Superman asking "how does it feel to be deconstructed?" is hilarious. It's like he suddenly became self -aware and was really tired of writers making him evil.

Me, as a hormonal, edgy teenager: Pfft, Superman is so lame! Now the Punisher, that’s a real hero. Me, right now: God I wish Superman was real so he could hug me for like, a half hour.

The line of "...it's not [a] never ending [battle] because it's a cause that will never be won, but because he'll never give up on his dream," lives rent free in my head. That line should be used by more writers that handle Superman.

“It’s not that we lost the ability to believe a man can fly, it’s that we lost the ability to believe a man can think it’s wrong to kill.” - Kyle Kallgren

Linkara likes to quote Camelot: "Revenge, the most worthless of causes." But I prefer Marcus Aurelius: "The best revenge is to be a better person than your enemy."

"There are like seventy billion 'What if Superman was a bad guy' stories. _So let's act them out, _*_shall we_* ?" Not gonna lie, Linkara. That line's pretty badass.

"That's my deconstruction of superheroes. People can be and are, kind. So why wouldn't someone with incredible abilities be kind too?" That line is living in my head ever since I first watched this review. Thank you Lewis.

This isn't just a deconstruction of Superhero tropes and Superman specifically. This is also a reconstruction. Yes, Superman is immensely powerful, but he's also kind and STAYS kind. Even when it would have been very easy to do so, he never takes a single life during this. Because Superman is a good person. THIS is how you write a superhero right.

Realistic doesn't equal good, Adult doesn't equal edgy, and Realistic doesn't mean everyone is an asshole that's what writers like Mark Millar need to understand.

"I'm not like those comics, Take me seriously! I am an adult! - Mark Miller's Career in a nutshell

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that - Martin Luthor King Jr.

I always loved how wholesome Superman is. He's a character who never needs a "dark" or "gritty" reboot, because he's simply a good man doing good things for good reasons. And that in itself is special, especially in a world as cynical and cold as ours.

... I just love seeing Superman show the world what a gritty Superman would be like. What everyone says they want. And it is -TERRIFYING-.

"They saw the ugliness of violence as a solution and it frightened them. It frightened me too when I decided to cross that line and do what you do. It's so easy. Anger, vengeance. Luckily, I'm not you. And I never will be." "Dreams save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us into something better. And on my soul, I swear that until my dream of a world where dignity, honor and justice are the reality we all share, I'll never stop fighting" These two quotes of Supes are my favorite because they represent everything what a superhero should be, Not as murderous, violent people being judge, jury, and executioner, but as people who show that no matter what happens, no matter how much people hurt you, the dream of a peaceful, better tomorrow will come as long as you never stop fighting and believing in that dream happening

Stories like this are proof that maybe we DO still need heroes like Superman: People who are genuinely kind and decent and use their abilities and skills to do the right thing. Even when people thought he might be wrong, even when they pleaded with him not to, Superman has always kept on trying to do the right thing, no matter how heavily it weighs on him to do so, because that's who he is.

Just remember: Compassion is not weakness. And violence is not strength.

“Damn kids and their Fortnites.” That made me laugh a little too much.

I love the ironic echo with Superman's "lobotomy" on Black. Black himself had said that his team's actions were about "removing the 'cancers' that fester in us"... What is the act of someone abusing their powers if not a cancer of someone's morality?

To me, there’s two stories that show who Superman is best. This one and All Star Superman. Stories that show that ultimately, Superman at his core is someone who truly loves the world and it’s inhabitants, and because of that he doesn’t want to force his way on everyone, but instead to show the way. There’s a reason he’s the “Man of Tomorrow”. And while anger is Easy. Hate is Easy. Pain is easy. It’s simple to want an eye for an eye, it’s simple to want revenge. It’s an ingrained nature of human being from years. It’s also easy to focus on the negative especially when the negative is what we most commonly see. “Plane successfully lands” isn’t a story, but “Plane crashes” is. And when we focus on the negative and are inundated with story upon story of the negative, it’s easy to label the world as broken. But it doesn’t tell the whole story. Are there things that suck? Yes. But for as many people who exploit, who demean, who rule over others? There are also people trying to go against them, to improve the world, to bring food and medicine to those who need it, to try and fix the issues of the environment, to try and fight for people’s rights. Progress isn’t fast, but we’re improving. It’s not easy, it’s not fast, it’s not glorious. And it’s always tempting to try and burn it all down, to force the way on the world to say “this is the way now”. But with people as strong as Superman, what happens when they decide that way isn’t the way? Who’s to say they won’t just get bored of that way and burn it down to force a new way. But that’s why Superman is a hero. Because he knows he has all the power to burn it down, but instead chooses to try and show the way. We can put faith in Superman, because Superman has the faith in us to progress.

