Why SUPERMAN is AWESOME 

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It's not the "SUPER" that makes a hero, it's the "MAN".

I choked up a little when Christopher Reeve appeared on screen.

You’ve convinced me

Thank you for this. You clearly understand his character when so many don't. People often look at me weird when I say Superman is one of my favorites. The All-star Superman comic helped me through a tough time in my life and he's been in important to me ever. His goodness and optimism is so important and many people don't get that most of the time. Great video.

The main conflict with Superman is "how do you use power wisely." Superman can crush all his foes. He can be cynical. He can view all humans as inherently bad, and use his powers to spy on everyone, violate their privacy and personal freedoms in order to stop crime before they happen. He can create a perfectly safe society with no crime, poverty, hunger by using his power to make everyone afraid of doing anything bad. A perfect society without freedom or choice. But he chooses to give people the benefit of the doubt, he chooses to believe in people and give them the chance to learn from their mistakes and become better people. He chooses to use his powers to inspire and help rather than oppress and crush.

I think JLU did the best version of Superman’s power. That monologue he gives to Darkseid in the final episode illustrates how that Superman carefully regulates his power because he knows he could destroy an entire city if he looses control for even a second. It’s a really clever writing technique and a great moment. One of the moments that just summarises Superman (the other being the ‘maybe he’s just a guy trying to do the right thing’ from BvS).

God I hate the secret identity argument. I hate it because I have actually tested this one out. Surprisingly, NO ONE recognized me with the glasses

Hot take about the glasses - it's rumored Charlie Chaplin, one of the most handsome/famous men of his time, once entered a Chaplin lookalike contest and LOST. Henry Cavil stood below a BvS billboard in Times Square and NO ONE NOTICED. Ever taken an extra minute to recognize someone when you see them without makeup the first time? People are much worse at facial recognition and passive perception than they think. Couple that with huge differences in body language and character - when I was a kid I genuinely thought supes and CK were different actors in the 78 movie, and don't tell me an actor has never made you believe they're a different person. Imo CK is that riddle so insanely obvious once you know the answer, and you feel stupid because you somehow took forever to figure it out. And remember, it's an answer to a question no ones even asking - people know Batman has a secret identity, but most people assume Kal-El is just flying around saving people 24/7. Why would anyone suspect this godly heroic alien who lives in an ice fortress and shows his face spends half his time struggling to pay rent and getting shit on for being pathetic? Now I don't always buy the glasses how they're executed, but when done right I think it's the single MOST convincing superhero secret identity of all time, but I'd love to discuss with anyone who disagrees. Anyway, fantastic video man, couldnt agree more and especially loved the end. Stay hopeful.

You're not wrong at all on many points, the humble farmboy trying to make a living and do good, is a good deal more relatable than the multi billionaire. I'm also a big fan of the idea that he is 'too good', some people like that do exist and I think it's something that should be acknowledged more in the world today, have more aspirational characters than gritty or 'realistic' ones.

Superman is my favorite fictional character of all time. Superman comics have literally helped me get through crippling depression. He represents everything a “superhero” should represent. Even though he’s an alien with borderline godlike powers, he is still one of the most human DC characters. Even Batman said Superman was more human than he was. All-Star Superman has my go to example of what makes Superman great. When there was a teenage girl who was at her whits end and was about to jump off a building, Superman was there. He was there to talk to off the ledge, and let her know that there will always be someone there for her. And he ends with her in his embrace. That’s what Superman is

Superman is timeless character... He represents best of our humanity.

"This man is not our enemy." "...Thank you, Colonel."

So well said. I honestly feel it's a poor reflection on our modern world that a character whose chief superpower is goodness is seen as uncool and childish. I love Superman when he's done right, and I hope one day Henry Cavill gets a chance to play him as the inspirational figure he should be than the angsty reluctant hero we've seen.

OMG I've never seen that interview with Christopher Reeve before... tears popped into my eyes when he said "A friend".

