Kronicpimp writes:If WB keeps producing Superman movies, the series may go through the 007-style actor change thing as well.
Well, there have already been as many Superman actors as Bond actors, but my point is Superman has that costume; you can put pretty much any good-looking guy in it and people will know he's Superman. On the other hand, what makes James Bond James Bond? A tuxedo? Anyone can wear a tux...no one confused Burt Parks or Myron Floren for 007. You need to add the gun, the pose, the music and other trappings before people know it's "Bond," whereas with Superman you just need the costume. And not even all of it...an "S" peeping out from an open shirt will do it. Bond doesn't have anywhere near that level of recognition. Even the "007" logo can't come close to the Big Red S.
Gangerbuster has listed some examples of how Supes has obtained/maintained a higher position on the list non-storyline wise. Does anyone have their own reasons as to how he has also managed to do the same, but storyline-wise (especially compared to other characters)- includings aspects of his story that appeals to the world population, and if he IS at the top of the list?
I don't think ANY character becomes most recognized based on his "storyline." Millions of people know Spider-Man but don't even know he's married, much less to whom. Millions know Dick Tracy, but they couldn't tell you how he finished off Flat-Top. The really immortal characters can be boiled down to one simple premise that's more important than all the piled-on, byzantine continuity of 40 years of X-Men.
Robin Hood: steals from the rich, gives to the poor
Sherlock Holmes: solves mysteries that leave the police baffled
King Arthur: pulls the sword from the stone and unites Britain under one kingdom
And so on. Of course they're all British heroes.
But Superman is the same: he's strong, he can fly, bullets bounce off him, he fights crime and saves lives. All the rest, however much it may interest us here, is added on and not that important in terms of keeping Superman "recognizable" and universal.
If you're asking what is it about the character in terms of concept vs. visuals that makes him resonate with people around the world, I'd have to say it's two things: one, he's got super-powers we all wish we had and two, he uses them to help mankind, which makes him a role model. It's not a lot deeper or more complex than that, if you ask me. The "super-immigrant" thing, the "orphan boy makes good" appeal, the Biblical parallels are all nice and all there if you want to look for them, but they're secondary at best. Bottom line is we all wish we were as smart as Holmes, as cool as Bond, as fearless and cunning as Odysseus, and as strong and virtuous as Superman. The "storylines" may keep us coming back, but they're generally not what hooked us in the first place.
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