Superman Returns: A Gay Sensibility (Essay)

[bradygirl_12]

Hi, luvs! Check out my latest essay, Superman Returns: A Gay Sensibility, posted over on superhero_muses today! :)

Comments

:o

[dinahqueen.livejournal.com]

That was a very interesting article and certainly an interesting way to view the film. I can see the parallels, and I even agree!

I think you're right about the restrained, subtle thing of it to be a director's choice, and even a good one after a long time in space.

I'm not excited about a Nolanverse Superman. :( I don't even like Nolanverse Batman. But for me, I still prefer the Golden Age/Silver Age personality types; where things are a little less dark, gritty depressing. (Not that I dislike that stuff, because I love crime shows and the like, but...)

I like my comic books to remind me of something better- where the lines between the heroes and villains are more delineated. (After all, Nolanverse Batman is barely better than the people he's fighting against...)

Okay, done ranting. D: That being said-

I did so love the article! I love the idea you present in your article. I can definitely see Superman/Richard White, and even more so, Clark/Richard White. But I've always liked Clark/Jimmy Olsen. My only problem with Clark/Jimmy (and incidentally one of my big problems with Lois/Clark) is that I feel if he ever did open up about his true identity, the hero worship they have for Superman would color their relationship in an odd and uncomfortable way.

(So apparently, I wasn't done ranting. XD I just like chatting with you, so I'm just word vomiting now. >.>)

Re: :o

[bradygirl_12]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

I agree with you about the pre-COIE personality: I like an upbeat Superman! :) Dark 'n' gritty is for Batman, and even there DC goes overboard.

Clark/Richard would work very well, and as you say, Clark/Jimmy could suffer from the hero worship syndrome. Though I remember the first actor cast in Lois And Clark as Jimmy and I thought he and Clark had excellent chemistry, then they changed the actor in the second season. *sighs* I even wrote a zine story ages ago pairing those two together, envisioning the first actor in the role.

I enjoy chatting with you, too! :)

Re: :o

[dinahqueen.livejournal.com]

:)

Yeah, I like a more upbeat Superman, too. At least one that's more... I'm not sure how to explain it exactly. But it seems recent Superman characterization wears his alien-ness like a shield to protect himself from attachment. But one of Superman's greatest characteristics, to me, was his humanity in spite of being an alien. (Granted, he was raised by a human couple, but his powers manifested early in an area where there was no one else like him.)

He seemed to have such optimism for the human condition and humanity as a whole, but in recent years it seems less of a focal point. I agree that there should be some darkness to Batman, but I feel like Batman: TAS is as dark as it should be... and even in that, he had Robin!

Yes, I think Clark/Richard would work out very nicely. I thought Clark and Jimmy had great chemistry in SR, one of the standout scenes for me is when Clark first returns and he and Jimmy get a beer. :)

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[bradygirl_12]

One of Clark's greatest strengths is his empathy and concern for us. Despite our flaws and cruelties, he actually LIKES us! He grew up among us and understands us, as much as anyone can understand humanity.

Clark should be an optimist. Sure, he can be weary and discouraged, but in essense, he's a sunny personality (like Dick). All this alienated stuff? It always reads like it's written by an emo teenager. He can fell alienation at times but Clark always was good at connecting with others, whether Jimmy or Lois or his JLA colleagues or his parents.

That beer scene was great! I also loved seeing Jack Larsen in a cameo as the bartender, too. :)