Comics Superman Renounces U.S Citizenship in Action Comics #900

[Superman 1265]

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/04/27/superman-renounces-us-citizenship/

After recently undertaking a journey to walk -- not fly -- across the United States in the "Grounded" storyline and reconnect with the country and everyday Americans, Superman appears to be taking another step that could have major implications for his national identity: in Action Comics #900...

...Superman announces that he is going to give up his U.S. citizenship. Despite very literally being an alien immigrant, Superman has long been seen as a patriotic symbol of "truth, justice, and the American way," from his embrace of traditional American ideals to the iconic red and blue of his costume. What it means to stand for the "American way" is an increasingly complicated thing, however, both in the real world and in superhero comics, whose storylines have increasingly seemed to mirror current events and deal with moral and political complexities rather than simple black and white morality.

The key scene takes place in "The Incident," a short story in Action Comics #900 written by David S. Goyer with art by Miguel Sepulveda. In it, Superman consults with the President's national security advisor, who is incensed that Superman appeared in Tehran to non-violently support the protesters demonstrating against the Iranian regime, no doubt an analogue for the recent real-life protests in the Middle East. However, since Superman is viewed as an American icon in the DC Universe as well as our own, the Iranian government has construed his actions as the will of the American President, and indeed, an act of war.

Superman replies that it was foolish to think that his actions would not reflect politically on the American government, and that he therefore plans to renounce his American citizenship at the United Nations the next day -- and to continue working as a superhero from a more global than national perspective. From a "realistic" standpoint it makes sense; it would indeed be impossible for a nigh-omnipotent being ideologically aligned with America to intercede against injustice beyond American borders without creating enormous political fallout for the U.S. government.

While this wouldn't be this first time a profoundly American comic book icon disassociated himself from his national identity -- remember when Captain America became Nomad? -- this could be a very significant turning point for Superman if its implications carry over into other storylines. Indeed, simply saying that "truth, justice and the American way [is] not enough anymore" is a pretty startling statement from the one man who has always represented those values the most.

It doesn't seem that he's abandoning those values, however, only trying to implement them on a larger scale and divorce himself from the political complexities of nationalism. Superman also says that he believes he has been thinking "too small," that the world is "too connected" for him to limit himself with a purely national identity. As an alien born on another planet, after all, he "can't help but see the bigger picture."

Do you think the shift to a more global role makes sense for Superman? If he really is going to renounce his U.S. citizenship in order to function as a more international figure, how do you think it will affect the character?

Read More: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/04/27/superman-renounces-us-citizenship/#ixzz1KtYIyiYE​

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[Kal-El Reeve]

I am an United States Citizen, who has a parent, grandparents, and many relatives who have fought to preserve what this country represents. Regardless of the flaws that this nation does have, we all try to work to make it a better place in spite of the things that can be mistrewed by those in a places of power or what have you. I like a lot of people, love the character of Superman and what he does represent. With that being said, the concept of 'Truth, Justice, and the American Way' does not mean the same thing as it did in the days when it was added to his character. It was from a time when the country was at war and needed people to show their patriotism. Before World War II, the original Superman was a crusader for 'Truth and Justice' not the American Way.

But now people of the world want the same thing that citizens of the US, Canada, and other free American and World Nations have . Equality, Freedom, a voice that can be heard. Superman maybe be a US/Canadian creation depending on how you look at it. However, he came to Earth from another planet and was brought here to be a force of good for all humanity. Not just those who live within a set of boundaries.

Superman was a social crusader in the beginning that wanted to represent the everyday man. The whole big blue boyscout did not come til much later on. He has been used to bring light to things even in the media, the KKK stories in the 40s is a good example. Superman IV while not the best film of the Reeve series, still tried to bring forth a good message and show the Man of Tomorrow try to do something for the world.

I feel that this is a push to bring Superman back to his origins, the protector of all rather than make him a symbol of just one country. Technically, in the world that we live in; there would probably be people like the birthers who would want him gone because he is not from this country, let alone this Earth. He should be able to be a symbol for all who believe in freedom, Truth and Justice, equality which already do make up the so-called American Way.

 

[GinsterHead]

Good. Superman should stand for the whole world, not just America.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I actually think it's kind of sad, and I'm not even American...

