Superman was perhaps one of the most patriotic heroes in comics besides Captain America in Marvel comics. But one little thing I have to say I don't like about the new 52 Superman is that he isn't patriotic any more, Captain America is still awesome even though he is for his country, but since the reboot Pretty much the DC writers pretty much say it's a drop in sales because Superman is patriotic.

Really this small rant is too readers not what writers have done, do you guys as readers of Superman in the new 52 who didn't like Superman before flashpoint hate that Superman was patriotic because it made him seem uncool? no offence but it does seem that way to me, and also a little tid bit about myself (I'm not american and I like Superman before the 52 reboot)

So tell me your thoughts on this. I'd like to hear them and no I'm not trolling anyone this is a matter of hearing people's opinions and bringing up a question that hasn't been asked before.

"Patriotic" is not a word I would immediately associate with any version of Superman..that might just be me though.

@MetropolisKid41:

Reason why I think that, was with interviews with writers stating he got so patriotic that it was getting hard to write stories with him (in other words alot of readers were dropping him because he seemed uncool and boring because he was patriotic) Sure you are a superman fan as much as I am before the reboot. But I just have this feeling that new readers of the character who state "I never would pick up superman till now cause he's cooler and more edgier and is willing to kill off Para demons etc" It's really the fact that the whole argument that heroes should kill blah blah blah because it makes them more cooler.

Just a different way of stating it's uncool (well to a few people's stand points of the new 52 Superman from writers and new readers who hated Superman before) that it's uncool to be a patriotic hero. Yet it still works for Cap (I'm not a full Captain America fan but I have grown to love his character over the years)

And another reason why I don't find him patriotic is because he's more alien than before, and seems to be more about just being a normal run of the mill superhero rather than standing for his country. Oh and I don't see him as anti-patriotic just more like just a run of the mill superhero. One strong point about Superman was he was a patriotic hero, but that doesn't seem to be the case for him anymore.

@Izaiah: Really? with a catchphrase like "Truth, Justice and the american way?" Even golden age comics during WW2? And how many poses he's done with the american flag? Not just in comics but TV and Movies?

Why don't you think him as a patriotic hero with those things of his character before his reboot?

The American Dream Superman is trying to hold to the old traditions, since he did live in a farm. With the knowledge of his entire planet destroyed he does not want another thing to be lost. I would like give it more credit but with dc stating they going to be “sexier”, which I think is pretty stupid goal. I could go more into it but that is for another forum. They are starting over and they stated before that change of the Flash may result to darker times in The Flash: Wonderland.

I don't think the new 52's Superman has been unpatriotic. I mean, he hasn't gotten along with the government thus far, but disagreeing with the government doesn't necessarily make you unpatriotic. Captain America has had some memorable disagreements with the U.S. government: The Secret Empire scandal in the 70's that convinced him to drop his Captain America identity and become Nomad; in the 80's when the Commission of Superhuman Activities stripped him of the Captain America identity because he refused to be their stooge; and, of course, in Civil War when he disagreed with the Superhuman Registration Act. You're not calling Captain America unpatriotic for those arguments, so why would you go after Superman for his perfectly legitimate grievances with the status quo? Sometimes it's more patriotic to take up the struggle against the establishment if you feel the people in charge are taking your country down the wrong path. Superman is still wearing the red, white, and blue. He still seems to be fighting for truth, justice, and equality. So how is he unpatriotic? He may not be shoving blind, patriotism down your throat every five minutes, and, yes, I do like him better for that. But he's not unpatriotic.

I don't know how anyone can say Superman is no unpatriotic. I guess he has to fellate the American flag to prove his loyalty. Also, I don't think the writer were arguing to make him unpatriotic, but that sometimes people view Superman not as a character but a representation of ideals. He's held to such a high standard to represent everyone that he can't just be a person.

@joshmightbe:

New fans? I've been a fan of Superman since 1990. And that was when I got into Superman comics thats not including my love for the Chris Reeves movies which pre-dates me getting into comics.

Also I never liked the idea of having Superman as a vigilante for two reasons.

1) Thats Batman's thing and as of late Batman seems more light hearted and hopeful within his character in the new 52 (celebrating his parents marriage instead of their death etc)

2) Superman is much better as a boy scout than a bully just because he can stop a train with his bare hands doesn't mean he should force himself upon people, true goldenage was like that untill WW2 came about then he became much more of a patriot.

Also alot of people who have commented here have missed the point of my question. Do people find Superman better right now being a vigilante bully? or a boy scout patriot?

@joshmightbe:

Ok I'll reword it for you.

Is Superman just a run of the mill hero in the new 52 why yes I think he is compared to his last appearance pre flash point where he was and seemed for his country. Where the current 52 version is just a hero like any other.

Not only that even writers in an interview (which is on Comicvine) have said Superman pre Flashpoint was getting hard to write since he became so patriotic and such a symbol they had to reboot him (thats their way of saying sales were dropping with superman because alot of readers prefer vigilante bullies with dark backgrounds than boy scout light and bright heroes)

Though like Metropoliskid said it's still early doors for this Superman, he could go back to the way he was before this in terms of character which I wish he does.

And as for your statement, waving a flag in your face? this from a dude who has Captain America as his avatar? the guy wears a flag.

@joshmightbe:

Don't worry I am, and I'm actully looking forward to Superman #7 where he faces Majestic's old nemesis Helspont.

@HolySerpent:

it's not that he is unpatriotic it's more like the lack of being patriotic compared to his pre flashpoint counter part.