In recent years, many comparisons have been made between the Marvel and DC films. While both comic franchises have created successful film adaptations of their respective superhero comics, some films have been more successful than others in transferring their iconography to the big screen. One comparison that is frequently drawn between the two franchises, is that between the characters of Captain America and Superman.
The first superhero to breakthrough into mainstream culture, Superman is well established in both the comic and film realms. By contrast, prior to his starring role in the MCU films, Captain America was relatively unknown amongst mainstream movie-goers. That all changed in 2011, when Chris Evans took on the role of the patriotic crusader, and the world was introduced to Captain America: The First Avenger. Evans won over audiences immediately, nailing Steve Rogers’ unwavering sense of morality, and adding a level of vulnerability to the role.
Henry Cavill’s Superman in 2013’s Man of Steel was less well-received. In Zack Snyder’s contemporary reimagining of the now-classic hero story, the infamous director of The Snyder Cut ran into the same issues that the caped crusader has faced for years. Superman’s strengths have always doubled as his downfall. As an all-powerful being, the hero displays few flaws to which audiences can relate. Superman’s immense power also lessens the stakes of his life-threatening predicaments, as it is difficult to imagine any villain capable of defeating Superman. Yet despite these narrative flaws, writers have found creative ways to spin Superman’s ubermensch qualities into a source of intrigue.
This was not the case in Man of Steel, where Cavill’s admirable performance failed to outshine the flaws of a lacking script. Beyond their sense of patriotic duty, the emotional characteristics that connect Superman and Captain America are their shared impression of earnestness. Both heroes are unabashedly proud of their jobs as protectors of mankind and approach their work with a forward-facing morality. Yet, rather than following Christopher Reeves’s example by infusing Superman’s earnestness with a goofy sensibility, Henry Cavill’s incarnation of the hero leans heavily into the well of sadness and guilt Superman experiences as a result of his supernatural abilities.
Superman’s dark side is explored following the death of his Earth-father, Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner). After a deadly tornado descends on the state of Kansas, Clark Kent is forced to helplessly watch his father die so as to keep his secret powers hidden, before he is ready to reveal them to the world. Understandably, this sacrifice continues to haunt Clark for years and results in him aimlessly wandering the world before turning to hero work. While on the surface, this tragic backstory seems to add a significant level of depth to an otherwise surface-level character, in actuality it only lessens Superman’s distinguishable characteristics.
Instead of leaning on the tragic elements of Clark’s backstory in order to make him more like other haunted DC heroes such as Batman, Snyder should have leaned into his unique status as an optimistic purveyor of good. This does not mean that Snyder should have characterized Clark as naive. Rather, he should have taken a page from Marvel’s book and looked to Captain America for influence. What makes Rogers an admirable hero is that he is truly patriotic in the sense that his only loyalty lies in doing the right thing, even if it goes against his own government.
As A.O. Scott poignantly highlighted in his New York Times review of Captain America: The First Avenger, Cap expresses “dismay at being turned into a novelty act,” when he is used as propaganda to promote the U.S.’s war efforts. Evidently, Cap wants to function not only as a symbol of justice but as a force of justice as well. Like Captain America, Superman is both a symbol of the city he protects and an individual with his own understanding of right and wrong. However, rather than leaning into the moral complexity of Superman’s heroism, Man of Steel paints the portrait of another sad, damaged hero, hung up on the tragic elements of his past.
The DCEU’s Superman could have also taken a page from Captain America’s excellent leadership skills, which are on full display in Captain America: Civil War. During the famous airport fight scene, Cap leads Falcon, Ant-Man, Hawkey, Scarlet Witch, and Bucky in the fight against Iron Man (and the rest of his gang) to override the U.S. government’s restrictions on the Avengers’ heroic interventions.
The rest of the Avengers see Cap as a leader even within their powerful circle, and look to him for instructions as to how to proceed when faced with a seemingly immovable obstacle in their path. Superman similarly takes on a leadership role in the Justice League comics, as well as the early 2000’s animated TV show. Therefore, it was strange to see Snyder paint Clark as a loner in Man of Steel. Often associated with the biblical story of Moses in Judaism, Superman’s heroic origins have always characterized him as an outsider.
Yet, Superman does not envision himself this way. Superman recognizes his unique superhuman capabilities, as well as his origins on the planet of Krypton. At the same time, he views himself as a citizen of earth, vowing to protect the civilians whom he chooses to live amongst. In the MCU films, Captain America nails this insider/outsider dynamic, by functioning as a man out of time, who simultaneously uses his unique status to situate himself within the present moment.
With critics praising the recent release of the Snyder Cut it will be interesting to see whether the extended version of The Justice League adds any depth to Superman’s character, or whether a better version of Superman is yet to be seen.
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