World Why has Superman endured all these decades?

[Dr. Fate]

Really, what's the real reason as to why and how Superman has endured all these many decades since his 1938 debut? Has it been solely because of his comic books, or because of his various media adaptations (animated Max Fleischer shorts followed by various cartoon incarnations, at least 3 major live action TV series, theatrical serials, theatrical films, video games, etc.), pop culture references, the "epitome of truth, justice and the American way"? What is it that has kept the Man of Steel going all this time?

 

[rnewbz]

Because he inspires hope in people. He's not just a symbol for America, but for the world. He makes us want to do great things. People love heroes. Every civilization has their legends, Gilgamesh, Beowulf, Hercules, King Arthur; those were the superheroes of past times. Ours is Superman. So why not another hero? Because no other hero has such clarity of right and wrong as Superman. He is the epic hero.

 

[hammy]

It's because he's symbolic of all that is good and all that we long for. And since nobody like him exists in reality, we cling to him in myth. And when he is introduced to new generations, they love him too.

 

[Diamondhead]

Perhaps it's because he's in some sort of ways "the real and ultimate superhero"
The others are just pale "second rate imitation"
And because of TV shows such as Smallville his images are being redefined for the next generation and so.

Even I have never seemed Lex Luthor redefined like this.
My favorite character on this show is not even "Clark of the Kent"
I’m always whopping for Lionel Luthor
And Jonathan Kent was nothing but a stepping stone in Clark development
All he ever did was holding Clark back.

As for the future relationship betweens Superman and Lex Luthor
I’m beginning to understand that superman always held back from seriously hurting Lex because he is in some sort his "brother" because Martha Kent had finally married Lionel Luthor

Who’d have ever thunk of that!

 

[Lighthouse]

You know, I remember reading Watchmen and there was a section from the original Nite Owl's tell all book. In it he talks about Superman, and reading it I felt that it was actually how Alan Moore himself felt about the character. It was one of the best interpretations of the Superman character I've read, and I wish I had Watchmen with me so I could write it out.

 

[cryptic name]

Superman is hope. that's why he endures.

 

[Rorschach2012]

he is iconic gives hope and is an awesome character

 

[Travis K]

Because he looks good in tights

 

[tvcrazyman]

I think Supes is Americana like baseball. He represents an ideal of perfect justice in the classic American sense that this country was founded on. He originated from a time where to distinguish between the good guys and the bad guys wasn't considered a difficult task.

 

[dnno1]

Because he inspires hope in people. He's not just a symbol for America, but for the world. He makes us want to do great things. People love heroes. Every civilization has their legends, Gilgamesh, Beowulf, Hercules, King Arthur; those were the superheroes of past times. Ours is Superman. So why not another hero? Because no other hero has such clarity of right and wrong as Superman. He is the epic hero.

It's because he's symbolic of all that is good and all that we long for. And since nobody like him exists in reality, we cling to him in myth. And when he is introduced to new generations, they love him too.

These are really good answers, but I would like to add that, most importantly, Superman has always appealed to children. Children who have now grown into adults and still patronize the character for what he is and what he was. This same formula has worked for other institutions, like baseball and Disneyland. Once he stops being a childhood idol that is when he will stop being the immortal icon that he is today.