The Four Color Media Monitor

In an interview with TMZ, actor Dean Cain, who played Superman in the Lois & Clark series from 1993-97, has taken issue with director James Gunn's new adaptation on the silver screen:

Dean Cain, who wore the red cape in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," tells TMZ ... he was so excited for the new movie ... until Gunn had to break out the political Kryptonite -- and sour a portion of the fandom.

The outspoken conservative actor and occasional political commentor is pretty sure the immigrant remark controversy is enough to ding the box office returns ... but he still hopes the movie is a success. Of course, Fox News’ personalities railing against the film won't help ... such as Kellyanne Conway saying, “We don’t go to the movie theater to be lectured to" and Jesse Watters joking that "MS-13" is written on Superman's cape.

DC tells us is so frustrating as the comments from Gunn weren't even necessary ... 'cause we KNOW Superman is an immigrant -- he's a freaking alien! What's more, Superman was created in 1938 just prior to WWII breaking out ... and "Truth, Justice and the American Way" were -- and still should be -- crystal clear values.

The American Way slogan was created as far back as 1942 on radio, and years later would once in a while turn up in a few comics as well, and regrettably, by the turn of the century, not many people involved in Superman writing had much respect for it, seeing how there's been efforts made to deliberately change it, just so they can avoid bringing up "the American Way". While it's still unclear what the box office intake will be for Gunn's Superman movie, one thing is clear: the leftist political metaphors were uncalled for, and undermine the PR for promoting the film. Maybe worst of all is how anything considered a right-wing, or patriotic viewpoint today, is deemed taboo by Hollywood, and as a result, we're now saddled with yet more bad metaphors not unlike what the Black Adam movie had.

Since we're on the subject, the Smithsonian Magazine recently brought up the history of how the slogan was produced, but perhaps unshockingly, they resort to some negativity as well, stealth or otherwise:

Amid Cold War jingoism and the Red Scare, the opening narration for the 1950s television show starring George Reeves grandly announced: “Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way.” The catchphrase was now firmly ingrained in world consciousness.

Over the years, in different media, the motto appeared in various forms. The 1966 “New Adventures of Superman” animated series swapped out the reference to America for “truth, justice and freedom,” an especially apt choice with the recent passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. In the 1970s, the “Super Friends” cartoon adopted the catchphrase “truth, justice and peace for all mankind,” a wholesome message for young Saturday morning viewers.

"Jingoism" in modern times was a negative slang for patriotism, and appears to originate in the 19th century. And it's shameful how the magazine resorts to that kind of propaganda, indicating where they really stand on the issue of patriotism, and even selflessness. Are they also implying the American Way's incompatible with the Civil Rights movement, and even the Voting Rights Act? That some media changed the slogan during the late 20th century may not have been forced then, but later on post-2000, that certainly became the case:

The television series “Smallville,” which followed the adventures of teen Clark Kent before his transformation into Superman, aired more than 200 episodes over ten seasons beginning in 2001. It depicts Superman’s home as the American heartland. His upbringing by good-hearted, wise and compassionate adoptive parents shapes his moral code. When Kent is running for high school president in the first season, a school reporter asks him about his platform. Unsure about his stance on the issues yet raised to do good, he responds: “I stand for truth, justice and other stuff.”

The 2006 film Superman Returns also elides the classic mantra. Superman has spent an extended five years away from Earth to search for any remains of Krypton and his otherworldly roots. Wondering if this foray into the universe has changed Superman’s ideals, Daily Planet editor in chief Perry White immediately sends out reporters to see if he still stands for “truth, justice and all that stuff.”

To much controversy, Superman renounces his American citizenship in Action Comics’ 2011 landmark 900th issue. “I’m tired of having my actions construed as instruments of U.S. policy,” he says. “‘Truth, justice and the American way’––it’s not enough anymore.” Responding to backlash, DC Comics’ co-publishers issued a statement: “Superman announces his intention to put a global focus on his never ending battle, but he remains, as always, committed to his adopted home and his roots as a Kansas farm boy from Smallville.” DC affirmed Superman as shaped by his American upbringing but firmly situated him as a citizen of the world.

Regarding Smallville, its reputation was tarnished several years ago when one of the actresses was arrested for serving as a minion to a cult that was committing sexual abuse. IIRC, there was heavy-handed liberal propaganda that turned up in the TV show too, certainly in the latter half. All that aside, interesting how even that replaced the American Way with "stuff". What does that tell about the Man of Steel's written beliefs? It doesn't clearly indicate whether he upholds positive values, that's for sure. Hmm, maybe they could've characterized him saying he upholds other "values I consider positive"? But, they didn't, and as a result, "stuff" comes off more like a joke, and hasn't aged well.

Months later, DC officially changed Superman’s motto to “truth, justice and a better tomorrow.” As DC publisher Jim Lee explained at the time, “Superman has long been a symbol of hope who inspires people from around the world, and it is that optimism and hope that powers him forward with this new mission statement.” This new mission statement plays on one of Superman’s nicknames: The Man of Tomorrow.

Here, it's entirely unmentioned that writer Tom Taylor was one of the main culprits, and a very far-left ideologue who forced LGBT propaganda upon the recently created Son of Kal-El, in the past several years. Not values that everyone around the world upholds. That aside, let's be clear. Of course it's great if and when many other people around the world who uphold tasteful values find Superman a creation to appreciate. But that doesn't mean the writers have to jettison and practically shun the American Way slogan just to make the point. And exploiting Superman's series just to serve as a platform for divisive political propaganda doesn't help. But now, look who the magazine quoted who supposedly does uphold the American Way, all for virtue-signaling:

“For me, it will always be ‘truth, justice, and the American way,’” says Brad Meltzer, a novelist and comic book author. “And I don’t think many people at DC will argue that with you. In fact, when I wrote [the children’s book] I Am Superman, I asked them if I could use ‘truth, justice and the American way.’ And everyone was completely lovely about it. In my humble opinion, I don’t think it’s as much of a fight as people keep insisting. It was just a way to add some more global accessibility. But right now, we need the ‘American way’ part—the hope, kindness and empathy that is at the core of the character—more than ever. Look around. We’re starving for Superman and his version of the American way. If you think the ‘American way’ part is about superiority, cruelty or dominance, you’re missing the whole point of Superman and comic books.”

It's disgusting how somebody quoted here who supposedly does uphold the slogan happens to be quite a leftist himself, an author who penned one of the most repellent "event" comics in DC's history, Identity Crisis, which trivialized sexual violence, and was a form of leftist political metaphor post-911. No doubt, their choice to turn to Meltzer was no accident, and quite possibly was intended to obscure his most reprehensible work. What exactly is so special about somebody like Meltzer that isn't so special about say, Mike Baron, or even the aforementioned Cain? Unfortunately, the Smithsonian's no different from most other left-wing press sources, and won't turn to a source you might not typically expect, to see what they may have to say in the slogan's favor.

That Meltzer was given the time of day they wouldn't give to somebody more conservative-leaning actually sours my milk on the new Superman movie even more. Again, I have no idea what it's box office receipts will be like, domestic or foreign. But one thing's clear. The woke obsession with building on the most tasteless leftist metaphors possible still prevails in Hollywood, and it's resulting in film productions that likely won't be discussed with much admiration in years to come, if they're even brought up at all.

Labels: dc comics, history, misogyny and racism, moonbat writers, msm propaganda, politics, Superman