I was a little surprised you didn't mention the famous Neil Gaiman comment: Some Warners suit was kvetching about how difficult it was to make Supes relevant to a modern audience, and Neil (Vaguely angry in some tellings) said, "You don't make him *relevant,* you make him *inspiring.*" (And it was at that moment I finally decided I like Gaiman, who's always been slightly offputting to me. For the last 20 years or so I've felt like I should like him, but never quite could. Then he said that, and it clicked.)

Many of the criticisms of Superman, or Captain America, are also what you hear about Star Trek, i.e. "Starfleet is too good", and the same counter-arguments you mentioned apply - there are other ways to generate interest in a character, and showing innocent high ideals is a powerful story tool in it's own right. Also if this approach was so bad for drama, why are they beloved?

The Justice League final episode is what really, truly sold me. When Supes, while fighting Darkseid, talks about how his challenge is that he’s too powerful for the world and has to use all of his strength constantly to NOT just destroy everything or hurt anyone. It’s an incredibly good scene in an excellent series.

4:13 - 4:44 Never have I ever seen such a satisfying clap back.

4:13 - 4:42 Perfect transition. Zack Snyder never truly understood Superman.

People not recognizing Clark as Supes is probably the most realistic aspect lol Henry Cavill actually went around times square in a Superman t shirt and no one recognized him. Plus, I think it's always a given or at least implied that in Supes' universe, everyone thinks he is JUST Superman. He's always flying around saving people everywhere. After all, it's not as if there's a shortage of people who need saving.

This is why I love Superman because he’s a great character and human especially with him raising his son Jonathan Samuel Kent superboy as his little 10 year old self was fantastic and a great story at least in my opinion.

12:55 I never knew Cristopher Reeve was so deep, smart, and understanding.

10:39 YEEEEESSS!!!!!!! Finally someone agrees with me! Krypto is awesome!

DC has failed the branding of this character. Owen Likes Comics has no idea how his powers work. The average person thinks he is a god. He's an alien, people! And too powerful? Uh, no one thinks that about Silver Surfer or Dr. Strange or Hulk or Firestorm or Captain Atom or Flash. But no one thinks of such an obvious thing. Also, people say Superman is too good? No one says that about Spider-Man and he's practically a labrador retriever. Thank you Rowan for pointing out his many weaknesses, too.

Often times, the people making claims that Superman is too powerful and too good, tend to be the same people saying Batman is more relatable because he is human, and is a better superhero because he can literally beat anyone with enough planning, and that he is incorruptable.

I can't believe we live in an age where you have to argue why super man is awesome

This was beautiful and you made me cry. Thank you.

My favorite Superman villain is Brainiac. They did a really good job with him in Injustice 2. I’d love to see him in a movie. Oh and yeah Superman IS cool, but he’s not as cool as Booster Gold who definitely needs a movie.

"It is a remarkable dichotomy. In many ways, Clark is the most human of us all. Then... he shoots fire from the skies and it is difficult not to think of him as a god. And how fortunate we all are that it does not occur to him." :- Batman

Finally! Some love for the Big Blue Boyscout! A little bit of idealism/optimism is not a terrible thing, especially in today's jaded and cynical world. 13:46 "We all need Superman because we all need hope." The wisest and most honest thing I've heard in quite a while!

That was so wonderful. It's how I always felt about Superman and I'm so glad you did this. It gave me some hope because if someone out there writes about hope, it means it's not lost.

LOVE this. superman is my fav super hero!!

Superman is an excellent character. He is meant to embody the best of humanity. That's what makes Superman the legend that he is. As far as I am concerned, he is the greatest superhero of all time.

Excellent video. My favorite stories of Superman are when we get to see his humanity for all the good and bad that means.

I'm just happy somebody addressed how they only make Superman movies dealing with Zod or Luthor. He's got a wonderful rouges gallery to pull from. I agree we always need hope, I'll say without a doubt.

I think that the best interpretaion of superman is from superman and lois. When i saw this show, i got a feeling that i havent got in a long time. I felt the care, the warmth, and the amazing goodness i saw in the comics and dcau. This is what superman is. Superman is only boring if u think being good is easy.

