Kryptonians steal our jobs

In a recent issue of Action Comics, Superman threatens to renounce his US citizen ship. I won't comment on the story in any way, I don't follow Superman very closely and don't plan to do so in the near future. The interesting part for me is the reaction by American nationalists. Apparently, people who otherwise have no interest in comic books or Superman in general find the idea absurd.

From the article: "Does he believe in British interventionism or Swiss neutrality?" Last wrote. "You see where I'm going with this: If Superman doesn't believe in America, then he doesn't believe in anything."

Nationalists seem to ascribe to a curious and unspoken notion that popular culture owes some kind of allegiance to the nation it originates from. That Superman, who is an alien, would not be a diligent representation of American values (whatever those are) seems to break some kind of unwritten agreement. Of course, Superman must be a icon of America's benevolence! He is after all, written by Americans and published in America. That someone could write a story of an alien super being with god like powers, created by two Jewish writers, one from Canada and one from America, without having him bow obediently to the flag is an apparent violation of cultural loyalty.

Nationalist writers can be pictured scouring fiction for any deviances from the party line, so as to publicize and denounce things they otherwise don't care about. Not entirely dissimilar, perhaps, in attitude from Soviet censors.

Another example would be blog posts and message board discussion of Wonder Woman's costume change. She has lost her star and stripes themed swimsuit for a pair of pants and a leather jacket. Again, that a character who is culturally Greek and from a fictional matriarchal utopia should stop dressing like a Miss America contestant is seen as a grave affront.

I can't think of any reasons for those who don't read comics to get outraged by such things other than a thin skinned cultural sensibility that all things must ultimately came second to America, the nation, the state, the culture or whatever institution the term "America" is considered synonymous with. This sensibility is based in deluded nationalism and is entirely without merit.