The Arrowverse Is Making Superman Just Like The MCU’s Iron Man

The Arrowverse Is Making Superman Just Like The MCU’s Iron Man

Superman & Lois’ Superman and MCU’s Iron Man are the best when it comes to superheroes, but they both have a problem putting their families first.

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The Arrowverse Is Making Superman Just Like The MCU’s Iron Man

The Arrowverse is giving its Clark Kent in Superman & Lois the same problems Tony Stark has in the MCU. Like Iron Man, Superman has fallen into the habit of carrying responsibility for the world’s problems to the detriment of his personal life. Tony Stark had found balance before his story concluded in Avengers: Endgame, but the Arrowverse Clark Kent has just started down the difficult path of choosing his family over the duty he feels being a superhero.

Tony Stark’s struggles hit their lowest point during Avengers: Age of Ultron and Iron Man 3. He carried such PTSD, anxiety, and fear he wouldn’t be able to prevent future events that he couldn’t stop working. He was convinced that because he was Iron Man, it was his duty and responsibility to keep trying to prevent the horrific vision he saw. Focused on trying to keep his friends and loved ones safe through his own technological advancements, Stark ended up doing more harm than good and alienating many of those closest to him.

Clark Kent’s struggles to be present for his family while continuing to rigorously engage in feats of superheroism was the main theme of the Superman & Lois premiere. When he returns home following some successful Superman crisis management, he’s gently chastised by Lois for forgetting to congratulate one son on an accomplishment and for missing his other son’s therapy appointment. Like Marvel’s Iron Man, Superman has a problem balancing his personal life and perceived heroic obligations. He even almost leaves the night of his mother’s funeral when General Lane arrives seeking his help. “The world needs Superman,” he argues, but Lois reminds him and her father that his family needs him more.

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Because there don’t appear to be any other superheroes on Superman & Lois’ Earth to help, Superman feels responsible for the whole planet. As Clark Kent, he seems committed to prioritizing his family, but running off to be Superman is always going to be the elephant in the room. His father-in-law, General Lane, doubts that the Kents relocating to Smallville will truly let Clark be a better father; it will rather, he suggests, tear them apart. Already, the move will take one son away from his therapist and another away from his school and football team where he appeared to have a very bright future. Clark seems to not be reading the room, which could be because, like Tony Stark, he’s ignoring his own unaddressed issues.

The struggle between duty and self-care isn’t a new theme for superheroes, although it is one that is getting more exploration as superheroes in both DC and Marvel universes face down mental health challenges and attempt to find work/life balance. Tony Stark tried to assuage his mental health struggles by throwing himself into work, but he nearly lost his life and even created greater threats to his friends and loved ones. Similarly, early in season 3 of Supergirl, the Girl of Steel was ready to abandon her Kara Danvers identity and family to just be Supergirl, after making the excruciating decision to send the love of her life, Mon-El, away to save him. Clark Kent will need to come to terms with the limitations of being Superman and being the person his family needs.

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Superman & Lois has a golden opportunity to examine the mental health toll exacted from a superhero who finds themselves at a crossroads. As Iron Man, Tony Stark eventually overcame his greatest fears and made peace with his limitations. Clark Kent must also find his balance between his dual roles, and the need to help his sons come to terms with their new reality may be just the catalyst he needs to work on himself too: both as the superhero Superman and as the father and husband Clark Kent.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/arrowverse-superman-mcu-iron-man-comparison-family/

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