The Man of Steel 1: "A Love Genuinely Lived"

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"Man of Steel, Part 1"

Creative Team:

Brian Michael Bendis - Script; Ivan Reis - Pencils; Joe Prado - Inks; Jay Fabok - Art (pp 21-22); Alex Sinclair - Colors; Cory Petit - Letters; Reis, Prado, Sinclair - Cover; Jessica Chen - Associate Editor; Michael Cotton - Editor; Brian Cunningham - Group Editor; Superman Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; Superboy Created by Jerry Siegel; By Special Arrangement with the Jerry Siegel Family

DC Comics' Solicitation: 

"A new era begins for Superman as a threat from his earliest origins reemerges to destroy the Last Son of Krypton. As Superman struggles to come to grips with what has happened to his wife and son, he must also face a new threat that’s determined to burn down Metropolis!"

"A Love Genuinely Lived"

Back in 2016, DC Comics' Rebirth initiative served as my jumping-on point for new comics.  This was the return of what many (including myself) consider a return to a more classic Superman.  For all that the previous New 52 initiative did well with Justice League and Batman, their characterization of Big Blue was just off for so many.  He was brash, cocky, and at times just plain unlikable.  For this reason, Rebirth put some of the best creative teams on the two Superman books, and it paid off in spades!  The Superman book was led by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason, while my personal favorite Action Comics was written by Dan Jurgens.  If that name sounds familiar, he was one of the architects behind the classic "Death and Return of Superman" story from the 90's.

Fast Forward to a few months ago, when DC announced that Brian Michael Bendis will be taking over everything Superman.  This was a huge coup for DC, but it came with the obvious bittersweet news that the previous teams would transition out.  I have liked most of what I have read from Bendis at Marvel, but nonetheless I was a little nervous because of how much I loved the Superman books for the last 2 years.  

So far, through two mini stories and one full issue, I am on board!  "My Superman" is a mix of the 50's television show, the original Superman movies, and the mid-90's comics.  I can see bits and pieces of all of the above in Bendis' first issue.  He even has his classic red trunks back!  Above all, where this issue ultimately succeeds is in emphasizing Superman as a hero for the people.  While there is the series-wide conflict with a big bad named Rogal Zaar, the main action scene is Superman saving a building full of people from an apparent arson.  This is a relatively easy task for someone who can take on any threat throughout the cosmos, yet he gladly does it.  For me, this is quintessential Superman.  At his heart he always seeks to protect the innocent.  In The Man of Steel #1 we see that sentiment when he saves a little girl and her puppies.  He took every care to make sure she was safe, including single-handedly extinguishing the fire.

We have a Savior who acts in a similar, though much more robust, way.  In Philippians 2:4-11, we are taught that we ought to follow Christ's example of humility.  It was His humble sacrifice that allowed us to have Eternal Life.  Christ did not just take on a burning building, but He took the sin of all people to Himself and died a horrific death.  After three days He rose from the grave and defeated sin, death, and the devil.  Though Superman does not grant this kind of promise to the people he serves, he does give them a great moral example.  He did not live a perfect life, but he does aim to protect all those in need.

Ever since Superman:  The Movie came out in 1978, there have been parallels made between Jesus and Big Blue in all media.  Those similarities are certainly there, and make for some rich discussion.  However, it should be noted that Superman was originally influenced by Moses, who God used to deliver his people out of slavery in Egypt.  The creators of the character were both Jewish, and Moses would have been one of their main heroes of the faith.  On top of that, he stood up for the oppressed, and through God's guidance freed them from their captors.  Likewise Superman uses the abilities he has to deliver the people of earth from those that seek to oppress them.  

So, who is this new villain Rogal Zaar?  We do not know a whole lot about him yet, except long in the past he sought to cleanse the galaxy of Kryptonians.  From what we read, he is some sort of cosmic enforcer, doing the dirty work for those in charge.  He sees Krypton as a planet over-extending themselves, and a potential virus for every planet.  When he brings his genocidal proposal to his superiors they turn him down, which forces him to go rogue.  Eventually, he will certainly bring the fight to Superman, one of the last Kryptonians.  

Rogal Zaar will present a very interesting challenge for Superman.  He has a systemic hate for Kryptonians and will force Kal-El to answer for the sins of his predecessors.  It seems clear that this threat will also endanger his adopted home as well.  More than many other Superman villains which may match him in strength or abilities, Rogal Zaar poses an existential threat to his core being.  He will test Kal-El's Kryptonian legacy as well as his dedication to the people he serves currently on earth.

Looking at this villain through the lens of the account of Moses in Exodus (especially Chapter 14), perhaps he will serve in the role of the Pharaoh who had the hardened heart and will go after Superman, one of the last Kryptonians still alive.  It may be more likely that Bendis will take Rogal Zaar in a more facist direction, like a Nazi.  If this is the case, perhaps we can do well to remember these words from Reverend Bonhoeffer,

"The world is overcome not through destruction, but through reconciliation. Not ideals, nor programs, nor conscience, nor duty, nor responsibility, nor virtue, but only God's perfect love can encounter reality and overcome it. Nor is it some universal idea of love, but rather the love of God in Jesus Christ, a love genuinely lived, that does this." ~ Meditations on the Cross

I have a feeling that as this story unfolds Superman will not be able to merely punch his way through the enemy.  It will take his notorious compassion and love for people to complete the mission.  This is the strongest parallel between the Superman mythos and Christianity.  However, Bonhoeffer was correct, even the selfless actions of Big Blue are not enough to rely upon.  We need the perfect love of Christ to overcome the Enemy.  Even if this is not the direction Bendis takes, he has already proven to understand these underlying qualities that makes Superman the greatest superhero of all time.

We are left with a cliffhanger of Lois and Jon gone, unsure of what happened to them or where they are being held.  Perhaps Rogal Zaar is punishing Superman for no other reason than where he was born.  We will have to wait for those answers, but I am excited by what we have received so far!

What did you think of this issue?  I would love to talk about it with you.  You can comment below, or find me @behindthecapes on Twitter, or by liking the Behind the Capes Facebook page.  Also, something new, Behind the Capes has a group called Behind the Capes' Nerd Out Round Table, where we talk about a bunch of geeky stuff.  It is technically a closed group, but anyone can join if they agree to the simple rules laid out in the group.  I would love for this group to grow!