Citizen no more Options

He's not wadding it up and throwing it away, though, he's freeing the nation from further ridicule from his actions.

Because we as a nation get so much flack from his actions? What actions are those Brant? Superman really isn't the guy that gets us into a lot of trouble since he tends to go around saving people and all. I don't see that causing a big international incident. Please enlighten.

Well, in real life, anytime America intervenes in any nation we, as a nation, get a LOT of flack for that from various nations, and from many within our own nation. Multiply that by the sheer power of one like Superman. If you're a foreign country's government, or radical groups, or whatever who wants no help from the USA, imagine having it forced upon you by a guy who is nearly indestructible and can wipe you out with a mere flick of his finger so to speak.

Fear and intolerance, and the world's view of our nation as prideful and putting our nose where (they perceive) it doesn't belong dictates that realistically they'd have a problem with a massively powered individual representing that nation they're not too fond of interfering, regardless of his intentions.

Well, in real life, anytime America intervenes in any nation we, as a nation, get a LOT of flack for that from various nations, and from many within our own nation. Multiply that by the sheer power of one like Superman. If you're a foreign country's government, or radical groups, or whatever who wants no help from the USA, imagine having it forced upon you by a guy who is nearly indestructible and can wipe you out with a mere flick of his finger so to speak.

Fear and intolerance, and the world's view of our nation as prideful and putting our nose where (they perceive) it doesn't belong dictates that realistically they'd have a problem with a massively powered individual representing that nation they're not too fond of interfering, regardless of his intentions.

Remember also that Superman has sworn to protect every human life, not just American life, but every life. By renouncing (not throwing away) his citizenship, he is essentially saying he will do his utmost to protect every citizen of this planet, his adopted home, and not just America. It is a heroic statement, and one that few, if any, of us would be so willing to make.

By declaring that he is no longer a US citizen, and a citizen of Earth instead, he is stating that his actions are not some other country's foreign policy, but rather his own. The life he saves today is done so out of kindness, not out of some percieved 'obligation.' He has stated he will protect all life, even the so-called enemy.

It is noble gesture, worthy of a Superman.

That sends the absolute wrong message.

So...when he inevitably renounces his renunciation, won't that send the wrong message, too--that's he wishy-washy, mercurial and doesn't have the courage of his convictions?

We are also forgetting that Joe Shuster was Canadian, so Superman's renunciation of his adopted homeland can be seen as somewhat more understandable.

The following comments are courtesy of DC artist Brett Booth, and not my opinion. I have reposted them here because I feel he understands the point clearly about Superman renouncing his citizenship.

Just a few things. First, Shuster was Canadian. Superman did not fight the Nazi's until the 40's, he fought regular criminals until then. He was created in 30's. The American way was added later.

There is no liberal spin. Obama is the president in the story. If it was Bush I could see that. And yes, is Superman does something in another country, if he's so American it can and will be considered and American attack, he is a member the Justice League of AMERICA. If you don't think some evil dictator wouldn't use that you need to get out more.

No reason to change? To protect America and it's citizens from attacks he gives up something he holds dear. How does that diminish the character? Sounds like something he'd do to me. All the crap you like and remember about Superman was originally done on the TV show, not the comic. The 'American Way' What ever the hell that is now, was only done there and the movie. Remember the comic was restarted 80's , he is not completely the same, his father didn't die when he was young, powers are slightly different, ect. Characters change and evolve, that you can't seem to understand this says more about you than Goyer. Times change, the world is NOT the same place it was in the 50's. For some reason you seem to the think the US is the best, this is simply not the case. We are not the best anymore. The sooner you and your kind releize this, the soon we can actually start making positive changes. The 50's was not the bastion of greatness you seem to think it was, unless you were a rich white male, why go back when we should be moving forward. That is what is happening in the comic and real life.

You do understand the people who are pitching a fit are all the same type. White Republicans, funny:)




All comments are taken from his blog, and click on the link below to see the context.

Brett Booth Blog

And people wonder why comic book sales have been declining...

Rather than get involved in some of the more jingoistic discussions, I'll just reiterate my opinion from Zone 4 -

It's a publicity stunt, pure and simple. It's not done within a mainstream story, and quite frankly, it will probably (in light of recent events) be forgotten within six months.

But as a way to attract attention and (potentially) drive conversation, leading to sales? Smart move.

