Is Superman overrated?

[Self-DCeit]

Docha and I weren't talking about his abilites, Coyote. Just the stories he's been in and, by extension, how the character is regarded.

[Coyote2010]

Docha and I weren't talking about his abilites, Coyote. Just the stories he's been in and, by extension, how the character is regarded.

Me too! The perfect man who never does anything wrong is a Pre crisis idea but when you compare it to post crisis comics, superman seems less assured... The Flash stuff is in reference to earlier in the thread where it seems to be assumed that Superman can move just under light speed and instances where he has are regarded as mistakes. That was never an issue Pre crisis.

[Self-DCeit]

I hear ya, but I still think we're discussing two different things here. My issue is that I love the character of Superman and will gladly sing his praises, but most of the stories he's been in for the last (far too many) couple of years don't do justice to how I regard the character. I don't really feel there are that many Superman TPBs I can give to a friend and say "here, read this: It's a great comic starring Superman" (something that can be enjoyed by people who like comics) as opposed to "here's a great comic about Superman" (which will probably only be enjoyed by people who like Superman).

Hence, I am overrating him and he is overrated by me, to answer the OP's question. This brings me no satisfaction, mind you; quite the opposite.

[The Duke]

Superman as a character is not even close to being overrated. His writers for a large, large chunk of the last 25 years has been (John Byrne was the last guy who "got" Superman) monstrously overrated.

Superman's writers made me hate Beef Bourguignon.

[Coyote2010]

Superman as a character is not even close to being overrated. His writers for a large, large chunk of the last 25 years has been (John Byrne was the last guy who "got" Superman) monstrously overrated.

Superman's writers made me hate Beef Bourguignon.

I don't agree, I think Busieks Superman is a more comprehensive vision of the character than Byrne. I feel like Byrne stressed the Peter Parker aspect of Superman at the sacrifice of all else. Morrison, Busiek, Waid, Millar, and then Byrne in my book.

[Superlad93]

I don't agree, I think Busieks Superman is a more comprehensive vision of the character than Byrne. I feel like Byrne stressed the Peter Parker aspect of Superman at the sacrifice of all else. Morrison, Busiek, Waid, Millar, and then Byrne in my book.

Add in Lobdell before Bryne also.

[Blue_Beetle]

Superman is and will always be the greatest superhero. He's not my favorite (but probably top 5 for me) but he deserves the respect and should be treated as the hero of all heroes.

[OldSchoolfan]

A lot of posters have already said it, if anything, he is underrated. A lot of people won't even give him a chance because of mis-perceptions. It is the one good thing that came out of the Grant Morrison run on Action, a lot of people read Superman who wouldn't have otherwise. I don't know if they will stick around, but I have the impression that in future years they might be more inclined to pick up the book, or Superman, if the character had any impact on them at all.

I enjoy a good Batman story, but so much depends on him knowing everything that for me it bends my suspension of belief more than accepting the fact that Superman is a sun powered alien who is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings with a single bound! Batman has the pretense of reality, even though it is no more real than Superman, Superman stories are upfront about it.

[dupersuper]

Superman as a character is not even close to being overrated. His writers for a large, large chunk of the last 25 years has been (John Byrne was the last guy who "got" Superman) monstrously overrated.

Superman's writers made me hate Beef Bourguignon.

Byrne gets Superman more than Stern, Jurgens, Kelley, Morrison, Waid, Busiek...seriously?