Tela Network

Superman is a modern myth: Superman is America. It’s a story we retell because “What is America?” is still a relevant question. We pay attention to the answer. Art reveals. Something in the new Superman film struck me. As Superman nears his lowest point, Lex Luthor ruins Superman’s public image by revealing his true mission - one even Superman didn’t know: He was sent to dominate Earth and secure his genetic legacy. To this end, he is to take as many women as necessary. This goes viral as “Superman’s secret harem.” The harem is what horrifies the public and the other heroes the most. And it works on the audience. It works viscerally. Because the fear is _real_. We fear it could happen. The fear that a superior man (an alien!) might exploit power to hoard women. It’s the Tate fear. The Islam fear. The fear that a resurgent masculinity will lead not just to tyranny, but to harems. That the superman might act like a sultan.