I didn't really get it until I heard superman described as "not a power fantasy, but a justice fantasy". It's a story about what you'd make right, if nothing could stop you. And the limits of what mere force can accomplish.
this post was submitted on 13 Oct 2025
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I've never heard it described as a 'justice fantasy' but it really is apt.
Superman was created by two Jews during the rise of Nazism in the 1930s. He's a retelling of Moses, but the modern day Pharos are Nazis and the 1%, and Superman is the dream that someone powerful might choose kindness and finally stand up for the powerless. All of the powerless, equally. Superman is absolutely a justice fantasy. This is why in prosperous times Superman is boring, but he has a resurgence of popularity during hard times, the people crave justice.
Unfortunately too many of his writers have not understood that and subsequently have not known how to write for him.
Let's not forget too that this just isn't background and author intent. Superman as a fighter of injustice is directly on the page of his early work. He stops capital punishment, fights greedy bosses, and beats up Nazis. Post WW2, they could have used Superman as an anticommunist propaganda piece. Instead, creators at the Superman radio show had him battle the KKK and this actually added to snowballing downfall of the organization. Superman is a symbol for a reason.
A lot of the movies fail to get this, but the best Superman stories are the one's about morals and the right choice. Superman has the power to make any choice, so he can choose to make the right choice regardless of cost. It's also why he works well with Batman, it's a contrast of what actually is right.
The older I get, the more I admire superman and the less I admire batman
superman popularity goes up whenever times are rough, dc year by year kinda goes over it, good book
The corollary to the goth index as a recession indicator perhaps
Honest question, how many comic arcs actually treat Clark/Supes as a "kid from bumfuck nowhere who happens to have a strong sense of justice but is afraid of overdoing it and unwittingly fucking shit up because of how powerful he is?"
According to supes fans its the difference between the good and bad ones
Very true, also DC has a tendency to make amazing graphic novels and lukewarm ongoing arcs. Stories like this shine in All Star Superman, Kingdom Come, and especially Superman for All Seasons.
unironically, all of the good ones. Unfortunately, you are correct that it is rare, but it seems to be the direction they're going for the new new DCU.
Was just wondering if they ever gave the man of steel the King Midas treatment
There is a pretty famous animated clip where he explains to Darkseid that he's used to holding back because he lives in a world made of tissue paper.
It's a fantastic character moment... And the full scene that happens afterwards that clip usually cuts off is better.
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not many compared to the others where hes just well adjusted and knows he wont overdo it lol
Not a comic, but the best recent depiction of this imo is "My Adventures with Superman" and anime inspired show which follows a young Clark becoming Superman
Superman can occasionally be well-written, he is far more commonly poorly written. But a well-written Superman is just as good as any other character.
Sometimes they show Superman as being all powerful from the time he was a baby. Sometimes they show him gaining his powers gradually as he ages.
I want a version where he's Clark Kent until he's around 30, and then gets powerful overnight.
You're around 30, aren't you?
Think about it.
Someone who is 30 is still young enough to think that putting on a costume and fighting crime would be cool.
Imagine if the powers didn't kick in until he was 75.
He'd get the occasional cat out of a tree, but otherwise he'd leave the world alone.
I'm 40 and still fantasize about it. I imagine a 75 year old would kill to get superpowers and feel young again. The ONE fun part about the movie battleship was all the old veterans coming on to the USS Missouri to use it against advanced alien tech.
Have I got a book for you!
https://bookshop.org/p/books/old-man-s-war-john-scalzi/8c6a917012185622?ean=9781250359735&next=t
"Old Man's War." Earth has been co-opted by an interstellar confederation. The deal they offer is that they'll take old volunteers and give them strong, young bodies in exchange for military service throughout the Galaxy. First book in a fun series.
Enjoy
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Imagine if the powers didn't kick in until he was 75. He'd get the occasional cat out of a tree, but otherwise he'd leave the world alone.
That's the vibe of some of "The Sandman" stories.
If you like Neil Gaiman, look up Tanith Lee. Gaiman stole most of his schtick from her.
I will check out her work. Thank you.
Isn't that the plot of Unbreakable? I guess he's a bit older than 30, and he always was powerful but just didn't know it, but that's basically what's going on.
For nostalgia, look up "The Greatest American Hero."
School teacher/single dad gets lost on a field trip to the desert and meets aliens. They gift him a supersuit that gives him immense powers. Fun show from the team that gave us "The A-Team."
https://youtu.be/72MxOo5koto?list=RD72MxOo5koto
And yes, George Costanza used that song on his phone machine
I want a version where he's Clark Kent until he's around 30, and then gets powerful overnight.
You might enjoy the 1990s version of Superboy. He's more like 19, but it deals with suddenly having power before knowing who he is or what he believes in.
I really enjoyed the way they had Lois Lane call him "Smallville." That way, even after he moved to Metropolis, the show's name was relevant.
Wait a second, puts on costume, gets beat up or close to death enough to activate powers? Maybe he stays out of the sun most of his life because it makes him feel funny and doctors think its bad for him
I think it's from One Piece.
The man jumps in front of his SO when the pirates start shooting. He's unharmed.
"How did you know you were bulletproof?"
"I didn't know I was bulletproof. I knew you weren't."
Or maybe he does a Wiley Coyote move and runs out into open air, then realizes he's flying and falls.
Superhero franchises. Right.
How very interesting.
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