Superman Has Always Been an Immigrant Story Whether You Like It or Not

by

James Gunn’s interpretation of Superman has received acclaim ever since its debut, and it’s not too shocking given his exceptional ability to portray superheroes beyond comic books. His work on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, and Creature Commandos have provided fans with some of the finest superhero adaptations in history. As a devoted admirer of these characters, Gunn’s comprehension of them is unparalleled among superhero movie creators. His passion for Superman has been evident since he was named head of DC Studios and the writer/director behind the first Superman movie following the decline of the DCEU. However, Gunn has faced criticism ever since this announcement — something that was predictable from what some people on the internet call the “SnyderBros” — but the recent uproar over Superman is particularly nonsensical.

Gunn characterized Superman’s backstory as an immigrant tale, but this sparked a heated debate among some groups, turning it into a cultural conflict. It was bound to happen with any superhero media that doesn’t strictly adhere to jingoistic ideologies, as the most extreme fans often criticize such depictions for not staying true to character. However, this time the argument seems particularly misguided. While some might argue that Captain America embodies conservative values, it’s a stretch to suggest that Superman isn’t an immigrant. After all, Superman has long been associated with the immigrant experience in America (although certain post-“Crisis” reboots of DC Comics have altered some of the character’s core aspects; we’ll delve into that further down the line), and the evidence is clear, whether in the story itself or on the pages.

Superman’s Story Is That of an Undocumented Immigrant and Always Has Been

Superman, a character from comic books, was brought up on a farm in Kansas, learning American values and ideals. However, it’s clear that he originated from another planet, making him an immigrant. His adoptive parents, the Kents, helped facilitate his stay on Earth by forging necessary documents. This fundamental aspect of Superman’s background should not be overlooked. One intriguing aspect of the Superman narrative is how he balanced both aspects of his existence in his life. In the Silver and Bronze Age comics, Superman was portrayed as a character who strongly identified with his Kryptonian heritage. He often used the name “Kal” and even invoked the name of a Kryptonian deity, Rao, instead of God. Over time, he would even travel back in time to meet his Kryptonian parents. This dual identity mirrored the experience of many immigrants in the United States during that era, where their cultural roots were not abandoned but rather woven into American society, enriching it. In essence, Superman’s journey reflects the immigrant experience and has significantly contributed to the quality of Superman comics.

In my perspective as a passionate comic book enthusiast, the post-“Crisis on Infinite Earths” era marked a significant shift in Superman’s backstory. Before this event, Superman was an immigrant who arrived on Earth as an infant from Krypton. However, following “Crisis,” writer/artist John Byrne reimagined Superman, introducing a new origin where he was born from a Kryptonian birthing matrix upon his arrival on Earth in Kansas. This change was intended to reflect the conservative values of the Reagan era and emphasize Superman’s connection to America.

Unfortunately, this revised origin story diminished Superman’s immigrant heritage, which is a crucial aspect of the character. Elements like time travel trips to Krypton, expressions like “Great Rao!”, and frequent use of Kal were significantly reduced or eliminated altogether. Byrne’s portrayal of Krypton was cold and uninviting, which felt almost disrespectful to the immigrant experience.

While there are undeniably brilliant modern Superman stories, the removal of his immigrant heritage left a void in the character that long-time fans have struggled to accept. Superman’s story has always been one of an immigrant striving to make a better life for himself, and without this integral part, there is a sense of incompleteness in the character.

Superman’s Immigrant Status Makes Him More American Than the People Criticizing the Character

Superman, a beloved superhero, was fashioned by two Jewish men from Cleveland, both descendants of immigrants. They drew deeply from their personal experiences as immigrants to shape the character, making it an integral part of Superman’s identity. Throughout its history, America has been characterized by the influx of immigrants, and Superman embodies this essence perfectly. For those who have delved into the comics, it is evident that Superman’s journey as an undocumented immigrant played a significant role in shaping his character. His Kryptonian lineage adds depth to the tales; there’s something captivating about those classic Superman stories and how he presents himself. Although he remained a quintessential American hero, he brought his cultural heritage along, enriching every aspect of his persona. The removal of his immigrant status by Byrne left a noticeable void in the character, particularly in terms of his affection for the land and people that provided him with a home when he had none.

To clarify, I’m not suggesting that modern Superman stories without immigrant aspects are poor quality; some of them are outstanding and among the best Superman tales ever created. However, there was always an element lacking. As a child, I was acquainted with post-Crisis Superman, which I adore, but reading pre-Crisis comics expanded my appreciation for him. In essence, John Byrne’s removal of this aspect from Superman made him less representative of America in many ways. America isn’t a single culture; it is instead a blend of numerous other cultures. Removing Superman’s Kryptonian heritage as a stranger in a strange land and the way he combined it with his American upbringing took away what truly defines him as an American character.

Removing Krypton and Superman’s connection to it significantly diminished the enjoyment of reading Superman comics, as it took away many elements that made them engaging. Although Byrne maintained the Fortress of Solitude, his version was vastly different from the pre-“Crisis” one; it was spacious and empty compared to the more detailed and vibrant pre-“Crisis” and current versions. The readers were already familiar with American culture, but exploring Krypton’s specifics was entertaining for them and provided creators an opportunity to showcase their creativity. Having Superman as the sole Kryptonian was amusing at first, but losing other Kryptonians was a setback because they could help Superman explore his roots. The Last Son of Krypton had no motivation to embrace his culture, which was problematic for the character’s development. One of the strengths of “Absolute Superman” is that it emphasizes Superman as an immigrant, using this aspect to link him with one of the best ideas from the Golden Age Superman – the champion of the oppressed. This book effectively reconnects Superman to these classic concepts, which is one reason it’s so cherished; it feels more like a genuine Superman story compared to decades of post-“Crisis” Superman.

James Gunn’s perspective on Superman as an immigrant reflects the true essence of the character, which is both refreshing and reassuring given his familiarity with the comics. In today’s context, where immigration-related views are often contentious, Gunn using Superman to highlight the positive aspects of immigration, including those who arrive undocumented, mirrors decades of comic book creators’ approach. Those dismissing this perspective clearly lack an understanding of the comics’ history. Essentially, Superman has always been an immigrant at heart.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-best-justice-league-stories-00s-grant-morrison-brad-meltzer-infinite-crisis-final-crisis/embed/#

Read More

2025-07-11 15:41