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The Silver Age was a time of both big bizarreness and great optimism forSuperman . funny creators and reader liked have fun with the Man of Steel , so report during this time had no problem turning Superman into a giant dragon or anant - headed mansimply because it beseem the notion of the author . At the same meter , Superman remain an inspiring material body who encourage mass to commit each other – and no taradiddle showed this better than the time Superman took a famous U.S. president into his assurance .
The story , presented inAction Comics # 309,began with Superman vanish around the cosmos to complete multiple errand for TV producers , doctors , adventurer , and thepresident himself . As it plough out , the assignments are all a ruse to keep the Man of Tomorrow occupied so he would n’t suspect that he was the first node on “ Our American Heroes , ” a TV show that celebrated Superman ’s life and accomplishments .
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The manufacturer ask in many of Superman ’s friends as show guests , including Pete Ross , Supergirl , Perry White , Jimmy Olsen , the Legion of Super Heroes , and Police Chief Parker from the Man of Steel ’s Superboy days . Many of Superman ’s girlfriends , includingLois Lane , Lana Lang , and Lori Lemaris also make appearance . However , when the show invites Clark Kent , Superman becomes concerned that if a Clark duplication does n’t show up , Lois and Lana may surmise his double spirit .
At first , Superman decide to employ one of his Superman robots to pose as Clark for the program . However , he soon discover that Lana and Lois have a machine that register electronic equipment – and be after to use it on “ Clark ” to see if he ’s a robot or a human . Superman then consider asking Chameleon Boy of the Legion of Superheroes to shapeshift into Clark – but the Legion is call by on a missionary work . He also thinks of gettingBatman to pose as Clark , but the Dark Knight is also a guest on the show – which could alarm Lois to the deception if Batman goes lacking when Clark arrives .
Just as Superman seems entirely out of idea , however , Clark Kent walks into the studio to shake Batman ’s paw and greet Superman . Lois and Lana immediately turn their equipment onto the meek - mannered reporter , and are dismayed to study that he ’s a living being and not a robot . Only at the end of the floor when Kent removes his glasses and special composition do readers key out that “ Clark ” was in reality a famous real - life person - U.S. President John F. Kennedy who Superman had disclosed his surreptitious personal identity to earlier .
foretell to guard Superman ’s hole-and-corner identity “ as I ward the secrets of our land , ” President Kennedy receive Superman ’s full self-confidence . As the Man of Steel puts it , “ If I ca n’t intrust the President of the United States , who can I trust ? ” It ’s a lighthearted , optimistic tale … but one that quickly took on a tragic timbre due to real life events . One week before the comic record strike newsstands , President John F. Kennedy was assassinate , shocking the entire nation . For many , JFK ’s blackwash marked a turning point in U.S. chronicle , as optimism in the United States begin to give room to incredulity and distrust in political build . Superman comic would extend publishing lighthearted fare for a time , but even they began reflect the more pessimistic climate .
decade after the comic was published , Superman ’s nemesis Lex Luthor was elected President of the United States , challenging Superman ’s early assertion that he could trust the President without question . Superman himself would renounce his U.S. citizenship inAction Comics # 900after feeling his activeness – including stand in solidarity with Iranian protestors in Tehran – were being construe as instruments of U.S. insurance . As Superman now put it , “ ’ Truth , Justice , and theAmericanWay ’ – it ’s not enough anymore . ” Although his renunciation would be erase when DC Comics rebooted its universe , the issue stand in crude demarcation to the well-off optimism and reliance Superman showed during the Silver Age .
Over the age , Superman has become thequintessential image of a keen American hero . Like all mythologic characters , however , his portrayal and the type of earth he lives in always evolves to fit the alter time . While the Silver Age was a time for Superman to show capital trust and faith in the United States and its loss leader , more modern comics allow for for greater skepticism and inquiring of leadership . Despite all of this , Supermancontinues to make choices based on whathe belief to be the heavy goodness . In the end , that ’s the best anyone , fancied or real , can hope to do .
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