[Comics] Can you Answer Mark Waid's Superman Quiz?

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Covar

Covar

Created in honor of the Man of Tomorrow's 75th birthday (Action Comics #1 was released April 18th 1938) CBR presents us with Mark Waid's Toughest Superman Quiz Ever created by the world's leading Superman expert and fan (sorry ThatNickGuy)

My result 1/10. I was able to recall the effect radius of Gold Kryptonite for some reason. There were several I knew about but couldn't remember off the top of my head (Bizzaro Code in particular).
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Hey, I'm a huge fan of Superman, but I'll fully admit that Mark Waid is a walking, talking encyclopedia on all things Superman.

All right. Let's give this quiz a shot. *cracks knuckles*[DOUBLEPOST=1366301043][/DOUBLEPOST]...

Jesus Christ, I got 0/10. I didn't even know half of the things he mentioned even had a thing. I mean, Lana Lang's maiden name? I didn't even know the radio show version of Superman landed on Earth as an adult. Interesting. That changes his dynamic considerably.
 
Hylian

Hylian

I openly admit I don't know a ton about Superman but I thought I would try the quiz anyways and I got a 0/10
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
0/10 and it surprises me not at all. I mean, there's geeks, there's super-geeks and then there's people who make quizzes simply to show how much trivia they know.
 
filmfanatic

filmfanatic

I'm happy to have even gotten 1/10. Thankfully I was able to remember who was the first Kryptonian banished to the Phantom Zone.
 
ScytheRexx

ScytheRexx

3/10.

I remembered the effect distance of Gold Kryptonite, the first person sent to the Phantom Zone, and the mother's Maiden Name (Which I am pretty sure I only remember because I read a wiki entry on her a year ago while discussing superheros with someone.)

I would have had 4/10, but I messed up half the verse to the Bizarro Code. :(
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Yeah, he's not relatable at all to people...

...who strive to do good in a world growing darker.
...who must live up to the extraordinarily high expectations of others.
...from a small town trying to live in a big city.
...who feel they need to hide their true self in order to live in another society.
...just trying to get that girl to notice them (and worse, competing with another guy who's perceived as perfect).
...who get into constant arguments with their best friend who views the world much differently.
...who wish they just had a day off to spend with their significant other or pet, but can't because they have too many responsibilities and it'd be wrong to abandon them.
...who still tries to get home as often as possible for Mom's homemade cooking.
...who tries peeking at their Christmas presents.
...get frustrated when a giant corporation can't be stopped.
...who value family.
...who value friends.
...who just want to do the right thing.

Yeah, tell me again how Superman is so unrelatable.
 
HCGLNS

HCGLNS

ThatNickGuy said:
Yeah, he's not relatable at all to people...

...who strive to do good in a world growing darker.
...who must live up to the extraordinarily high expectations of others.
...from a small town trying to live in a big city.
...who feel they need to hide their true self in order to live in another society.
...just trying to get that girl to notice them (and worse, competing with another guy who's perceived as perfect).
...who get into constant arguments with their best friend who views the world much differently.
...who wish they just had a day off to spend with their significant other or pet, but can't because they have too many responsibilities and it'd be wrong to abandon them.
...who still tries to get home as often as possible for Mom's homemade cooking.
...who tries peeking at their Christmas presents.
...get frustrated when a giant corporation can't be stopped.
...who value family.
...who value friends.
...who just want to do the right thing.

Yeah, tell me again how Superman is so unrelatable.
Click to expand...
Immune to disease
Immune to aging
Able to perform at speeds approaching or surpassing the speed of light
Able to hear every sound ever uttered and pinpoint it's location
Perfect teeth
No B/O
6'4" tall, 225 lbs <1% body fat
Bangs Wonder Woman

And his best friend that you mention, is MOTHERFUCKING BATMAN!!!
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

And yet, for all his powers, because he grew up on a small Kansas farm, he still views himself first as a human, as well. Which means all his powers don't mean squat because he's just as emotionally invested and vulnerable as the rest of us. Heck, even moreso because he can hear and see more than all of us could ever imagine.
 
HCGLNS

HCGLNS

Take the problems you have in your life and list those which cannot be simplified by being Superman.
By just using his super speed alone to eliminate my commute to work, I gain back 8 hours or commuting each week to spend dealing with other issues, that's an extra work day right there! Imagine what you could do with your life when all the annoying grinding minutia gets swept away just by the virtue of living under a yellow sun.
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Except you're still talking about powers, which isn't my argument. I'm talking about his humanity and personality which makes him relatable.
 
HCGLNS

HCGLNS

You are extolling the Marvel philosophy upon a DC character. I am stating that people relate to others by what occurs to themselves. Superman never need worry about rent, food, keeping the heat on, missing work because they cannot afford to take time off to heal an injury,.....so why should anyone out there striving to survive ever see themselves inside him.
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

I never said he's relatable in every single aspect. That's like saying Batman's not relatable because he's rich, so he's only relatable to the 1%. But you can't argue with all the ways I mentioned above.

