EXTRA EXTRA: SUPERMAN RETURNS

Undoubtedly, the best thing about Superman is that he's so ingrained in American culture, so representative of everything America wants to be, such a staple, such a symbol, that even though he's fictitious when "Superman Returns" it actually makes headlines. I was in the Subway one day last week and looked over the shoulder of a fellow rider who was reading "Metro", a free newspaper. On it's front page Metro featured a large picture of the Man of Steel and the Headline "Superman Returns". Although not emblematic of all newspapers, every single medium has had something to say about Superman's lengthy haitus from the silver screen. From National Geographic's "The Science of Superman" to newspapers' articles headlines announcing his return you'd think that some amazing person has actually returned after a long absence. Superman has never been my favorite hero, in fact I don't think he's many peoples' favorite hero, but for some reason everyone wants to see him. It's the American thing to do. You go watch Superman and then watch some July 4th fireworks while eating some apple pie (at least, that's pretty much what I did). It wasn't until just recently that I realized how deeply Superman is stuck in the American subconcious, the guy isn't even real and he still makes news.