InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "DO NOT WANT"

peur_evol (peur_evol) wrote in scans_daily,
@ 2009-04-30 04:22:00

Entry tags:

char: lois lane, char: superman/clark kent, creator: al plastino, creator: don cameron, era: golden age, publisher: dc comics, title: world's finest comics

THE UN-SUPERMAN

Nothing interesting happens in this YOUTUBE clip, but if you click play, it'll give you a soundtrack for reading this comic....

DC Comics’ Superman, the first comic book superhero, who was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster went through numerous incarnations over the years, always heroic, yet sometimes silly, as evidenced by this tale from WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #34, May 1948 by Don Cameron and Al Plastino:

TWELVE PAGES FROM A SEVENTY-TWO PAGE COMIC
only one-sixth of the issue

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icon_uk
2009-04-30 05:01 am UTC (link)

See, I MISS this kind of story. It's actually rather inspiring, in it's weird way, the guy really IS brave and noble, wven when he thinks he's powerless.

It's partly the reason why I like non-powered heroes (or marginally powered, as in my icon image. It's a fine and noble thing to be brave when you're invulnerable, it's a truly heroic thing to be brave when you're NOT.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

arilou_skiff
2009-04-30 05:25 am UTC (link)

I don't mind it... Occasionally.

But to make it special, I think the non-powered has to be beaten down a lot. If a non-powered can go toe-to-toe with a powered, the appeal of a non-powered character goes out the window, because it becomes no different than being a powered character, see what I mean?

In order for the Underdog factor to kick in, the underdog needs to actually be at a disadvantage, and shown that way.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

icon_uk
2009-04-30 05:51 am UTC (link)

It depends on how it's done of course, as in all such stories.

I have a fondness for the underdog being obviously physically outclassed, and having to use cunning/cleverness to take the threat down. (So instead of Superman pummelling the giant robot, Batman distracts it and dodges it's attacks just long enough for Robin to sneak up behind it and knock it's gyroscope out of whack)

Or as in Doug's case, whilst the New Mutants engage Warlock's dad Magus on a physical level, he's hacking into Magus' systems via a back door and attacking the core programming, which is not an assault Magus would ever have expected.

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	jlbarnett 2009-04-30 06:42 am UTC (link)
	they actually did a Batman story like this a few years ago. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	tacobob 2009-04-30 07:59 am UTC (link)
	I always hated comics where Superman lost his powers. Even without his powers, he could break a guy in half, I mean, look at him. He's massive! (Reply to this)

	mysteryfan 2009-04-30 11:28 am UTC (link)
	Kind of a weird thing to notice, but I really like the font in this. I especially noticed in the text box in the middle of page 5. (Reply to this)

	seriousfic 2009-04-30 11:53 am UTC (link)
	Lois: ?? T-two Supermen!! No, Lois, they won't make out for you. (Reply to this)

	aaron_bourque 2009-04-30 01:12 pm UTC (link)
	Anyone remember the "unsuper" Batman from that issue of (I think) Gotham Knights? (Reply to this)

	bluejaybirdie 2009-04-30 03:19 pm UTC (link)
	From now on, I'm going to read all Superman comics to that score. Totally enhances the experience. I love the guys madly proclaiming that they're fascists, and wish for world hatred! It's quite amusing. (Reply to this)

psychop_rex
2009-05-02 02:32 am UTC (link)

To my mind, it's a travesty that this era of Superman doesn't get more play, because as far as I'm concerned, this is much more the definitive 'classic' version of him than the Silver Age version ever was.
I mean, the whole reason Superman is the definitive hero that he is is because he's HEROIC, not simply because he has superpowers. 'Truth, justice and the American way', right? What does the Silver Age Supes do that's heroic? Sure, he saves people every now and then, but most of his stories involve him A: teaching somebody a 'lesson' using his powers, B: having his powers taken away/changed/transmuted/whatever, or C: being transformed in some thoroughly random way that involves Kryptonite and, usually, his powers. They're not stories about heroism - they're stories about a guy with superpowers and how he messes around with his supporting cast.
Compare that to this story. This story involves one of the Weisinger era's trademarks - Superman getting his powers 'taken away' - but look how differently it uses it! The Weisinger version would feature the real Superman, and would primarily be about how he managed to keep up the charade of having superpowers until eventually they returned, so he wouldn't be killed by crooks - in short, a story about superpowers. THIS story, on the other hand, is about heroism, first and foremost. When 'Superman' realizes that he has 'lost' his powers, his first reaction is dismay, yes ("I'm through! Finished! Washed up!"), but the second, upon realizing that there is dirty work afoot, is to resolve to fight crime anyway - even at the cost of his life. In short, this ordinary guy is so inspired by Superman's example (what he thinks is his own example) that he basically decides to KILL HIMSELF RATHER THAN SOIL HIS HEROIC LEGACY! In short, 'I am a hero, and a hero saves lives - even if it means the loss of my own.'
Now, I ask you, what could be more heroic than that? Superman is presented here not merely as a superhero, but as a shining ideal to live up to. There's no hint of snarkiness or mean-spiritedness, no trace of irony - without the genuine Superman's last-minute intervention, that man really would have died, and he would have died a hero. Any Superman who can inspire that sort of bravery is the 'classic' version as far as I'm concerned.

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	philippos42 2009-05-03 01:04 am UTC (link)
	Yeah, Siegel & Schuster really were far better than the editors that replaced them. This is good stuff. (Reply to this) (Parent)