New York: Is Superman the ultimate American? Perhaps not any more.
The superhero is embroiled in a battle with prominent Republicans and others furious at his decision in a new issue of Action Comics to renounce his US citizenship.
The red-caped avenger, long mythologised as the embodiment of American strength and values, shocks readers in the comic’s 900th issue by telling a White House official he’s changing allegiance.
“Which is why I intend to speak before the UN tomorrow and inform them that I am renouncing my US citizenship,” he says. “Truth, justice and the American way – it’s not enough any more.”
The super spat – sparked in the comic by Superman’s disillusionment at reactions to his support for democracy protesters in Iran – has spilled far beyond the pages and speech bubbles.
Mike Huckabee, a potential Republican presidential candidate, has weighed in saying Superman’s threat was no laughing matter.
“It is a comic book, but you know it’s disturbing that Superman, who has always been an American icon, is now saying, ‘I’m not going to be an American citizen’,” Huckabee said in a Fox News interview.
“It’s part of a bigger trend of Americans almost apologising for being Americans.”
And among the flood of news-paper editorials and blog entries, the teaparty.org blog saw nothing less than the hand of President Barack Obama. “Superman now says he denounces his citizenship of America and is only a citizen of the world.
“This is very socialistic of Superman wanting a socialistic world with people like Obama at the helm of this movement,” thundered the blog.
Publishers DC Comics say readers shouldn’t get their blue tights in a twist.
“As a character and an icon, he embodies the best of the American way.
“In a short story in Action Comics 900, Superman announces his intention to put a global focus on his never-ending battle, but he remains, as always, committed to his adopted home and his roots as a Kansas farm boy from Smallville,” a statement declares.
Superman’s identity has always been mixed. His civilian alter ego is the mild-mannered newspaper reporter Clark Kent. But Superman himself is an adopted immigrant to Kansas from the planet Krypton. – Sapa-AFP