2022 is another year that superhero stories command the box office - with Morbius and The Batman already out, plus Thor: Love and Thunder and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever still on the docket for release. Superman also maintains a Kryptonian grip on cinematic attention, last seen in the 2021 Zach Snyder's Justice League.
Christopher Reeve famously established Superman in the cultural psyche in the 1970s-80s. Other actors have worn Superman's cape in the years since in film and television, yet none have more decisively owned the role until Henry Cavill picked up the mantle. It's Reeve and Cavill that monopolize the attention of Superman memes.
Allies Fight Scene Competition
Via: https://www.instagram.com/justice.league.memes/
It’s indisputable that the MCU films are known for numerous outstandingly choreographed battle scenes such as the showdown between the expanded Avengers team and Thanos’ forces. Naturally, there would be comparisons, humorous ones even about faceoffs between allies when Batman Vs. Superman hit theaters.
Looking at the big showdowns in Avengers: Civil War and Batman v Superman gives higher points to DCEU. The fight between Batman and Superman was more gladiatorial set on the battlefield, compared to the MCU backdrop described by some as a 7/11 parking lot brawl.
Superman Is Too Brooding
Via: https://twitter.com/memepool22
The present day DCEU has made a mark for itself as being a more darkly toned environment than its MCU counterpart. Batman has always been dark, and the Henry Cavill fronted Superman films have followed suit.
This meme perfectly and cheekily illustrates the weighty difference between the past and present presentations of the Superman story without impacting the overall narrative. Reeve’s era highlighting depiction was more light, while Cavill’s has been more brooding. The ironic trade-off of expressions by Reeve and Cavill here is perfect too.
Superman Made Superheroes Cool
Superhero movies weren’t a prolific and popular affair in the 1970s-80s like they are today. The current plethora of films is so robust that they are now being described as phases of a steadily unfolding cinematic progression.
Reeve’s Superman films, which are among his best roles, stood out as popular superpowered adventures. Here Superman is noted for its hipster style inclination toward coolness. And in fact, it's thanks to these films that the superhero movies of the present got a chance at all.
It's All About The Costume
Via: https://www.quirkybyte.com/blog/2017/10/hilarious-superman-movie-memes/26/
Every superhero movie is in part defined by the costume adorning the hero. Batman's costume has evolved over the years as has Thor's. Eagle-eyed viewers always make note of how close a costume matches the looks that are found in the comics. Superman is another example of this.
The Christopher Reeve uniform is a perfect match to the artwork of the comics. This has led to jokes however that Superman wears his underwear on the outside, which makes this observation a witty one. Cavill's crusader look is close enough of an homage while being a far more realistic take, along with the hidden underwear.
Superman Is Legendary
Via: https://www.quirkybyte.com/blog/2017/10/hilarious-superman-movie-memes/19/
Superman has remained a classic throughout the decades. The original films imbued societal expression with a variety of touchpoints. People will state that something is their Kryptonite as readily as they will call it their Achilles heel, among other examples.
It is safe to label the Cavill starring films as a reboot, and it's also appropriate to call them the resurrection of a beloved legend, and DCEU best ranking character. It is easy to translate the esteem for the original to the contemporary, given that fans eagerly sit through the four-plus hours of the Snyder Cut to literally see the resurrection of Kal-El.
The Impact Of The Banter Between Superman and Batman
Typically the dialogue between super allies is more jovial, leaving the aggressive discourse to take place between heroes and villains. Sometimes there is bickering among teammates, but it rarely escalates out of control. Here is a notable exception to the rule.
In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Kent and Wayne ironically become allies in a brutal duel between the two. Their battle is marked by adversarial banter. This meme takes the '"do you bleed" barb to cruel heights, while sympathetically highlighting that extreme loss is something that the two share in common.
No Military Is A Match For Superman
Via: https://www.memesmonkey.com/topic/man+of+steel
Superman's Kryptonian origin is where his powers come from such as his x-ray vision and heated vision. Another one that is chief among his other powers is his invulnerability. Kryptonite is the only thing that makes him weak.
Here is a perfect summation of that using a scene from Man of Steel, one of the best Superman movies. A superb aspect of the movie is Kal-El humoring the military and cleverly showing them that their biggest guns are no match for him. In doing so he also shows that it's the brass that needs to be trustworthy, not him.
Superman's Timely Feat Of Rewinding Time
The first movie packed a lot of action into it including Superman saving Lois Lane, not just once but twice. The second rescue was especially significant because Lois actually died, and it required a timey wimey solution to bring her back.
Kal-El's turning of the laws of physics on its axis remains memorable to this day. This meme calling it "rewind time" is also a witty reference to VHS tapes, which came into popularity in the same period that the original Superman movies were produced. As one will recall with VHS tapes it was courteous to be kind and remember to rewind.
Lex Luthor Is Supposed To Be Bald
Via: https://imgflip.com/i/4ugfgl
Lex Luthor is the big bad in Superman’s world and has always been known for his bald head. That was established in the comics and upheld in the original films. It came as surprise to meet Jesse Eisenberg’s look as Luthor.
Sometimes divergences from canon work, and sometimes they don’t. This is a case of when it doesn’t because a Luthor with long locks is distracting. The writing even took an awkward turn to correct that. That makes this angry Superman's protestation a fitting statement of the obvious.
Clark Kent Doesn't Have The Best Disguise
Via: https://ifunny.co/meme/is-it-just-me-or-do-superman-and-clark-kent-j5iejfS37?s=cl
The heroes of the Justice League have everyday alter egos to blend in with everyone else. Superman's is Clark Kent as a reporter for The Daily Planet. There is a suspension of belief that goes into the Clark Kent persona working to hide his identity.
Glasses and mild decorum aren't enough to fool those with basic skills of observation as this meme points out. At least Batman has a helmet that shields everything but his mouth and chin. This meme can easily say the same for Wonder Woman's Diana Prince since a change of outfit does nothing to hide her identity.