Warning: contains spoilers for Superman: Son of Kal-El #1!
DC Comics' new Superman has officially dropped "The American Way" from his famous catchphrase. The Man of Steel has stood for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way" since 1940, but that era apparently comes to an end with the publication of Superman: Son of Kal-El #1, written by Tom Taylor with art by John Timms and colors by Gabe Eltaeb, in which Superman's son takes on the mantle of his legendary father. A new Superman gives DC new opportunities to change the character - and change his timeless catchphrase, perhaps for good.
The son of Kal-El, Jonathan Kent has been a main character in Superman comics for some time now, making his debut in 2015's Convergence: Superman #2. Clark Kent has trained his son in case a potential future comes true and Clark disappears in an upcoming conflict. Jonathan is naturally worried about his father and stepping into his shoes, but he understands the importance associated with the name "Superman" and endeavors to try his best.
After Jonathan spends a busy day as Superman putting out a massive California wildfire and fighting off ninjas alongside Damian Wayne, the two talk about their respective legacies (Damian Wayne is the son of Batman and had a difficult childhood, to say the least). Jonathan eventually admits he wants his symbol on his chest to stand for "Truth, justice, and a better world." It's a reinvention of his father's classic line, but it comes with a price: the complete abandonment of "...and The American Way!" first heard in the Adventures of Superman radio serials in 1940.
Some long-term fans of the character will see this as a slight, or perhaps an insult, as writers have steadily moved away from using "The American Way" in recent years. In a 2020 interview with Fox News, former Superman actor Dean Cain lamented the decision, saying "I wouldn't today be allowed to say "Truth, Justice, and the American Way." With those telling negative stories having an agenda...they hate capitalism, they hate law and order, they hate America." Writer Tom King quickly responded with a tweet proving he inserted the phrase into a comic in the same year. In the same vein, Cain (also during a 2021 Fox News interview) sharply criticized the United States of Captain America series for the same supposed lack of patriotism, taking issue with Captain America's apparent lack of enthusiasm for the United States government.
Captain America and Superman are both American icons, but their respective writers' approach to current American politics are quite different. Captain America is perfectly willing to represent America even as he criticizes its policies and leaders, whereas Superman distances himself from America more and more with every iteration of the character. Perhaps Superman's new catchphrase is an inevitable byproduct of his international appeal; nevertheless, it is somewhat disheartening to watch writers strip away Superman's American heritage page by page, year by year.
Source: Comicbook.com