That was a great vid. People need to understand Superman is and will always be limitless. He is always around, and will be as strong as he needs to be. Big superhero fan Dc/Marvel. You did a really great video. Grew up Marvel, but grew to relate to Superman more as I became an adult. Named my kids after "The Superman Family". Keep up the great work, please stay healthy and safe. Thank You.

Superman to me is not just the best, he is THE SUPER HERO, the one above all, just because he is the most human, Clark the the best of all us, and have all the same troubles we have, he is Spiderman, he is Captain America, he is BATMAN, he is Iron Man, he is ALL OF THEM COMBINE.....better say, all of them are part of SUPERMAN, they all took one element Superman did first and expand on that idea. One of the tropes people say is lame about Superman is why he is the most down to earth guy in any super hero roster......he taking down a cat for an old lady or a child from a tree.....that is freaking AWESOME, superman is literally a god in the eyes of many, how many gods have come to the help of a normal person in comics when they need a helping hand to do something that trouble them which probably is the most mundane thing ever, but Superman no matter how busy he is, if he see someone in need he will lend a hand, no matter of what, he will, and that is not lame, that is inspired and amazing, I never understood people who claim that Superman is only good when he is an evil dictator or a monster killing machine, quite honestly, those are all the lamest stories around SUPERMAN, I rather take stories like the Man who had everything, over any lame ass Injustice comic ever written.

You mentioning Krypto reminds me of the wild-ass scene in Titans where he catches an RPG and throws it back at a guy lol

You must love the new Superman and Lois show! It captures all the qualities you mention here.

Loved it!!!! Not only Kal-El was the first superhero in the comic book genre, he was MY first superhero; my Dad (a member of the Greatest Generation) took me to see Superman: The Movie when I was 5 years old, and from there I became one of his biggest fans. I have watched ALL the cartoons and movies, and read most of the comics and graphic novels. He became my role model, and my moral compass that has guided me to this day (just as Star Trek has; yes, also I am a Trekkie) I agree that we ALL need Superman, because as Batman often states, he is the best of us. He embodies everything we aspire to be: a better friend, a better neighbor, always continue to be a better Human Being, to leave a better world for future generations. Truth and Justice is something that should NEVER be mocked or ridiculed. We must always do the right thing, and try to make our world a more humane, just and inclusive place. I congratulate you on this video, and I hope you will make more Superman related themes in the future.

He's always been my personal favorite !!!!

I hate it when people say Batman is more relatable than superman.. so a billionaire who is trained in every skill imaginable and dresses up a bat to fight crime is more relatable than a farm boy from Kansas who likes helping people?

I've always loved superman and u hit the nail on the head in ways even I hadn't thought of. An amazing and insightful video. Well done x

Great video !!! Superman is my favorite Superhero of all-time. He will always be my favorite DC Comics Character and comic book character overall. He always stands for Hope for Truth Justice and The America Way and stands up for what is right !!! Love Clark Kent and Superman he's awesome !!!

Hi Rowan. I grew up watching reruns of the George Reeves tv series and was 10 when "Superman The Movie" premiered. To say I'm a fan of Superman is an understatement. Every argument I've ever had with anyone over why Superman is my favorite superhero had points you addressed so brilliantly. Thanks for the video, my friend. Peace.

I love it so much that Snyder's quote of "You're livin' in a fucking dream world!" matches perfectly with that comic.

I cannot like, or even love, this video enough. Especially those Christopher Reeve interviews.... Thank you for this.

Amen, brother! Preach on! I am *completely* with you in this. Superman is awesome.

After subbing to your channel for a while, I can't believe I've only just watched this. As a lifelong Superman fan I couldn't agree more. You've got this spot on. For me, Superman is a very complex character and to describe him as too "perfect" is missing the point. Considering he's an alien, he is the most human character in DC comics.

4:17 ICONIC

They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son Superman is meant to inspiring, to lift us up from where we are, to where we could be, to where he is.

13:46 Words that we all need to remember.

