Ohio is officially proposing a bill to makeSupermanits state superhero by 2033, and honestly, this might be one of the coolest ideas for state representation we’ve seen in decades, especially if you’re a comic fan. And while I love the idea, I do have one major qualm about making Superman Ohio’s state superhero, and I think most fans will agree with me.
As reported by various news outlets, House Bill 27 is being led by Representatives Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon, and Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland. If passed, the bill would officially recognize Superman as the state’s superhero.
Since the bill was just introduced, it still needs to be approved by both the Ohio House and Senate before reaching Governor Mike DeWine for final authorization.Lawmakers have until the end of 2026 to make it happen.The bill states:“Beginning on July 24, 2025, in recognition of the cultural significance of ‘Superman’ entering the public domain, the character ‘Superman’ is adopted as the official superhero of the state.”
Ohio May Officially Crown Superman Its State Superhero by 2033
Proposed Bill Honors Superman’s Ohio Connections & Cultural Legacy
To put things in perspective, Superman becoming Ohio’s state superhero would fall within the realm of other official cultural representations of the state, such as the state flower, animal, and more. The significance of such designations lies in their role as symbols of cultural identity, heritage, and pride. They often reflect something unique or historically important about the state, contributing to both state identity and branding. With that in mind,Ohio’s representatives believe that Superman has become a part of the state’s identityand should be officially recognized. Their reasoning ties directly to elements ofSuperman’s origin and cultural legacythat are rooted in Ohio.
For example,Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were Ohio nativeswho met at Glenville High School in Cleveland. The two went on to create comics together, with theMan of Steel debuting inAction Comics#1 on June 15, 2025. A major part of the effort to make Superman Ohio’s official superhero is grounded in this origin story. Further support for the bill comes from the fact that James Gunn’s upcomingSupermanmovie was filmed in both Cleveland and Cincinnati, which will only deepen the character’s connection to the state. And while these are strong reasons for why Superman should be Ohio’s state superhero, I’m still not entirely on board.
As Much as I Love Ohio’s Proposed Legislation, Superman Deserves to Be Kansas' Official Hero
Honoring Siegel and Shuster Is Important, But Let’s Not Forget that Even They Chose Kansas for the Man of Steel
While I’m 100% on board with U.S. states passing legislation to tie iconic heroes to their state identities, I’m less enthusiastic about Superman becoming the official state superhero of Ohio. While I love the idea of honoring Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in this way, I can’t help but feel that Kansas deserves the honor of claiming the Man of Steel as its own.Superman’s in-narrative origin is tied to Kansas in a way that’s inseparable.This is, after all, the state he called home after crash-landing in a field and being taken in by Martha and Jonathan Kent. It’s where he spent his formative years as farm boy Clark Kent,where he met his first love, Lana Lang, and where he began to learn the truth about his origins.
In short,Kansas is a fundamental part of Superman’s identity. When people think of a U.S. state most closely associated with the Man of Steel, even casual fans would likely say Kansas. And while it’s true that Siegel and Shuster were from Ohio, they’re also the ones who created Superman and chose to place Kansas at the heart of his story.In that sense, it almost feels more fitting to honor their legacy by letting Superman represent the state they chose for him. So while I admire Ohio’s effort in proposing such a bill, I think they should leave Superman for Kansas to claim. It’ll be interesting to see if any of Kansas’s representatives step up to fight for the right to officially claim the Man of Steel as their own.
Let Every State Have a Superhero, But Let’s Get Superman Right
From Batman in New Jersey to Superman in Kansas, Let’s Match Heroes Where They Belong
While I may not agree with Superman becoming Ohio’s state superhero, I do think all U.S. states should embrace the idea of claiming a hero for official representation. Of course, they would need to wait until their chosen heroes enter the public domain, but that doesn’t detract from the excitement of the concept. It’s an idea that opens the door for states to pull from both DC and Marvel characters, creating a wide range of possibilities. Some states, like New Jersey, already have clear choices. Batman, for instance, feels like a natural fit for the Garden State. So, do you think Kansas should claimSuperman, and who would you choose as the official superhero for your state?
