I am not a comic book fan, I don't really care about Superman's story line... but, REALLY?



http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/04/28/superman-renounces-citizenship-00th-issue/


We can't even fantasize about patriotism anymore? Who is responsible for this great idea? What are we teaching our kids these days?

Since Superman is from Krypton and is eligible only to be a naturalized US citizen, but can never be a "natural born citizen" or become president of the US, and possessing super powers as he does, being a US citizen could be a bit stiffling. Maybe he wants to be a "citizen of the planet" or a "citizen of the universe." People who have a problem with it need to get over their egocentricity. That, and the fact that Superman is fiction anyway.

Sg

No egocentricity here although seems to me that a fictional comic book character could be just as entertaining without making such a bold political statement or reinventing his identity. I think it is unnecessary.



Maybe his new romantic interest should be male too just for equal shock value.


"Not that there is anything wrong with that"

It doesn't matter because Batman is wayyyy cooler anyway, and he is a US Citizen and could be President. As long as he has a birth certificate.

The entire point of Superman has to make a political statement, as soon as he went from a vigilante (first incarnation) into a crime fighter (current and very, very longstanding).

"Truth, Justice, and the American Way"...can't get much more political than that...

I don't think that the problem is that Superman is political all of a sudden...he's just not unconditionally pro-American any more.

Not that it matters...he is, as Salmo pointed out, a fictional character. Getting too fired up about it is like Muslims getting fired up of caricatures of Mohammed...you know that neither are real, right?

Fish on...

Todd

I think you guys are missing my intended point-


I fully understand the definition of fictional... no confusion or disappointment here. Like I said, I could care a less about the story line or the character. It seems like an unnecessary message to send to our kids.


Maybe the infringement on a kid's potential innocence doesn't matter to anyone else but me?


oh... one more thing...KK leads with an insult...there is something new.
Better suggest my mental furniture is insufficient also- that would have been more typical yet.

KK-

I don't have the time, the energy or desire to engage in some mental prowess contest with you; I conceed to your narcissistic negativity-spewing mega-mind. Okay? You win.

I happen to respect every single respondent so far on this thread and I am asking for opinions on the topic, not me. Do you have something constructive to add here or is that too lofty of an expectation?


I remember when hot dogs, apple pie and baseball were cool and I thought Superman was a contributing minor mythological hero and a part of our culture.



Obviously I am old school.

Thank you Hank- I am well aware of KK's M.O. and "obviously" from your reply you got the gist of the post.



KK-

Repitition doesn't become you... "obviously" and "furniture" have been over used now, by you, for the last year. Swearing also doesn't substantiate your position either. Did you need to emasculate me too before adding that I am not internet saavy?

For the second time... Do you have something constructive to add related to the subject? We were talking about ANYONE, fictional or not, renouncing their citizenship, not all of the nonsense following your choice of words; "OBVIOUSLY." Please consider subject not the big words on the title page commonly known as author.


The simplicity is in your view and my question posed is more subtle or possibly subliminal for the audience, in this case being kids... IS ANTI-PATRIOTISM MESSAGE WE WANT TO DELIVER?


(caps are for the hard of hearing)

Ya... that!

So KK.... could we have your definition of "what patriotism is?" (you forgot baseball) "OBVIOUSLY" my interpretation is off.




And thank you for the diplomacy BTW, I am still playing nicely too.

I wonder how many children actually read comic books anymore, let alone Superman comics?

Most kids I know are overweight and play video games when they aren't at school.

Nonetheless, I wouldn't consider Superman comics a reliable source for American virtues.

I agree that it is not a good message to children... the "I am tired of my government, I renounce my citizenship" attitude won't help anyone, no matter how imaginative they are.

I could be way off, but it sounds to me like the owners are trying to target international sales... something they couldn't capitalize on as much when Superman was an American. I never knew kryptonite came in the form of greed and political affiliation.

Maybe KK doesn't have kids yet?

When my son was a young boy, Superman was his idol. He wore Superman costumes every Halloween, and often times through the rest of the year. Superman bed sheets, bedspread, pajamas, posters, action figures, he had and loved it all. I'm a bit saddened that one of the main heros of our youth for the last 70 years is now taking an even stronger political stance. That was the main reason we all read comic books in your youth, to enjoy a different reality apart from the one we lived, much like the kids these days and video games. Nothing wrong with a healthy dose of fantasy in a child's play, it encourages creativity, something lacking in a lot of our youth these days. What saddens me about all of this is that now the political correct world has slimed up the entire world and is now oozing it's way into the fantasy worlds of our children too.

Yeah, Superman is not real. However, the fantasies our children live and dream are very real. I am so glad my kids are grown now, I would hate to have to raise young children in our current environment.

I hate to burst everyones bubble but Superman was/is on steroids and everything he's accomplished should have an asterisk. In other words he's a cheater who suffers from shrinkage.

Superman was and still is the chit.Good luck,
SZ

WHO'S YER DADDY!!! Ha, you got it Stam, some things just don't need [censored] with!! My sentiments exactly.

Alright, now I have to share why I'm an idiot. Superman was my hero, too. I put on my cape and "flew" off the upper bunk bed. True. It's really a wonder I didn't kill myself. I landed forhead first and the lump was, well, ........ incredible.

As far as the original question goes......I don't think it will make any difference what-so-ever in your youngster's perception of anything. Superman is about good and evil......the source of evil I doubt is even a factor.

My 2

I'll add this.....taking your child to political rallys or school levy pleas carrying signs is probably less healthy than exposure to Superman.

I agree 100%. I cringe everytime I see some six year old carrying ANY political sign. That, is IMHO brainwashing. But I see the same in many other areas as well. I also think its akin to child abuse to pierce the ears on a one year old.

Truth be known--Stam still sleeps in his superman pj's. At least that's what I've heard!