I think the problem move wise is that they haven’t treated the character as such, in man of steel we have his father telling him to let people die over revealing his identity and his dad dying in a tornado something that did not need to happen at all it was clearly done to give him that moment that Spider-Man and batman have, and look at how much of Clark we see in that and bats v sups very little and his dialogue is much less than those around him, hell there are moments in the justice league film which actually do have him more human and if those are missing from the Snyder cut that people have been banging on to see then it shows that wb just don’t get him anymore.

If you haven’t already, check out Adam Hughes’s Superman/Gen13 crossover.

Damn it man you nailed it. Excellent stuff.

I want to say more on the too powerful part, I have no idea why most writers don't think about how difficult it would be to fight someone of matched power anywhere. You have to make sure of a lot of things. Like have you ever been in a hurry while you had something delicate in your hands. That's what he has to go through, if the villain hits there, he has to stop it. If the villain fires there, he has to stop that too. He can't move too fast in the city as he will harm a lot of people. He can't punch villains anywhere as he has to take care of where they will fall. Seriously I can go on forever

All I can say is what a great video and I hope to find more content like this in your channel.

Have to disagree with Reeves about the 'Truth, Justice, and American Way' line; in the movie, his delivery was so straightforward and sincere, my response was "Yeah.". And his breaking the fourth wall to smile at the end leaves you with a positive, warm feeling. Superman is a representation of idealism.

The thing is, even when Superman does face some kinda tragedy his backstory, almost 90% of the time, it's caused by something completely out of his control. Case in point, Jonathan Kent, in some specific adaptations, where he dies, not from being gunned down, or in some brutal act of inhumane cruelty... or a stupid tornado, but because of a heart attack. Alternatively, another good one is Sam's Story, where Clark's school friend Sam succumbs in his battle with cancer. Despite all his abilities, he can't save everyone. It's not some horribly dark moment. It's.... just life. Losing a loved one by natural causes. It's a common thing that each and every one of us face at some point. And that moment taught him the fragility and priceless value of human life. It humbles him to appreciate the people around him, to show kindness, to help people, to spread hope, while he still lives.

Rowan! You should write Superman! You even called Supergirl his sidekick. Should have been like that for years! I also think his inciting incident was invented by Smallville where he says to a villain, "I would stop people like you!" Perfect.

I discovered your chanel because im getting into star trek and superman already is my fav superhero so im looking foward to watching this video😎

If you don't understand that Superman's greatest character strength, the fact that he is the hokey naive Kansas farm boy who wears his heart on his sleeve and 100% in every way believes in the silly old notion of truth, justice and the American way wherein the American way means a level playing field, an unrigged game, genuine meritocracy, rewarding hard work and dedication, valuing loyalty, honor, and fidelity all of the old chilvirous code of ethics no one seems to play by, is also his greatest weakness because despite being overpowered and indestructible, he is easily crushed because he feels failure and loss to the core of his marrow, you don't understand the character and will never do Seigel and Shuster's vision justice. They wanted to create a character who hates bullies to borrow the parlance of Clark Kent's moral compass doppleganger from the Marvel universe, Steve Rogers, you don't get either of those two characters. Steve is less overpowered than Clark, but at their core they are nearly identical men. They are unwaveringly good men who will do whatever it takes to protect everyone from those who would do harm. That's who they are. The characters are spiritual twins. If you don't think that incorruptible men facing completely corrupt world are interesting may I direct your attention to Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. Superman is capable of similar story arcs because his heart is not only his greatest strength, but also his biggest weakness. It's a characteristic Clark Kent, Steve Rogers, and strangely enough Peter Parker all share. The fact that all of these dark and brooding writers fail to see that the hope embodied within Superman being completely lacking in their works is why Superman isn't routinely in the billion dollar club as a film property, while Spider-Man and Captain America can join those ranks. Writing is vital, but the right man in the role is vital too. At his core, Clark Kent, the man inside Superman is very much the geeky awkward kid at the heart of both Peter Parker and Steve Rogers. Being the little guy who was bullied and picked on -despite that being the result of Johnathon and Martha Kent instilling inside Clark the need for restraint because with great power came the responsibility not to harm others, you don't have the character with the empathy necessary for Superman to work. Superman had to turn the other cheek from a young age because if he didn't he would have killed someone and that made him feign weakness often to avoid conflict, but he saw the effect genuine fragility had on those around him without his dilemma. Those forced to suffer at the hands of bullies because unlike him, they had no other choice. Clark chose peace over violence and it's his natural choice.

