If you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal, then you become something else entirely… – Ducard/Ra’s Al Ghul, Batman Begins (2005)
Nietzsche described the “superman”, or übermensch (also translated as “overman”), as the surpassing of man. Man, in his current state, is something to be overcome. In the rejection of self-doubt, guilt, and all the pain of standard morality, human beings can reach a state of “great healthiness,” where they are free to give life their own meaning.
The Nietzschean “superman,” described through his fictional Zarathustra character and in his discussion of the anti-Christ, is one that decides for himself what is “right” and “wrong,” moving beyond the religious and social standards of good and evil to create new ideals, ones that inspire all of humanity to participate in their own constant process of self-overcoming.
But to overcome man, one must first be human, and that is precisely the inspiring notion in Nietzsche’s seeming disregard for humanity. We are all capable of becoming supermen (although it disregards women, the theory still applies for all) and in this way we overcome the doubt and nihilism that plagues modern life. Yet in modern American entertainment, from comic books to films, the word superman has come to represent something else entirely.
Rather than the inspiring elements of the “overman” concept, we are presented with an alien creature that is not human and whose supernatural abilities are thoroughly unattainable — the hero of Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns. This latest incarnation of the Superman comic myth has nothing to do with Nietzsche's notions, instead reinforcing, through its Christianity iconography, the very same ideals he rejected.
The superhero genre is filled with such awe-inspiring characters, unreal Christ-like beings who use their powers for the good of all people, sacrificing their own happiness in the process. Superman is the epitome — though he learns to love humanity and recognize human potential, he remains forever above us, which colors his attitude with condescension. The idea of martyrdom, or self-sacrifice, is key to this concept of Superman and mirrors the ideas behind Jesus and other eternal figures; but it runs directly against Nietzsche’s vision of the superman, which hinges on the ability to surpass pity and embrace inspiration. To take Nietzsche’s vision of the anti-Christ this far, to actually reinterpret him as Christ himself, is the ultimate act of re-appropriation, negating what Superman actually could be.
Article comments
1 - JOrdan
I think people's reasons for the world not needing superman movies are a cry for help. I think if someone has time to deeply look into the character of Superman and make him appear "Christlike" is absurd! I have followed Superman for almost 30 years and never saw Superman as Christ....I saw him as a superhero. I think mentioning Batman in the same breath is just one's way to try to make him look better. We can all like who we want to, people tend to forget that we're entitled to that, and articles such as these try to manipulate those who tend to follow.
2 - Rick
I'm not sure if Mr.Imran Siddiquee actually understands the Superman mythos.
To quote him: "The difference between what Superman and Batman offer audiences also plays out in how each relates to his father. Superman’s father appears as either a huge floating head or simply as a booming voice assigning him responsibilities and duties involving humanity."
Supermans' "father" wasn't really Jor El but Jonathon Kent who imbibed him with all the qualities of the BEST of what humanity has to offer. Between Superman and Batman, it's actually Superman who is the MOST "human." Batman relies on fear and darkness to get his point across, whereas Superman is out there in all his glory in red and blue BEGGING the world to think and act the way HE would think, to trust and be trusted with or without powers. There is no middle ground, no gray (grey?) area with The Man Of Steel; right is right and wrong is wrong. Make no mistake Batman works differently than Superman, but his credo of "not killing" is essentially the same. Superman is the Christ mythos come full circle; a god that doesn't reign above us, but walks among us, albiet incognito. The way to hurt Superman isn't to kill his family or friends, but act in a way that his human-taught-values cannot understand. Superman is not here to "save" humanity, but, as he says in his own words, "To help them up when they fall." The world needs Superman now more than ever, or perhaps needs more human beings acting in the manner of an alien born on Krypton but raised on a loving farm in Smallville Kansas. Make those films Bryan Singer.
3 - TV and Film Guy
Interesting notion, but I don't buy a word of it.
4 - Rick
It doesn't need to be "bought"....like all mythology it was it it is.....you either get it or you don't. There're many ways of getting to California.
Peace,
Rick
5 - Jason
I never quite looked at Superman like that before. I was always more of a Marvel guy. Looking close I do get the symbolism. Supes was the first. Without him, no Batman, no Spidey.
I learned something new today thanx Rick!
6 - Ron
At times Batman is cooler because of the way hew operates, He's in the dark, he's a vigilante and he is a real badass. Most guys find that appealing cause it's easier. Superman is an ideal that seems way out've reach. I thought both movies really did well in kickstarting the franchises again.
7 - Albanesse
In all honesty I did not really enjoy either movie but I enjoyed Superman returns much less than Batman. I think the point of the article is not just the myth of these "Supermen" but, the way they have been remade through the eyes of these directors and script writers. One image that really hit home for me of Supes being God/Christ like is at the end when he finds out that he has a son. He hovers over the mortal world and looks down to a son that represent the father but will be human too and no longer other worldly. A son that is being raised by the mother and her Common-law husband who is not the father. And the idea that they had sex is negated by Lois, not saying they didn't have sex... I was waiting for her to say she had the baby in the garage. BTW the CGI in Supes was way over done and not very good. Took me out of the reality of the Film world and I know I should suspend disbelief, but I only do that when the film suppplies a full world and not story as well as visual holes.
8 - Sharon
Wow.goes to show you what I know. I'm not involved in the movies at all, unless I go to see them. My boyfriend and I go alot. I thought Superman and Batman were to long but other than that very good. I did think the special effects in Superman were terrific. I DID belive he could fly.
9 - Jacob
Chris Reeve on who would win in a brawl between Batman and Superman:
"Are you kidding? One guy can split the planet in half, is invulnerable and can fly at the speed of light and the other guy has a cool car."
I thought that was pretty funny.
10 - Mario
LOL..cool car....that broke me up....
I really liked both films, X-MEN sucked...
11 - Kaonashi
Jacob- Chris Reeve (R.I.P.) obviously is biased and had not read Batman Hush.
12 - Kaonashi
Whoops, I meant to say, "Chris Reeve was biased..."
13 - Jacob
Kaonashi
I have read the brilliant "Hush" and even Batman admits under the influence Clark could still "pound me into the cement any time he wanted to." Or something close. With everything Superman posseses, it's hard to imagine that in the "real" world of comics Supes using superspeed couldn't take that small kryptonite ring and shove it someplace Batman wouldn't like before Bats even knew it. Interesting in Batman/Superman monthly the future Supes slaps Bats around the batcave and tells him "The only reason you're still alive is because I let you live." Krishna be praised, Supes any time he wants to.
14 - WITHELD
Superman: a total fantasy that eveyone can't possibly achieve regardless of one's attempts to...
Batman: the improbable concept that could happen in the real world yet far from being impossible...
that is why batman is far more inspirational than Supes...
oh and jacob... future batman can find a way to retaliate by creating some hi-tech power suit that would rival superman's abilities... how 'bout that as an interesting thought...