It’s a bird, it’s a plane – no, it’s a woke Superman! One of the most iconic superheroes in comic book history is undoubtedly going woke in the new comic book reboot. The new Superman, who is actually the son of Clark Kent, is a gay millennial who is using his powers to stop serious threats like…climate change and deportation of illegal immigrants.
The comic book reboot titled Superman: Son of Kal-El was released in July last year. The issue Superman: Son of Kal-El” #5 sold only 68,800 copies, making it the worst selling reboot to date. Comparatively, the “Superman” #1 reboot in 2018 sold 133,700 copies, the “Superman: Rebirth” #1 sold 118,434 copies in 2016, “Superman” #1 sold 105,380 copies in 2016 and “Superman” #1 sold 118,376 copies in 2011. With only 5 issues into its run, the new reboot failed to enter Top 50 in terms of sales.
The new Superman, named Jonathan Kent, is the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane. He is also a climate activist who is using his superhuman powers to combat climate change by putting out wildfires. He is also a fierce advocate for illegal immigrants and is against deportations.
Jonathan Kent, like his father, is dating a reporter in this story – only this time it is a male reporter by the name of Jay Nakamura. In issue #5 he can be seen kissing Nakamura. Commenting on the decision to make Superman bisexual, the series writer Tom Taylor told the New York Times, “The idea of replacing Clark Kent with another straight white savior felt like a missed opportunity.”
What’s more disheartening for traditional fans of the Man of Steel is the change of Superman’s motto from “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” to “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow.” The original motto had been part of Superman ever since the radio program “Adventures of Superman” aired in the 1940s. Defending the motto change, the DC Comics publisher Jim Lee said, “To better reflect the storylines that we are telling across DC and to honor Superman’s incredible legacy over 80 years of building a better world, Superman’s motto is evolving.”
Superman is not the only DC comic book character to go woke. Robin, Batman’s trusted sidekick, is turning bisexual in the new comic book Batman: Urban Legends. Even Marvel is joining in on the wokeification of comic book heroes by introducing a gay teenager as the new Captain America.While some of the traditional fans may not be pleased with these woke changes to the Man of Steel, they can take comfort in the fact that he is still called Superman, not Superhuman or Superperson. There’s no guarantee it won’t happen in the future though, when the caped crusader is revealed as a trans activist.
