What_Makes_Superman_so_Darn_American

Michael Myvett Fenton English 50 04/16/2013 What Makes Superman So Darn American by Gary Engle discusses not just Superman as a hero, but Superman as a part of American culture. Superman is an icon and known by every kid in America. Children and even adults look up to him. Superman's status as an immigrant and an orphan makes him deeply American because that is a part of the American dream, the thought that one can come here from any part of the world and achieve a goal. The fact that one can start from the bottom and work their way up. Captain America, in my opinion, should also be considered “so darn American” despite the name. Andrew Carnegie moved to America with his family in 1848. Starting off as a telegrapher, Carnegie had dreams. He was not content with doing this for the rest of his life. By the 1860's, he had investments in oil derricks, railroads, railroad sleeping cars, and steel. He built further wealth as a bond salesman raising money for American enterprise in Europe. He built Carnegie Steel Co. and sold it to J.P. Morgan for $480 million. Andrew Carnegie is a prime example of an immigrant making it in America. Everyone who works hard is somewhat promised the American although it doesn't always work out that way. But, people come to America in hopes of a new life, new beginnings, and prosperity. Superman is an orphan who was sent to Earth because his native planet, Krypton, exploded. He was taken in by an American family who instilled in his their middle class, American ways. Therefore, he was an alien in two senses of the word. Superman is and always will be a staple in American characters because of his story and the way he affected American families, culture, and the time it happened. Captain America should also be considered “so darn American”. For nearly all of the character's publication history, Captain America has been the alter ego of Steve Rogers, a thin young man who eagerly wanted to help his country and serve in the army. He was denied because of his frail build. He was later enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experiment, in order to aid the United States government's efforts to win World War 2. Captain America wears a costume that bears an American flag, and is armed with an indestructible, boomerang-like shield that can both be thrown as a weapon, and defend against others' weapons. Rogers was re-imagined as a superhero who served both as a counter-intelligence agent and a propaganda symbol to counter Nazi Germany's head of terrorist operations, the Red Skull. Rogers was given a costume modeled after the American flag, a bulletproof shield, a personal sidearm and the codename Captain America. In the closing days of World War II in 1945, Captain America and Bucky tried to stop the villainous Baron Zemo from destroying an experimental drone plane. Zemo launched the plane with an armed explosive device on it, with Rogers and Barnes in hot pursuit. They reached the plane just before it took off, but when Bucky tried to defuse the bomb, it exploded in mid-air. The young man was believed killed, and Rogers was hurled into the freezing waters of either the North Atlantic. Neither his body or Bucky's were found, and both were presumed dead. At a time like World War 2, I believe it was a good time to introduce a character like this. People responded well and Captain American became marvel's most sold character. Superman will be a great story and hero for years to come. Our kids kids will probably rad about Superman. He represented a lot of things, for young and old.