One
of the things I’ve always appreciated about heroes – Conan, Sherlock Holmes,
Captain Kirk – is their strength of will. The will to shape their own destiny.No
matter how many times a father, brother, lover or former team-mate shows up with
a hand outstretched, saying, “Join me, and together we will (insert calamitous
intent here).”
So I find it
EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING when, after the manipulative Mr. Oz is revealed to be
Superman’s father Jor-El, Superman begins to doubt himself. By his own
admission, Superman only knows him through recordings and computer files. Yet
because Jor-El may not be who Superman believes him to be, suddenly he is
filled with despair and misery. He questions who he is, and the morality of his
motivations.
What a wuss.
If anything, Superman should be angry, an angst-ridden. To learn that the
sacred memory of his Kryptonian heritage may be a total sham should be
heart-breaking. It’s like discovering your spouse has been unfaithful.
This story
leads into the next chapter of the DC Universe, as Superman realizes someone is
toying with its history. He determined to do something about it, though if
we’ve learned anything from the movies, it is that “It is forbidden for you to interfere
with human history, rather, let your leadership stir others.” Because that’s
not just an S on his chest; it’s the symbol of hope.
Rating: 1/10