Given how crazy times are now. This was a review and topic that reminds us compassion and kindness outweighs bitterness and anger.

You know there used to be a big push for Superman vs Goku. But I kind of want to see Superman hanging out with Goku in some contrived tournament arc. See the two get in a debate over their fighting philosophies.

I find it funny that not only did the animated movie come out only a year before Man of Steel, but Zack Snyder when defending his movies, unknowingly quoted Manchester Black with "you're living in a dream world".

This makes me think back to the ending of "The Dark Knight", and why I like it over many other Batman endings. Joker set up a near perfect death trap, with two boats rigged to blow if the people on one decide to kill the others, one with civilians, the other inmates. And both ships decided "No". Ultimately, no one wanted to pull the trigger, noting the minutes that passed where neither group was willing to push the button, much to Joker's annoyance. Then you have Batman not killing Joker or Dent, and taking blame for the people Dent killed, in order for hope of incorruptable "White Knight" in him to remain. Batman was willing to have his name tarnished and ruined, just to keep hope alive. To me, a hero is someone who is willing to sacrifice themselves, and not others, despite their alignment. Seriously, look at My Hero Academia for *several* examples of this! Those guys can get mangled, depowered, and dragged through mud all day, and they would still say, "If I can save one person, just one, its all worth it!" Come to think of it, that might be that franchise is so popular right now. Heh, now I wonder what a meeting between Eraserhead and Batman would be like. They would probably try to see who has the more annoying batch of friends.

Well as much as people complain about superman being boring. Despite the fact that steven universe, Aang, almight and might guy are very much loved. Shows me that characters that inspire against unwonted death and destruction and look for peaceful resolves will always be in the hearts of many and so will superman.

When Ozymandias mocked comic book heroics, it worked because his plan actually worked, and because superheroes actually failed. These guys though...they're just posing.

"People want someone to FIX IT." Oh my God, THIS is where Frank Miller got the name "The Fixer"... I love the Elite crying "HEY! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!!!" when it looks like Superman uses their own methods against them. Yeah... You know what's right and wrong. At least The Joker gets a sick laugh if he can manage to push Batman into murderous rage, but you guys? You're just making excuses to be assholes.

You know, when I saw the ugly Superman it made me think back to your Superman: At Earth’s End review. “This is not Superman! Superman is kind and decent. Superman saved the world from the anti-god Megedon. Superman beat Solaris the tyrant sun and Brainiac and yes even Hitler in the golden age. Superman always followed his principles even when the world told him not to. Superman has sacrificed is life for the sake of others both in original continuity and in his excellent all-star series.” Linkara when I first found you I was a Superman hater like many others, but you changed my mind. You showed me that I was wrong and that’s okay. Just part of growing up. Thank you for making Superman one of my favorite heroes again.

Editor: “We have to convince fans of The Authority to read this book. But how?” Artist: (looks up from pile of early 2000s comics) This might sound crazy, but what if we make the cover really bad? Dingy colors, too many lines, that sort of thing. Editor: . . . BRILLIANT!

This had to be a unique case where the comic is both dated and timeless. The reason it exists is very dated but the message itself is timeless. One should only kill if there is no alternative and an alternative should always be the first priority.

13:15 "We do not believe in nations" says the guy named Manchester wearing a British Flag as a fashion statement.

This comic is one of the best representations of who Superman is, why he does what he does, and how Superman will always be my favorite superhero of all time.

