Warning: Spoilers for Superman: Son of Kal-El #4, on sale now from DC Comics.
Zack Snyder’s Superman as played by Henry Cavill didn’t start on the right foot on the DC Universe. Many fans saw him as too cold and detached as compared to Marvel’s Captain America and other characters. It took Snyder’s Superman to come into his more compassionate element. It wasn’t until Justice League when we see Superman more evolved as a superhero.
However, Superman: Son of Kal-El #4 has now introduced a new Superman and he answers Snyder’s biggest criticism.
Snyder’s Superman and The Criticism Surrounding
Since Kal-El was always far away from his heritage and identity, he didn’t really know how to be a virtuous hero. In fact, it feels like he didn’t want to come off as a savior and hence people bashed him for destroying Metropolis in his fight against Zod.
Similar things happened in Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice where we see experienced Kal-El as more detached from people he saved. He came off almost god-like as evidenced by the scene in which people he rescued try to touch him while he has no interest in them. Also, in the scene where he saves people from flood, he flies above looking ethereal. Scenes like these felt against the actual iconic DC Superman. It wasn’t until Justice League that Superman smiled and came into his element.
How Son of Kal-El Answers This Criticism?
The first four issues of Superman: Son of Kal-El show Jon Kent as completely opposite. Written by Tom Taylor, John Timms Daniele Di Nicuolo, Gabe Etalb, and Dave Sharpe, the new comic shows Jon Kent as a more compassionate and people’s superhero.
When he saves post-humans such as the fire-starter and earth-quaking Faultline, he shows a more caring attitude. He even hugs the firestarter showing empathy. So far, the new Superman has faced his fair share of challenges. He has saved animals from falling buildings and positively interacted with the people he saved. When he saves the Gamorran refugees and refuses to leave them to authorities, his caring and compassionate attitude is highlighted.
The new Superman shows love to people he saves. In fact, he even gets arrested while participating in a protest. He doesn’t have the ego as associated with Snyder’s Superman. He comes less as Man of Steel but a true Man of Tomorrow. This Superman has a heart and he is not afraid to show it.
Source: CBR.com
