Superman renounces U.S. citizenship, pundits go nuts

In DC's Action Comics #900, Superman plans to renounce his U.S. citizenship on the grounds that his actions are interpreted as America's actions. Supes has long been an American icon -- who among us can't call up an image of him in front of the flag, cape waving in the wind? It's easy. But now "truth, justice, and the American way -- it's not enough anymore." His words.
  

  
Political commentators, those on Fox News especially, have run with this notion, often ignoring the context. A short segment on The O'Reilly Factor mentioned it, but quickly and only focusing on the renouncement. Some think it is because Superman is somehow ashamed of being an American, like Governor Mike Huckabee has claimed in a Fox News interview. 


"Well 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 a citizen,'" Huckabee said. "I think it’s a part of a bigger trend of Americans almost apologizing for being Americans."


Huckabee, who said he would not purchase the comic, obviously does not understand the context. So without further ado, here's why Supes is doing what he's doing.


In "The Incident," a nine-page story in Action Comics #900, Superman goes to Tehran, Iran to show peaceful support for a protest against the Iranian regime. Since he is so closely associated with the U.S., his actions are interpreted as America's support for the regime's downfall, and are therefore an act of war.

Superman admits he should have thought of this, and he plans to renounce is citizenship in order to avoid future incidents. He's a superhero out to help every country, every planet for that matter, not just America. He isn't disillusioned with his country the way Captain America was in the '70s when he became Nomad. 
  

  

What's more, as Comics Alliance pointed out, this does not affect Clark Kent's citizenship. The two are seen as two entirely different people, and Superman is removing the American association from one of them. 


Jim Lee and Dan DiDio, DC's co-publishers, released a statement in an attempt to clarify the situation, saying, "Superman announces his intention to put a global focus on his never-ending battle, but he remains, as always, committed to his adopted home & his roots as a Kansas farm boy from Smallville."


In the Fox News blog, as opposed to the television alternative, pretty fair accounts of the situation were posted, but the readers were outraged nonetheless. The comments section of said articles are now closed, but The Escapist reported comments like this one: 


"The liberal, America hating scumbags who now run DC Comics are just adding another feather in their cap with yet more anti-American culture and tradition jihad. F--k 'em."


Whether you love or hate the news, DC wins. Action Comics #900 has sold out and will reportedly reprint in order to keep up with demand.