God, this is why Superman is my favorite DC hero. A girl I dated once had a friend who always trashed Superman whenever I brought him up. She'd talk about all his "unrelatability," how he's a god who looks down on humanity because he's perfect and overpowered. Whenever I'd try to explain that his stories aren't necessarily about the fights, but more what they mean as a whole, she'd respond with, "I just think he's a bad character." What's unrelatable about a dorky english major from Kansas just trying to do the best he can? What's unrelatable about feeling overworked with the weight of the world on your shoulders? What's unrelatable about being scared that you'll fail and what that failure will mean in the long run? I personally don't read Superman comics for the fights, I read them for the man they're about.

Super-Heroes are not Judge, Jury and Executioners, they are individuals with extraordinary skills/abilities that can subdue threats that normal Law Enforcement or the Military cannot (or at least can't without significant lives lost first). If you ignore the meta reason for why Villains keep coming back (popularity, sales, franchise iconography), the real reason in universe for the status quo and revolving door super prisons is the justice system that keeps shoving the Joker into an asylum instead of giving him the death penalty. If a villain has been subdued and contained but is such a huge threat he can't be allowed to live, don't ask why Superman didn't kill the threat on the spot but ask why the government doesn't do it themselves now that they have it in their custody. Once a Hero has beaten the villain to the point that Police/Soldiers can safely take over, it is no longer the Hero's responsibility to decide what is done with them next.

15:06 A magic hat? Where he purchased that?!

Another SF-Debris review that is relevant is Justice League: A Better World. In part one he addresses the question "why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker?" In part two, he answers it. Brutally, and in total clarity.

You know, something about Manchester Black, as well as what you said about Millar's run on the Authority just being the *image* of maturity instead of actually being mature made me realise something. Manchester Black's appearance evokes a Punk Rock aesthetic, which is heavily tied to the political movement of anarchism (what Allen Moore follows, funnily enough), about fighting against the state & other forms of authority for abusing their power via their control of the monopoly of violence. Yet that's exactly what Black & The Elite do. They don't protect people from bullies, they *are* the bullies. They just evoke the image of fighting against "the man" without actually understanding what that entails.

I actually like the movie version better; Manchester's personality was more complicated and the Elite's philosophy was slightly more complex.

the reveal of superman man just after he "killed" the elites has to be one of the biggest "oh shit" moments in comics. this is THE superman, the original that everyone knows from their childhood. and here he is, just having slaughtered three meta humans in less than 30 seconds. the big blue boy scout just obliterated them like they were nothing. he is pissed off and sick of these assholes traipsing around being all high and mighty about how they are better than everyone else. and in less than a minute he gave them a damn good hiding, shattering their delusions of grandeur and showing them that yes, he can kill but fuck you, he's better than that and here he is, at the end of his tether showing these jerks what its like when a super powered being slaughters them like they slaughtered so many others. he is tired of so many trigger happy dickheads going "why don't you just kill them" who don't seem to think about the consequences of ending someones life. he wants to lead by example, he doesn't believe that the ends justify the means and is willing to damn well try to negotiate with a situation that he could end with a punch BECAUSE A NEVER ENDING STREAM OF VIOLENCE IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

"What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and The American Way?" Would make the perfect live-action Superman movie. Not only is its deconstruction of the superhero genre and critique of violent antiheroes ever-relevant, but Warner Bros could easily use it as a way to make Superman "relevant". In this version, The Elite could be something like The Seven from "The Boys", ruthless, violent demi-gods motivated by greed and fame. Superman, on the other hand, would be the ideal foil, a traditional hero who is motivated by compassion and spreading hope.

-"im not like other Comics, said Other Comics" is the least self-aware attempt at self-awareness that writers love doing & is hilarious for the same wrong reasons every time -but yeah this is my prime Superman "see? this is what I mean" example here, he's the nicest dude possibly because even with all his powers, is still a hard thing to not be a dick to people being a dick to others

I did like in the movie how it expanded a little more on the Elite and had them working and getting along with Superman at first. It showed that they were trying to be heroes and could have been great ones and that the problem wasn't that they were just evil but rather that they were extremists. Their views had some merit to them, thus why it was important for Superman to have an actual counter to argue for his own side. Both he and the audience can't just brush them off as villains because, well, they're not. They're not just trying to make excuses so that they can kill because it's fun or trying to make a cover while they're secretly robbing banks or trying to take over the world. They truly believe that their more extreme and morally questionable methods are what the world needs, thus why it troubles Superman for so long.

