Superman's Belief in Communism
Original Chinese
Language Text: By Blogger on www.group.mtime.com
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
Translator’s Note: Although
the concept of a ‘Superhero’ is a purely bourgeois nonsense concept designed to
keep the Working Class firmly within the capitalist forged chains (through
pointless idol worship), the DC cartoonist Mark Millar – in the mid-1990’s –
conceived of the idea of re-writing the usual narrative of Superman landing in the
USA and quite naturally supporting the capitalist system, and instead depicting
him as landing in the USSR and using his immense power to spread Communism
around the world. This is an interesting
counter-narrative that has proven very popular amongst comic-readers in the
West, (and through translation), in Communist China. A Superhero is a mythic construct that is the
condensed essence of the imagined power historically ascribed to theistic
religion. The modern ‘Superhero’ is
nothing more than a secular attempt to resurrect the Judeo-Christian image of
the ‘Saint’, free of the usual constrains associated with religious morality,
but retaining the erroneous notion of ‘miracle working’. The Working Class is expected to be docile
and quietly wait for an external saviour to relieve their suffering. This is the bourgeois tactic of permanent
disempowerment. In reality, there are no
‘Superheroes’ - nor are there any ‘Saints’, and the Working Class must free
themselves both inwardly and outwardly.
The flaw in Millar’s thinking is that it is difficult to conceive how
the thinking of Marx (which transcends barbaric religion), could rely upon a ‘Saint-like’
figure such as that of a ‘Superhero’, to establish a Socialist and Communist
Revolution in the world! The conscious
evolution of the psychology of the Working Class transcends such feudalistic
and ignorant conceptions, and yet Millar’s work presents an interesting
counter-narrative to that of American capitalism being the only natural,
proper, and correct mode for human-beings to exist.
ACW 2.5.15
I found this excellent American comic strip in an article on Baidu written by Grey Evan, and could not put it down – the article quotes the following extract from the comic:
‘When Superman first came to prominence, the Soviet Union was a fragile coalition. Twenty years later, however, we have allies around the world. Only the USA and Chile continue to assert their independence. These two countries are the last capitalist societies on earth, and are on the edge of total economic and social collapse. The Communist countries in the rest of the world have been happy to hand over complete control to Superman, and have watched in awe as he has single-handedly set about reconstructing the social order. He has effectively taken control of all national and international affairs, and has eradicated poverty, ignorance, and disease from the Warsaw Pact…and disobedience to the Communist Party has disappeared.’
From: Superman – Red Son (written by Mark Millar)
In the USA, Superheroes are numerous, but when careful scrutiny is given to the subject, these Superheroes are all morally deficient and the product of somekind of dysfunctionality - be it Iron Man, Hulk, or Captain America – all are premised upon war and the use of derivative technology. Batman was born under a dark disposition, but even he possessed extensive wealth through business interests, as well as ample technological resources. In the DC World, however, there is one superhero who stands out because he possesses the greatest strength and is most respected. He is faster than a speeding bullet, and has more power than a locomotive. In a single bound, he can leap over tall buildings. He wears tights and a cape, and as it is his duty to save the ordinary people of the world, he is the greatest of Superheroes. For generations he has been loved and admired in the USA – he is Superman from Krypton! However, If Superman had not landed in the Kansas cornfields, but had rather landed in the Soviet collective farms in the Ukraine, how would things have worked out? There is every probability that Superman would have believed in Communism.
ACW 2.5.15
I found this excellent American comic strip in an article on Baidu written by Grey Evan, and could not put it down – the article quotes the following extract from the comic:
‘When Superman first came to prominence, the Soviet Union was a fragile coalition. Twenty years later, however, we have allies around the world. Only the USA and Chile continue to assert their independence. These two countries are the last capitalist societies on earth, and are on the edge of total economic and social collapse. The Communist countries in the rest of the world have been happy to hand over complete control to Superman, and have watched in awe as he has single-handedly set about reconstructing the social order. He has effectively taken control of all national and international affairs, and has eradicated poverty, ignorance, and disease from the Warsaw Pact…and disobedience to the Communist Party has disappeared.’
From: Superman – Red Son (written by Mark Millar)
In the USA, Superheroes are numerous, but when careful scrutiny is given to the subject, these Superheroes are all morally deficient and the product of somekind of dysfunctionality - be it Iron Man, Hulk, or Captain America – all are premised upon war and the use of derivative technology. Batman was born under a dark disposition, but even he possessed extensive wealth through business interests, as well as ample technological resources. In the DC World, however, there is one superhero who stands out because he possesses the greatest strength and is most respected. He is faster than a speeding bullet, and has more power than a locomotive. In a single bound, he can leap over tall buildings. He wears tights and a cape, and as it is his duty to save the ordinary people of the world, he is the greatest of Superheroes. For generations he has been loved and admired in the USA – he is Superman from Krypton! However, If Superman had not landed in the Kansas cornfields, but had rather landed in the Soviet collective farms in the Ukraine, how would things have worked out? There is every probability that Superman would have believed in Communism.
