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Can you Answer Mark Waid's Superman Quiz?

Apr 18, 2013#1

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).

Apr 18, 2013#2

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.

Apr 18, 2013#3

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

Apr 18, 2013#4

drawn_inward

0/10 but I've only read the Death of Supes book.

Apr 18, 2013#5

ThatNickGuy

Everyone should be checking out Mark Waid's twitter today because he's doing an amazing retrospective on Superman.

Apr 18, 2013#6

fade

1/10 for the first criminal banished to the Phantom Zone.

Apr 18, 2013#7

Dave

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.

Apr 18, 2013#8

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.

Apr 18, 2013#9

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.

Apr 18, 2013#10

Hailey Knight

0/10

Apr 18, 2013#11

jwhouk

Quotemander Prime said:
0/10

Ditto.

Apr 18, 2013#12

Ravenpoe

I got 1/10!

Yay, Bizarro am worst!

Apr 18, 2013#13

General Specific

0/10 unsurprised, never been a big fan of Superman. Too damn perfect to be relatable.

Apr 18, 2013#14

ThatNickGuy

General Specific said:
0/10 unsurprised, never been a big fan of Superman. Too damn perfect to be relatable.

Apr 18, 2013#15

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.

Apr 18, 2013#16

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.

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!!!

Apr 18, 2013#17

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.

Apr 18, 2013#18

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.

Apr 18, 2013#19

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.

Apr 18, 2013#20

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.

Apr 18, 2013#21

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.

Apr 18, 2013#22

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.

Apr 18, 2013#23

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.

NO, we all feel the same way about a geriatric super hero.

Apr 18, 2013#24

HCGLNS

sixpackshaker said:
NO, we all feel the same way about a geriatric super hero.

Exactly! You all feel the way I feel.

Or else.

Apr 18, 2013#25

ThatNickGuy

That's...that's not what I was trying to...

*sigh* Forget it.

Apr 18, 2013#26

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.

Apr 18, 2013#27

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.

Apr 18, 2013#28

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.

Apr 18, 2013#29

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.

Apr 18, 2013#30

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.

Apr 18, 2013#31

Gilgamesh

bhamv3 said:
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.

View attachment 10733

Uh, there's plenty of guys like that. That's nothing out of the ordinary or superhuman in the least. It's called tact.

Apr 18, 2013#32

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.

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.

Apr 18, 2013#33

Gilgamesh

bhamv3 said:
Well, yes, but I think that's beside the point here.

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.

Apr 18, 2013#34

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!

Apr 18, 2013#35

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.

Apr 18, 2013#36

Gilgamesh

Trust me, I'm not even trying to White Knight for you here, it's a conversation I've heard in many a comic book shop and everytime it's come down to the same thing. -He's too perfect, what a goody two shoes, he's so one dimensional- Usually from someone who knows little or next to nothing about Superman.

Ravenpoe - They do plenty of exploring of Superman as a darker/gritier version with his other incarnations: ex: Superboy.

Apr 18, 2013#37

ThatNickGuy

*lip quibble* B-but...all those wonderful things you said and...it's like we were meant for each other!

*throws the ring in your face*

YOU SAID I NAMED SOME GOOD SOLID ONES!

*runs away crying*

Apr 18, 2013#38

Gilgamesh

ThatNickGuy said:
*lip quibble* B-but...all those wonderful things you said and...it's like we were meant for each other!

*throws the ring in your face*

YOU SAID I NAMED SOME GOOD SOLID ONES!

*runs away crying*

We can be bros, drinkin beerz n reedin Supes.

Apr 18, 2013#39

ThatNickGuy

Gilgamesh said:
We can be bros, drinkin beerz n reedin Supes.

*sniff* *wipes snot on his sleeve* Y'mean it?

Apr 18, 2013#40

Ravenpoe

Gilgamesh said:
Trust me, I'm not even trying to White Knight for you here, it's a conversation I've heard in many a comic book shop and everytime it's come down to the same thing. -He's too perfect, what a goody two shoes, he's so one dimensional- Usually from someone who knows little or next to nothing about Superman.

Ravenpoe - They do plenty of exploring of Superman as a darker/gritier version with his other incarnations: ex: Superboy.

I enjoy Superman elseworlds stories, like Red Son. I enjoy main continuity Supes too, I just prefer other comics.

I really enjoyed Superman vs The Elite, because I feel like it exemplifies why Superman being so good is important.

Apr 18, 2013#41

bhamv3

Ok I'm not getting my point across very well.

Superman is not a character that embodies what an average guy who suddenly gets superpowers would be like. Superman embodies what an average guy who gets superpowers should be. He's an ideal to strive towards, which by its nature means he has greater moral fiber than your average joe. That is not to say no other superhero has that, of course many of them do. So true, it would be unfair to single out Superman for it.

Some people enjoy Superman for being the big blue boy scout. Others find it hard to enjoy.

And that's all I have to say about that. *runs from thread*

Apr 18, 2013#42

Gilgamesh

ThatNickGuy said:
*sniff* *wipes snot on his sleeve* Y'mean it?

Apr 18, 2013#43

ThatNickGuy

Maybe that's why bad boys like Batman and Wolverine are so popular. Yeah, it's all great and stuff to read about mister goodie two-shoes, but really, it's more fun to see characters that do stuff we'd love to do but would never get away with doing. People prefer broken bad boys to idealistic good guys not because they're more relatable, but because they're more cathartic? Does that make sense?

Also, while I'm talking about Supes being a goodie two-shoes, let me post one of my absolute favourite Superman moments. Brief context: Superman just saved a school from being shot up and traced the guns to a dealer who sold them to underage teens.