The thing that strikes me about this comic is that in the bedroom scene Lois claims that Clark seeked the Elite out, but I don't think that's true per se. I mean before the big confrontation, Superman had three encounters with the Elite: 1) Libya, where the Elite get there before Superman and kill/maim everyone and then leave. 2) Tokyo, where they "Accidentally" knock Superman out so they can slaughter the Japanese Supervillains while he watches watches helplessly. 3) The MIB fight, where Superman takes out the enemy without killing, the Elite show up, announce they are gonna murder the MIB and their families anyway, which provokes Superman to hit hat, which the Elite are recording with cameras they brought with them. Now as Ian Flemming once said "Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action). The Elite have a teleporter capable of reaching at least Io, and they have the world wired with their cameras, they deliberately set up these three encounters in order to rile Superman up, make him look foolish, and give themselves just cause to kill him when he finally had enough of their crap and stood up to them. And why? Because the Elite are a bunch of bullies and they wanted to demonstrate to the world that the could take down anyone that defied them, and they picked Superman because he's the number one hero and because his world view directly opposes theirs. What they didn't realize that just because the strongest guy on the planet doesn't kill doesn't make him stop being the strongest guy on the planet. And like any bully, Manchester Black was reduced to blubbering tears and tantrum throwing when it seemed like Superman was really going to kill him, when it seemed like his life really was on jeopardy (And how quickly Black went back to ranting he'll get his revenge when he realized Superman was never going to kill him). TL: DR: The Elite are crap, and Superman is awesome. Welcome to my Ted Talk.

"I AM AN ADULT!!! TAKE ME SERIOUSLY!!!" Is probably Garth Ennis's moto when he is not writing the Punnisher (and sometimes when he).

Ever since College people have tried sway my opinion of Superman as a very relevant hero; books like this are the counter of that! Superman is one of us; yes he was born on Krypton but he didn't grow up there; he grew up here with our morals, our values and more importantly our COMPASSION. He has faced down every threat both big and small and he has struggled with both his trials and morality; that makes him human; his strength to resist the urge to let go of all his parents, wife and friends have instilled on him; that is a very human traits! COMPASSION to me is Superman's greatest superpower

The movie really showed me what it means to be a super hero and what they represent. And the scene that started to make me think about it was when Superman was facing down a villain he earlier defeated and then escaped. Seeing people form an angry mob to demand that person's death...it tore my heart apart and drowned it. I was so used to seeing stuff from the Punisher and other supposed good guys, and none of it ever phased me like that. And the scene with Superman saying how kids find it fun to kill like the Elite almost has that same effect. To be a super hero, like you said, is might for right. At the same time, to give hope and inspire others to do good in the world, to be that shining example. And with the wrong people, we just head down a darker path. Like the Punisher for example and how cops were using his logo, despite the fact he was an anti-hero and really emphasized the failure of the legal system. A hero is not someone I should be afraid of just for not paying a loan or j-walking. Super heroes are meant to inspire other people, and ultimately can't solve every problem, because we have others in power meant to work towards a better future for everyone. And by looking up to the corrupt or uncaring, to always just go with the easy option, well...we get the world like it is right now. Cruel leaders who care only for themselves, and doing everything they can to prove the ugliness in humanity. That was my take away from both these storylines, and made me go from the "oh god Superman is boring" attitude, to loving the character and finally understanding him much better. Hell, it even began to shape my views on certain games like Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne, where you can join up with Lucifer himself, but at the cost of your humanity. And I viewed it as giving up, for a character I tended to see as a hero since I love the Neutral ending. Great review and sorry for the rambling. >_>;; meant to look at this story on my own but can't find a good mp4 of the movie. Really need to get a disc drive...

To borrow from Undertale: "Don't kill and don't be killed. That's the best you can strive for."

I've wrestled with pessimism my entire life. I saw this review not long after I had to have the police called on me to talk me out of committing suicide. Things weren't going well, what with college not helping me get out of working dead end jobs, my writing career not going anywhere, my father passing away, and all the news about the pandemic and how nobody where I live seems to care. Despite all of that, I have friends and family who care about me, and in my darkest hour, it was hard for me to think about how it would affect them if I had went through with it. Linkara is right; although it's easy to see the horror and injustice that happens in this world, it's also easy to overlook the goodness and compassion that's here too. Watching this and listening to you has given me a lot to think about. It's not always easy, but I want to look more on the brighter side of things. Thank you, and keep doing what you're doing.