I dunno, I understand what they are trying to say, but you can't just ignore your OWN culture. It's not like he just showed up in Metropolis and let America adopt him (although that's what people see). He was found by Jonathon and Martha Kent, and had it not been for their American ideals, morals, and nature, he would probably have ended up a scientific discovery, and would never have become a Hero at all.

To renounce all of that, and to try and pretend that he is unbiased and can be objective to the whole world in all it's dissagreements is kind of ridiculous.

He is an American, no matter what he SAYS, and that isn't something he should be trying to ignore.

 

[maenalus]

I actually think it's kind of sad, and I'm not even American...

I dunno, I understand what they are trying to say, but you can't just ignore your OWN culture. It's not like he just showed up in Metropolis and let America adopt him (although that's what people see). He was found by Jonathon and Martha Kent, and had it not been for their American ideals, morals, and nature, he would probably have ended up a scientific discovery, and would never have become a Hero at all.

To renounce all of that, and to try and pretend that he is unbiased and can be objective to the whole world in all it's dissagreements is kind of ridiculous.

He is an American, no matter what he SAYS, and that isn't something he should be trying to ignore.

Exactly. Superman having primary loyalties to Metropolis and the U.S. is no more a slight at other countries than his love for Lois Lane is a slight against other women.

 

[Kal-El Reeve]

If you look at the original Shuster and Seigel version of the character, he lived in America, yes. But he went as far to take down corruption no matter where it was, even the people who were in a seat of power in the U.S. or anywhere . I don't think those ideas he was raised with by the Kent's he is going to ignore because they are the basic human rights everyone should have.

Yet to be seen as a representative of a nation when in fact all he wants to do is help people no matter who or where they are is what he feels is important. Although I love my country and the culture I am from, good or bad. I think that the "American Way" is a little redundant when you see that Truth and Justice, Freedom, Equality and the other things that Superman has represented for the past 74 years were there long before that phrase was added since everyone around the world wants those things.

Yes, Metropolis is his home just as much as Smallville is; but at the same time Superman doesn't want his actions to be misinterpreted as American or any other sovereign act. But at the end of the day it is all fiction and DC is trying to sell books. Plus we don't know if the story is a one shot or have repercussions in the DCU. We just have to wait and see.

 

[SuperDaniel]

I think its about time. Clark is still an American but Superman should belong to the world and not have a nationality, per se.

 

[Fawstin]

Superman: The Post-American Superhero? http://bit.ly/iOJ0p8

 

[SuperDaniel]

Life Support, the Goyer story and the one written by Geoff Johns were the best in the issue. Donner's story sucked and i didnt care for the main story with Doomsday or the Paul Dini one.

That Goyer story is one of the best Superman stories I've read in a while.

 

[Motown Marvel]

i thought this story was boring, and i think its an aspect of superman existing that doesnt really need exploring.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I think this was an interesting little story, with some good, relevant ideas in it, that has been totally overshadowed into oblivion by a single panel, which most commentators are taking in isolation and out of context.

All the people talking about how those nasty liberals are making Superman hate America and it’s a conspiracy against the right and blah blah blah are overlooking how, in the story, Superman makes this decision to protect America, so the country doesn’t have to face repercussions for his actions. It’s not about Superman turning against his country, or not believing in the American Way, or serving some nefarious left-wing political agenda.

As was the case with Marvel editorial and their response to the criticism against the Captain America tea party issue, I feel the only thing DC editorial has done wrong is backtrack and give credence to the silly accusations being thrown at them, rather than following through and defending their story.

I wish people were talking about the culmination of Paul Cornell’s excellent, definitive Lex Luthor epic, “The Black Ring”. I wish people were talking about Action Comics reaching its landmark 900th issue, lasting over 70 years. Instead, they’re all worked up about a non-story.

 

[Shazam]

Liberal writers taking their turns at reshaping American Icons into their own ideological images.....

First it's GI Joe....no longer the Great American Hero.

Then Bryan Singer took "American Way" out of Superman's tag line!

The new Capt. America was at odds with the Tea Party

In the movie, Captain American is not a patriotic "I love my country" kinda guy. He's just a good man ....(as if he couldn't be BOTH)


So Who didn't see this one coming????

