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.

[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

[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.

[A Small Talent For War]

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.

All-Star Superman's Clark Kent made the most sense to me. He wasn't so much pretending to be a dork, but his clumsy antics were the result of him subtly manipulating the situation to save lives or prevent accidents without having to go full superhero all the time. So he ended up seeming distracted, absent minded and awkward as a result.

From at least Silver Age Kal-EL's point of view, I think he'd see most people the way we see puppies and kittens. They are so harmless and ignorant for the most part that even their most aggressive behavior is cute and adorable which is probably why he likes people so much. I imagine our pets think we are woefully unprepared for the world and need to be looked after which is probably what most people think of Clark.

[manwhohaseverything]

I wasn't talking about clark kent disguise. I should have made that clear in the op. I thought, i did. I was essentially talking about Superman. The real deal.

[Frontier]

I don't think there's anything wrong with being a dork .

[manwhohaseverything]

I don't think there's anything wrong with being a dork .

There is if the character's ideals and conviction is seen as a joke.Moreover, this is'nt clark kent glasses persona. Its freaking Superman.His ideals should be grounded firmly to reality. It should never feel out of touch.

[Frontier]

There is if the character's ideals and conviction is seen as a joke.

As long as they act seriously when it comes to said ideals and convictions, I don't see an issue.

[manwhohaseverything]

As long as they act seriously when it comes to said ideals and convictions, I don't see an issue.

Sure, but i do believe that suit has more of a legacy than "my mom made me a dorky suit". It should be treated better. And i don't mean some stupid grandiose "s is kryptonIan symbol of hope" thing. If one piece can make you respect this guy. Superman books should be able to do it.

[Frontier]

Sure, but i do believe that suit has more of a legacy than "my mom made me a dorky suit". It should be treated better. And i don't mean some stupid grandiose "s is kryptonIan symbol of hope" thing. If one piece can make you respect this guy. Superman books should be able to do it.

As far as my perspective Superman is perfectly as successful with making his costume work for him in-spite of how it may seem hokey to most, just like Batman does.