Superman is a) gay, b) Jesus, or c) Nietzschean hero?

Kalliope Sylvers Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 10:24 PM EST

First of all, there's no way that Clark is gay. LANA LANG, anyone?!?!?!?!?!?

Second of all, my perspective on some of the other issues enunciated:
There are several metaphors that support that Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent is a symbol for Jesus. For example, in "Superman Returns" he dies and comes back to life. As for "superman" being "superman", all I have to say is DUH. I'm sure that Nietzche's writing was at least SOME inspiration to the creators of Superman. A dialogue in the first season of Smallville (which transcends all other shows/movies/comics about our famous three-named man) is:
“Lana: Nietzsche? I didn't know you have a dark side, Clark.
Clark: Doesn't everyone?
Lana: So what are you: Man or Superman?
Clark: I haven't figured it out yet.”

The answer is there is no answer because Superman is fiction, so one guess is as good as any. Only, not really. because fiction is about changing the world,& analyzing fiction is aboutanalyzing possibilites&looking @ history of text

raby golxqar Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 02:35 AM EST

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Amy Sat, Jul 8, 2006 at 07:58 PM EST

I am with Chardonna on this one...wow...who cares about Superman's sexual orientation or his status as a religious/political figure? I don't give a s**t if he wears tights and red boots - Superman is as male as any man can get - not only powerful (yes this is shallow, but loving the muscles and arms)...but intelligent, compassionate, sensitive (just enough) - men out there - instead of bashing Superman - learn a thing or 2 about how he treats people (and the woman he so loves). I personally appreciate the hope that Superman brings - being only a cartoon character - it is the hope he brings to each of our lives...however we may interpret his story and character...he has morals, dignity and respect...he could use his powers for evil and to control humanity...but he doesn't - he is there to help us...and to lead us...in a positive way...wow - what a fab role model! If only more people aspired to be like that?

Howie Kudler Mon, Jun 19, 2006 at 08:56 AM EST

I love the banter! However, realize that Supe's is a cultural product of the times (1940's). The other day I found it dificult to explain to my son why anyone would watch a Black and White movie --(The Phildephia Story, to be exact). I guess to understand the casting of the Man of Steel, to you needed to live through the 4th decade of the 20th century. No video games, no home bound image box (TV), only the creative hand drawn the print media tickle your hope and imagination.
Evil and terror was on both sides of the (axis) globe.
(read Charbon's The Further Adventures of Kaviel and Clay for more on the creation of these modern yet classic protectors of society.) Remember how well tales of Odysseus, Hercules and Robin Hood work to vanquish our fears in the the face of erksome evil and intolerable injustice.

Point 2- Today Superman, Batman and the rest of the DC gods are the arm of the corperate Time/Warner so today these icons are reduced to simple branding and revenue. So 60 years later these marketable products are Gay, Christian, Latino, disgrutial teenagers or what ever sells!

But don't give up true believers! Our fabled characters songs will be song long after their super money making powers have been exhausted.

Stay forever young!

random Fri, Jun 16, 2006 at 02:33 PM EST

So they need a light to show the way? All this time I thought the bearer of light was Lucifer...

And Supes might not be gay, but his relationship with "pal" Jimmy Olsen raises questions. After all, one press of that signal watch and Superman always came...

He's still the best known illegal immigrant ever. Jonathan, Martha, and Perry White need to be arrested for employing him all these years.

It's a work of fiction. No need to take it so seriously, folks.

Miles Fri, Jun 16, 2006 at 01:38 PM EST

Superman is an illegal alien, get him out of America! (jusk kidding)

I can tell you this much about Superman though. it is a movie that hasn't opened yet. and that's a fag, i mean, FACT.

Mario Fri, Jun 16, 2006 at 01:34 PM EST

Mario: Whaaa Whaaa, I hate President Bush, Whaaa Whaa My birkenstocks are worn out and I need more trail mix.

