The first and most iconic superhero of our times. Superman. An alien who was sent to Earth from a dying world. The only survivor of the planet Krypton. Raised by a kindly couple on a farm, Clark Kent grew up to be deeply compassionate and virtuous. As he grew, he discovered his powers and his alien heritage. Eventually, he answered his spirit’s calling and set out to travel the world. Through his travels, he learns of the many faces of man. Thus, he settles down among us, as one of us, as our friend, as our savior, as Superman.
Superman is mostly depicted as a messianic savior who has been sent to save humanity. The parallels to Christ are quite obvious, and is not-so-subtly hinted at in the recent movie Superman Returns. This larger-than-life god, who is the epitome of human goodness, cannot, however, identify with or understand completely the human mind. It reminds me of Doctor Manhattan, from Watchmen, who, due to his near omnipotence and omniscience, slowly starts losing touch with humanity, with emotions; seeing humans as specks of dust, irrelevant in the grand scheme of the universe. Though Superman is very much human at heart and never loses his empathy, his abilities and alien heritage set him apart from us, and though we look up to him to save us, he would never be one of us.
Quote
“They could be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only need a light to lead the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I send them you, my only son!” – Jor-El, of Krypton.