As far as rent, sure he does. Even Superman needs somewhere to go home and kick up his feet at the end of the day. Yeah, he's got the Fortress of Solitude, but for one, it's not right in the city and it's just as alien to him as it is to anyone else because he still thinks of himself as Clark first. So if he doesn't work at the Planet, then he can't pay his rent. And he has missed work because of injuries, either losing his powers, Kryptonite poisoning, etc.[DOUBLEPOST=1366335240][/DOUBLEPOST]Also, how did I know this argument would come up again?

Oh right, because someone always has to say the idiotic thing that Superman is too perfect or unrelatable and I feel the need to correct them. Why does it only ever come up with Superman and not others? You could make the same claim for any other superhero out there because they have powers or abilities beyond that of the ordinary person. But powers don't define a character, so I don't see why they have to define Superman. He's a character with a history and defining character (personality; not powers) traits just like every other fictional character and there are many aspects of him - just like every other fictional character - that people can relate to.

I'm just tired of the argument because it's completely and unquestionably untrue.
 
strawman

strawman

Hey!

Some people can't relate to him.

Some people can relate to him.

WHO CARES?

If someone posts a snarky remark, assume they're talking about their personal relationship to this fictional character. They aren't talking about anyone else's relationship with this fictional character.
 
sixpackshaker

sixpackshaker

stienman said:
Hey!

Some people can't relate to him.

Some people can relate to him.

WHO CARES?

If someone posts a snarky remark, assume they're talking about their personal relationship to this fictional character. They aren't talking about anyone else's relationship with this fictional character.
Click to expand...
NO, we all feel the same way about a geriatric super hero.
 
bhamv3

bhamv3

Personally I think one of the reasons why some people think Superman isn't relateable is that, in addition to his powers, he succeeds at being human so much better than the rest of us. On the one hand, it's part of Superman's character to be an ideal for us to strive towards. On the other hand though, his big-blue-boyscoutness sometimes adds an insulating layer to him, because he's an ideal we'll never achieve.

That's part of his character though, and it'll never work for him to become just as much of an angst-ridden down-on-his-luck screwup as, say, Peter Parker.
 
Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh

I'm with ThatNickGuy . Saying he's not relatable because he has powers is like saying no Super Hero ever created in all time is relatable. That's just a silly response, Nick nailed it to the wall how he can be relatable to real situations.
 
Sparhawk

Sparhawk

1/10 and not a fan of Supes. For some reason I knew the effect radius of gold kryptonite.

Basically, to me of course, most of the DC heroes are built as archetypes, that were then in latter attempts to have humanity thrust upon them. Batman is probably the most easily related to, by most, since his abilities are seen to come from just physical training and gadgets.

ThatNickGuy, you love Superman (not that way, get yer mind out of the gutter) and it shows in many ways, but really shines when you are trying to tell others why they are wrong of the way they view the MoS. I have a friend like that that I talk about superhero movies with, he just can't understand why I don't really like Superman, and am not just waiting for the new movie to premier. To me, Superman has a hard time shedding the image that has been placed on him for years and years. Boy Scout, selfless, soul of courtesy, all-around good-guy hero that can't even abide a harsh word spoken in haste. I know they've tried to change the portrayal in the comics, but you ask anyone to give a brief description of Supes and most will name off the stuff that I listed above, because the overwhelming inertia of public opinion on most things comics.
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

I asked Mark Waid on Twitter what to say to people who think Superman isn't relatable or too perfect/powerful.

His response?

"That's what Clark Kent is for."

Brilliant.
 
bhamv3

bhamv3

This is my favorite example of what I mean. It has nothing to do with superpowers, but with Superman's superhuman level of integrity and idealism.

tumblr_lv89vvEE0Z1r29qfqo1_500.jpg
 
bhamv3

bhamv3

Gilgamesh said:
Uh, there's plenty of guys like that. That's nothing out of the ordinary or superhuman in the least. It's called tact.
Click to expand...
Well, yes, but I think that's beside the point here. It's an example of Superman's integrity, how he's a complete personification of Lawful Good and how that might make him hard to relate to. Perhaps this isn't the best example of it, although it is my favorite.
 
Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh

bhamv3 said:
Well, yes, but I think that's beside the point here.
Click to expand...
Um, but you said that was your point? Again if you're looking for relatable reasons, Nick named off quite a few solid ones. The only counter-argument was his Powers, which again, applies to all superheroes and isn't a reason when there's more to any solid character than their powers.
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

*looks around nervously*

What? Nothing! Nothing! No, I don't know why I'm down on one knee, presenting a diamond ring to Gilgamesh! DON'T JUDGE ME!
 
Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

You know, I used to be of the opinion that Superman is a little flat as a character. I enjoy Superman, but he's not my favorite. I much prefer Batman, Spider-Man, and so on. But I found myself thinking one day of a way to make Supes more dynamic, and every idea I came up with was terrible. Make him morally complicated? Make him dark and gritty? All of these ideas felt very wrong, and as soon as I thought of them, I knew I would hate them if they happened.

I came to the realization that I feel like Supes needs to be the perfect blue boyscout that he is. It brings balance to the (comics) universe. He's the brightest beacon of good in comics, and the world would be dimmer without him.
 
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