The author – Mark Millar’s – father was a Communist, and it
is probably for this reason that Millar was able to write this alternative
Superman history. This explains how
Millar understood the true and positive nature of the Soviet Union, and did not
accept simplistic or bias interpretations of Communism. He did not demonise the Communist Bloc, and
did not present an inverted view that would have greatly de-valued this
comic. This book is not premised upon a
(Communist) Superhero, or a (Communist) Super-villain. Superman has no interest in politics as such,
but only wants to assist in the building of a utopia. This is despite the character of Luther being
ruthless and without mercy, and Superman being only good. In this situation, Luther and Superman are presented
as both pursuing paths of self-determination that they think are correct. This breaks with the usual dichotomy between
good and evil, and instead allows two distinct paradigms to develop. There is the utopia of Superman, and the
imperfect world of the ordinary mortal, but these paths are not opposed, but
rather unfold together as two valid expressions of self-determination. The reader is left with a quandary; which is
better, the path of Superman, or the path of an imperfect human-being? There is a sense of dystopia, but it does not
have the ‘chill’ of 1984. It is not
anti-Soviet and does not revel in the collapse of the USSR, and the yet the very
presence of the concept of a ‘Superman’ appears subversive to Marxist thought. However, it is the presence of ‘Superman in
the Soviet Union’ that ensures the success of Communism throughout the world –
not as a result of the natural uprising of the oppressed masses, but because of
the immense physical power that Superman possesses. It is not the failure of an ideal, but rather
the success of humanity, as the outcome is carefully planned for and meticulously
arranged. People do not understand this,
and sigh in disbelief as the forces of historical materialism appear to be by-passed
by the actions of a single Superman.
Beneath the surface, however, what is seen is the natural turning of
historical events triggered by distinct stimuli within the environment, but
those who cannot see this, treat such Marxist ideas with contempt.
The cartoon was originally conceived in 1995, but it was not published until 2003 – after President Bush utilised the events of 9/11 to adjust Internal and External US policy, policies that have led to wide-spread controversy. Although comics are generally not commentaries on specific current events, (despite the fact that Batman appears to allude to terrorism), they do raise the more general issues of national security, human rights, and freedom. This gives the reader much to reflect upon, through the positive agencies of conscience, reason, and logic.
The classic comic has been translated into the Chinese language by MULTIVAC & TFC Chinese group. It is through their masterful effort that we can now read this comic in China.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Text:
http://group.mtime.com/people/discussion/681861/
超人,信仰共产主义!
加入收藏 已经被1位会员收藏
整理自百度欧美漫画吧Grey_Evan文。(好东西,忍不住就转了。。)
"当超人刚刚接掌权力的时候,苏联只是一个脆弱的联合体。二十年之后,全世界都是我们的盟友。只有美国和智利选择保持独立。它们是世界上最后两块资本主义阵地,而且都处于经济和社会崩溃的边缘。世界上其余的国家高高兴兴地,自愿将全权控制交给超人,敬畏的看着他重建他们的社会,比任何人类都有效地处理他们的事务。贫困、疾病和无知都已从华约国家实际根除......对党的不服从也已被切实清除。"
——选自《超人:红色之子》
美国的超级英雄多如牛毛,细细想一想都是意淫的产物。钢铁侠、绿巨人、美国队长无不是战争、科技的衍生物;蝙蝠侠生就黑暗,但也是凭借强大的财力、科技作为支撑。有一人也许与众不同,在DC的世界里,他不是最强大的,但一定是最受敬仰的,他比高速飞行的子弹还要快,比火车头还要有力量,一跃便能够越过高楼大厦。他穿着紧身衣和披风,以拯救世人为天职,他是最伟大的超级英雄。他身上也许季节了几代人的美国情结,他就是超人,来自氪星的Superman!
如果超人当初不是降落在美国堪萨斯州的玉米地里,而是降落在苏联乌克兰集体农庄,事情将会怎样?也许,他,会信仰共产主义。
作者马克•米拉的父亲是一名共产党员。也许是因为这个缘故,米拉笔下的共产主义阵营既没有被妖魔化,也没有被简单化——如果仅仅是黑白颠倒,那么这本漫画的价值恐怕便要大打折扣。这本书里有超级英雄,却没有超级恶人。超人原本对政治毫无兴趣,只想建立一个人人幸福的乌托邦,却成了自命不凡的救世主;卢瑟虽然心狠手辣,但为人类造的福比历史上任何人都要多。他们都在做自己认为正确的事情——为了自己所认同的理想。
摆脱了立场的限制,两种主义的斗争便脱离了正邪之战的窠臼,演变为两种理念的碰撞:是要一个超人统治下的美丽乌托邦,还是一个由凡人选择的并不完美的世界?
