Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow are goals that all people should strive for. Goals which one of the greatest comic book characters of all time has represented since his creation. It makes sense that a character created by two Jewish people during WW2, Jerry Siegel (writer) and Joe Shuster (artist), would symbolize this message. During a time when hope was in short supply, what’s better than a character who symbolized not only the “Promise of Tomorrow” but also the experience of a Jewish person fleeing from destruction out of their control and trying to find normalcy in a place so incredibly alien to them? This character, created in 1933 and appearing in Action Comics #1 published in April 1938, is, of course, Superman–otherwise known as “The Man of Tomorrow”.
Of course, the “original” phrase is “Truth, Justice, and the American Way”. However, in Action Comics #1 “The American Way” is not said only “Truth and Justice”. It was added by a radio show in the 1940s when America wasn’t doing well in the war. The 50’s Superman cartoon further popularized it and was finally said by Superman in the classic 1978 Christopher Reeve movie. In recent years comics have moved away from this phrase, to show that Superman is a hero not just for America but for everyone. “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow” allows all people to connect to Superman on a deeper level.
However, in recent decades Superman has been labeled as “boring”. He has been thought of as a one-note character who is too powerful and perfect to be interesting or relatable. To that I say, so what? So what if he’s the most powerful comic character, to that point where there is no threat to his person? That is what he is supposed to be, an unstoppable force with the weight of the world on his shoulders. There is almost no physical challenge he can’t face and there is not a mental challenge that wouldn’t break his spirit but he must carry on, to be an ideal for everyone to see and strive for.
The Superman movie coming out this year has been using the phrase “look up” for it’s marketing. While yes it means, “look up to the sky at Superman” it also means to look up to a bright future. To look up at hope. To look up and follow the example of the “Man of Tomorrow”. To understand the beliefs and vision of the future that Superman tries to spread to his fellow man. This hope of the future, a central piece of Superman’s character, has been forgotten in modern interpretations.
Superman is not meant to be a messiah to be praised and worshiped, he is not an allegory for Jesus. If anything he is an allegory for Moses. Someone who sees the good in the world and what it could be. Someone who inspires and leads people to become better versions of themselves. He is there to be the first “Man of Tomorrow” but not the last. He can’t solve the problems of the world, but he can show people how the world is meant to be. He can light the way, but not force them through it.
This year, people need a becon of hope. They need someone to show them that kindness, empathy, hope, truth, and justice are the only way to that “Better Tomorrow.” We need the “People of Tomorrow” to take the responsibility for a brighter future.
