Nationalism in the Marvel/DC universe

[Fantasyartist]

News that Superman is to renounce his US citizenship has caused a stir(and not just in the comic book world- even today's British Independent mentioned it in an editorial as well as article, www.independent co.uk, April 30 ,2011). It has brought to the head an issue that has been arousing critical commentary for some time; namely as to just what superheroes/heroines are meant to be_ essentially tribal champions or defenders of humanity at large-which of course includes countries decidedly UNFRIENDLY to the US such as North Korea, Cuba, Syria et al
Marvel to be fair has addressed this issue far more than DC- as far back as the first issue of the Fantastic Four (in November 1961, when the Cold War was still pretty chilly!), Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny all vowed to use their powers for "the good of humanity" at large(presumably even for the benefit of societies not at all friendly to their country such as the USSR) and the Avengers later sensibly described themselves as "Earth's Mightiest Heroes"(rather than just the USA).

If Superman's renunciation of his American citizenship helps highlight this issue, then he will have done us all a service.

Anybody else think as I do?

Terry

 

[Metamorpho1977]

Superman renounced his citizenship in Superman 3 I think.

 

[Joker]

Was he ever even a citizen to begin with? He's pretty much the definition of illegal alien, and the only citizenship I remember him ever being given was to earth, by the UN.

 

[roach]

he was given citizenship from all the earth's countries

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

I demand to see Superman's long-form birth certificate. It's the only way people will stop saying he's from Krypton.

 

[Ultra Lantern]

I demand to see Superman's long-form birth certificate. It's the only way people will stop saying he's from Krypton.

It was destroyed when Krypton exploded.

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

It was destroyed when Krypton exploded.

A likely story...

 

[Ultra Lantern]

It would be in Kyrptonese if Superman had it.

 

[Duke]

It was destroyed when Krypton exploded.

What about it being in the bottled city of Kandor??

 

[Jack Bauer]

Superman is the non-civilian, meanwhile Clark Kent is American. Think about that...

 

[Aesop Rocks]

Sounds like a thread for the Misc Comics Section.

 

[Paroxysm]

When it really comes down to it, Superman technically never had American citizenship to begin with. He wasn't born in the United States, and he was never formally adopted by the Kents, how could he be? It's not like they can walk in and be like "We'd like to adopt this baby we found in the spaceship that landed in front of our truck." So even if this stayed canonical (which we all know it won't), it wouldn't be newsworthy anyway.

 

[The Question]

Well, it wouldn't be newsworthy anyway because it's a story in a comic and that isn't newsworthy. But, anyway, a few things as to why this doesn't make any goddamn sense:

1: Superman cannot renounce his U.S. citizenship because he never had it. "Superman" is not a legal entity. He doesn't have a social security number and doesn't exist in the system. It's just something some guy who nobody knows who he really is calls himself. Clark Kent is a US U.S. citizen, either because The Kents managed to lie and say he's their biological son or because they dropped him off at an oprhanage as a doorstop baby and then soon after adopted him themselves depending on the continuity at the moment, and is recognized as such by the federal and Kansas State government.

2: Superman cannot renounce his U.S. citizenship because he just can't. There is no legal course of action to do so short of commiting an act of treason. Once you become a citizen you stay a citizen until the government says otherwise.

 

[KRIM]

Well, it wouldn't be newsworthy anyway because it's a story in a comic and that isn't newsworthy.

You'd be surprised.

 

[SuperFerret]

"Creating a stir" is right.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

This looks like a job for Ogre.

[YT]C3njjD41f48[/YT]

 

[The Question]

You'd be surprised.

Just because something is in the news doesn't mean it's newsworthy. This applied to most of Fox News.