Execution? Possibly not so much....

Rather than get involved in some of the more jingoistic discussions, I'll just reiterate my opinion from Zone 4 -

It's a publicity stunt, pure and simple. It's not done within a mainstream story, and quite frankly, it will probably (in light of recent events) be forgotten within six months.

But as a way to attract attention and (potentially) drive conversation, leading to sales? Smart move.

Execution? Possibly not so much....

It may not be forgotten. If one thinks about it, the idea of the US pushing their way into Pakistan, without any ISI help, or even informing Pakistani government...
may make Superman rather not have the US tag.

Well, in real life, anytime America intervenes in any nation we, as a nation, get a LOT of flack for that from various nations, and from many within our own nation. Multiply that by the sheer power of one like Superman. If you're a foreign country's government, or radical groups, or whatever who wants no help from the USA, imagine having it forced upon you by a guy who is nearly indestructible and can wipe you out with a mere flick of his finger so to speak.

Fear and intolerance, and the world's view of our nation as prideful and putting our nose where (they perceive) it doesn't belong dictates that realistically they'd have a problem with a massively powered individual representing that nation they're not too fond of interfering, regardless of his intentions.

Sure. I understand what you're saying. But you can't have it both ways. Is it just a comic, as you guys have mentioned, or are we now talking real life? I've never seen Superman driven out of foreign airspace when he was trying to save people, or the world for that matter. They seem to me to be quite happy to have him there, American citizenship and all.

So...when he inevitably renounces his renunciation, won't that send the wrong message, too--that's he wishy-washy, mercurial and doesn't have the courage of his convictions?

It would seem wishy washy, no doubt about it. In my opinion it's completely against his character to renounce his citizenship in the first place, but yeah going back on that after making such a big deal about it certainly seems like he can't make up his mind. Which way would I rather have it? I'd like to see him admit he's wrong and take it back. I can respect someone a lot more for admitting a mistake than acting like they never did anything wrong in the first place.

It would seem wishy washy, no doubt about it. In my opinion it's completely against his character to renounce his citizenship in the first place, but yeah going back on that after making such a big deal about it certainly seems like he can't make up his mind. Which way would I rather have it? I'd like to see him admit he's wrong and take it back. I can respect someone a lot more for admitting a mistake than acting like they never did anything wrong in the first place.

Yeah, but some of us don't think he did anything wrong. And in my opinion, and obviously in the opinion of the writer and editors, it is not against his character. It's not like he was raping babies or something else that everyone, no matter their politics, would think is wrong and out of character. The only mistake I see is in having it in such a small story without context or reprecussion.

The wrongness here is simply your opinion. That's a totally valid opinion. I think it was out of character and a major mistake that Spider-Man made a deal with the devil. I voice this disagreement by not buying Spider-Man comics.

But to equate something that is a matter of opinion to something that will lead to people being rounded up in camps undermines your position. By saying that, what you are doing is equating everyone that disagrees with you with Nazi collaborators. You may say I'm reading into it what you said too much, but you are reading into the story just as much to see it as an anti-American statement.

Feel free to not like the story, and to voice you displeasure with it. That's cool, that's what we as comics fans do. But you can't say that everyone with a different view just doesn't get it or is wrong. That's not cool.

Yeah, but some of us don't think he did anything wrong. And in my opinion, and obviously in the opinion of the writer and editors, it is not against his character. It's not like he was raping babies or something else that everyone, no matter their politics, would think is wrong and out of character. The only mistake I see is in having it in such a small story without context or reprecussion.

The wrongness here is simply your opinion. That's a totally valid opinion. I think it was out of character and a major mistake that Spider-Man made a deal with the devil. I voice this disagreement by not buying Spider-Man comics.

But to equate something that is a matter of opinion to something that will lead to people being rounded up in camps undermines your position. By saying that, what you are doing is equating everyone that disagrees with you with Nazi collaborators. You may say I'm reading into it what you said too much, but you are reading into the story just as much to see it as an anti-American statement.

Feel free to not like the story, and to voice you displeasure with it. That's cool, that's what we as comics fans do. But you can't say that everyone with a different view just doesn't get it or is wrong. That's not cool.

Zodar, you should be a diplomat. Like, for the UN, or NATO. Because that was the most diplomatic comment I have seen in a long time.