Apr 18, 2013#44

Ravenpoe

ThatNickGuy said:
Maybe that's why bad boys like Batman and Wolverine are so popular. Yeah, it's all great and stuff to read about mister goodie two-shoes, but really, it's more fun to see characters that do stuff we'd love to do but would never get away with doing. People prefer broken bad boys to idealistic good guys not because they're more relatable, but because they're more cathartic? Does that make sense?

Also, while I'm talking about Supes being a goodie two-shoes, let me post one of my absolute favourite Superman moments. Brief context: Superman just saved a school from being shot up and traced the guns to a dealer who sold them to underage teens.

... da fuck is wrong with his hand?

Apr 19, 2013#45

strawman

In most super hero stories a seemingly ordinary human becomes extraordinary. It keys into fundamental pubescent fantasies most humans experience. This is why most of these conversions into superhero happen as teen to young adult, rather than being born with it(destroys the fantasy) or happening as an adult (too far away).

Superman is alien. No one can fantasize about becoming him in the same way they can fantasize about becoming Spider-Man, batman, xmen, etc.

It doesn't make him any worse or better a character, and there are certainly characteristics beyond this issue that are more important, but this is one issue that might help some understand why others feel a basic disconnect from superman.

Apr 19, 2013#46

Frank

Ravenpoe said:
I enjoy Superman elseworlds stories, like Red Son. I enjoy main continuity Supes too, I just prefer other comics.

I really enjoyed Superman vs The Elite, because I feel like it exemplifies why Superman being so good is important.

Ehhh, Superman vs The Elite was a pretty poor attempt to shit on The Authority. They had to make the analogs increasingly evil to make the story work.

Apr 19, 2013#47

Covar

Considering the Authority is a pretty poor attempt to shit on the Justice League, I'm going to call this one ok.

Apr 19, 2013#48

ThatNickGuy

stienman said:
In most super hero stories a seemingly ordinary human becomes extraordinary. It keys into fundamental pubescent fantasies most humans experience. This is why most of these conversions into superhero happen as teen to young adult, rather than being born with it(destroys the fantasy) or happening as an adult (too far away).

Superman is alien. No one can fantasize about becoming him in the same way they can fantasize about becoming Spider-Man, batman, xmen, etc.

It doesn't make him any worse or better a character, and there are certainly characteristics beyond this issue that are more important, but this is one issue that might help some understand why others feel a basic disconnect from superman.

I'll repeat again, from Mark Waid, "That's what Clark Kent is for."

Apr 19, 2013#49

Frank

Covar said:
Considering the Authority is a pretty poor attempt to shit on the Justice League, I'm going to call this one ok.

That's comparing apples to oranges there.

Apr 19, 2013#50

Covar

How so?

Apr 20, 2013#51

General Specific

Ok, wow guys. I totally did not mean to start that sort of argument. It was simply MY OPINION that Superman is unrelatable TO ME. I am not going to argue why.

If you like Superman, cool, go have fun with that. Just don't demand that I have to like him too.

Apr 20, 2013#52

Gilgamesh

Noone's asking you to like him, just saying that he's unrelatable because he has super powers is a poor point that many comic book fans have debunked for years. You can dislike him all you like, I mean, it's an opinion after all.

Apr 20, 2013#53

Bowielee

Gilgamesh said:
Noone's asking you to like him, just saying that he's unrelatable because he has super powers is a poor point that many comic book fans have debunked for years. You can dislike him all you like, I mean, it's an opinion after all.

It's not that he has superpowers, it's that he has ALL the superpowers

Apr 20, 2013#54

Bowielee

The biggest issue with Superman, is actually the biggest issue with most super-heroes. They're inconsistantly written due to the fact that they have different writers. Wolverine can be a feral berzerker with no soul or redeemable qualities to speak of, or he can be an honerable samurai who constantly fights the beast inside, depends on who's writing him. Spider-Man can be a put upon every-man who feels the full responsibility that his powers bring, or he can be a whiny tool, depends on who's writing him. Superman can be a clueless Gary Stu, or he can be a morally complex metaphor for a stranger living in a strange land trying to fit in, depending on who is writing him.

Honestly, one of the best examples of how he has a deeper side is from Justice League Unlimited. When he is fighting Darkseid and he tells him how difficult it is to hold back like everything on earth is made of paper.

Apr 22, 2013#55

fade

The relatability issue isn't about powers at all for me. It's about the ultra-morality. It could be any other character. In fact, I'm not sure "relatable" is the right adjective. I think I just don't like it. If relatability comes into play, it's that I don't think that's an ideal I strive for. The fully loaded "truth, justice, and the American way" phrase is the whole issue, not the powers. Same problem I have with Captain America. That archetype is not for me, and I think it's not for a lot of comic readers. But, that being said, it's personal preference, and it shouldn't affect anyone else's opinion of the character. He does have some very good stories.

Apr 22, 2013#56

Gilgamesh

fade - Correct. There's nothing wrong with saying he's unrelatable to YOU because he's what all good people strive to be like, especially if that's not your own personal goal. However saying he's unrelatable to anyone/people is the problem and what began the little conversation that took place.

Apr 22, 2013#57

Gilgamesh

Another way to view Supes relatability:

Apr 22, 2013#58

ThatNickGuy

*infatuated sigh* Morrison's one of those writers that just gets Superman. Around the time he was finishing All Star Superman, Newsarama or some other comic book site had a massive, multi-part interview with him, covering all aspects of Superman, his mythos, and supporting characters. It was fantastic to read how he got every single aspect.

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