"What's so funny about Truth, Justice and the America way?" was the question asked by writer Joe Kelly in issue #775 of Action Comics back in 2001. Was Superman still relevant in today's society? Did his post-war all-American agenda still fit in with modern sensibilities? Just six months after the comic's March publication the Twin Towers fell and the chance for peace in our time was lost. As a cultural icon Superman's position in society changed, people were no longer interested in a do-gooder corn-fed superhero. The American public wanted to see a different kind of justice and as sales of Superman comics plummeted, the Man of Steel was in needed to asses his values.
Though he got his revitalisation in DC's new 52 campaign (a line wide reboot) the old stories were never forgotten and now, in times of riots, violent protests and senseless violence across the world the release of Superman Versus The Elite is a surprisingly relevant social commentary. Though unlikely to be awarded the noble peace prize, this latest animated DC offering is not only spectacular in its glossy animation but carries razor sharp dialogue and bone breaking poignancy.
Enter The Elite, a team of walk-the-line superhumans led by the telekinetic, telepathic Manchester Black (English accent just the right side of Sid Vicious) and his three peripheral team mates. For while this is a team game, the show belongs to Black.
While initially acting as heroes and joining forces with our boy in blue to take down some big bads the tide soon turns when Supes witnesses Black extracting information from a terrorist with extreme prejudice. In the world of Clark Kent's alter ego, no matter whom the bad guys kill or maim, no one is above the law. But is this what the people truly long for? Is justice a jail sentence? Or a death sentence? To paraphrase Gladiator, Black will bring them death and they will love him for it. As his campaign of vigilante justice begins to include the murder of governments it falls to Superman, the last sane man in a world long gone mad.
There is little to spoil in terms of plotting, but the showdowns are suitably epic. After watching with drawing intrigue as Black uses his powers to break multiple bones in a soldier's body with just a thought, the appetite is soaked for a none-PG set of fisticuffs. All those who have daydreamed of superpowers rarely ponder the pros of justice, but rather to cut loose, to break the walls down and do what needs to be done.
Deep in our souls Superman believes there lies the capacity to be good, to one another and ourselves. Each and everyone. But if one of those was a telekinetic, that probably wouldn't be the case. Either way, DC has created its finest Superman animation in years, far surpassing the drab episodic All-Star Superman, and you just can't help wondering if Zack Snyder's live adaptation had chosen this story then the world would have a far more relevant Superman.