Warning: contains spoilers for Superman Red and Blue #1
As two of the world's biggest superheroes, Superman and Spider-Man share more than first appearances suggest, including their greatest flaw. While comic readers will be intimately familiar with Peter Parker's intense guilt complex, a new comic revealed that it's one shared by Clark Kent.
The anthology series Superman Red and Blue is a collection of stories focussing on Superman's humanity. In Human Colors from writer Dan Watters and artist Dani, Superman is presented with an impossible choice. A fifth-dimensional imp has not only stolen all of the world's color, but also any memory of it. When confronted by Superman, the imp realizes the damage that he's done and gives Superman a box containing the colors. Given Superman's history with the similarly fifth-dimensional Mr. Mxyzptlk, he worries that there's some trick and that restoring color to the world will cause problems. Uncertain, he asks those closest to him for advice.
Unsurprisingly, Batman tells Superman to be cautious. His reasoning is that neither of them has any idea what unleashing color on the world could do, so Clark should just let the world continue in black and white. Lois Lane, in contrast, suggests that he release the colors one at a time. First comes red, and a flood of passion and rage wash over the world. Then comes blue, bringing sadness and rhythm back with it. Though the world is undoubtedly better with all of the colors back, Clark privately worries that he's forced these things on people.
Though things turn out well in the end, it's interesting that Clark blames himself for doing the right thing. Though Superman is often portrayed as untouchable physically and emotionally, this highlights a key component of the character, his sense of guilt. This is something he shares with Spider-Man. Despite very different origins, Superman and Spider-Man are both heroes born out of survivor's guilt. Superman bears the weight of a dead planet on his shoulder whereas Spider-Man blames himself for the deaths of those most precious to him. This sense of guilt isn't just what started these heroes' journey though, it's a specter that hangs over them.
Even when Superman and Spider-Man do something unambiguously good, they can't help but wonder if they did the right thing. This is undoubtedly a character flaw, as it can drive both heroes to second guess themselves. It's this that makes these characters feel like people. Despite all their superhuman feats, it's Superman and Spider-Man's sense of guilt that makes them such compelling characters.
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