The run up to TEDx Orlando got me thinking about the origin of the superhero and the link to the American experience. At some point in the future, you will be able to check out my talk online, but I continue to observe the intersection of graphic media and the American experience. Consider the announcement and speculation over the casting of the new Superman film. It comes to no surprise to me that this re-reboot (coming after the less than stellar Superman Returns in 2006) will be an origin story. Interest is strong in part because the names behind the camera have had big success with other comic properties. Christopher Nolan is producing, David Goyer is scripting and Zack Snider is directing and together these innovative creative types have decided to go with an origin story!?!
Some diehard comic fans I know have already asked why, but they are missing the point. The success the collective creators have experience with Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, 300, and the Watchmen all represent at some level a streamline origin story. Even Nolan's Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are little more than a long two part origin story.
For all the appeal of the superhero as cultural icon, I have explained in the past the problem of superhero narrative overwhelming the casual fan. While the comic fanboy may be over the Superman origin story and want to delve deeper and see characters like Metallo, Parasite, or Brainaic on film. They are in a minority. Most people don't know these characters. They know Superman, Lex Luthor, and probably Lois Lane and then....it gets hazy. Even the decade long run of Smallville on the television hasn't helped raise the profile of the lesser characters in the Superman universe. Believe me, in class I mention Jimmy Olsen, I get blank stares.
Smallville's success confuses the issue at some level. Designed to be a modern retelling of the Superman mythos, the show avoided capes and focused on the struggle of young man journey to manhood. It clearly demonstrated the flexibility of the Superman story. Characters from all over the DC Universe have made their way onto the show. Indeed, characters from the show are now making their way into the comics. Creating a kind of cross narrative bleed I think enhances accessibility, but confuses the cultural message associated with the superhero symbolism.
Like a lot of modern media property however, this is both a strength and a weakness. Smallville can only use those characters they get clearance to use. Thus, what they get, they make work. So Smallville is retelling the Superman story in ways that make sense at some points, but confuse the comic fan at other points. This isn't a drawback. The comic fan isn't the target audience. All you need to do is look at the promotional material for Smallville to understand the goal is to attract the 18-24 target demographic advertiser covet (never mind the biblical warning against the coveting).
Meld Gossip Girl with Supernatural and you get Smallville. This is not a criticism. The show has been on ten years--they done good. To be honest, my characterization is simplistic (and funny). A more accurate and serious consideration of Smallville demonstrate the show has been successful by mining Superman and the DC universe for the core themes and character that they could make work given what was available based on corporate mandate. On Smallville, no Batman, but yeah you can have Green Arrow. You want the Flash? Nope, but you can have Impulse. Is the story in Smallville the classic Superman origin story? No, but it has the elements. He is raised in the heartland by good folks. He knows Lex Luthor when he is in high school, and he dates Lana Lang. New character are introduced (Chloe Sullivan) or re-imagine (Pete Ross as African-American). Yet the overall story of Superman is still there. The strength of the character and the established metaphors are there. At the same time, some of the looming questions and critiques of Superman are there as well. The question of why Jor-El sent Clark to Earth (is he a conquer or savior) has been a central theme in the later years of the series.
Ultimately, Smallville is about what it takes to be Superman, not physical, but emotionally. What are the values that you hold that allow you to be the hero the world needs. This is why film producers want to come back to the origin story. It is the question of becoming, the path toward greatness that appeal to the audience. You don't need to understand Kryponite or powers or anything related to vast mythology around Superman. How do you become the man that can make the right decisions and help people, that is the origin story for every superhero.
This is a crucial question and one that resonates with the public right now. With concerns about the economy, fears about terrorism, and uncertainty about the future, the conditions that gave rise to the Superhero narrative are replicated in contemporary times. It is no surprise that more than 20 comic inspired movies are slated for release in the coming years, the idea of the superhero is linking to contemporary concerns about what the future holds for the United States. Will the future be bright or dark? Will it be a world where a Superman emerges to address our concerns while upholding the values we hold dear or something darker? There is no question that audience want to believe in Superman, makes sense to give them a nice clean origin story.
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