Supermanlore is, and always has been, rooted in a deeply resonant message about climate change;though the hero’s Kryptonian origin story was written in the early 20th-century, it still remains impactful nearly a century later, and indeed, might even be a more vital message for contemporary readersthan it has been for any prior generation.
With its foundational place in theSupermanmythos, the tragic fate of Krypton is a potent parable of what could result from a society that continues to expand its technological capabilities, while at the same time misusing and mistrusting the very science that resulted in these advancements.
This makes it fascinating in a historical context – considering the time and place of the Man of Steel’s creation – but also powerful as a message that has more urgent application in the modern world than ever before.
Superman’s Tragic Origin Depicts A Society That Refused To Trust Science
Kryptonians Did Not Listen To Their Scientist & Paid The Price
In one way or another, from the inception of the character Superman has always been a champion of the oppressed and a hero for a better tomorrow. FromSuperman literally smashing the KKKon air in the ’40s and in comics in the late 2010s/early 2020s, toSuperman beating up Hitler before Captain America, he has always been a progressive hero, and that carries over to climate change, which plays a pivotal role in the character’s history, starting with the story of his extraterrestrial origin.
Early in Superman’s comic history, it was established he came from another planet that was dying, although, the planet was unnamed initially. Eventually, the planet would be known as Krypton, and more information about its destruction would come to light, likehow the politicians in charge of Krypton – known as the Council – did not listen to the scientific evidence pointing to the planet’s demise.This key part of Superman’s history first appeared in print in 1939, and it set the groundwork for the influentialSupermanradio show, which would play a massive role in forming public views of the hero.
Superman Reveals the Other Kryptonians Who Should Have Survived the Destruction of Krypton
As alone as DC’s Absolute Superman feels, a shocking preview reveals he’s not the only Kryptonian that tried to leave his dying planet.
Early in Superman’s history, it was canonized that Krypton perished because its politicians would not listen to science, costing nearly the entire world’s population their lives. Specifically, in the 1939 Superman newspaper strip by Superman’s original creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, there is a sequence on Krypton that confirms Jor-El, a scientist, knew the planet was going to explode, yet the Council refused to believe him, as noted byan official DC history of Superman’s origin. Thankfully, Jor-El believed his finding, sending Kal-El to Earth in hopes of saving him from a horrific, deadly fate.
Since The 1930s, Superman’s Origin Has Been A Warning About Climate Change
A Cautionary Tale About The Downfall Of Society
While this strip is not too graphic, it still captures the impeding doom of Krypton, as well as the blatant irresponsibility of the Council for not taking every step possible to spare its citizens. Not just that, but they refused to believe all the scientific signs that pointed to their doom, and whatever they thought they could get out of these denials was all for naught as they perished too. Where the strip is not too graphic,TheAdventures of Supermanmakes its audience listen to the planet’s destruction.
Superman’s creators knew trusting science, as well as taking environmental concerns seriously, was a crucial issue, one more relevant today than ever.
It is truly a heartbreaking, horrific episode. On top of the frighting soundscape, which sounds like a tornado ripping through all of Krypton, the picture Superman’s parents paint is horrific. The planet descends into darkness with the only light coming from fires erupting across the planet. Meanwhile, the voice actors inThe Adventures of Supermangive it their all. Specifically, Agnes Moorehead, who portrays his mother, delivers a gut-wrenching performance, as she screams in agony for her son’s safety before she and her husband die.
Theories about climate change popped up in the 1800s, but it wouldn’t be until the late 1950s that data would corroborate said theories,as reported by History.com. While concerns would persist through the 1960s, only in the 1970s did the term global warming enter the public consciousness. Despite how these conversations got more serious decades later, Superman’s origins, as well as his ’40s radio show, were ahead of the game. Superman’s creators knew trusting science, as well as taking environmental concerns seriously, was a crucial issue, one more relevant today than ever.
Decades Later, Superman Is Still About Climate Change, And It Is More Relevant Than Ever
Superman’s Son Tackles Climate Change But On Earth
Fast-forward to the modern day, andSuperman is still tackling issues around climate change. InSuperman: Son of Kal-ElIssue #7 – written by Tom Taylor, with art by Cian Tormey – reveals thatSuperman’s next big fight is against climate change. Throughout this run, he has taken on numerous real-world issues, like wildfires caused by climate change and a school shooting. He’s also participated in protests, defending refugees from being deported, and come Issue #7, he’s protesting with the likes of Jackson Hyde’s Aquaman and Jay Nakamura, Jon Kent’s boyfriend.
DC Is Redefining Krypton’s Fall, Making Way For New Superman Lore
DC Comics finally reveals the final days of Absolute Superman’s life on Krypton and it’s new twists change everything fans know about this new hero.
Jon follows in the footsteps of his father with this, staying true to what Superman has always represented – progress. Superman, as a franchise, has never shied away from this. From his origins, to adaptations in other media, to Superman’s legacy characters, like Jon Kent,Supermanhas been and always will be about progress and speaking up for what is right. This is not just true for contemporary comics. It goes all the way back to his original comic strips, as well as his radio show,which fans can listen to on Spotify.