I never got the "Superman is a meathead" stuff. He's the scion of a scientifically advanced species whose toasters would probably require a contemporary Earth engineering degree to plug in, and his father is an intellectual of said species. His erudition may be limited to said relative Earth, but his prowess is not. He could easily be written as being smarter than even smart humans if he wanted to be, but instead became a reporter, which I believe would include some degree in the humanities, instead of physical sciences. Makes the character a little easier to write to.

Oh it's THIS story. Never watched Superman vs the Elite but I have seen the big fight and as much as I love boy scout Superman, seeing him seemingly snap and unleash his full potential to "kill" the Elite was amazing. Helped by the fact George Newbern used his Sephiroth voice for it.

I may be able to explain the Men in Black stuff. People mostly knows the movie, but the Comic book it's from is very different and got that "edgy" shit you could have found in other 90's comic, were our "heroes" kills witnesses and act like harboiled cop.

I'm not going to lie. Watching this video and SF Debris' video of Superman vs the Elite back to back, legit, just changed my viewpoint in life. No matter how bad things get. No matter how horrible people run countries into the ground for profit and power. No matter how they can keep getting away with it... I will never lose my morals. And I, and I hope we all, will take this lesson in stride, and stop these guys again and again, until they or society changes for the better. Thank you, Lewis, SF, the Patreon who requested this, and Joe Kelly. Genuinely, I will be a better man today.

In a time of a pandemic, where it seems like our leaders are failing us.... in a time of uncertainty.... I wanna say thank you Linkara for this review. Thanks for reminding us what it takes to be a hero. Literally shedding tears as I write this. Take care 💚

6:36 The creator of the original was involved in the adaptation? *What spore of madness is this?!*

If I remember correctly, in JLElite or somewhere Coldcast said that the other members of the Elite were being partially mindcontrolled by Manchester Black at this point, and that he made Coldcast dress like that because Black was a racist who thought it'd be funny to dress the one African American bloke on the team in a costume which referenced slavery.

Me: *about to go to sleep* *notification for this video pops up* Me: "SLEEP CAN WAIT!"

18:46 *Stares directly at Ignited* "I think you're trying too hard." 19:26 Ladies and Gentlemen, Stain from My Hero Academia. Yes, I know, the problem with their society is far more complicated than that, but there *is* some grain of truth to Stain's statement. An important part of being a Hero in that world is getting a sponsor, after all. 27:26 To take a line from Grant Morrison's *Flex Mentallo: Man of Mystery* : "Only an adolescent boy would confuse pessimism for realism." 28:08 Fitting, given the upcoming explosion. =D 31:48 I know, I'm bring up My Hero Academia again, but it's for a purpose. For all the good people in that world, for all the Heroes in it ( *True* heroes), there's still villains. Why? For a number of reasons, really. Some thought they were dealt a bad hand, and wanted to take out their anger on the world for abandoning them when they needed them most (Tomura). Some were upset they were never given the help they needed, so they became mean, but stayed kind to their own inner circle (Twice, Touga). Then, some felt that they were unjustly left behind by society, so they became a villain in the hope that they would inspire *someone* , that they would be remembered (Gentle).

LaughingStockMedia did a great speech about Superman in his "Jiren is Boring" video in respond to all the people who compared Jiren to Superman

32:02 "That's my deconstruction of superheroes. People can be and are kind, so why wouldn't someone with incredible powers be kind too?" That's not a deconstruction Linkara. That's a Reconstruction

"When people are scared, they tend to jump on a bandwagon well before they see who's driving it. But when they wise up: & they will, what matters is that you'll be right there leading by example just like always. Truth, Justice and the American Way- It ain't broke, so don't fix it".

