As James Gunn's Superman comes soaring into theaters, there has been some discourse on social media surrounding some of the comic book movie's themes. Especially surrounding what some are calling a "woke" move by incorporating an immigrant allegory.
Superhero fans around the world already know Superman as the symbol of "truth, justice, and the American way," and Gunn has kept that intact. However, the Man of Steel's true inspirations might be older than America itself.
James Gunn's take on the iconic DC comics character has already been met with positive reviews, but not without making headlines in the public news outlets, as some have even called it a "woke" adaptation.
"I mean, Superman is the story of America... An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country. But for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost," Gunn told The Times.
Although the immigrant-inspired influences hasn't gone unnoticed, and other contemporaries have cited Superman as a Christ-like figure, it feels like far too many miss that Superman has more in common with the story of Moses than any one particular entity.
An iconic superhero brought to life by Jewish creators during a time of antisemitic turmoil in WWII, it makes complete sense that the Last Son of Krypton has more roots in the Abrahamic/Christian faiths than some might consider.
Think about it, as Superman's father put him in a vessel towards Earth to escape the destruction of his people, so too did Moses' mother put him in a basket down the river to escape the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of the Egyptians. Additionally, both are blessed with incredible, miraculous powers that they use to save their people from a villainous political figure.
You could fill book after book after book on the cultural significance of Superman, and many have. However, it's this wide appeal across storylines, history, and generations that keeps him at the forefront of comic book culture.
Superman might not be the world's first superhero, but he is arguably the most influential. And in the modern cultural zeitgeist, there truly aren't many figures who reach such mythic (or divine) reputation, making it a perfect time for the Man of Steel to soar again.
Superman is in theaters now and the film is quickly shaping up to be one of the biggest superhero movies of 2025.
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