Superman was created back in the 1930's.Upon his, release his physical from was very different to how he is portrayed today by fans. Originally, Superman wasn't as buff as a tank, but closer to the average size of a man who lifts heavy stuff for work.I believe there was a common reason for this being the fact that comics at the time were aimed to and bought for children of the ages of 5 to 14. For them to see a Superman about the size of their father who would more than likely be a dock or factory worker, would allow the kid to look onto his father with admiration, thinking "My dad looks as buff as Superman! I bet he's a hero just like him" mentality into the minds of young children.
I think it really draws back to the underdog sensibility.Seeing Superman as an underdog would cause us to root for him more, because the victory would be all the sweeter.For some reason the majority of the artists at DC have decided that Superman should look like if he hits you with even a fraction of his real strength that you'll be on a vacation to the moon.Look at the picture of the actors who've played Clark/Superaman.Do they actually look like they’re big enough to kick a person into outer space?
To be honest Christoper Reeve was the biggest physically of the actors and yet he was only about averaged size for a person who jogs and works out on an average basis back in the 70's.George Reeves and Kirk Allyn and Dean Cain all look like averaged sized workers and yet they did some decent renditions of the character.George Reeves especially.For some people, George Reeves is Superman.Yet these actors don't look physically imposing right.Brandon Routh, has the body of a swimmer which gave give the flying scenes a natural feel that worked on every level. And even more so, it's stunning in “Superman Returns” when he lifts that huge Kryptonite mountain.
I think it really draws back to the underdog sensibility.Seeing Superman as an underdog would cause us to root for him more, because the victory would be all the sweeter.For some reason the majority of the artists at DC have decided that Superman should look like if he hits you with even a fraction of his real strength that you'll be on a vacation to the moon.Look at the picture of the actors who've played Clark/Superaman.Do they actually look like they’re big enough to kick a person into outer space?
To be honest Christoper Reeve was the biggest physically of the actors and yet he was only about averaged size for a person who jogs and works out on an average basis back in the 70's.George Reeves and Kirk Allyn and Dean Cain all look like averaged sized workers and yet they did some decent renditions of the character.George Reeves especially.For some people, George Reeves is Superman.Yet these actors don't look physically imposing right.Brandon Routh, has the body of a swimmer which gave give the flying scenes a natural feel that worked on every level. And even more so, it's stunning in “Superman Returns” when he lifts that huge Kryptonite mountain.
I understand many of you have clung to the idea of Superman having to be buff.I just want to see Superman not being so big that he looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger back in the 60's. Instead, I’d rather see his being an average size so that there is some suspended belief in the grandeur of his doing something spectacular and beyond that of mortal men. It gives the story a unique subtext to it that really reaches into our minds and allows us to want to root for that character more.
The new Superman will be coming next year 2013 and I am eager to watch him in action again.
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