I like how in the end, Black gives a standard villain speech. "You should have killed me because I won't stop trying to kill you!"

contrary to a lot of other superheroes, superman didn't have some personal tragedy to shape him into who he is. he became a good man because he wanted to be a good man. i remember this wonderful speech from the 12th doctor and it fits this discussion well: Hey! I'm going to be dead in a few hours, so before I go, let's have this out. You and me, once and for all. Winning? Is that what you think it’s about? I’m not trying to win. I'm not doing this because I want to beat someone - or because I hate someone, or because I want to blame someone. It’s not because it’s fun. God knows it’s not because it's easy. It’s not even because it works, because it hardly ever does. I do what I do because it's right! Because it's decent! And above all, it's kind! It's just that. Just kind. If I run away today, good people will die. If I stand and fight, some of them might live - maybe not many, maybe not for long. Hey, maybe there’s no point in any of this at all, but it's the best I can do. So I'm going to do it, and I will stand here doing it until it kills me. You're going to die, too, someday. When will that be? Have you thought about it? What would you die for? Who I am is where I stand. Where I stand is where I fall. Stand with me. These people are terrified. Maybe we can help a little. Why not, just at the end, just be kind?

18:30 - Hoo boy. This is the brush so many of the fringe creators paint all comic book professionals under. Hating the medium, hating the fans, and hiding behind the money of big corporate backers more interested in the stories of 30 years ago while they gleefully rip apart those characters and laugh at any fans of them. And stuff like this, this “too cool for school” attitude is what gives those critiques power, sends fans of superheroes running to every medium but comics to the point i half expect the MCU X-Men to have a joke where someone calls their mutant power a Quirk. Mediums should not be above critique and above reproach. But when you constantly tell people “this sucks and you suck for liking it”, and then they leave the medium, don’t act surprised.

One of the things I love about the movie adaptation of this comic is how well it captures Superman’s character. He’s powerful, yet kind and knows the value of restraint and compassion, something the Elite obviously don’t care about. I also love Lois and Clark’s relationship in the movie. In fact, I think it might be my favorite version of the two. They clearly love each other, and while they may have their moments where they give each other grief, it’s always done in a way where you can tell they care about each other. Honestly, while James Gunn has already stated he’s taking influence from the DCAU for the DCCU (Not DCEU), I really hope he’s also taking influence from Superman VS The Elite as that’s also a great portrayal of Superman’s character.

I had watched a number of Frank Miller reviews prior to Born Again last week, and this coming out showcasing one of Superman’s finest moments makes me all the more pissed off at the way Miller wrote Superman in Dark Knight Strikes Again and ASBAR as either an innefectual meathead or just as inclined to want to rule over the earth like a god.

the comic that being Adapt to one of the best superman movies of all time

I have come back to this review almost every day lately. Its currently the end of may of 2020, and the US just keeps getting crazier. I come back here to try and remind myself of the ideals I try to live up to and teach. You dont have to become ugly and mean because the world is also becoming that. You can try and hold yourself higher. To be someone who fights for a hopeful future by being better than the world you see, instead of being like the world. Sometimes it means having to do the same things again and again. But just cause the battle is never ending, does not mean it isn't worthwhile.

Something that I do appreciate from the film version is that The Elite aren't immediately presented as ugly and cocky. Instead, it first introduces them with what makes their style so attractive and giving their worldview a bit sincerity to start with. The cracks in their image really start to show over time and through further displays of their actual decent into what brings that idea into extremism. It takes you along into this process of radical thinking as a way to expose it as radicalization.

Even before I bought my first official comic book, that being Deadpool: Dracula´s Gauntet Nr. 1, I read this one as the part of a collection of Superman comics published by a local magazine to raise awareness of certain comics in Europe. This was before the whole MCU wave started. Looking back it is an interesting starting off point for somebody who has never earnestly read comics before.

This issue is a masterclass in showing Superman and his ideals will never be outdated.

"This was during the time when Lex Luthor was president. God I miss the days when that seemed unbelievable." 🤣😭 so do I

it is sad that aparently you can't have power and still be a good person. power doesn't automatically corrupt someone.

Reminds me of the line from Flex Mentallo. "Only a foolish adolescent would confuse pessimism for realism" Yes, in real life villains are not cackling mad scientists but also in real life many if the bad guys have the same power hungry vigilante attitudes of Mark Millar's Authority.

Superman is what I love about a good superhero: he makes me want to be a better person. Overly gritty superheros just make me want to shower.

