Monday, January 16, 2012

Is Spider-Man the New All-American Hero?

In Grant Morrison's recent reboot of Action Comics, he changed Clark Kent slightly.  After a few issues of seeing Clark Kent in his daily life, it appeared more and more that Clark Kent is acting more like our favorite Web Slinger.......Spider-Man.

Clark Kent and Peter Parker have always had a few similarities.  They work at newspapers and wear glasses for part of their careers.  But usually that's where it ends.  Here, in the nuDC world, Clark Kent's parents are dead (much like Peter Parker).  He still works at a newspaper, but is seen holding a camera more (much like Peter Parker).  When fighting bad guys, Superman seems to be more quippy (much like Spider-Man).  The big difference though, is that Superman is vulnerable.

When Superman was created, he was the creation of a different time.  The Depression was in full swing, and the biggest bad guys that Superman was fighting were corporate fat cats who caused the financial problem.  And while that is becoming more of a problem in this day, it's nothing on the level of the Depression era.  Spider-Man is the result of a generation who were lost, but found their way to get through.  Peter Parker is still relatable, and with more and more kids getting out of college and not being able to find their place in the world due to the economy, he is more relatable than ever.

Clark Kent (right) is starting to look more like Peter Parker(left)
Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel Comics) on left. Action Comics vol. 2 #1(DC Comics) on right


Peter Parker is the guy who keeps going no matter what.  He is resilient and keeps his head up when the going gets tuff.  On the Spider-Man side, he is rather strong and more capable then most superheroes.  But at the end of the day, he is vulnerable.  Superman is not (he is in Morrison's run here on Action Comics, but it's a young Superman).  When looking at who represents America better, that has to be Spider-Man.  America is still a young nation, and when we make mistakes, we learn from them (for the most part).  We persevere and are better for it.  

So far DC is doing a good job of making Superman more relatable, but the real test will come after Morrison heads to the present day.  He made Superman relatable in All-Star Superman, but Superman was dying then.  He can't do that with this one.

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