How would you feel if Kappa Omega Kappa started a campaign claiming Jerry Garcia was a drunken frat boy and instead of a hippie stoner rocker he really is? Would that boil your hippie blood?

Oh look my sense humor just came back...

sarahliz Fri, Jun 16, 2006 at 10:37 AM EST

Why does Superman have to be scrutinized so closely?

He is obviously not gay. In a comic released in December of 1996, he married his long-time girlfriend, Lois Lane. If you research the creators of the comic, Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, both created Superman's alternate persona, Clark Kent to be shy around women and only admire them from a distance. This was because these two straight men shared these characteristics and they wanted Clark Kent to represent certain things about themselves. As "The Other Kyle" said, he has only ever had girlfriends.

He is also not Jesus or even a representation of. No where in the biographies of the creators (unless I missed something major), have they ever been listed as following the Messianic Jewish faith. If they had, they would have believed that Yeshua (Jesus) was the Son of God and the long awaited Messiah. If they did not subscribe to this faith (which I don't believe that they did), they would not have believed that Jesus was indeed God's son, sent to save the world and would probably not have based the character on Biblical references, although parallels can be drawn today between the two characters for those that look for them.

Also, Mario, before you state something as fact you need to back it up with evidence. Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18 all give accounts of Jesus' arrest and not one of them say that he was arrested right after a boy wearing just a loin cloth ran out of his room.

After writing this "book", I want to know why Superman just can't be good. Why do we have to turn him into a political or religious statement? Isn't it enough that he is someone that defeated evil? He was written as someone to aspire to- someone that did the right thing and stood up to injustice. That, to me, is the only thing that I really need to know about him.

Elyse Fri, Jun 16, 2006 at 08:39 AM EST

Sense of humor?? The stuff I was saying yesterday afternoon was funny but you took it way to serious....so maybe mario should follow his own advice.

Mario Fri, Jun 16, 2006 at 08:10 AM EST

The Other Kyle:

Boo hooo... I'm a fan, you can't say my idol is gay.. boo hooo...

^ -- that's how you come accross.. Get over it dude, if people want to joke around that Supes is gay.. big deal! It's not like it's costing you any skin off your back.

oh.. and grow some sense of humor already, will ya? life is waaay too short.

Delon Fri, Jun 16, 2006 at 03:52 AM EST

Superman is not gay; he is UBER-GAY !!!!!!!

The Other Kyle Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 04:50 PM EST

So you're telling me your previous post was in jest?! I didn't even see the faintest joke in it.

And yes this blog was tongue-in-cheek but the information contained in it is absolutely real and has been reported by many other news outlets.

And did I miss something? When in my posts did I "demonize" anyone who criticized Bush? All I said is that Bush has been one of the factors weakening the publics view on Christianity. All in relevance to why they want Superman to be associated with their banner.

Where am I saying being either gay or criticizing Bush is wrong?

My whole point summed up in one sentence is thus: It's sad that certain groups, be they gay or christian or whatever, feel the need to twist a legendary beloved character in ridiculous ways to fit their agendas.

People can think whatever they want, it's a public character, but to put forth a campaign that has no basis in fact much like "The Advocate" has done and many Christian organizations have done is cheap and offending to fans of the character.

Mario Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 04:34 PM EST

The Other Kyle: Ever heard of a little thing called "sense of humor"?

Obviously, the entire thread was in total jest.. surely, you can see that.

If you want to get into a debate of presidents being attacked for their religion, we could also talk about President Kennedy. He too was attacked for bringing religion into his politics, by the conservative right no less, so that entire argument and trying to demonize others who criticize bush is moot and laughable at best.

There's no problem with people believing what they believe, that's the beauty of living in a free, democratic nation but when those beliefs start to interfere with others rights to be who they want to be, loving who they want to love, marrying who they want to marry.. then it is a problem, and rightfully so.

No one attacked Bush on his religion until he let his religion get in the middle of politics and how efficiently he is running this country. You can't really blame those who attack him on his religion, especially if it affects them directly.

