More than eight decades after his debut, Superman remains a cultural powerhouse. But what makes the Man of Steel so enduring, even in an era of cinematic antiheroes and moral ambiguity?
In this MGA faculty Q&A, Dr. Heather Ness-Maddox, a member of the psychology faculty and director of the University’s Honors Program, unpacks the character’s immigrant origins, his evolving portrayal through decades of American history, and why his most powerful trait might just be his unwavering kindness.
"Kindness is always relevant. The trick is to present kindness and caring for others as not cheesy or as weakness, as it’s often portrayed. Superman is the super man – yes, he’s strong, bullet proof, and handsome, but his kindness is also a part of his masculinity."
