Action Comics #9 Preview/Eventual Discussion

[DarkKnghtJared]

All I'm thinking is his identity must be public knowledge because there is no way that he could pull a glasses as a disguise when he's the president of the US. The general public doesn't know who Clark Kent is and he isn't a nationwide figure, so they wouldn't put the two together. Black Clark/Superman as president and no one is supposed to know they're one and the same? Yeah, right.

In Final Crisis, it seemed like a secret identity--but then he had his own version of Brainiac as an AI controlling the White House, so that might be what helps keep the identity secret.

[misslane38]

In Final Crisis, it seemed like a secret identity--but then he had his own version of Brainiac as an AI controlling the White House, so that might be what helps keep the identity secret.

Putting myself in the position of an American citizen in this universe (or really any universe), it would not be legal or acceptable for the President of the United States to be elected and to perform his executive duties while lying to the American public about his true identity and his interactions with alien lifeforms. If Superman is going to be POTUS, then he has to be upfront with the American people about everything that may be relevant to national security so they can make an informed decision about the future of their country.

[direction9]

hey let's keep trying to apply real world standards to our superhero universes and make sure everyone is acting "realistically"

[misslane38]

hey let's keep trying to apply real world standards to our superhero universes and make sure everyone is acting "realistically"

There has to be some measure of realism in any sci-fi narrative in order for it to be taken seriously. You can't throw out all of the rules just because of the genre. If I am going to be asked to accept this AU Superman is a Superman AND a President of the United States who believes in truth, justice, and the American way, then he better live up to those ideals.

[MythicBrawn]

There has to be some measure of realism in any sci-fi narrative in order for it to be taken seriously. You can't throw out all of the rules just because of the genre. If I am going to be asked to accept this AU Superman is a Superman AND a President of the United States who believes in truth, justice, and the American way, then he better live up to those ideals.

Absolutely agree with this. I can suspend disbelief to a certain point before I have to call out the ridiculousness of it. The public not recognizing that the POTUS and Superman are one and the same is ridiculous when his only disguise is glasses and acting. And, from the story, it doesn't look like he's wearing glasses. Unless he's doing something else to hide his identity or its public knowledge that the POTUS and Superman are one and the same, then I'm saying it's too absurd to the nth degree.

[adkal]

It may be a similar situation as to what occurred in the Action Comics Annual tie in to Armageddon 2001.

[DarkKnghtJared]

Putting myself in the position of an American citizen in this universe (or really any universe), it would not be legal or acceptable for the President of the United States to be elected and to perform his executive duties while lying to the American public about his true identity and his interactions with alien lifeforms. If Superman is going to be POTUS, then he has to be upfront with the American people about everything that may be relevant to national security so they can make an informed decision about the future of their country.

A President of the United States lying to the American people? GASP! That's NEVER happened before!

[misslane38]

A President of the United States lying to the American people? GASP! That's NEVER happened before!

I expect that behavior from bad Presidents. We don't hold those Presidents who lie to the American people in very high esteem, do we? I would imagine one would prefer Superman as President would, you know, be better than that. But, yeah, what do I know? I'm SO naive.

[DarkKnghtJared]

I expect that behavior from bad Presidents. We don't hold those Presidents who lie to the American people in very high esteem, do we? I would imagine one would prefer Superman as President would, you know, be better than that. But, yeah, what do I know? I'm SO naive.

Oh, I agree--I think the problem is that the role of President pretty much only attracts those who want to abuse that power. It's possible that Morrison could write it that this version of Superman sees that and tries to fix that by running himself while using his Brainiac AI to help cover his tracks and keep both his public lives separate.

[Space_Butler]

I expect that behavior from bad Presidents. We don't hold those Presidents who lie to the American people in very high esteem, do we? I would imagine one would prefer Superman as President would, you know, be better than that. But, yeah, what do I know? I'm SO naive.

So when Superman lies to his closest friends and loved ones, that's acceptable, but because he has a specific job, disguising a fact that would make the White House (and the United States' role in global politics) an even bigger target makes him a reprehensible liar?

*checks who wrote the post*

Oh, right. I forgot that you have unreasonable expectations from subjective interpretations that you project into characters despite no textual/literary facts to support it.

[Jake V]

Putting myself in the position of an American citizen in this universe (or really any universe), it would not be legal or acceptable for the President of the United States to be elected and to perform his executive duties while lying to the American public about his true identity and his interactions with alien lifeforms. If Superman is going to be POTUS, then he has to be upfront with the American people about everything that may be relevant to national security so they can make an informed decision about the future of their country.

Well it's a good thing this is set in Earth 23 instead of this one.

[misslane38]

So when Superman lies to his closest friends and loved ones, that's acceptable, but because he has a specific job, disguising a fact that would make the White House (and the United States' role in global politics) an even bigger target makes him a reprehensible liar?

*checks who wrote the post*

Oh, right. I forgot that you have unreasonable expectations from subjective interpretations that you project into characters despite no textual/literary facts to support it.

It is illegal to lie to the American people, especially about the fact that one is not a natural born citizen of the United States. It's not illegal to lie to your friends and loved ones. If Superman wants to be POTUS and being POTUS and Superman puts the country at risk, then the American people have a right to vote on whether or not they want to take on that risk. If the public does not want to take on the risk, then Superman won't become POTUS and the USA wouldn't be a big target. Superman also has the option to NOT run for office because he recognizes the problems and risks associated with it. He doesn't have to be the President. So, with that in mind, I don't believe I'm being unreasonable.

Well it's a good thing this is set in Earth 23 instead of this one.

Sure, it's just fantastic that Earth-23 may have a Superman/POTUS who makes a mockery of the U.S. Constitution even though he allegedly believes in truth, justice, and the American way. Can you honestly tell me that the American people wouldn't have a right to know their President is not only an alien, but also a hero who frequently puts himself in harm's way? Do you suppose the international community might take issue with the fact that the USA has a one man army as its Commander-in-Chief? That's too much power vested in one person and people have a right to know for who they are electing to hold so much power. If Earth-23 is set to have a Superman/POTUS, then one either has to accept that he is indifferent to these concerns or understands them so well he's decided to make his dual identity public. I truly hope it's the latter.

[direction9]

There has to be some measure of realism in any sci-fi narrative in order for it to be taken seriously. You can't throw out all of the rules just because of the genre. If I am going to be asked to accept this AU Superman is a Superman AND a President of the United States who believes in truth, justice, and the American way, then he better live up to those ideals.

no dude, the rules we're discussing are absolutely on the list of ones to throw right the hell out
by the way, whether or not he'll live up to said ideals isn't in doubt or even under discussion

[Mulett]

I haven't read this yet, but it seems a bit strange that - just before the launch of Earth 2 and Worlds' Finest - we're visiting another parallel Earth. Seems to take steal their thunder, a little.

[adkal]

I'm sticking with the:

- law was changed, ala Demolition Man

and

- upfront, ala Action Comics Annual 3