick most of the time.So any emotion is seen as joyous rarity . Even then Bruce's moments are done differently with different connotation for example the ace moment . I don't particularly find a person who talks down to people, really that much of a hero. It is paternalism to be blunt. Especially, when it's presented like the way it's done here with superman . There is a difference between that and compassionate. Moreover, the way he does it makes him feels entirely out of touch. So a dork.

This is compassion for me.


Superman talking down to even kids is nonsensical portrayal. Superman's reaction in dcau isn't compassion. That's not a human reaction to kid doing something so stupid. I would be pissed, if i really cared. And No, moral platitudes would be last thing coming out of my mouth.Superman is'nt a spacedad. He is a champion. He should be one of us,Not a skyfather looking down.

The above has a working class orphan with nothing(superman) helping out another in his position and not in a condescending way. The second has helping out a boxer down on his luck by being a friend and fellow boxing enthusiast who actually gives a damn about the sport.

[manwhohaseverything]

Here @3:30, This feels like more an instance of superman showing real compassion. Because the dude cares genuinely. It's empathy directing his action not self righteous moral fakery.I hate it when they write superman as fake.There is a huge difference between the two.
"I guess, that boy is just a sucker for hard luck cases"

[Konja7]

Because batman has personality of a shtick most of the time.So any emotion is seen as joyous rarity . Even then Bruce's moments are done differently with different connotation for example the ace moment . I don't particularly find a person who talks down to people, really that much of a hero. It is paternalism to be blunt. Especially, when it's presented like the way it's done here with superman . There is a difference between that and compassionate. Moreover, the way he does it makes him feels entirely out of touch. So a dork.

This is compassion for me.


Superman talking down to even kids is nonsensical portrayal. Superman's reaction in dcau isn't compassion. That's not a human reaction to kid doing something so stupid. I would be pissed, if i really cared. And No, moral platitudes would be last thing coming out of my mouth.Superman is'nt a spacedad. He is a champion. He should be one of us,Not a skyfather looking down.

The above has a working class orphan with nothing(superman) helping out another in his position and not in a condescending way. The second has helping out a boxer down on his luck by being a friend and fellow boxing enthusiast who actually gives a damn about the sport.

Honestly, that moment of Superman with the kid still seems pretty Superdad for me.

I think that's why it is important to describe your especific problems with the current Superman instead of just use the word Superdad.

[dietrich]

Is he a dork? That's just an act to distance Clark Kent from the Superman persona. Clark isn't a dork. He's from Kansas but that doesn't equal Dork. he has certain values yes but I've never understood him to be a dork