I am sick of this.....Seigel and Shuster would be truly upset over this.

 

[SuperFerret]

I don't care. In fact, if it meant that I'd never have to pay taxes anymore, I'd renounce mine in a second.

 

[Ponyboy]

I actually think it's kind of sad, and I'm not even American...

I dunno, I understand what they are trying to say, but you can't just ignore your OWN culture.

To renounce all of that, and to try and pretend that he is unbiased and can be objective to the whole world in all it's disagreements is kind of ridiculous.

He is an American, no matter what he SAYS, and that isn't something he should be trying to ignore.

I agree with you as well.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

Well, Superman, you can renounce your fantasy citizenship, but as Clark Kent, you're still going to keep it. This is dumb and doesn't really make sense. Surely Superman could have stayed an "American citizen" and fought for the entire world's behalf. As if he once pummeled Darkseid and said, "Stay out of America!"

 

[Fantasyartist]

All I can say is" Good on you,Superman- go for it!" I have always questioned this implicit association between a given hero/group of heroes and a particular country is questionable to say the very least( I refer of course to the "Truth, Justice and the AMERICAN WAY" slogan associated with the Man of Steel as well as the Justice League of America) . Perhaps this might have some validity during the WWII and Cold War eras but in an ever smaller world where heroes must work with governments some of whom are not overly fond of the US, it is profoundly questionable(as is recent real life policies such as "waterboarding" and other forms of "enhanced interrogation techniques" (ie torture) for "enemy combatants"). Leave the overt nationalism to Captain America( and maybe his closest DC counterpart Wonder Woman)!

Terry

 

[Keyser Soze]

The new Capt. America was at odds with the Tea Party.

You might have been caught up in the hysteria Fox News and the like whipped up over that story, but that whole blown-up story was actually based on a misreading of the book. Cap witnesses a Tea Party style demonstration, then the totally unrelated villains of the story are introduced on the next page. People jumped to the wrong conclusion they were one and the same, when in fact it was two separate groups.

In the movie, Captain American is not a patriotic "I love my country" kinda guy. He's just a good man ....(as if he couldn't be BOTH)

Where did you get your advance copy of the movie? Tell us about ths scene in the film where Steve Rogers says he doesn't love America.

 

[Fantasyartist]

I think many of those weeping and wailing over Superman's proposed renunciation of his US citizenship miss the essential point. If you go back to the original Action Comics, he was NEVER expected to be some kind of nationalistic icon per se( as say Captain America was)!

Terry

 

[Kal-El Reeve]

By Shazam
I am sick of this.....Seigel and Shuster would be truly upset over this.

I think they would not be since they wrote Superman as and I quote from the Original Action Comics #1: The champion of the oppressed, which would help those in need He was not aligned to one country, he was a hero that was here to help everyone.

 

[Lantern Venom]

I turned this over in my mind for awhile. I've never been a fan of political issues taking center stage in comics. However, this makes sense from a storytelling perspective.

It seems that Supes wants to be as apolitical as possible. He doesn't want the contentious, constantly-shifting American political pendulum to reflect on his own ideals. He doesn't want anyone making assumptions about his motivations and I can certainly get on board with that.

Could he have done this by issuing a statement distancing himself from US policy without a renunciation? Maybe. However, David Goyer is known for his shades-of-gray approach to stories so it doesn't surprise me that this is his brainchild.

 

[Czar Colossus]

I turned this over in my mind for awhile. I've never been a fan of political issues taking center stage in comics. However, this makes sense from a storytelling perspective.

It seems that Supes wants to be as apolitical as possible. He doesn't want the contentious, constantly-shifting American political pendulum to reflect on his own ideals. He doesn't want anyone making assumptions about his motivations and I can certainly get on board with that.

Could he have done this by issuing a statement distancing himself from US policy without a renunciation? Maybe. However, David Goyer is known for his shades-of-gray approach to stories so it doesn't surprise me that this is his brainchild.