The Other Kyle Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 04:08 PM EST

Mario:

Nobody is saying gays can't be gay. But let me be very clear about this: SUPERMAN IS NOT GAY. IN NO INCARNATION EVERY HAS SUPERMAN EVER BEEN ATTRACTED TO MEN. He's loved three women, Lana Lang, Lori Lemaris and Lois Lane. Never a gay moment.

And as far as Bush goes? Yes he WAS attacked for bringin his religion into his politics. But he also has been attacked for his politics as well. BUT SEPARATELY.

So obviously you don't like his policy. That's fine. But for the sake of this particular Superman debate, Bush was indeed attacked for his religious views regardless of the outcome of his decisions. It's fact.

daisyj Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 03:47 PM EST

Sheesh. This is what happens when a simple thing becomes so famous that people run out of things to say about it (if you ever need a laugh, try reading some of the theories about the "hidden meanings" in "The Wizard Of Oz"). Seriously, folks, no matter how iconic he has become, Superman is a comic book character. One who wears bright, primary colors because they show up well on the page and appeal to the kids who were the target audience, and who has a secret identity and a specific weakness because they provide narrative tension. It is the nature of icons to be adopted by various groups and given meanings that they find relevant, but that doesn't change the intent of the creators.

Mario Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 03:32 PM EST

your posts also explain a lot about you, Elyse.

Elyse Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 03:27 PM EST

So that explains it...Mario is a liberal....that explains it ALL.

Elyse Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 03:25 PM EST

Looks like Mario knows everything about everyone.

Mario Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 03:18 PM EST

The Other Kyle:

you said: "Leave Superman alone and let him be who he is. Stop trying to make him what he clearly is not."

One could say the same of the conservative right. If the gays want to be gay, let them be gay. Why is it important that they not be gay? Why does it matter to anyone that doesn't have to have sex with them?

Why are people pushing for bill that would outlaw gay marriage? If it doesn't affect your marriage or my marriage, why does it matter to us? Why do people oppose civil unions? Oh.. that's right.. because people are insecure and need to oppress others to feel superior.

as an after thought: If people are giving bush (yes, with a lower case b as he doesn't deserve an upper case B)a hard time, it's not because of his religion but because of his inability to lead the country properly. The man was a failed businessman that has no business in the white house, his entire cabinet is made up of war criminals (Rummie, Cheney, Pontenegro .. to name a few) and his policies benefit corporate america and special interests instead of the AMERICAN PEOPLE.

The Other Kyle Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 01:55 PM EST

Let's look at who the most outspoken people are making claims....1. Homo-sexuals who are desperate for acceptance. Latching on to the biggest pop culture icon ever is a good way to push their cause. Hell, Bryan Singer is gay and even he says Supes isn't gay. And if Supes gay isn't Spidey gay for all the same reasons?

2. Christians are not exactly having a lot of success in the mainstream media these days. George W. has been constantly bashed for his religion. So why not try to get an incorruptable icon under your banner in Superman?

The fact of the matter is Siegel & Schuster were straight Jewish men. They did not make Superman gay or Jesus. They did indeed take the name from Nietzchea. But Superman is not a doing a critique like "Kill Bill" suggests either.

These people are grasping at straws to get attention. Leave Superman alone and let him be who he is. Stop trying to make him what he clearly is not.

ceej Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 12:45 PM EST

This whole 'superman is gay' thing sounds like Marvel sabatoge!

From what I remember of interviews with Supes late creators -who were Jewish, by the way- Superman was meant to challenge the Nazi idea of a superior race. He was someone who was darn near perfect, but never wielded his superiority to conquer or harm, but only to protect those weaker than him. So then, I would say 'none of the above'.

Mario Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 12:32 PM EST

some people need to get laid... though I'm not sure how that's going to earn them a sense of humor.

Oh well, too bad it's not something you can buy because I know of several posters on here that could use a little dose.

Chris McVetta Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 11:02 AM EST

"Superman Returns" ...to Cleveland???

