Superman Writer Thinks Zack Snyder’s Version Was Too Relatable

The Man of Steel is the last solo Superman movie and current Action Comics writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson explained why he enjoys Christopher Reeve’s version of the hero more than the Henry Cavill-starring flick. In a panel at New York Comic Con, Johnson, who’s currently writing Action Comics, the most recent Kal-El title at DC Comics, said he prefers his Superman is a little less relatable than the version who appeared in Zack Snyder’s 2013 film.

2013’s Man of Steel is one of the more divisive superhero movies to come out in recent memory, as the film has a mix of detractors and loyal faithful’s who hold in high regard. The blockbuster was directed by Zack Snyder and starred Henry Cavill as Superman and focused on the character’s origin and becoming Superman. The film retold Kal-El’s iconic origins, from being sent to Earth as a baby following the destruction of Krypton, to coming to his own with his extraordinary powers, to becoming the world’s greatest hero. The film received mixed reviews; however, Cavill’s performance was lauded – as he would play the role in the film’s sequel Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and in the team-up Justice League film.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson, who currently writes Action Comics for DC Comics, talked at New York Comic Con (H/T CBR.com) about how he viewed Superman. Johnson said his vision of Superman is is “clear,” while admitting different creators have differing opinions on their versions of the hero. He said his vision aligns closely with Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of Superman ” …but more like hulked out physically and in the context of these big, epic scenarios but I just love that.” He added that version of Superman has no ego when he smiles,” that his attitude was “I’m your friend, I’m going to help you.” Johnson said he felt like Cavill’s take on Superman was too “conflicted.”

Johnson explained that in his opinion, the Man of Steel Superman is too relatable and that his take on the hero shows him as “the best of us always.”

I don’t mean like physically or his acting or even that — but just the approach of the Man of Steel film in which he’s kind of searching for himself and you might see him make a mistake or he gets opportunities to help and he might not do it right away or he’s conflicted, you know, like they like seeing a more relatable Superman and that’s not what I like at all,” the writer concluded. “I want to see, I want [a] Superman that shows us the way and shows how we’re supposed to be, that’s the best of us always.

Johnson’s criticisms are completely fair, but it’s worth noting that his version of Superman in Action Comics is the fully-fleshed-out hero, while Cavill’s Man of Steel was still learning the ropes. Of course, Johnson’s take on Superman is going to star the best version of the Kal-El imaginable, as he’s been the hero for years in his comic run. Meanwhile, Zack Snyder’s Superman in Man of Steel was still learning what being the “best of us always” truly meant. There’s no denying both Johnson’s take on Superman and Henry Cavill’s Superman are fairly different – but as Johnson mentioned, every writer’s Superman is a little different.

Source: CBR.com

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Liam McGuire
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Lead writer for Screen Rant’s comic team. [email protected]. Find me on Twitter @LiamRMcGuire for comic news and reporting.

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