I hated Superman.
Walking through the halls of high school my senior year, the comment I'd most love to hear or compliment I took most graciously was my similarity to Clark Kent or Superman. I'd grin from ear to ear and say thank you. I took this as a compliment over anything else.
I continually watch a television series called "Smallville" in which Superman is in the making and Clark Kent has not embraced his true identity yet. I've watched this show since seventh grade and I own every season of it, thanks to my Aunt Brigit's easily foreseen, but just as exciting to receive, Christmas gifts. It's the only show I have a season on DVD of.
I own four separate Superman shirts (two of which are the same design), a superman hat, and a wardrobe purposefully containing a multitude of red, yellow, and blue apparel.
I argue effortlessly and diligently against anyone who claims another superhero is better than Superman with a vast, though incomplete, knowledge of Superman history.
I admit I may not be the biggest Superman fan in the world, but I do believe it pains me the most of any other fan to admit that.
I, despite the aforementioned clues to my obsession, at one time, hated Superman.
When I was younger, I wasn't ever really into comic books. I was into cartoons. I loved Saturday morning cartoons but it didn't matter what time they came on, I just loved them. My favorite cartoons were those featuring Batman and Spiderman. But most of all Batman. I hated the Superman cartoon.
I thought Superman was boring, unrealistic, and stupid looking. I though Batman was cool, possible, exciting, and he had a sidekick that I could easily fill the shoes of. I dressed like Robin for Halloween, I even had a Robin action figure that I'd take to my grandma so she could cut my hair the same way he had it. I never liked Superman. The only reason I ever paid any attention to him was because I had a Superboy action figure that looked better as a normal person than any of my others.
My objections against Superman as a child were part of a long list: Superman was an alien. I wasn't, I had no aspirations to be. Superman was wearing a colorful suit. I'd never want to look like that, I would have been looked at strangely and brought attention to myself, which I did not want. Superman was big and strong, unrealistic for a kid who wanted to be a superhero. Superman had too many powers. He could easily just beat down an enemy with his large arsenal of abilities; what's the fun in a one sided battle? Superman was this when he should have been that. Superman, Superman, Superman, blah, blah, blah.
I hated Superman. At one point, I hated "Smallville," too. The show was in need of better costumes, better effects, and better stories.
Somewhere along the line I grew up, then became a Christian, then became agnostic, then became an atheist, then became agnostic, then became an atheist, then became a Christian, then became a follower of Jesus. Jesus was my real hero. He took my pain and unfilled dreams and turned them into hopes and aspirations. Then, I heard a song called "Original Superman" and my entire view of Superman changed.
Superman is an alien, someone who doesn't belong on Earth much like Jesus and much like myself.
Superman wears a colorful suit, a suit which brings attention but not to himself, rather to the symbol of hope and justice he stands for, a greater cause. Just as Jesus did all things for the Glory of God. Just as I attempt to Glorify God in everything I do and represent something bigger than myself.
Superman is big and strong, but his strength is not just from a physical standpoint but from a psychological and emotional standpoint. Just as Jesus was stronger than every man in resisting temptations of all kinds. Just as I attempt to be in standing up for what I believe in and standing up for my friends.
Superman has too many powers. While this can be seen as something of an advantage in a battle, it creates a much larger image of Superman. His ability of self control. While other heroes may not have as many powers, they have a lesser amount of responsibility. Superman controls himself. Just as Jesus did; Just as I attempt to do.
Kryptonite never truly had any ability over Superman. Sin never truly had any ability over Jesus. Yet they both died. For Humanity.
Superman means more to me than some comic book hero. I hated Superman as a comic book character and superhero. I love him as what he really is, an imitation or rather a representation of something much more meaningful: Jesus.
I hated Superman...
But life goes on and things change.
