Superman is no everyman – it’s literally in his name. He’s basically invulnerable, has incredible powers, impeccable ethical certainty, a rich vein of postwar American patriotism, and a flattering ensemble of tights. He only has two weaknesses: kryptonite and loving America too much.
Recent films such as Batman v Superman and Zack Snyder’s Justice League have focused on how crazy powerful Superman is, exploring concerns that he might go out of control and turn on the very people he once protected. It’s not particularly interesting storytelling to obsess over Superman as a weapon of mass destruction or a metaphor for US imperialism, when the goofier, human side of his story is so charming.
