Is Superman popular outside of America?

[Berserk]

I know this question has probably been asked before on these forums, but it's something I've never really thought about until now. I always took it for granted that most people in the world know about superman, as in his story and have seen some of his movies, shows, or read some of his comics. But, considering that he's largely an American hero, it would seem weird for people in other countries, especially countries whose governments dislike America, to know and care about him. Then again, American films dominate foreign markets, so many people from other countries must have watched his films. Do people in Germany, France, Russia, England, Australia, and other parts of the world care about Superman as much as Americans do?

[Will.S]

I don't know if outside countries care about the character any more than your average joe in America does unless they were real fans. But I'm pretty sure he's the most well known superhero in the world so he's as popular as they come.

I'm guessing that the longevity of the character, the movies, and the merchandising have kept him in the public eye enough to become well known to other cultures.

[beetheb]

I think, historically, Supes has been extremely well-known around the world. His "S" shield is one of the most iconic, instantly recognizable siguls there is, right up there with the "Peace" sign, the Swastika and the Crucifix.

That said, at the current time, I think Spidey may have overtaken Supes for worldwide popularity. His movies have been some of the biggest of the decade, and almost singlehandedly inspired this gigantic surge in comic-movies. Also his merchandising is off the charts. Even if a kid in Pakistan hasn't seen Spider-Man 3, there's still a pretty good chance he's gotten his hands on some Spidey merch of some kind.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

I remember seeing comics in Chinese which involved Batman, Superman, and Ultraman.

[dancj]

Ultraman? The one from Earth 3?

[dupersuper]

I'm in Canada and I'm a huge Supes fan. I know the immigrant angle makes him an American icon, but overall I think the idea of Superman is universal

[Darth Joker]

I'm in Canada and I'm a huge Supes fan. I know the immigrant angle makes him an American icon, but overall I think the idea of Superman is universal

Ditto. I'm Canadian, and Supes is one of my top 10 favourite fictional characters.

[fudgekp]

Yeah, he's still a pretty big character in England.

Mind you, all the comic book stores near me are EXTREMELY Marvel Friendly, so there's not much DC near me, but yeah, Supes is a pretty big deal in England.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Take it from me: He is popular outside of the US.

I disagree about him being a largely american hero, though. I mean, I know his background, origins and whatnot, but he's become so much more than that. He represents an ideal that's not exclusive to the US, but to the entire planet.

I live in South America, and he's easily the most recognized fictional character around here. AND my favorite.

He's the freaking king of kings. :D

[Shadi]

I've always liked him. I also know a few fellow fans here to whom Superman is the all time favorite character.

Come to think about it, I also see people wearing S-shield t shirts sometimes.

[riddler]

i live in england and iam a big fan of comics and most of all superman

[cactusmaac]

There isn't any other superhero who remotely comes close to Superman in terms of how many people know of him worldwide.

[nightwing892001]

Yes,he is.I am from India and grew up reading Batman and Superman.I simply idiolize these two.

[Dark Ben]

I'm french and I think I can talk for the rest of france, though France is more marvel (we haven't got any dc comics books for about 15 years) super man is still a well known and liked hero, for a time his comics (which we got in an athology form) was the best selling french comic book and even before the superman returns, yesterday I was at a dvd shop and there was about 20 different comics of superman (in a dvd shop lol) and about 3 o 4 different edition of the dvds so yes he's quite popular

[666MasterOfPuppets]

There isn't any other superhero who remotely comes close to Superman in terms of how many people know of him worldwide.

I wholeheartedly agree. \S/ :D

[Iroquois]

Over here people know Superman, but usually don't like him. So, depends on your definition of "popular".

[BYC]

Superman's story is one that translate well to anybody, IMO.

He's an outsider that has been accepted and loved by the natives. He is taught right from wrong. He discovers great power, and because of the love he's received, he uses those powers for the good of all. In service to the world (both as his real self, and his disguise), he finds success, friends, happiness, and love.

What's not to like?

[Pete26]

In fact my 17 Year old son is wearing a shirt with Supes saying "Be cool stay in school".:)

He is a universal icon.


cheers

Peter

[dreyga2000]

Over here people know Superman, but usually don't like him. So, depends on your definition of "popular".

Just wondering where is "here" exaclty??

[Stony]

He sure is!

[DayWing]

In Malaysia, yeah he is sort of popular whenever there is a show or movie about him. Thanks to Smallville and Superman returns, he has remained a household name throughout the 2000s. But I think he was also really popular in the 90s after the whole Return of Superman media display and mainly the Lois and Clark series.