I kind of understand the sentiment, but it still feels like a slap in the face to me. By this logic every superhero should follow suit (or maybe just the American ones). I understand Superman protects us all and truly cares for us all, that he sees a connection between all of us here on Earth, but this still smacks of Hollywood liberalism to me. I can't see this as a good move. Like it or not Superman is an American Icon and I'm so sick and tired of the American way being construed as something bad. We thrive here and make decisions and voice our opinions freely and give people government assistance and opportunities and most of us are very tolerant caring and proud because of the AMERICAN WAY! So we're not perfect, but we are the good guys. Every time the **** hits the fan in the world we are expected to do something about it. Well I'm sorry if I'm ranting (hopefully not like a loon) but it has hit a nerve. I've been a Superman fan since I started reading comics almost 40 yrs ago and he's still the best IMO, but this move is not a good one. And bottom line Clark Kent and Lois Lane are still Americans.

 

[antsman41]

Well, he's Kryptonian overall...

 

[Ponyboy]

All I can say is" Good on you,Superman- go for it!" I have always questioned this implicit association between a given hero/group of heroes and a particular country is questionable to say the very least( I refer of course to the "Truth, Justice and the AMERICAN WAY" slogan associated with the Man of Steel as well as the Justice League of America) . Perhaps this might have some validity during the WWII and Cold War eras but in an ever smaller world where heroes must work with governments some of whom are not overly fond of the US, it is profoundly questionable(as is recent real life policies such as "waterboarding" and other forms of "enhanced interrogation techniques" (ie torture) for "enemy combatants"). Leave the overt nationalism to Captain America( and maybe his closest DC counterpart Wonder Woman)!

Terry

The quote the Dude... "What was that $h!t about Vietnam, Walter? What does anything have to do with Vietnam?!!"

 

[Lantern Venom]

I kind of understand the sentiment, but it still feels like a slap in the face to me. By this logic every superhero should follow suit (or maybe just the American ones). I understand Superman protects us all and truly cares for us all, that he sees a connection between all of us here on Earth, but this still smacks of Hollywood liberalism to me. I can't see this as a good move. Like it or not Superman is an American Icon and I'm so sick and tired of the American way being construed as something bad. We thrive here and make decisions and voice our opinions freely and give people government assistance and opportunities and most of us are very tolerant caring and proud because of the AMERICAN WAY! So we're not perfect, but we are the good guys. Every time the **** hits the fan in the world we are expected to do something about it. Well I'm sorry if I'm ranting (hopefully not like a loon) but it has hit a nerve. I've been a Superman fan since I started reading comics almost 40 yrs ago and he's still the best IMO, but this move is not a good one. And bottom line Clark Kent and Lois Lane are still Americans.

This was at the heart of Marvel's Civil War: whether or not a super-powered being would want to be accountable to the government. It seems to me that some of them would say vehemently "no" and it stands to reason that one of the most powerful wouldn't want those restraints.

But, as you pointed out, this is (intentionally) going to strike a nerve with some fans because of the close association of Supes and American idealism. DC's going to sell some books, even to fans who hate this idea. That's the real motivator behind this, just like Supes' controversial death. And just like his death, it DC decides to undo it, they'll sell even more.

 

[theMan-Bat]

It's ridiculously out of character writing of Superman by David Goyer. Superman wouldn't renounce his U.S. citizenship. Just as members of the U.S. government, U.S. military, U.S. Peace Corps, etc., globally help, protect and defend other counties while still being U.S. citizens, Superman uses his superpowers to globally help, protect and defend other counties while being a U.S. citizen. Whether David Goyer likes it or not, Superman is an American, raised in America (was even born in America in The Man Of Steel), lives in America, and American patriotism is an iconic part of the Superman character.

Superman artist Steve Rude commented on Facebook: "If Superman is now renouncing everything he once stood for, then someone in power at DC has succeeded in taking a 200 year-old 'American truth' and trashing it faster than you can vomit a speeding bullet. And those compliant with this decision up at DC have just as willingly endorsed it."
http://www.facebook.com/steverudethedude

This quote from David Goyer is very telling, "In the case of Blade, he is acting heroically, but the rest of the world thinks he’s a vigilante, as is the case with Batman. I don’t think I’d ever be good to write Superman because it is the opposite…" [The interviewer says, "He's angst free."] David Goyer says, "Yeah, and I wouldn’t know the angle because I’m so angst ridden, so I wouldn’t know what to do with a character like that."
http://www.slashfilm.com/david-goyer-in-2006-explains-why-he-wouldnt-ever-be-good-to-write-superman/