For as long as he’s been a pillar of the DC Universe,Superman’sstory has unquestionably been that of the immigrant experience. While promoting the new Superman film,director James Gunn voicedthis belief about the Man of Steel, only to be hit back with vehement disagreements and accusations of being ‘woke’.
But DC Comics has never shied away from this component of Superman. From his very firstdebut inAction Comics #1to his adventures to today, Clark Kent’s story is the immigrant experience. Some may doubt or even deny this, but a look at the Man of Tomorrow’s history proves that James Gunn was right on the money.
James Gunn Discusses Superman as “The Story of America”
In the final few days beforeSuperman’swordwide debut, director andDCU co-architect James Gunnspoke withThe Timesabout the movie and Superman’s place in pop culture. Midway through the article, Gunn discusses Clark, saying Superman is “the story of America”, in that he’s an immigrant, and thathe’s also “a story of basic human kindness”.
…Gunn discusses Clark, saying Superman is “the story of America”…
Unfortunately, Gunn’s words were used against him by several online and television outlets, including Fox News. Commentators like Kellyanne Conway and Jesse Watters used Gunn’s comment about Superman’s immigrant nature to launch into tirades of their own, deeming the film ‘woke’ and opining how movies are more concerned with spreading ideology than telling a story.
At the world premiere ofSuperman, Gunn responded to a question about the outrage his comments brought out in right-leaning spaces. Gunn shrugged it off, reiterating that the movie was one about kindness, andGunn believes that Superman is “something everyone can relate to”. But Gunn wasn’t the person who had words for those upset at Gunn’s comments.
Nathan Fillion, who portrays Green Lantern Guy Gardner inSuperman,laughed off the comments, suggesting that those angry at Gunn highlighting Superman’s immigrant background need a hug. James Gunn’s brother Sean, however, was a bit more pointed at the backlash. He reaffirmed Superman’s status as an immigrant and that those who are against immigrants are “against the American Way”.
Sean Gunn plays Maxwell Lord inSupermanand also portrayed G.I. Robot and Weasel inCreature Commandos!
From the Very Beginning, Superman’s Immigrant Roots Have Been Important
Superman Simply Doesn’t Exist Without This Side of Him
James Gunn is objectively correct. Superman is not from Earth, but rather, hails from the planet Krypton, a planet that was tragically destroyed. Superman came to Earth, and though he wasn’t of the human race, he was taken in by a kindly couple who loved him as though he was one of their own.
This element is as important to Superman as random violence taking a loved one is to Batman. Over the years, Clark’s origin has been tweaked, like him being different ages when he discovers the truth about his heritage. But even when it comes to alternate worlds and stories, Clark is always the ‘other’ who is adopted into a new world.
…Clark is always the ‘other’ who is adopted into a new world.
It should also be noted that Superman’s immigrant status was, in fact, intentional. Superman’s creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, were both second-generation Jewish immigrants. As all creators do,they channeled their personal histories into Supermanto create a hero that reflected what they saw in the world. And the result was a hero who defined the American immigrant experience.
DC Comics Has Never Strayed From Who Superman Is
Clark’s Story is Always Going to be An Immigrant’s Tale
Immigration is an important issue and, unfortunately, there are a lot of people who want to demonize immigrants. James Gunn was speaking a simple fact when he spoke about who Superman is, but with the culture war surrounding this issue, it’s no surprise people used it as an opportunity to rage.
But no matter what talking heads or online comments say,Superman being an immigrant is woven into his DNA. It’s who he is and almost every iteration of the hero touches on that. From the comics, to shows likeSmallville, they all recognize that this is a component of the hero that simply cannot be ignored.
What James Gunn said isn’t controversial. It was a truth about the character. Superman’s storyisone of the immigrant experience, and heisa story of basic human kindness. With the outrage machine being what it is today, it’s easy for some to forget about that. But thankfully, DC Comics and creators like Gunn have never forgotten it.
Superman’s storyisone of the immigrant experience, and heisa story of basic human kindness.
Not everyone is going to vibe with the newSupermanmovie, or its message and that’s alright. What’s important is to not lose sight of who the Man of Steel really is or what he represents. As long as DC Comics runs the show,Supermanis and always will be an immigrant story.
