By Carter James, Editor in Chief  

This summer, I became obsessed with Superman.  

Growing up, I had always liked Superman, but never really cared about him that much. My favorite superhero is Batman. I found him to be the more compelling superhero. Superman was never “boring” to me, but he never had the same effect on me as other superheroes. I held this belief until I watched “Superman: The Movie” from 1978 a couple years ago. 

“Superman: The Movie” showed me how compelling of a character Superman is. His innate need to do the right thing. His love for humanity and others. It’s a deeply human film that left me inspired and forever changed my opinion of the man of steel.  

Fast forward to 2025, and one of my most anticipated films of the year was DC Studios’ “Superman.” James Gunn, the writer, director and co-president of DC Studios, is a filmmaker I hold in high regard. His “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy are films that have affected me deeply. His prior projects at DC, “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker” season one is some of the best projects of the DC Extended Universe, the prior cinematic universe before Gunn took over DC Studios.  

“Superman” is as heartfelt as a comic book movie could be. I adore it. It is rare that I see a movie two times in theaters. I saw “Superman” three times. Besides the dazzling action set pieces and a truly legendary Superman performance from David Corenswet, what captivated me the most were moments of character and how that revealed the soul of the film. 

My favorite scene in the film is a quiet moment between Superman and his girlfriend, Lois. Superman is now a figure of controversy due to a message from parents being recovered that called for him to enslave the Earth. This was a message he never knew about, because it was damaged on the way to Earth.  

Superman heads to his apartment, and there Lois is to have a talk. The last time they spoke, it ended in a fight, because the two tried to have an interview, but it goes poorly since Lois takes the interview from the perspective of a journalist rather than being Superman’s girlfriend. Lois is at Superman’s apartment so they can make up. 

Lois talks about how they’re bound to have disagreements because of how different they are. She refers to herself as being punk rock and the two have a back and forth about it. Lois says to Superman, “I question everything, and everyone. You trust everyone and think everyone you’ve ever met is beautiful.” Clark responds, “Maybe that’s the real punk rock.”  

That line about “the real punk rock” struck me deeply. Kindness, love, seeing the good in people are concepts that we have culturally strayed away from. We live in a time where division, prejudice and apathy are the cultural norm. It seems like every day senseless violence, death and oppression is carried for the sake of agendas and even perverted sense of patriotism. People in power would have you believe that there is a culture war and that others are inherently wrong for just being themselves.  

“Superman” reminded me that we all still have a capacity for good. I don’t mean in a way to downplay the cruelty of others, nor am I making a grand statement to “turn the other cheek.” We have been conditioned to not care about our fellow neighbor, to act like oppression is a fact of life. I wholeheartedly stand against these “norms.” 

In the first ever issue, the ever line of a Superman, he is referred as a “champion of the oppressed.” This is not about being political, this is about having humanity.  

We are all human at the end of the day. We all have the capacity for good. To talk to people with kindness. To face our challenges with positivity. And most importantly, build connections with those around us.  

If you find yourself feeling down about the state of the world, go outside and see what there is to do on campus. There are numerous organizations doing what little they can to make some positive change in the world. There are events where you could meet great people from all walks of life.  

And if you have already made that step and still feel down, just put on “Superman.” You’ll see what the real punk rock is.