Rebooting...

Seems Superman is getting rebooted in more ways than one. Both the comic and movie sides of the character are getting a makeover, and not just in looks. Granted, there's not much known about the movie version, as it is still filming, but the DCnU thing has been going around for a while now, and it seems to me that it's both interesting and counter-intuitive. A few points on the new (comic-based) Superman:

New Costume - There are a couple different versions going around, I guess since the two main series take place in different times (again, why?) but it basically comes down to either Supes in bluejeans and a short-sleeved version of the "traditional" suit, or the more regal armor-looking suit. Neither of these ideas are bad, really, they both make sense in a certain way based on the character, but I'm not sure why they needed to be done. Kevin Smith said it best: "The two more iconic things about Superman are the suit and the flying." The flying stays, of course, but why does the suit have to change? It's been around in one form or another for over 70 years. (Minus the couple years of "electro-Supes," but we don't talk about that.) Granted, they're not hugely drastic changes (red, blue, big "S" on the chest, cape, etc.) and, at least for me, it's not as concerning as other things on this list, but it does set a bit of further precedent of "Change is Good," when that's not true for some things, Superman included.

More Kryptonian - I've read in a few different places that he's being written for this "reboot" as being "more alien than human." So, how do you get him to relate to the (mostly) human audience you're trying to convince to read these new books? Kids can't look up to someone they don't understand, and adults (or adult-ish-es) aren't going to buy a book about a guy they don't like or relate to. Part of the magic of Superman (and there's a whole 10 years of television to support this) is that despite the pressures and conflicting emotions and responsibilities that he has, both about himself and the world around him, he's going to react as a good-natured human man is going to. There's a reason he was the leader of the Justice League for so long: he does seem to almost instinctively know the difference between right and wrong, and will always try to find a solution that works for everyone. Naieve? Possibly, but that's also why Batman's his best friend. It's called "counter-balancing." The "traditional" vision of Superman was already paying tribute to his heritage; hell the suit was made of his blankets from his ship, the Fortress of Solitude was essentially a "gift" from his father Jor-El, and the "S" was his Kryptonian family crest. Do we really need to mess with his brain, too?

Single & Orphaned - These might be the things that make me not want to buy these books. No longer married to Lois, and both parents are dead (again). So, once again, the things that tie him to Earth, emotionally at least,

are just gone.

I'm having trouble figuring why, besides the obvious "attracting new readers" angle that's so popular these days. It's a drastic move, and I'm not sure it'll keep some of the most important readers: those who have been reading for years already. Granted, I haven't read any of these new "#1" issues, but I don't know if I want to; if the history of these storied characters is of little consequence to the creators, I'm having trouble seeing how the future would be any more so.