Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship: “Truth, Justice, the American Way– It’s Just Not Enough Anymore”

Although he’s literally an alien immigrant, hailing as he does from the planet Krypton, for more than 70 years few pop culture icons evoke a more American image than Superman. Since he first appeared in Action Comics, the Man of Steel has stood for “Truth, justice and the American way.”

No more.

In the record-breaking 900th issue of Action Comics, Superman decides to renounce his American citizenship. According to Comics Alliance, the stunning decision comes after he flew to Iran to stand with demonstrators protesting that country’s repressive regime. This enrages Iranian leaders, who see Superman’s act of solidarity as an expression of official US policy and an act of war.

In response, Superman declares “I intend to speak before the United Nations tomorrow and inform them that I am renouncing my US citizenship. I’m tired of having my actions construed as instruments of US policy.”

“Truth, justice, the American way– it’s not enough anymore,” he says.

The Man of Steel’s shocker has set of a predictable shit storm among the usual reactionary circles. “Besides being riddled with a blatant lack of patriotism, and respect for our country, Superman’s current creators are belittling the United States as a whole. By denouncing his citizenship, Superman becomes an eerie metaphor for the current economic and power status the country holds worldwide,” GOP activist and Hollywood publicist (now there’s something you don’t see every day) Angie Meyer told Fox411.

Some questioned whether or not Superman was ever American. A visitor to blowhard Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin’s blog asks: “Was Superman ever actually a US citizen anyway? Did those two old folks ever really make it legal? Picking a baby up out of a space capsule doesn’t qualify that person as a citizen. Super Obama has pretty much the same issue…”

Good thing Superman has given up being American, because it would have only been a matter of time before right-wingers were hounding him over his birth certificate!

The reaction was, of course, more optimistic on the other side of the ideological spectrum. “Superman has always been bigger than the United States,” writes Wired blogger Scott Thill. “In an age fire with immigration paranoia, it’s refreshing to see an alien refugee tell the United States that it’s as important to him as any other country on Earth– which, in turn, is as important to Superman as any other planet in the multiverse. The genius of Superman is that he belongs to everyone, for the dual purposes of peace and protection. He’s above ephemeral geopolitics and nationalistic concerns, a universal agent unlike any other found in pop culture.”

In a statement, DC Comics co-publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio said: “Superman is a visitor from a distant planet who has long embraced American values. As a character and an icon, he embodies the best of the American way.” While the Man of Steel will now “put a global focus on his never-ending battle, he remains, as always, committed to his adopted home and his roots as a Kansas farm boy from Smallville.”

As numerous media outlets have reported, this isn’t the first time an iconic American superhero has distanced himself from the United States. Back in the day, a disillusioned Captain America ditched his star-spangled suit and shield and renounced his patriotic identity during the Watergate scandal that led to President Nixon’s 1974 resignation.

What do you think about Superman’s shocking announcement?

 

 

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