When All Hope Is Almost Lost

Art by Jae Lee

Superman, the American Cincinnatus of the Skies, is my lifelong favorite superhero character. But in the broadest sense, I regard all superheroes as the same fantasy character — the person who, out of deference to his fellow citizens, hides his great power until all hope is almost lost, and then springs into swift, colorful action to avert disaster. As the crowd cheers, and the spirit soars.