Once more, it's the little moments that truly make this story. A Superman story is a Superman story - in this I mean that something outrageously ridiculous has to be happening, even if it's simply the idea of Superman himself. If you are telling a story about Superman, it involves the kind of narrative that grows around a character like Superman. And that's a good thing, even when poorly done. Remembering the scope of Superman's story is a very important aspect of the myth. What makes these particular stories stand out is the moments that aren't Superman stories, in a lot of ways. Well, in today's issue, that's the case. As Clark goes undercover to find out about a dead drug dealer, the little moment of humanity and grief he shares with the patrons of a dive bar, in the midst of a tale of superhumanity, is an all-important linking feature. Myths like this one rely on us being able to see not only our better selves in the main character, but to see the parts of ourselves that are already "super" to begin with - our empathy and sympathy, our ability and desire to help. If we share this quality with Superman (or any other mythic carpent...I mean, figure), then we can embody something of what he is and represents.
More to come...
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