In the first part of this series, we began to look at The Many Versions of Superman starting with the initial militant crusader that took to Action Comics #1. Now, we take a look at a few more:

2) Fairy Godfather:

Superman was concerned about big problems, but not in the sense you and I would think. Meteorite smashing into the city or Organized Crime were big problems, but so were the big problems faced by individuals. Until the 1960s, Superman was not only a comic book character, but also starred in Sunday and Daily newspaper strips. It was in the newspaper strips where this version of Superman was most seen.

Lois Lane handled the lovelorn column for the Daily Planet and received a letter from a man who was constantly pushed about. She tossed his letter into the trashcan concluding he was a pathetic waste of manhood. Clark Kent took the letter and set out to help him, declaring:

"This fellow and his problem may seem petty, but to him it's the greatest crisis in the World!"

Superman helped the man out over three months worth of newspaper strips. Another example was when Superman helped a down on his luck boxer. He not only saved the boxer from committing suicide, he impersonated the boxer to begin the climbing the ladder, while trying the boxer at home so the boxer could win back his championship.

This idea of Superman was in full bloom during World War II. Superman got his own office in the Planet to answer requests from soldiers. Some were fictional requests created by writers. Others were based on actual letters to soldiers. Superman helped sort their romantic life, brought a bit of relief to the front, and made a few dreams come true. He also helped the family of a soldier sent home due to what we would call post-traumatic stress disorder understand and accept him.

This idea of Superman rarely pops up. However when Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski brought it back in the storyline, "Grounded" when Superman had just finished an event of, "War of the Supermen," where he'd been fighting over New Krypton, he decides to get back to his roots by walking around America, helping people in need as he goes. I know many were critical of it, but that version will always have a soft place in my heart.

3) Role Model

Kids began to look up Superman as his comic strips became popular and there was also cartoons. This was a big deal in the 1940s. During the War, being a role model meant encouraging kids to buy war stamps and war bonds and do what they could to back the War effort.

However, in the wake of World War II, juvenile delinquency was a huge concern. Superman had to teach kids to be good people and good citizens. This meant that most of the rough stuff that defined Superman's early days was put aside for more responsible and kind heroics.

Superman became a symbol of goodness, of trying to do the right thing. He did become a far less violent and menacing character. He was a role model for the youth of America and you didn't want them to be the sort of people who used violence to solve every problem.

This was something they took very seriously in the late 1940s and 50s. But it really has persisted in the best of Superman stories. Superman as this role model and example that other heroes looked up to and who inspired them was key, even as to many the character became passe.

This fueled some great stories. In "Kingdom Come," Mark Waid imagines an Elseworlds Tale where Superman has retreated from the world as anti-hero meta-humans have taken over. However, when one of them destroys the State of Kansas, Superman comes into action to save the world from these metahumans to teach them the right way to do things, though some will resist.

The grim and gritty anti-heroes that were dominating indie books at the time really came to a head in the main continuity of Superman in the epic, "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way." In it a team of anti-heroes become popular for executing criminals and for their wanton disregard for human life in pursuit of criminals. This leads to a direct confrontation with Superman on the moon. It's a comic book version of, "High Noon," putting traditional heroism against the amoral 1990s equivalent.

For those who are confused by, the anger many felt regarding the end of, "Man of Steel," these stories provide a picture of why that scene was so problematic for many.

This could be seen on television. In Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, after getting engaged, Lois discovers that Clark is a virgin who has saved himself for marriage.

Superman's moral core and moral fiber is what makes him a hero rather than a dangerous villain. This was something that was explored in the Justice League story, "A Better World" where the Justice League encounters heroes from a parallel Earth who were just like the Justice League until their Flash was killed and their Superman opted to kill Lex Luthor, who was then President. Once that red line was crossed, Superman and his league became the Justice Lords who established a dictatorship that lobotomized all supervillains and established martial law.

While Superman hasn't always been able to avoid killing, the type of standards he holds are so vital to the DC Universe.

In our next installment, we take a look at two other types of portrayals of Superman as we examine his fun side and the idea of Superman as a messiah figure.