10 Comic Book News Stories That Shocked The World‏

10. Superman Renounces US Citizenship

The Man of Steel has been party to many of the most shocking comic books news stories, and with good reason. As the first superhero, the original sheet music from which all later creations were simply a variation, Superman has gotten to a lot of the big comic book milestones before his peers; he had a head start, even before you factor in all that "faster than a speeding bullet" stuff. His first-past-the-post status has also seen him become a cultural icon like no other, a Big Blue Boy Scout who symoblises Truth, Justice and the American Way in his actions, philosophy and colour scheme. Writers clamour after Superman because he's an interesting character, but also because he's a symbol, a stand-in for the vague concept of the United States of America, and as such can be used to explore some of the big issues facing the country he represents. In 2011's Grounded storyline Superman found himself not sent to his room to think about what he's done, but grounded in a literal sense: he was suddenly unable to fly. He couldn't even bring himself to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Bereft of any of the superhuman abilities that allowed him to protect and serve the American people, he decided to wander the country by foot, reconnecting with those self same average citizens. The country was still reeling from the various tragedies and shocks of George W Bush's presidency, and disappointed by Obama's seeming inability to undo all those mistakes. The American people were jaded and, as a result, so was Superman. This all came to a head in the landmark Action Comics #900, when the Man of Steel decided he was going to give up his US citizenship. Realising that he has become synonymous with his adopted home country, to the degree that any interventions he makes in foreign countries - especially in the Middle East - has serious political repercussions he'd rather avoid, Superman announced would be an American no more. Which, in a country where having an opinion on anything that happens in the political sphere is a big deal, meant a lot of column inches devoted to the Man of Steel's betrayal/brave decision (delete as applicable for Fox/MSNBC).