I'm only 4 minutes in, and it's clear that you understand the Superman is about. This video is so underrated I don't know why it doesn't have more views.

Christopher Reeves really understood Superman.. I really miss him

Excellent video! I've got nothing to add, you hit it out of the park and nailed every point. Your closing was great dude. Superman is hope and truly awesome. Cheers!

Well done, Sir. I've watched a lot of your videos, and while I have done so because of some similar interests (Science Fiction, Star Trek, Superman, etc.) you did a spectacular job of focusing on why Superman is worth watching, reading, and experiencing. Well done.

Regarding kryptonite, the way I see it is that kryptonians absorb excessive amounts of radiation (from the weaker sun of their home world) in order to gain enough energy to live. This, as we know, is why strong suns empower them more. However, when there is toxic radiation involved, it poisons them faster than humans. This is why I always liked that one time when Lex lost his hand because he wore a kryptonite ring too often. He was poisoned by the radiation.... it just poisoned him slower because humans absorb much less radiation compared to kryptonians.

I would totally love to see Krypto in a movie!

What a wonderful video. Thank you!!!

Hollywood doesn't want hope any more

Completely agree with you in everything you've said in this video. Superman has always been my favourite character, but it seems like his biggest detractors really misunderstand the intricacies and miss the nuances of his essence and what he represents. Thank you very much for the video and hopefully what you've said here can help to open his critics eyes.

This video is AWESOME! Thanks for so carefully and clearly explaining why Superman is a great character.

Thank you for this video! I love Superman so much and love hearing when others do too.

Superman is the First Superhero, and among the pantheon of the best. He's hard to write because no matter who the wordsmith is. But from the that toughness one can bring out hope, honesty, sincerity and justice. Superman is a hero that is needed, as an example of being optimistic and kind despite the world being decidedly the opposite. He's a hero who embodies the idea that "everything is fine, I'm here", by smiling. To the Boy Scout.

Excellent video .. totally agree with the ending

I was already digging the Star Trek stuff, then I saw the "Why Superman is Awesome" video and hit the subscribe button so hard I think I broke my screen. Well done, sir!

Between Covid, medical problems, money issues, and moving places, diving into everything Superman when I wasn’t a fan in the past was the best choice I made. There’s something about Superman and his story’s that speak to me and make me feel something good

For all the powers these characters have, the only possible way for them to have any effect on the real world is through how they inspire people. Superman makes me want to be a better person. That matters more than anything else.

YES. YES. YES. AND MORE YES!

This video deserves more likes

Well said. And if that isn't enough to convince then a reading of Grant Morrisons All Star Superman or Alan Moore For the Man who has Everrything are excellent examples of Supermans importance. Reeve understood the essence of Superman that is why his iteration is a powerful example and the benchmark of the last son of Krypton. And for batman its Keaton, but I digress.. Superman is hope.. And the world is more hopeful by his example. Superman isnt just necessary, he is essential. Thank you for your time.

Thank you so much. Superman has always been my favorite, and it's annoying when the Batman fans act like he's so much more of a shallow character than their favorite.

4:13 That scene almost fucking killed me XD

Hope....indeed. 🙏🏽

Superman really is awesome. Not just because of his incredible powers, but because of how he uses them to help others, despite the problems in the world. Zack Snyder just doesn't understand Superman and most likely never will. The world needs Superman and the ideals he stands for.

I used to read Superman comics decades ago - it was hard cos there was no regular supply in the UK, so I'd get parts 1+2 of a story, but not part 3, or parts 1+3 but not part 2. I remember the furore when Kryptonite was removed - rather, its half-life had expired so it was no longer a threat. Apparently it had become too much of a plot device.

