Hey! His Spit Curl's Gone! And the Changes Don't End There for Superman.

Superman is going spit curl-less this September.



There’s been a lot of talk about the changes in store for Superman once DC relaunches its entire superhero line of comic books come September. But I just realized something: Big Blue’s spit curl is gone!

This makes me kind of happy. I’m racking my brain trying to think of the last time a spit curl on a man was in fashion. Maybe on a baby, but not on a man. And definitely not a Superman.

Action Comics #1

Today DC released the actual cover to Action Comics #1 (left) and it’s clearer image of Superman’s tester costume—a hybrid of the classic costume and the pre-relaunch Superboy's. Additionally, DC (via it’s blog) has let the Streaky out of the bag by divulging some of the secrets behind the new Superman’s character and make-up:

This Superman is very much an alien, one struggling to adjust to his adopted home. In the series, he must come to terms with both the loss of his home world, as well as the loss of both of his adopted parents. He is more Kal-El from the planet Krypton than Clark Kent from Kansas. He’s a loner trying to find his place in the world.

This is key in presenting a sincerely new perspective for this character who has, for the most part, identified with his human upbringing. I am excited what Morrison has in store for Superman—especially for the unexpected. I expect the scribe’s take will challenge our preconceived ideas of who Superman is while still presenting a character who readers can believe is the world’s greatest hero.

The series’ first storyline will explore the origins of Superman’s costume, as it evolves from a look that includes jeans and work boots to a new look: a suit of battle armor that pays tribute to his Kryptonian past.

This might seem like a small detail. But it really isn’t. Firstly, it shows how close his ties to his alien culture are. But it also serves to show that the guy is going to inspire a whole world of costumed heroes—down to their primary-colored duds.

His great powers have limits. When the series begins, Superman can leap tall buildings, but his ability to fly is in its infancy.

Again, we go back to something John Byrne attempted to establish when he re-imagined the Man of Steel back in 1986. By depowering him somewhat, writers aren’t at a loss to create interesting challenges for the hero. He should be strong—even the strongest of the heroes—but he doesn’t have to have the power to rearrange the cosmos.

Clark Kent is single and living on his own. He has never been married.

Lois Lane is dating a colleague at the DAILY PLANET (and his name isn’t Clark Kent) and she has a new position with the paper.

I would say, hold off on this relationship for a while. I love Lois Lane the character, but I think it will be interesting to see Clark and Lois’s relationship—good, bad or otherwise—develop as relationships do. It was never love at first site, for Lois at least, so let’s just let this thing breath and grow organically. This also leaves Superman open for some super-dating (as has been rumored).

In about a month and a half we’ll get our complete taste of what Morrison and DC have in store for Earth’s most popular super hero when Action Comics #1 is released on September 7^th.