What makes Superman one of the most popular heroes?

[mohammedali]

What makes Superman one of the most popular heroes?

I had a few ideas of what it could be:
- His history of being one of the oldest super heroes around.
- Because he's had movies about him.
- His extreme abilities in almost everything.
- Clark Kent, and the person that he his.
- His personality and morality.

What do you think it is, and why. Is it one of the above, or another reason all together?

[Zacharius]

- His history of being one of the oldest super heroes around.

Certainly helps.

- His personality and morality.

This has changed somewhat along the years.

GA Superman was an anarchist

WW2 Superman was a patriot.

Then came the citizen of the world Superman ("You are hereby granted the honorary citizenship of every nation which is a part of UN").He was still Superman first and Clark Kent second.

Next came John Byrne-Marvelised Superman.

I suppose there are other versions but this is a start.

Check out this article:

http://baronofdeseret.typepad.com/baronblog/movie/superman.html

It seems that what makes Superman special is not values but ABILITY TO FLY.

Without it he is just modern Hercules with a costume.

[Powerboy]

I think there are lots of reasons for his appeal. As others have said, he's the type of character we are attracted to when we are very young. I think he attracts certain types of personalities more than others but he's the original super hero and the one that perhaps best represents the heroic ideals. If comic book characters are the modern mythology, then he is Heracles and Gilgamesh, etc. He is the foundation myths are built upon, so to speak.

[mattx110]

He has a cape and an easy-to-spot logo.

That's it.
The powers and the spitcurl and the clark kent glasses are all bonus.

[Lord of Denial]

To me Superman has always been the ultimate lesson in humanity. He shows use that DNA does not define who we are. Here is this child of a dead world who was found and raised by loving, honest, hard working people and he became an shining example of what is best in us if only we look deep enough and refuse to be anything less.

Other heroes have reasons for being a hero whether it was Batman's parents being shot and killed or Peter Parkers letting a mugger go free and his uncle died because of it. Superman is a hero simply because he was taught if you have the means to change the world for the better who have the responsibility to to so. Superman is a hero for no other reason then it is right.

Also he is the original the blueprint on which all other superheroes are built. Batman owes his creation to Superman simply because DC wanted something the polar opposite to offer the masses. Stan Lee's creation of Spider-Man draws greatly from The Man of Steel. His costumes color scheme and where he works and the glasses he wears and even the evolution of his romance with his greatest lady love.

If you think of the world of superhero comics as a spider web all strands of that web come back to one place and one hero. Action comics #1 and Superman. That is the birthplace and he is the father of it all.

[Iroquois]

Superman is a hero for no other reason then it is right.
Largely, yes, but not just because of that. A quite big (and very in-character to neglect) part of why he's doing it is that he wants to be part of Earth. He needs the love of Metropolis and the world to feel less lonely.

Just pointing it out.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

What makes Superman one of the most popular heroes?

I had a few ideas of what it could be:
- His history of being one of the oldest super heroes around.
- Because he's had movies about him.
- His extreme abilities in almost everything.
- Clark Kent, and the person that he his.
- His personality and morality.

What do you think it is, and why. Is it one of the above, or another reason all together?

There are several reasons. Besides him being the first Superhero, and being the spark that initiated the whole Superhero genre (like Alex Luthor said in Infinite Crisis: EVERYTHING comes from Superman), he's a worldwide icon of truth, justice, hope, inspiration and good. He's a christ-like figure and, just like Powerboy pointed out, myths are built upon him.

There's also his vast array of powers, being the most recognized his ability to fly. The other thing is that he's a messianic figure of sorts, with books and essays delving into the subject.

And there's the fact that he's the ultimate immigrant, and that he saves people because it's the right thing to do. He could dominate this planet if he wanted to, but due to his upbringing, he chose to help others. He's the ultimate hero, and the inspiration not only for all of the other Superheroes, but for each one of us as well.

[Powerboy]

Nice posts, Lord of Denial, Iriquios (spelling?) and Master of Puppets. That point about him needing to fit in and be less lonely was indeed a seldom brought up and good point Iriquios.

[Lord of Denial]

Largely, yes, but not just because of that. A quite big (and very in-character to neglect) part of why he's doing it is that he wants to be part of Earth. He needs the love of Metropolis and the world to feel less lonely.

Just pointing it out.

I wish you would put it into context as this makes him sound emo and like he is an attention starved glory hound.

[IRONY...]

his red underwear?

[Lord of Denial]

his red underwear?

Does nothing for me but if that floats your boat who am I to judge.