Homelander v. Superman
Which Super-powered figure embodies US Imperialism?
For my readers who don’t know who the bottom guy is, he is a character named Homelander in the Amazon series called The Boys.
The Boys is set in a universe where superpowered individuals are recognized as heroes by the general public and work for a powerful corporation known as Vought International that markets and monetizes them. Outside their heroic personas, most are corrupt and self-serving. The series primarily focuses on two groups: the Seven, Vought's premier superhero team, and the Boys, vigilantes looking to bring down Vought and its corrupt superheroes. From Wikipedia
The show is violent, but the violence, although, at times, disturbing, is cartoonish, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story (even though I had to cover my eyes a few times). The Boys are allegedly the heroes, but they can do some evil things, and, the Seven are mostly only heroic when the camera’s pointed at them.
The leader of the Seven is Homelander (even his name conjures visions of goose-stepping fascists) and he is psychotic, megalomaniacal and amoral—think the US military industrial complex, but also indestructible with super-powers that are more powerful than Superman. The only thing that keeps Homelander at bay is public perception—but as he succumbs to his personality disorders, the entire world is vulnerable to his murderous psychopathy. Homelander embodies many of the abhorrent “values” of US Imperialism.
So, I thought this meme was apt, because Superman is the “good guy” who uses his powers to fight evil and Homelander is the “bad guy” who uses his power to fight good (just like the USA).
This was just a quick note to say that I hope you all have a good day. I think I am just hibernating today—well deserved rest from all of the collapse of society news, I think.
Peace
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"Truth, Justice and the American Way." was Superman's motto for many years. One of those concepts was unfortunately incompatible with the other two.
According to this article, https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/superman-changes-motto-truth-justice-better-tomorrow-says-dc-chief-n1281716, Superman's motto is now: "Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow."
I presume that a "Better Tomorrow" is one where truth and justice prevail, because it's sure not "The American Way" today.
“The United States will lead the world into the abyss”. -Henry Miller