That whole thing about Mark Millar taking over The Authority & turning it into his typical mindless edgelord 'offensive for the sake of being offensive', Frank Miller protege bullshit & having to come forward with a response to that mindset reminds me of just how good Kingdom Come is.

Linkara: "In the DC Universe death is like an extended weekend you are back by Tuesday" Yeah like Earth-3's Duela Dent and Danny Chase

"In the bloodiest times, there are kind people." -Bertolt Brecht

I’ve been really consumed by anger lately- looking for someone, anyone, to blame for this, wanting them dead. A year ago, I was having bad anxiety issues had to withdraw from college, was out for most of a year trying to get my meds straight, was finally going back this spring and getting my life back on track when this mess happened- this really helped a lot, man. Things still aren’t perfect, I’m still not perfect, and I learned the hard way never to consider internet reviewers I’ve never actually met as being like “family” to me- not after finding out about CA’s behind the scenes stuff- but seriously, THANK YOU. I think I really needed to hear this right now.

What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way seems like my favorite kind of Superman story - one that explores how Superman struggles to stay true to his morals while being challenged by the ugly side of humanity. I always roll my eyes whenever people call Superman "boring" or that the fact that he has great power and uses it for good is "unrealistic". Yes, we live in a world that often rewards evil people, but good people do exist, and when those good people have power, they use that power to do good. That is what makes Superman the classic superhero. He is, at his core, a good person with great power who uses that power to help others. He isn't perfect or boring, he's just... nice.

Loved superman vs the elite, so curious about the source material. Also - definitely glad they changed the name to something that's not such a mouthful

I remember an interesting character in anime that might also elaborate on this situation: Kiritsugu Emiya Kiritsugu was a man who did want a better world for people but after being forced into situations where he had to kill those he loved for the greater good, he became cold and cynical. Even the Grail saw this cynicism and would have killed the world if not for his choice to destroy the grail at the cost of the Great Fuyuki Fire. However, he was saved in a sense when he choose to save one life, he who would become Emiya Shirou, instead of prioritizing the many at the expense of the few. I bring Kiritsugu up because I initially thought that the ideas deconstructed in this comic were different from Kiritsugu's. However, I realize that in the end, they had the same message. The idea of saving people, of being kind to people triumphs over the cold calculating many over the few mentality

There's that bit about how people look around and see all the ugly. And as even just a casual student of history I'm kind of reminded of a strange phenomena that seems to go on with people. That there's a strange commonality despite the time period, or the culture, for people to think they are living in the worst possible world. A world in decline from some previous golden age. And they also think they are far better people, paradoxically, than those of the previous age. That things which were "acceptable" to their past is no longer seen as moral as they've moved forward. Most everyone in humanity seems to think the world is going to hell... while also thinking they're more moral than any previous generation that came around. And considering the staggering improvements humanity has made in pretty much ever aspect from civil rights to technology over its history, I'm inclined myself to think the latter is true. That people are getting better, and better. But there are always those who for one reason or another will try to convince you the otherwise. Because something bad happened to them and they feel the need to justify that in their minds (Like happened with Manchester Black and Menagerie at least in this comic), because they're inclined towards being sociopaths, like literal "I have no empathy for people" sociopaths rather than just using it for general mental disease and conditions, because they have decided that their lives are more important to others and see an opportunity in spreading misery in some fashion. But we are getting better as a whole. And I think it's something hard for most people to see. They can only seem to recognize it in contrast to something else. Like when they hear grandpa utter racial slurs that they'd never use and go "I am a better person than what I came from". Or when they read some history and go "Wow we'd never do that now". But they can't look at themselves and see things that happen everyday. The compassion and justice that most people strive for. Held back (if anything) by the limits of where they were born and raised, and the ideals that were pushed on them by it. They grow, they change. And the next generation does as well. It's a strangely comforting thing to me. I consider myself a good person. I do charity. I never raise my hand against another except in defense. I live my life by what I think is a high moral standard. And... in 40 years and two generations down the line there will probably be kids that think I'm a horrible backwards monster of being an immoral asshat because of some standard I can't see, but has become intrinsic to themselves. Because they'll be better people than I am, living in a better world. Even if they can't see that better world around them. And it gives me hope.

