He is this intelligent, noble, genuine guy, who is in love with a girl who doesn't really acknowledge him. But he just happens to also be an alien from a dying world, set adrift by his folks all alone. So while he is the image of human goodness, he is also not human, and it is human cruelty which makes his existence difficult. And he hides his true identity, only jumping out in his cape to avert crimes, where ironically the girl of his dreams falls in love with this version of him. And then there is the Kryptonite, his second great weakness after the girl. Both of which get exploited all the time.
Superman means so much to people, he is a complex metaphor that most of the western world relates to. He stands for towering strength, inexplicable weakness, nobleness and corruption. He is every man who is desired by women, and every man who loves unrequited, and every man who gains his hearts desire. He is about finding yourself, knowing and not knowing and hiding who you are. He is about safety and security, and also about great danger. He is our greatest desire, to have someone there to save us in our hour of need; coupled with our greatest fear, complete abandonment. And he has superpowers, mankind's most common fantasy.
The superman of old has had his image extended by the cinema. Christopher Reeve's identity has become highly intertwined with the avatar, so his tragic accident and later his passing have left their scars on superman. But no matter how time passes, I don't think superman will loose his fascination. He means to much, and he epitomizes such basic human nature that he can not become outdated. His graphics will change over time, but his image will live on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband : Even Superman
When you saw her face
You thought that nothing could go wrong
And then you saw her smile
You used to be so very strong
But even x-ray eyes
Could not realize
Everybody loves and everybody falls and everybody, everybody feels this way
(Chorus)
Cause even Superman has kryptonite
Though he tries with all his might
Even Superman falls to his knees
Beggin' "please, please, please, please"
Beggin' "please, please, please, please"
Now Lois Lane feels safe
Because he's flyin up above
But would he save the world (would he save the world)
And never hold his one true love
Then she had a dream
And woke up with a scream
Sayin "everybody hurts and everybody falls and everybody, everybody feels this way
Chorus
When Lex Luthor saw
How this weakness made him strong
The diabolic plan (the diabolic plan)
Was in effect before too long
Cause even giants fall
And every dog eventually has its day
And Achilles has a heel
And even bones still can break
Cause even Superman has kryptonite
Though he tries with all his might
Even Superman falls to his knees
Beggin' "please, please, please, please"
When you saw her face
You thought that nothing could go wrong
And then you saw her smile
You used to be so very strong
But even x-ray eyes
Could not realize
Everybody loves and everybody falls and everybody, everybody feels this way
(Chorus)
Cause even Superman has kryptonite
Though he tries with all his might
Even Superman falls to his knees
Beggin' "please, please, please, please"
Beggin' "please, please, please, please"
Now Lois Lane feels safe
Because he's flyin up above
But would he save the world (would he save the world)
And never hold his one true love
Then she had a dream
And woke up with a scream
Sayin "everybody hurts and everybody falls and everybody, everybody feels this way
Chorus
When Lex Luthor saw
How this weakness made him strong
The diabolic plan (the diabolic plan)
Was in effect before too long
Cause even giants fall
And every dog eventually has its day
And Achilles has a heel
And even bones still can break
Cause even Superman has kryptonite
Though he tries with all his might
Even Superman falls to his knees
Beggin' "please, please, please, please"
