TheMan of Steelfilm faced plenty of criticism for suggesting a hero likeSupermanwould be feared, not celebrated, by our modern world. But only 12 years later, it seemsDC Comics is admitting Zack Snyder’s update was onto something.
With Superman a beloved, infallible, practically godlike hero to man fans, the very premise ofMan of Steelwas objectionable to some. It was fine for Snyder and co. to ask how our flawed world would react to a supreme alien being, but suggesting he would be feared, hated, attacked, or worst of all impacted by such a reception, was over of line. But withAction Comicsnow showing the world’s response to Superman’s debut,this new comic canonis provingMan of Steellovers right.
A Major Man of Steel Complaint is Now Being Worked Into Official DC Canon
Superman’s New Comic Canon Finally Gets Justice For Pa Kent?
The Kent parents ofMan of Steelhad no doubts that the “beautiful” truth of their alien son would someday change the world, as Superman’s classic origin would dictate. But in a modern, arguably less optimistic addition,the film’s version of Jonathan and Martha Kent also feared their son would face the worst of humanity: people united by xenophobia, suspicion, hatred, and even violence.
This idea of adopted parents fearing for their child rubbed some the wrong way, crossing a line from realistic or modern into cynical or grimdark (further amplified when Batman embodied such aspects inBvS). After all, if Superman is someone to be admired without exception, the same should surely go for the Kents. But if those devoted fans felt that Jonathan and Martha should always be supportive of Clark’s mission, thenAction Comics#1087 is going to be a problem.
We’ve already explored how Superman’s new writer Mark Waid is helping readers understandJonathan Kent’s most controversial Man of Steel scenes, penning the new “Superboy” origin story unfolding inAction Comics. And from the first issue, it’s clear that"concerned Kents" have been confirmed as a modern staple of Superman’s coming-of-ageera. In fact, making even more changes than Snyder’s vision in their planning for a Super-debut.
Where Kevin Costner’s character believed the world wasn’t ready for a superhuman, but would someday in the future, he didn’t hesitate to admit such matters were beyond"a farmer from Kansas.“Yet in the new comic by Mark Waid, Skylar Patridge, and Ivan Plascencia, this incarnation of Jonathan argues a need for the family to"control the narrative"surrounding Clark’s emergence. But even this version of Pa Kent isn’t thinking enough about the risks involved.
Man of Steel Was Right: Superman’s Reveal Instantly Makes Him A Target
Superman’s New Origin is Proving Kevin Costner’s ‘Pa Kent’ Was Simply Prepared
As evidenced by the films which followed Superman’s emergence in Zack Snyder’s DCEU, Jonathan Kent’s concerns are proven to be entirely accurate. Not only does Clark face threats from his ancestral home, but becomes a figure of distrust, suspicion, and evil, by just as many people who hail him a savior. Regardless of how many soldiers, billionaires, or alien conquerors view Superman as an enemy, the fact remains:Jonathan Kent was right to be afraid.
The same is immediately proven true in the comics, with the first appearance of Superboy shown to instantly become news to a mysterious clandestine organization. Not only is General Sam Lane on his trail, but an unknown alien threat rising towards the moon, as well.
How close the remainder of this origin story cleaves toMan of Steelremains to be seen, andthe same goes for the life or death of Jonathan Kent. But it’s already showing how quickly one controversial aspect ofMan of Steel’s ‘updating’ has proven to be a step in the right direction. Giving fans of a more modern, more relevant, and more contemporary Superman more reason than ever to pick up the next issue.
Man of Steel
Cast
Man of Steel is a 2013 reboot of the Superman franchise, directed by Zack Snyder. Henry Cavill stars as Clark Kent, who discovers his extraterrestrial origins and extraordinary powers.