You talking about Superman reminds me of why I don't dig Snyder's take. It just feels like such a shallow reading of the character. "He's a messiah. But how can he be good?" Because we need hope. It's that simple. I'm so tired of grim cynicism lol

Nicholas Hoult will be awesome as Luthor and I hope we get to see him in the Luthor armor.

Yes. Too many people don't get Superman's appeal, and don't like Superman. Those people should never make a Superman movie, or story. Superman is one of the toughest characters to write for. Hell, I think even the comic book writers fail to make great Superman stories most of the time. Superman should always, always, be a hero. He should be good. He should be heroic. What the challenge is.... defining what being good & heroic means. Giving him no win scenarios as he struggles to do the right thing. Give him problems he can't punch his way out of. The great Superman stories give us philosophical problems and ask, 'What would Superman do?' The DCU movies just don't get Superman. I blame Snyder and the writers for most of it. Man of Steel wasn't really the Superman I love. Batman v Superman was awful. Justice League managed to be worse. But Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, as bad as that movie was.... It at least understood who Superman was. Should Superman force mankind to remove nuclear weapons for their own good? The movie ends with how Superman would handle it. Superman spends the movie doing the opposite and admits he was wrong. It's not up to him. He can't be a ruler of Earth. It's up to the people of Earth. Man of Steel asks.... 'What is Superman was emo?' Truth, justice and the American way. The American way being the principles of Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The cartoons get it. The comic books (mostly) get it. The later movies... they don't get it. Movie executives are a cynical bunch that focus on money. They're contrary to everything Superman represents. They see the red and blue and don't see a symbol of hope. They see it and think it's 'faggy', and want to focus in on Superman doing things like fighting giant spiders. Batman is popular, let's make Superman into Batman. No, we have a character like Batman already. He's called Batman!!! I've read such amazing Superman stories, and it physically pains me to see these idiots try to turn my favorite superhero into something that is contrary to everything he stands for. Damn it, in these trying times I want a hero. I want heroism. I don't want Superman to be some petty guy who would throw some guy's truck into a tree because that guy was mean to him. Truth, justice and the American way. You can do it without being corny. Look at Captain America's movies. There's even a market for it. Captain America proved that in 3 standalone movies, and 3 group movies. That's 11 BILLION dollars in box office. If you don't understand Superman's appeal, stay FAR away from making Superman. If you think Superman is boring, you don't know Superman.

Well done!

People shouldn’t be critical of heroes like Superman and Batman for never killing people like the Joker or Lex Luthor, they shouldn’t be wondering why the state never executes them.

Truth, Justice and Hope may not always be fashionable, but it will always be relevant, that's my belief

Superman’s earth father, Jonathan Kent, does eventually die by a heart attack or some natural cause that Superman can’t stop. This teaches him he can’t save everyone. Sometimes death wins.

I LOVE this SO much!

And an awesome video. Of course Christopher Reece was simply an actor playing a role,, but he really seemed to embody the best of Superman. Even after his accident forced him to live in circumstances I personally can't really imagine, he somehow demanded of himself a fidelity to survival, hope, and optimism. The sheer level of cruel irony he experienced would have utterly broken me a hundred times over, but at least outwardly, he never succumbed. It’s a shame, though, that a similar perspective espoused by Henry Cavil was essentially betrayed through the zero-sum, muddled and dark thinking on display from Zack Snyder. Cavill stated and, I think, clearly felt a calling to hold himself to the best of his predecessors. But Snyder more or less mocked the spirit of that ideal. Fortunately, Superman is beyond the ability of one misguided movie director.

Nice vid. Great breakdown. Felt happier after watching this

Rowan did you ever watch the live action Superboy tv series that aired from 1988 to 1993? If not, watch from season 3 onwards. there are a few characters that require prior knowledge. But once you watch those last 2 seasons you'll appreciate it enough to make the first two seasons tolerable. It's easily the most underrated Superman show ever made. Dealing with everything from superpowered villains and aliens to alternate timelines/universes. The live action Bizarro is amazing.

Superman is my childhood hero....