Despite the reintroduction of the Post-Crisis on Infinite Earth Superman, there are some comic fans that are not pleased. Some people feel that bringing back this version of Superman is a step backward on DC’s part. There are people who were legitimately upset that DC killed off the New 52 Superman instead of trying to fix his character, and replaced him with a safe option to get the company back in good graces with readers.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and my opinion is that these people are wrong.
There are also people who sincerely like the DC Cinematic Universe version of Superman. They find that the moodier, more realistic take on the character works and makes Superman’s story more compelling. Meanwhile, there are people who adore Tyler Hoechlin’s portrayal of Superman. Others criticize this portrayal of Superman and the people who like him because they feel the only reason people like this Superman is because “he smiles and winks.” Rather cynical way of looking at things.
The general consensus is that the comic books and the two episodes of Supergirl featuring Superman are the best representations of the character that the fans have gotten in years. There is a great divide regarding the DC films. Many people dislike them, others find them to be serviceable, and a relatively small group find them to be brilliant. It is relatively taboo to say that you enjoy the current DC films in comic shops and comic book communities. There are always arguments with each side insulting the other. It can get rather intense.
Regardless, readers generally enjoy the new Superman comic books. He smiles, he’s chipper, and he inspires others to be more than they are. These are all things that make Superman who he is. Superman shouldn’t be written as a brooding, grim, and glum hero reluctant to help. He’s been written that way for close to a decade, and this dour version of the character very rarely gels with the audience. DC has been learning from their mistakes and have been making solid attempts to listen to fans and right the wrongs. Additionally, DC has been making Superman an important part of the DC Universe again. He shows up in other characters’ books, and characters, concepts, and events introduced in his titles are starting to affect the DCU as a whole.
As a reader of the comic books, I couldn’t be happier. Superman is back, and he’s the same guy I remember instead of the mopey, angry guy I had been reading for almost six years. Tying this post into the cultural artifact, the current comics should hopefully influence the direction of the films. While I don’t expect them to have a universe-altering event and replace the current Superman with another, brighter Superman, I do expect the writers of the films to take a brighter, more hopeful approach to the character. Superman is a character that embodies hope. The symbol on his chest is the symbol for “Hope” on Krypton. The writers of films tend to draw heavily from comics, and with the comics being more light-hearted and fun, hopefully the films will be, too.