The Justice League cartoons have also revived interest in Superman among the new generation, I know I am keeping my nephew interested in him and other heroes I like.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I was stationed in Latin America for several years. Superman and most comic book heros were quite popular, but mainly from TV and movies, not so much comic books. They showed Smallville down there subtitled and the Justice League cartoons. I also saw Batman Begins there on the same day it premiered in the US (as well as Star Wars Episode III).

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

deleted....

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I was stationed in Latin America for several years. Superman and most comic book heros were quite popular, but mainly from TV and movies, not so much comic books. They showed Smallville down there subtitled and the Justice League cartoons. I also saw Batman Begins there on the same day it premiered in the US (as well as Star Wars Episode III).

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I was stationed in Latin America for several years. Superman and most comic book heros were quite popular, but mainly from TV and movies, not so much comic books. They showed Smallville down there subtitled and the Justice League cartoons. I also saw Batman Begins there on the same day it premiered in the US (as well as Star Wars Episode III).

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I was stationed in Latin America for several years. Superman and most comic book heros were quite popular, but mainly from TV and movies, not so much comic books. They showed Smallville down there subtitled and the Justice League cartoons. I also saw Batman Begins there on the same day it premiered in the US (as well as Star Wars Episode III).

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I was stationed in Latin America for several years. Superman and most comic book heros were quite popular, but mainly from TV and movies, not so much comic books. They showed Smallville down there subtitled and the Justice League cartoons. I also saw Batman Begins there on the same day it premiered in the US (as well as Star Wars Episode III).

[Dark Ben]

In fact my 17 Year old son is wearing a shirt with Supes saying "Be cool stay in school".:)

He is a universal icon.


cheers

Peter

My 14 year old sister as well except there's no "be cool stay at school"

[nuclearman]

In fact my 17 Year old son is wearing a shirt with Supes saying "Be cool stay in school".:)

He is a universal icon.


cheers

Peter


... In australia as well ... one of the most popular t-shirts is the big S on the front ... we're all supermen down here.

..he is universally popular.

[Omega Alpha]

Yeah, he's pretty popular here in Brazil. I'm sure if you talk to pretty much anyone on the street about Superman, they will know who you're talking about.

[comicola]

Superman is popular in many english speaking countries in europe. Just like they listen to american music. The difference is, there seems more kids reading them and much fewer adults. They just haven't had these as long as we have.

[vazel]

When I vacationed in Mexico when I was a kid of course everyone in the world knows who Superman is but he didn't seem as popular down there as he does up here although the true indication of how popular something is is how much the franchise has made in the country(tv show ratings, movie box office gross, merchandise sales). All the kids down there were crazy for Dragonball, Dragonball Z, and Sailor Moon(the voice acting for those series was really good in spanish). There was Dragonball stuff everywhere.

[Radioactive Zombie]

Take it from me: He is popular outside of the US.

I disagree about him being a largely american hero, though. I mean, I know his background, origins and whatnot, but he's become so much more than that. He represents an ideal that's not exclusive to the US, but to the entire planet.

I live in South America, and he's easily the most recognized fictional character around here. AND my favorite.

He's the freaking king of kings. :D

Aye, but when he was created, he represented American strength - back in the day, everything was patriotic. Nowadays, it's the opposite, but he's still widely known - when I visited my family in the Philippines, there's still Superman merchandise everywhere. Pretty sure it's partly due to Smallville, too.

Not sure about the other countries in the Sinosphere.

[Joe Franklin]

Ultraman? The one from Earth 3?

Nope. This guy.

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/1012152816016082805lHwFouqvxf

[jchichuv]

well im from Mexico and superman is very popular but not alot of people read comics or know al the different eras of superman, most people know him for smallville or the movies, and this aint gonna change in a while cause getting superman comics its hard and expensive, a normal issue of superman is like 5 or 6 dlls. and they're like one year behind the us comics. and another problem is that the publishers don't make a lot of publicity on new comics and stuff like that

[dancj]

Nope. This guy.

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/1012152816016082805lHwFouqvxf

Ah - I saw a lot of toys of that character when I went to Thailand last year.

[md62]

We have hosted exchange students from Japan & we also spent a month in Japan visiting some of them. The American super heroes that they know & wanted to read are Superman - Batman - Spider-Man & X-Men. Although one student liked the Top Cow Tomb Raider comics...

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Aye, but when he was created, he represented American strength - back in the day, everything was patriotic. Nowadays, it's the opposite, but he's still widely known - when I visited my family in the Philippines, there's still Superman merchandise everywhere. Pretty sure it's partly due to Smallville, too.

Not sure about the other countries in the Sinosphere.

Exactly. When he was created, he represented the feelings of Americans at that moment of history. Now, he represents an universal feeling of hope, power, compassion, truth and justice.

Nope. This guy.

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/1012152816016082805lHwFouqvxf

I loved that series.