这是反乌托邦,但不是《1984》那样的肃杀,也并非对苏联的失败额手称庆:正如超人的存在本身便是对马克思主义的颠覆,"超人苏联"的胜利实在不能说是共产主义的成功,而只是力量的成功;其失败也并非理念的失败,而是人性的胜利。作者精心安排的结局,更使人不得不慨叹,所谓的理想,所谓的斗争,在历史的轮转之中,原是不值一哂。
这部漫画从1995年就开始酝酿,然而等到2003年方才推出。此时小布什已经就911事件借题发挥,调整对内对外的政策,从而引起广泛争议。漫画虽不是寓言(尽管其中明确称呼蝙蝠侠为恐怖分子),但它对于国家安全与自由人权的思考,亦引发读者的反省。也许,对于一个存在良知与理性的国度,这永远是个值得思索的主题。
这套经典的漫画应经被MULTIVAC & TFC汉化组 汉化,非常感谢这群无私奉献的高手。下面冒昧贴出漫画观看地址:
M大的相册
第一集 http://photo.163.com/photos/multivac/55066161/
第二集 http://photo.163.com/photos/multivac/55071652/
第三集 http://photo.163.com/photos/multivac/55072209/
话题来源于日志:http://i.mtime.com/711106/blog/2551191/
--------------------
The cartoon was originally conceived in 1995, but it was not published until 2003 – after President Bush utilised the events of 9/11 to adjust Internal and External US policy, policies that have led to wide-spread controversy. Although comics are generally not commentaries on specific current events, (despite the fact that Batman appears to allude to terrorism), they do raise the more general issues of national security, human rights, and freedom. This gives the reader much to reflect upon, through the positive agencies of conscience, reason, and logic.
The classic comic has been translated into the Chinese language by MULTIVAC & TFC Chinese group. It is through their masterful effort that we can now read this comic in China.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Text:
http://group.mtime.com/people/discussion/681861/
超人,信仰共产主义!
加入收藏 已经被1位会员收藏
整理自百度欧美漫画吧Grey_Evan文。(好东西,忍不住就转了。。)
"当超人刚刚接掌权力的时候,苏联只是一个脆弱的联合体。二十年之后,全世界都是我们的盟友。只有美国和智利选择保持独立。它们是世界上最后两块资本主义阵地,而且都处于经济和社会崩溃的边缘。世界上其余的国家高高兴兴地,自愿将全权控制交给超人,敬畏的看着他重建他们的社会,比任何人类都有效地处理他们的事务。贫困、疾病和无知都已从华约国家实际根除......对党的不服从也已被切实清除。"
——选自《超人:红色之子》
美国的超级英雄多如牛毛,细细想一想都是意淫的产物。钢铁侠、绿巨人、美国队长无不是战争、科技的衍生物;蝙蝠侠生就黑暗,但也是凭借强大的财力、科技作为支撑。有一人也许与众不同,在DC的世界里,他不是最强大的,但一定是最受敬仰的,他比高速飞行的子弹还要快,比火车头还要有力量,一跃便能够越过高楼大厦。他穿着紧身衣和披风,以拯救世人为天职,他是最伟大的超级英雄。他身上也许季节了几代人的美国情结,他就是超人,来自氪星的Superman!
如果超人当初不是降落在美国堪萨斯州的玉米地里,而是降落在苏联乌克兰集体农庄,事情将会怎样?也许,他,会信仰共产主义。
作者马克•米拉的父亲是一名共产党员。也许是因为这个缘故,米拉笔下的共产主义阵营既没有被妖魔化,也没有被简单化——如果仅仅是黑白颠倒,那么这本漫画的价值恐怕便要大打折扣。这本书里有超级英雄,却没有超级恶人。超人原本对政治毫无兴趣,只想建立一个人人幸福的乌托邦,却成了自命不凡的救世主;卢瑟虽然心狠手辣,但为人类造的福比历史上任何人都要多。他们都在做自己认为正确的事情——为了自己所认同的理想。
摆脱了立场的限制,两种主义的斗争便脱离了正邪之战的窠臼,演变为两种理念的碰撞:是要一个超人统治下的美丽乌托邦,还是一个由凡人选择的并不完美的世界?
这是反乌托邦,但不是《1984》那样的肃杀,也并非对苏联的失败额手称庆:正如超人的存在本身便是对马克思主义的颠覆,"超人苏联"的胜利实在不能说是共产主义的成功,而只是力量的成功;其失败也并非理念的失败,而是人性的胜利。作者精心安排的结局,更使人不得不慨叹,所谓的理想,所谓的斗争,在历史的轮转之中,原是不值一哂。
这部漫画从1995年就开始酝酿,然而等到2003年方才推出。此时小布什已经就911事件借题发挥,调整对内对外的政策,从而引起广泛争议。漫画虽不是寓言(尽管其中明确称呼蝙蝠侠为恐怖分子),但它对于国家安全与自由人权的思考,亦引发读者的反省。也许,对于一个存在良知与理性的国度,这永远是个值得思索的主题。
这套经典的漫画应经被MULTIVAC & TFC汉化组 汉化,非常感谢这群无私奉献的高手。下面冒昧贴出漫画观看地址:
M大的相册
第一集 http://photo.163.com/photos/multivac/55066161/
第二集 http://photo.163.com/photos/multivac/55071652/
第三集 http://photo.163.com/photos/multivac/55072209/
话题来源于日志:http://i.mtime.com/711106/blog/2551191/
--------------------