justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

At 75, is Superman too old to be a “superman?”

·     How old is too old for a superhero?

·     Should our usual assessment of what an “older man”, let alone a superhero, still be used to measure what he is capable of?

Soon after the release of the latest Superman movie, I read a comment or two on the internet that posed the following question: “Is Superman, who was created 75 years ago, getting too old to do the ‘Superman stuff’?”

To that I say, “Balderdash!”

Action heroes – whether the latest and greatest or the classic “good always defeats evil” – are still amazingly popular and readily available in comic books, DVDs, streaming videos…even as prizes at many fast food outlets. They remain high on the top of many people’s lists of things to follow. I do admit that a lot has changed in Superman’s 75 years. His alter ego Clark Kent doesn’t even have a phone booth in which to change from street clothes to his Man of Steel costume anymore. Cell phones have made phone booths obsolete. Yes, 21^st century technology has even affected Superman.

I’m the same age as Superman (in fact, a little older). I may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but like Superman, I have my share of supernatural endeavors that belie my age. I’m certainly not ready to stop my acts of courage. Chalk that up to a shared belief in the everlasting spirit of being forever young…the spirit shared with all who continue to keep our Superheroes forever young, ensuring the world and universe remain safe from all evil!

The last Superman movie included information about his family, both on earth and he planet of origin. I liked that. It added a sense of increased vulnerability about him, due to how almost “regular” he might be.

I understand that there’s a combination Batman and Superman extravaganza planned for late this year or next. I trust this will silence those naysayers disrespecting a man of Superman’s age, and will put the pending retirement party for the Last Son of Krypton to rest!