Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, DC Comics, Superman | Tagged: Chained, Superman #850
One of the unique central photographs of Superman from the thirties and forties was that of him snapping chains held throughout his chest.
One of the unique central photographs of Superman from the thirties and forties was that of him snapping chains held throughout his chest. It additionally spoke to the roots of the character, that of a circus sturdy man, which included trunks worn over tights. Ripping cellphone books in half, lifting massive dumbbells, breaking bricks and snapping chains had been all acquainted photographs of such performers.
The chain picture was so notable it was trademarked by DC Comics and has been reprised repeatedly since. Superman breaks chains; it is an intrinsic a part of the character. It symbolises freedom, breaking the chains of tyranny and oppression. Truth, Justice and the American Way. Again and many times.
In Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s Warworld tales we met a race associated to Kryptonians who had been enslaved in chains, however the chains had additionally turn into a part of their identification.
And the repeated instincts of Superman and his mates to take away these chains, to interrupt these chains…
… was repeatedly rejected. Some explanations got here however none that the Superman Family had been blissful to listen to.
And whereas they need their freedom, the chains stay a part of their identification. And so now Superman went to Warworld to free the slaves of that planet with a rag-tag band of superheroes he has gathered collectively. They failed. And his compatriots, those that survived the preliminary assault on Warworld, get the respect meted out to all warriors of the planet. They get their very own chains. And new hyperlinks to reward their prowess on the sector of battle.
Superman has a colonial “white saviour” complicated, barging in to avoid wasting the day with out realising that his enter is probably not initially appreciated by a inhabitants that has realized to worth and admire elements of their slavery by way of identification. Despite being given all of the clues by assembly the escaped slaves, his might-makes-right American exceptionalism method has failed to know the intricacies of how folks take elements of their oppression and use them to oppress others or give themselves worth within the eyes of their oppressors. It is as a lot psychological slavery as it’s bodily. It’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings meets Uncle Tom’s Cabin meets the follow of some emancipated slaves within the USA holding items of reduce rope to symbolise their experiences. It’s complicated, it is nuanced, and it was disturbing. And primarily based on Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s work within the discipline of anti-human trafficking volunteer work in Baltimore, telling me “One aspect of anti-human trafficking work that haunts me is how profoundly trapped human trafficking victims often are, usually more psychologically than physically. Most trafficking victims I’ve known don’t see themselves as such… they don’t think they have a pimp or a trafficker; they have a “boyfriend.” Sure, he hurts them and sells them and keeps every penny, but he’s all they have now. Whatever their life used to look like, whatever loved ones were once in their life, whatever tools or talents they might once have had, their trafficker took that all away, and the dehumanising abuse and lies and suffering are all they have left. If some would-be savior comes along and tries to take that away, by threatening their trafficker or their relationship with that trafficker, they’ll fight tooth and nail to protect it. That can make it incredibly difficult to help them. To me, the truest antithesis to Superman—Champion of the Oppressed, defender of Truth and Justice, a man of utter compassion and humility–would be a slaver. A despot who controls an empire of slaves not just with physical chains and violence, but by brainwashing them with constant lies. This newest Mongul has given Superman the greatest challenge of his life, and it’s not kryptonite or red suns or monsters from another dimension. It’s the millions of slaves he’s brainwashed into worshipping him, who desperately need Superman but hate him and won’t accept his help. I know what that helplessness and frustration feels like. And selfishly, I needed Superman to show me how a hero faces an enemy like that.”
Now it appears that evidently Superman is revisiting the chain motif with author Joshua Williamson and Gleb Melnikov, with Lex Luthor having been in a coma – although not but as lifeless as Penguin #1 suggests he will likely be… and with a household available to carry him out of it. Superman seems to have inherited Lex Luthor’s initiatives that he has now ingerited as a part of Supercorp. And one thing known as Project: Chained. And when Superman sees chains, he breaks them. And would not appear to have realized a lot from Warworld that merely breaking chains could not fairly have the impact you suppose it would on the person being chained.
.
There are nuances, understanding, consideration and respect… Luthor gave Sammy Stryker his powers in his early profession, earlier than Superman got here to Metropolis. He was each too highly effective to regulate and to kill. So Luthor; together with the Master Jailer and Sammy’s father Sebastian Stryker, the founding father of Stryker’s Island, created a cell which might preserve the Chained alive whereas holding him motionless and fully remoted underneath whole sensory deprivation. They buried the cell underneath 400 ft of rock beneath Stryker’s Island. Until Superman simply came upon about it.
Sometimes Superman would possibly suppose twice earlier than breaking chains… however fortunately he has Conner Kent available who, im subtext, has their very own chains to interrupt out of. If you want to learn it that method.
And a reference to the trademark there. Well, DC Comics does have a trademark to guard, do they not?
SUPERMAN #7 CVR A JAMAL CAMPBELL (#850)
(W) Joshua Williamson (A) Gleb Melnikov, Dan Jurgens, Various (CA) Jamal Campbell
AN OVERSIZE ANNIVERSARY ISSUE CELEBRATING THE MAN OF STEEL AND HIS LEGACY! Superman #850! A particular oversize problem celebrating Superman and his super-legacy! Since the beginning of Superman #1 and Dawn of DC, a thriller has been brewing in Metropolis. Now that thriller’s secrets and techniques are unleashed, with startling revelations that arrange a large story in 2024! The Chained continues as Superman battles towards an overpowered new menace who needs to destroy Metropolis! Superman should determine if he’s keen to observe Lex’s tragic orders to take the Chained down! And Lex Luthor is visited by a blast from his previous. One that can influence his future endlessly.
SUPERMAN #8 CVR A JAMAL CAMPBELL
(W) Joshua Williamson (A) Gleb Melnikov (CA) Jamal Campbell
POWERLESS! Superman versus the Chained concludes! One of the largest battles Metropolis has ever witnessed comes right down to Superman doing the unthinkable and sacrificing his powers to cease the Chained. How does that influence Lex Luthor’s plans…or is Lex too busy coping with the surprising return of his mom in Superman #850?!
Retail: $4.99 In-Store Date: 11/21/2023
SUPERMAN #9 CVR A JAMAL CAMPBELL
(W) Joshua Williamson (A) Bruno Redondo (CA) Jamal Campbell
SUPER-ARMOR! Superman’s battle with the Chained has left him wounded in surprising methods, however the Lex Luthor Revenge Squad remains to be forming! To save Metropolis, Superman has no alternative however to placed on a particular armor constructed by Lex! Featuring art work from Eisner Award-winning Nightwing artist Bruno Redondo! Retail: $4.99 In-Store Date: 12/19/2023
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