Incidentally, this is probably why it is so hard for modern creatives to create a good Superman story. Superman is supposed to be the ultimate paragon of a moral character, who has absolute power and through sheer force of will refuses to let it corrupt him, because it is the right thing to do.
Most modern creatives consider such a notion to be both laughable and impossible.
I'd say even Captain America struggles with maintaining a strong morality in the face of implacable, really truly evil forces.
But Superman is a character of near moral perfection and is only fighting the equivalent of just ultra-powerful madmen. A lot of Superman's character ends up around the fringes of that. He's super-powerful, to a laughable extreme, but then doesn't have to face deep moral questions because of his nearly limitless powers, so they play with the idea "what happens if he loses control or cuts lose" which is not actually the point of Superman.
Superman's not supposed to do either of those things. Those are already extremes. You'd have to tell the story of Superman's greatest strength is not his power, but his wisdom.
The horrible truth is that Superman is supposed to be the character that a child sees when he looks at his dad. Yeah, crazy, unthinkable powers that you don't really understand... frankly because you're not wise enough to get it. But then he also has a seemingly unlimited patience, with a deeply personal touch. Yes, Super Dad can "save your world" with the work he does that you don't understand; but he will also rescue your kitty from a tree, and will impart deep wisdom and a life lesson.
Tragically, that is why no one in any blue state will ever write a single proper superman story. They don't have any dad's worthy of that title.
I think your first sentence shows the most important point. Superman is an inspirational figure to a weak world. Trying to save the world properly, is about trying to inspire the world to save itself.
Most of the big names in the Justice League are that way. They're good by choice. Batman does dirty stuff, but always for the greater good. Superman respects him for that. It's how they choose to be good that's their differences.
There's a great comic called Huck. At first you think he's stupid until you realize his powers mean he doesn't see the world the same. He chooses to do good, and the entire town respects him for that.
Incidentally, this is probably why it is so hard for modern creatives to create a good Superman story. Superman is supposed to be the ultimate paragon of a moral character, who has absolute power and through sheer force of will refuses to let it corrupt him, because it is the right thing to do.
Most modern creatives consider such a notion to be both laughable and impossible.
I'd say even Captain America struggles with maintaining a strong morality in the face of implacable, really truly evil forces.
But Superman is a character of near moral perfection and is only fighting the equivalent of just ultra-powerful madmen. A lot of Superman's character ends up around the fringes of that. He's super-powerful, to a laughable extreme, but then doesn't have to face deep moral questions because of his nearly limitless powers, so they play with the idea "what happens if he loses control or cuts lose" which is not actually the point of Superman.
Superman's not supposed to do either of those things. Those are already extremes. You'd have to tell the story of Superman's greatest strength is not his power, but his wisdom.
The horrible truth is that Superman is supposed to be the character that a child sees when he looks at his dad. Yeah, crazy, unthinkable powers that you don't really understand... frankly because you're not wise enough to get it. But then he also has a seemingly unlimited patience, with a deeply personal touch. Yes, Super Dad can "save your world" with the work he does that you don't understand; but he will also rescue your kitty from a tree, and will impart deep wisdom and a life lesson.
Tragically, that is why no one in any blue state will ever write a single proper superman story. They don't have any dad's worthy of that title.
Almost none at all. At least not in comics.
I think your first sentence shows the most important point. Superman is an inspirational figure to a weak world. Trying to save the world properly, is about trying to inspire the world to save itself.
Most of the big names in the Justice League are that way. They're good by choice. Batman does dirty stuff, but always for the greater good. Superman respects him for that. It's how they choose to be good that's their differences.
There's a great comic called Huck. At first you think he's stupid until you realize his powers mean he doesn't see the world the same. He chooses to do good, and the entire town respects him for that.