 

[roach]

When it really comes down to it, Superman technically never had American citizenship to begin with. He wasn't born in the United States, and he was never formally adopted by the Kents, how could he be? It's not like they can walk in and be like "We'd like to adopt this baby we found in the spaceship that landed in front of our truck." So even if this stayed canonical (which we all know it won't), it wouldn't be newsworthy anyway.

actually He was formally adopted by the Kents. I dont know where I read but years later Clark had Bruce smooth over the paperwork to make sure it was all legal

 

[Joker]

So from a public perspective let's think about Superman. He's not a citizen, and who knows where he lives. He's probably Superman all the time, we don't know about the secret identity thing. As far as we know, the only reason he hangs around Metropolis so much is because he is constantly hitting on a married woman, who's husband is kind of a nerd and can't stop it. Superman is an ass.

 

[Manic]

Don't people know that Superman has some sort of hidden fortress near the North Pole? If so, then as far as the general public knows, Superman never even lived in the US. He lives in Canada or Greenland. As far as I know, Kal-El from Krypton never even obtained US citizenship. Clark Kent is the one who's a citizen, and Clark isn't the one renouncing his citizenship.

2: Superman cannot renounce his U.S. citizenship because he just can't. There is no legal course of action to do so short of commiting an act of treason. Once you become a citizen you stay a citizen until the government says otherwise.

Even though I think it's kind of moot concerning Superman, you can just up and renounce your citizenship...



http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_778.html
POTENTIALLY EXPATRIATING ACTS

Section 349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1481), as amended, states that U.S. citizens are subject to loss of citizenship if they perform certain specified acts voluntarily and with the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship. Briefly stated, these acts include:

1. obtaining naturalization in a foreign state (Sec. 349 (a) (1) INA);
2. taking an oath, affirmation or other formal declaration to a foreign state or its political subdivisions (Sec. 349 (a) (2) INA);
3. entering or serving in the armed forces of a foreign state engaged in hostilities against the U.S. or serving as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer in the armed forces of a foreign state (Sec. 349 (a) (3) INA);
4. accepting employment with a foreign government if (a) one has the nationality of that foreign state or (b) an oath or declaration of allegiance is required in accepting the position (Sec. 349 (a) (4) INA);
5. formally renouncing U.S. citizenship before a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer outside the United States (sec. 349 (a) (5) INA);
6. formally renouncing U.S. citizenship within the U.S. (but only under strict, narrow statutory conditions) (Sec. 349 (a) (6) INA);
7. conviction for an act of treason (Sec. 349 (a) (7) INA).

 

[Franklin Richards]

I think it's unfortunate. I take great pride in sharing a nationality with Superman. It seems that when we Americans need someone to look up to the most, our favorite icons are abandoning us.


Pity.

 

[SpideyVille]

Seeing as how everyone is now proud to be an American, I wonder if Superman will come back.

 

[roach]

Don't people know that Superman has some sort of hidden fortress near the North Pole? If so, then as far as the general public knows, Superman never even lived in the US. He lives in Canada or Greenland. As far as I know, Kal-El from Krypton never even obtained US citizenship. Clark Kent is the one who's a citizen, and Clark isn't the one renouncing his citizenship.

.

im not sure if the fortress is public knowledge but I think you are forgetting that Superman became known as the defender of Metropolis in much the same way Batman is the defender of Gotham. If you want to find Superman you go to Metropolis. Seems to make someone think he lives there. Infact I seem to recall seeing a sign for Metropolis that mentioned it being the Home of Superman.
Superman as a defender of the earth was given citizenship to every country of the earth.
All Superman had to do was come out and say his actions arent the actions of the US government. He had an issue with the US Government and took it out on the american people.
Superman is now an expatriot of the US and technically requires a visa to return to the country...sure no one could really enforce it but I dont see Superman breaking this rule.

 

[roach]

Seeing as how everyone is now proud to be an American, I wonder if Superman will come back.

he cant...according to the law America doesnt allow people who renounce their citizenship to become citizens again

 

[Erzengel]

I say we kick Superman out of the Country.

Someone call Immigration.