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I've seen this before--either via the Warren Ellis Forum, or here--and yes, there is something very, very beautiful about the idea of it, no matter how poorly it's executed (and by all accounts it's executed very poorly indeed).
The reckless disregard for copyright laws: the way the meme has mutated to fit the local culture: the whole idea of Superman as something other than a blue-eyed Aryan ubermensch: a Superman who really stands for the human race.
Goddammit, Superman should be in the public domain: whatever his creators' original intentions for him, he has so thoroughly colonized the subconscious, to the point where he is probably THE single most recognizable fictional character in the world (with the possible exception of Mickey Mouse). He is, of course, also one of the most recognizable trademarks, and that's the reason that Time-Warner (which owns DC) fought so hard for the copyright extension legislation that passed a few years back--precisely to prevent such a valuable property from falling into the public domain.
I have an interest in religious folk art, and I'm always amazed and moved by the way that various peoples reinterpret the figures of the Christian faith. There is not one Jesus, but many: the eerie "Black Christ" figures of the Maasai, the Navajo warrior-Christ, the Ojibway medicine-Christ, the mestiza Liberator Christ of Central America; He is Good Shepherd, Prince of Peace, Lord of the Dance, Man of Sorrows, Lion of Judah--all beautiful, all valid readings. A flexible symbol, a One who encompasses Many: always both reconizably Himself and recognizably of His people.
Superman should be like that. He belongs to us: he's a myth, the paragon of perfect goodness to which we can aspire. And everyone should have the Superman that suits them. Everyone should have the Superman they need.
[ 02-08-2001: Message edited by: Jack Fear ] |
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