One of the things that always endured with me for Superman, and why I loved the character as much as I did. He's.. not simplistic and cartoonish. But he is very earnest. People look down on him because he's "Too powerful". Or that he lets Lex Luthor live to cause trouble all over again. Or that he doesn't just superspeed demolish someone he 'knows' is corrupt without active evidence and such. To me it's what's always worked for him. Superman is not: "Alien God descended to earth to dispatch justice" or something. Though the live action movies usually frame him up as such. He's "A farmboy from Kansas". He is in a way a representation of the very best of America, and humanity in general. That's what makes him work. He has power but he uses it for the sake of helping others. He doesn't consider anything beneath him. From helping someone fix their car to saving a cat in a burning apartment building. It's not about "Can our hero overcome this challenge?" so much as a matter of morality and philosophy. What do you do with that power? What sort of person would you become? How do you live your life? What is really important? Even with "godlike" powers... he still spends time to comfort a crying child. To help someone with a petty problem. To be human.

By far one of my favorite Superman stories. It's a perfect response to the cynical 'evil superman' stories too. As fun as those what ifs can be, I think it's easy to lose sight of who modern Supes is. Superman isn't just a symbol that spouts catch phrases. He's a character. He makes decisions, he has mental strength to do so. I find he's at his best when he's no longer a mascot or a Jesus allegory. But rather a good person. Superman is at his best, when he's a good person. Not always perfect, but always trying he best to do whats right.

"They love us for it" could also be a comment about how those books were actually quite profitable. Comic book fans _themselves_ loved them for it, apparently?

Whenever I feel bummed out about things, I come back to this review. Helps raise my spirits.

I think it speaks volumes that the only major time Superman has taken a life in the comics was his fight against Doomsday (Even though that didn't stick) Doomsday is literally unstoppable, no prison can hold him, you can't contain him, he will keep going and keep killing until there's nothing left to kill, and he's so physically strong he can hurt Superman without kryptonite. Superman only took a life when the entirety of the world was at stake with no other options and that's how it should be.

The movie’s changes tended to be very minimal and done for plotting and flow. Except making The Hat a homage to Jigen from Lupin III, that’s just an out there reference.

Missed opportunity of playing “What’s So Funny ‘bout Peace, Love, and Understanding” by Elvis Costello for the intro. Oh well, great review though

It's nice seeing a super hero with parents. That also still help guide the hero, even superman needs advice, this I wish more comics were like this.

When I was younger, I thought Batman was more interesting than Superman. Now, I'm fairly certain that Superman, written right, is a WAY more interesting character.

I like how the movie took it further by having them go back to earth and having Superman's robots protect the citizens, without black knowing it

I think you're missing the point of the cover. Yes, it looks like all that destruction is Superman's fault, and that's the point. The intention of the comic is not preaching to the choir, but to explain to fans of books like The Authority why a character like Superman acting that way is not a good thing. So they attract them with a cover that shows them what they want to see _("Sweet! Superman with NO LIMITS!")_ and then proceed to explain in the comic why such a thing would be a bad idea.

1 reason I love superheroes is because they give us something to strive towards. When I see Superman I see a man who lost everything and still grew up to represent hope and peace. That why I love superman. It's important and valid to have role models in stories it gives people hope in a better world. It inspires people to act righteously and good.

To me; One of the most fun things about goody-two shoes, nice guy, paragon heroes is when they finally SNAP; It's fun, cathartic, surprisingly terrifying, and a stark reminder WHY they should be nice in the first place.

Superman's Dream Speech will forever stay in my mind and heart for all time. It's what defines Heroism and Superman in General.

Honest chills when Superman said "I finally get it". That coming from him is terrifying

14:30 "I mean yeah, they took down a cyborg gorilla, but I can think of five guys in the justice league who could do that too." The tone in Linkara's voice makes me think he's talking about moving a heavy piano up flights of stairs.

I like how the movie had Superman interacting with the Elite for a bit before he realized how their extreme they were (also they turned the Hat into a Superman fanboy which is hilarious).

Honestly I went through the "Edge Lord" phase when I was a teenager and thought Superman was lame. Thank God I grew out of it because Superman is awesome.

The fact that The Authority is getting the film treatment in the DCU means they might be gunning for an adaptation of this story down the road, and I'm very intrigued