How would you make Superman Relevant?

[Visceral]

Superman's relevant because he's the only guy who can save the people of the movie from danger, same as any other superhero. Why does this question always get asked of Superman? Why do Superman fans fret about his relevance when Batman, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Wolverine fans don't worry about their heroes? Maybe it's because he has a reputation for being uncool.

Okay, i don't disagree with this statement, but then why does he have that rep.

 

[gdw]

You need to put aside the relatability factor. Go to the basics. Superman is basically a figure to aspire to be, someone who sets up the example. Superman inspires humanity to be better. I believe that the best Superman stories revolve around that factor. These are universal concepts that are relevant anywhere, anytime. You just need the sensibility to showcase how great Superman is.

Somebody posted this on another thread, I think it fits.

Like the "your doctor really did get help up" part, but would be better if it wasn't followed by a couple platitudes.

 

[Anubis]

Okay, i don't disagree with this statement, but then why does he have that rep.

Cuz most people are idiots.

 

[BlueLightning]

Realism isn't always bad, especially when evil is a very real thing. I think that people give up sometimes, they get hurt and they stop believing in goodness, of humanity and their own. Look at TDK, people thought that was the best installment and its the one where the Joker wins, then years later Aurura. This shows me that people love darkness, because they think that this is the true nature of themselves. Martin Scorsese said that his film The Departed was about our socity post 9/11 that we were now at a moral ground zero, having lost faith in goodness.

The Joker didn't win, just putting it here.

Like the "your doctor really did get help up" part, but would be better if it wasn't followed by a couple platitudes.

The quote says "Your doctor really did get held up, Reagan" But I'm not quite sure what you mean with that.

And talking about the approach of Man of Steel. It does seem that Clark struggles with his powers, and there is a little angst in that. But I think is natural, and he progresses to be the Superman we know and love. There is so much evidence to hint that they are taking the right approach, with quoting verbatim Jor-El's speech from All Star Superman in one of the teasers, and Superman almost playful "What do you think?" at the end of the last trailer.

Why Superman seems to have a "bad reputation"? I really don't know, perhaps because most people don't know him as well as they should, I think. So the problem isn't really the character, but how is portrayed.

 

[Bren]

Imo people don't want Superman to be relevant/relatable et al, because he sets a standard they don't want to try reach.

His attitude of 'give' is far too unpopular in a world of 'take', and people don't want to change. We don't want to aspire to him, because it'd be too much effort.

 

[Jaxon]

How about a film where he's smashing up some bad guys with really cool special effects. I'm here to tell you, that's what people want. Michael Bay told me so

 

[Mad Love]

Imo people don't want Superman to be relevant/relatable et al, because he sets a standard they don't want to try reach.

His attitude of 'give' is far too unpopular in a world of 'take', and people don't want to change. We don't want to aspire to him, because it'd be too much effort.

Yeah, not to speak about everyone though. There's the culture of Deadpool. Then, there's the culture of Superman. :P The self-indulgent forgot what's noble.

 

[moviedoors]

Imo people don't want Superman to be relevant/relatable et al, because he sets a standard they don't want to try reach.

His attitude of 'give' is far too unpopular in a world of 'take', and people don't want to change. We don't want to aspire to him, because it'd be too much effort.

I'm sorry, but that's over the top nonsense.

--------

You want to make Superman relevant to the public? Make a good movie. Done.

 

[BH/HHH]

Superman will always be relevant.

Trick is making him "cool"

This is exactly what it is, infact Snyder said we'll have to see how cool they've made him in the film.

 

[Boy Scout]

Wanna make him relevant? Show everyone just how hard (and how awesome) it is to be Superman. The sacrifices he has to make. The benefit of being such an inspirational figure. The struggle of living in a world that needs a Superman. The awesomeness of having superpowers.

If you do that, and you do it well, Superman will become relevant in no time.

 

[The Guard]

I'm convinced that 99% of the people who say he's not relevant don't really care about relevancy. They're just trying to sound smart and probably enjoy stupid dime-a-dozen 1 dimensional action flicks.

Bingo.

 

[Mad Love]

radical extreme superman now with punching power!

 

[JAK®]

Stop taking him so seriously and tell interesting stories with him. As hilarious as SuperDickery.com is, those crazy stories really nail the essence of why Superman is popular. What crazy things could you do if you had powers? That is why Superman was created.

 

[StarvingArtist]

Stop taking him so seriously and tell interesting stories with him. As hilarious as SuperDickery.com is, those crazy stories really nail the essence of why Superman is popular. What crazy things could you do if you had powers? That is why Superman was created.

Well this comment should stir the pot...

 

[JAK®]

Well this comment should stir the pot...

Obviously audiences are more sophisticated nowadays, what I'm suggesting is no different to what Morrison did in All Star Superman.

 

[BestGirl]

Okay, i don't disagree with this statement, but then why does he have that rep.

Probably because he's a nice guy with no real edge to him. Anti-heroes are all the rage these days. SR didn't help to convince young people that he's cool, either.

How about a film where he's smashing up some bad guys with really cool special effects. I'm here to tell you, that's what people want. Michael Bay told me so

Stop taking him so seriously and tell interesting stories with him.

I agree with both of these statements. Instead of moping around about how no one respects him, Superman writers should just show him being the tough, smart, but kind, badass he is. Relevancy and coolness will follow.

 

[StarvingArtist]

Obviously audiences are more sophisticated nowadays, what I'm suggesting is no different to what Morrison did in All Star Superman.

Ah, got it. The Superdickery reference threw me off.

Agreed, to a point.

 

[747]

If you're unable to relate to Superman, you're heartless.

 

[747]

What crazy things could you do if you had powers? That is why Superman was created.

More like, what good and cool things could you do if you had all these amazing powers?

Crazy isn't the word I'd use.

 

[StarvingArtist]

More like, what good and cool things could you do if you had all these amazing powers?

Crazy isn't the word I'd use.

Aw, so you wouldn't want this?

[YT]DfwHe0NqVvY[/YT]

 

[gdw]

The Joker didn't win, just putting it here.



The quote says "Your doctor really did get held up, Reagan" But I'm not quite sure what you mean with that . . .

Sorry, that was just a typo.

What I mean is that everything after that makes it sound like he's just throwing out platitudes. Takes away the sincerity.

 

[Rodrigo90]

I think the greatest test of this issue is when Superman's pitted against corporate Lex.

Lex's plot should be to show if Superman is relevant with someone like him around, someone who is a real representation of the kind of people we have in the world. Lex being the big businessman and philanthropist, who on the surface, is everything we want and aspire to be.

 

[BlueLightning]

Sorry, that was just a typo.

What I mean is that everything after that makes it sound like he's just throwing out platitudes. Takes away the sincerity.

Oh, then I disagree.

 

[Anubis]

Yeah, the "platitude" is the true meaning of the scene.

Otherwise he's just passing along information. I mean, wtf?