News I Missed: Superman Renounces His U.S. Citizenship

I haven’t picked up Action Comics #900 yet, so I missed the news that Superman has thrown a hissy fit and renounced his U.S. Citizenship. Apparently, the issue has Superman uttering the following:

“I intend to speak before the United Nations tomorrow and inform them that I am renouncing my U.S. citizenship. I’m tired of having my actions construed as instruments of U.S. policy.”

Inevitably, the media picked up on the story, most notably Fox News, and while I was asleep this afternoon, the internet kind of exploded (see the comments on the Fox News piece).

“Superman is a visitor from a distant planet who has long embraced American values. As a character and an icon, he embodies the best of the American Way,” DC’s co-publishers, Jim Lee and Dan DiDio said in a statement to FOX411.com. “In a short story in ACTION COMICS 900, Superman announces his intention to put a global focus on his never ending battle, but he remains, as always, committed to his adopted home and his roots as a Kansas farm boy from Smallville.”

As you might expect, tons of nut jobs have come out and derided DC for the decision, and a fair few have also come out to defend them, saying Superman is an alien first etc. etc.

Want to know what I think? He’s a comic book character - get over it. I’ve enjoyed Paul Cornell’s run on the series so far, but this is clearly a cheap trick on behalf of DC editorial to get people talking about Superman again. The current trend is killing off a hero then bringing them back, in attempt to prop up flagging sales, but as they already did that with Superman a few decades ago, this was probably the next best thing.

Also, you have to ask yourself, how does Superman even have US citizenship to begin with. He just appeared out of nowhere one day in Metropolis, and the government decided to grant him Citizenship? What name is on his Citizenship documents, Superman? Kal-El? Oh, why the hell am I even debating this?

File under ‘L’ for lame!

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