An open letter to Warner Bros. and Bryan Singer, director, of "Superman Returns"

The id and I - "Can I have 10% of my paycheck sent back to my mom in Smallville-?"
www.theidandi.blogspot.com

Miles Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 11:01 AM EST

george dewd, it's all in fun that I theorized the immigrant. You know what ultimately is, a money making machine that has made lots and lots of people rich.

Ron B Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 10:29 AM EST

STOP trying to find things wrong with superman, he is Jerry Sinefelds hero and thats good enough for me....................Rotten Ron

George Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 10:22 AM EST

Please, Superman is not gay, not a parable for Jesus, Jews, or Immigrants...he is just a Superhero. Plain and simple. Let's not over-analiyze him, please. He was created as what he was, a guy in tights who fought crime, back in the 1930s.
While he does have a legacy and history, the only way to describe is, he's a symbol of doing things right, using (rather than abusing) his power to help people, and someone all religions, races, countries, etc, should follow.

GatorBait Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 09:41 AM EST

if you start a rumor about supes being gay, then you will generate more buzz about the movie. Simple as that.

Sypes Marka Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 09:28 AM EST

gay gay gay! All superheros are gay! Please, which str8 dude would wear those awful tights? None that I know. I am waiting to see a lesbian superhero (why not the new lesbianish Batwoman???) wearing a plad logger's jacket. Now, that's reality!

agnes skinner Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 09:24 AM EST

the teaser trailer... Brando's voice-over? gazing at the world from the heavens? "They could be a great people, Kallel, if they wish to be. They only LACK THE LIGHT to show the way. For this reason above all - their capacity for good - I have sent them you, MY ONLY SON." regardless of ultimate allegorical intentions, someone in marketing is playing the Jesus card.

J. Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 09:17 AM EST

Where do you people come up with this stuff? The costume denotes sexuality? The X-men all wore spandex in the comic books, and now wear tight black leather costumes! Does that mean all the X-men are gay? Superman wants to make it with Lois, come on people! You know he enjoys using his x-ray vision to peek at the goods now and again. Sheesh!

Miles Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 09:05 AM EST

Jesus was Jewish, Jesus had superpowers, Superman is gay --- therefore Jesus was Gay and Superman is Jesus.

I on the other hand, being Puerto Rican background, say... Superman is an immigrant. A culturally diverse individual with a fabulous (gay?) native custome, who proves why some immigrants should be allowed in the country. Because my grandfather fought in the Korean War for the U.S. Because immigrants develop a sense of pride in their new country that is rarely shown by Americans, and because, yes, immigrants would do the jobs that most American's don't wanna do... like saving the world and melting things with their eyes.... (My mom's french and she can do that! I swear!)

Yes, Superman is a parable about being an Immigrant and also a parable about a gay Jesus.

Mario Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 08:55 AM EST

I suppose Jesus was gay too.. after all, he lived with his mother his whole life, never married, never sired children (something that was expected of every male back then), peace loving, and... a young man wearing only a loin cloth ran out of Jesus' room when they came to arrest him. (look it up, it's in the bible!)

:)

Mario Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 08:52 AM EST

gay.

The tights, the matchy-matchy outfit, the knee-high boots... yes, the dude is gay.

:)

chardonna Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 08:47 AM EST

As a straight girl with an uncanny ability to always pick a hot guy only to find out that he's gay, can we just leave Superman alone? Give the girls a chance to have SOMEbody!

mike Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 08:20 AM EST

I'm with brandonk. I never thought about Superman being gay. I'm not sure why the "gay buzz" started a month ago. It could be media gay bashers seeing Brokeback behind every movie marquee.

brandonk Thu, Jun 15, 2006 at 05:24 AM EST

I don't see the Superman-as-gay angle, but all the others are plausible. (I'm gay and a huge Superman fan, so I'm not rejecting the first interpretation out of any anti-gay bias.) Mostly, though, I just think of Superman as the ultimate hero, and that's how I like him.