There’s still a lot of debate surrounding Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman, especially in Man of Steel. While countless fans have differing opinions, the discourse often brings to mind Frank Miller’s insights on Superman’s character.
Miller has explored what makes Superman tick, revealing the essence of who he is and emphasizing that he has always been a complex figure, rather than flawed.
Frank Miller’s Take on Superman Makes Perfect Sense!
Frank Miller, the legendary comic book artist behind The Dark Knight Returns, knows Superman and Batman like the back of his hand, and thus who better to spill the tea on these heroes?
He emphasizes that Superman’s primary mission is to prevent catastrophic threats to the world. In Man of Steel, Henry Cavill’s Superman makes a heart-wrenching decision to kill Zod in order to protect humanity, reflecting the weight of his responsibility.
Cavill’s portrayal closely mirrors the Superman depicted in Miller’s work, capturing the complexity of a hero tasked with monumental challenges. In a recent conversation with Zack Snyder for Inverse, he shared his own insights into Superman, offering a fresh perspective on the character’s motivations and struggles. He revealed,
Superman is an apologia worrywart and he’s concerned with keeping the world from blowing itself up. Batman’s this Dionysian character who’s out for blood, and they’re perfect opposites in that Batman is the reckless ego and Superman is the fearful superego.
Zack Snyder also shed light on the vision behind the character, delving into the essence of what makes Superman who he is. He said,
That’s cool. I really love it, because I love that Superman is in charge of keeping this… In a lot of ways, the children are tearing the preschool down, they’re setting it on fire, and they’re out of their minds, and he’s really just trying to wrangle us so we don’t kill ourselves and Batman’s just like, “No, that’s what it is to be alive,” you know? That’s cool.
Turns out, Superman embodies a grittier, more complex vibe compared to Batman. While Batman operates on his own terms, Superman’s actions are driven by a sense of duty. This is where their differences truly shine. He’s not just a boy scout in a cape, he’s a complex hero grappling with immense responsibilities. He’s so much more than the traditional ideal of heroism!
Why Superman’s Decision to Kill Zod Is Totally Justified!
General Zod was on a mission to take down humanity, furious that Superman interrupted his grand plans to turn Earth into a Kryptonian paradise. During their epic showdown, things get intense when Superman sees Zod about to unleash his heat vision on a family.
And in a split-second decision, Superman makes the heart-wrenching choice to snap Zod’s neck, a move that would haunt him and lead to his famous no-kill rule.
Although killing Zod shattered Superman completely, he understood it was a necessary choice. This moment of desperation plays into the idea of a “worrywart,” as he grapples with the weight of his actions and the consequences they bring even though he doesn’t necessarily agree with the idea.
Now, you might be wondering, was that really justified? Well, opinions in the DC universe are varied. Many believe that Superman would only break his no-kill rule if it was absolutely necessary to protect innocent lives. By taking Zod out, he saves that family at the moment and potentially prevents future disasters for billions more.
But this isn’t the only time Superman has taken a life. In Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? by Alan Moore, he goes up against Mister Mxyzptlk, who admits he’s been behind a series of attacks that led to the deaths of Superman’s friends eventually taking Mxyzptlk’s life. Superman has also battled and killed Doomsday, multiple times since his debut in 1992.
So, in that moment, Superman’s choice not only defined his character but also highlighted the heavy burden of being a hero. As sometimes, being a hero means making the toughest of calls!
Man of Steel is available to stream on Max.
