DC BEGINS: Superman

If DC Comics is going to start new or fresh it all has to begin with Superman.

There is a lot of ways to go and telling Superman’s origin is something fans love to read.

However there have been so many published over the last few years I really don’t think it needs to be retold again in great detail.

I think the first few pages of All Star Superman is really all any reader needs.

Superman is the perfect character, (no really he is) he’s the kind of superhero that allows for stories in either epic space operas settings or simple stories that take place in the streets of Metropolis.

He can be in the future with the Legion of Superheroes or helping his Pa out in the fields on his family’s farm.

But the Man of Steel has a lot of problems. Often, reading his stories it feels like he’s trapped in a BOX with no way out.

Here are some ideas that may allow Superman to fly free to tell some great stories.

Give Superman some mystery to him. Sure the readers know Superman’s history in and out but that doesn’t mean Superman has to or the WHOLE world for that matter.

In the comics the only thing the average Joe doesn’t know about Superman is that he grew up as Clark Kent…other than that everything else is common knowledge. Krypton, Kryptonite, the sun being the source of his powers, his Fortress of Solitude, growing up here on Earth…just about everything.

Why not keep some of those things a secret.

Superman also has a vast knowledge of his heritage, thanks to the gifts left to him by his father Jor-EL.

Why not get rid of those too…make Superman’s journey of discovery one of the major subplots in his title(s).

Also I would not play with so many other super characters. I would only keep Supergirl, Bizarro, and three criminals from the Phantom Zone…I don’t think we need The Eradicator and as much as I love Power Girl it’s hard to think of her and Supergirl being in the same Universe.

As for Clark Kent, I would make him shy but intelligent. Play up his love for writing and his eagerness to discover something new. He grew up on a farm in a town called Smallville. He’s also a super powered alien. So I can understand why someone like that who moved to the big city would be a little quiet and awkward.

I would also make Clark Kent attractive, he’s got a super human body, blue eyes, dark hair and is a top writer working for the Daily Planet. I don’t think he would be chasing Lois Lane, women would be running over themselves to get their hands on ol' Clarkie.

Which brings up the biggest change I would make.

Supes should be single. We know in the end Lois and Superman will be together forever but being married isn’t exciting.  Dating or courting is fun, it feels young and it brings up emotions we can all relate too.

Plus through in some Cat Grant or Lana Lang flirting in there and it creates great character tension.

Superman should always been seen as an image of justice. He shouldn’t be a celebrity. If the town of Avon in Massachusetts wants to give Superman the key to the city….he shouldn’t show up. The world should always think Superman is out there helping people.

Superman’s villains for that matter should be the worst of the worst. I don’t think that means we have to get rid of the Toy Man, but if someone is going to write the Toy Man he should be worse than anything James Bond or Batman could imagine. Also villains like Mongol and Brainiac should be in the same league as Galactus. Their mere mention should cause shivers. If the JLA sees Brainiac they call Superman.

Nothing here is a drastic change. Superman has been here before. I just think these updates would help make Superman a more exciting character.

Rumor has it that DC might start all (or many) of their books over at issue #1. "DC Begins" is our take on the biggest and brightest of the DCU.