“The problems we face still exist. We’re not going to solve them for you. We’re going to solve them with you.”

From: Kingdom Come

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from DC Comics’ graphic novel Kingdom Come. Written by Mark Waid and beautifully illustrated by Alex Ross, Kingdom Come is an Elseworld story where a retired Superman returns to action to reform the Justice League when a new breed of superheroes start to take their vigilante crusade too far. 

The quote comes near the end of the story. After the United Nations kill a majority of the new superheroes and Captain Marvel/Billy Batson, Superman goes on a rampage at the UN building. He is only talked down by a minister named Norman McCay, who the Spectre told was going to decide the fate of the world. McCay tells Superman what he’s doing at that moment is precisely why the world is scared of them as they don’t have the power to fight back. Superman backs off and, deciding he cannot force his ideology on others, delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We shouldn’t rely on other people, no matter how powerful they might be, to solve our problems. We have to get into the dirt and do the work ourselves. Also, we might like the solution they give us as they don’t know what we need; we’re the only ones who know what is required.

“You don’t think about saving the world. You think about saving one person. Because sometimes, that’s enough.”

From: Superman: Grounded

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from DC Comics’ Superman, specifically the first issue of the Superman: Grounded storyline. This follows Superman’s journey across the United States in an attempt to reconnect with the people of Earth after being offworld for so long.

The quote comes from the first issue of the storyline. Superman encounters a woman who wants to commit suicide by jumping off a building. She wants to kill herself as she feels hopeless as she lost her mother and her job. She basically feels she feels life is pointless. This is direct contrast with how she felt she was going to change the world after she graduated from high school and she feels life just isn’t fair. Superman says that’s just how life is. Superman then agrees with her that everyone believes they can save the world when the graduate high school. This is when he delivers the quote while reminiscing how his Kryptonian parents saved him by sending him to Earth.

 

Geek wisdom: We don’t have to do something grand to be a hero. Even the smallest heroic deed is still an act of heroism. And even helping just a singular person has an impact in the world.

“Superman is what I can do. Clark is who I am.”

From: Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Clark Kent

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1993 superhero series, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. This was a live-action show mostly revolving around the relationship of Clark Kent and Lois Lane.

The quote comes from the second season episode entitled Tempus Fugitive. Lois Lane (played by Teri Hatcher) finds out about Clark Kent’s dual identity as Superman. Clark (played by Dean Cain) tries to apologize to Lois for lying to her all these years. When Lois sounds confused as to why Clark would be jealous of her feelings for Superman as they are the same person, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There is more to you than what you can do. You may be good at something but that doesn’t mean that it’s your entire identity. The same goes with others so we must realize that we are more than what we seem on the surface.

“What we have here is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose. And show you how powerful I really am.”

From: Justice League Unlimited

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the DC Comics animated series, Justice League Unlimited. This was the last series to be produced for Bruce Timm’s shared DC Animated Universe (DCAU for short).

The quote comes from the final episode of the show. Darkseid had just been resurrected by Lex Luthor and is now attempting to invade Earth. All seems lost as the Justice League seems to be no match for the might of Darkseid. However, it turns out Superman, because of his incredible strength, has been restraining himself and, as this is Darkseid, has no fear of actually killing him. This is why he delivers the quote before dishing out a super strong punch to the despot.

Geek wisdom: To quote another superhero, with great power comes great responsibility. Knowing how and when to wield power shows the true mettle of a great person.

“Wonder Twins Powers activate!”

From: Super Friends

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Zan and Jayna

The story behind the quote: The Super Friends cartoon starred DC Comics’ most popular heroes, including Superman and Batman among others. Apparently, they didn’t think that it was enough to have Earth’s mightiest heroes in a cartoon so the producers of the show decided to add the Wonder Twins… who were created specifically for the show. Oh, and they have a space monkey.

The Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna, are alien twins who do not have any special abilities by themselves. However, by coming into contact with each other (or having something connect them together… like using Gleek, their aforementioned space monkey), they can actually change into any shape. Zan, the male, has the ability to change into anything made of water. Jayna, on the other hand can change to any animal (even a dinosaur).

Geek wisdom: Teamwork is extremely important. The Wonder Twins themselves cannot use their shapeshifting powers unless they come into contact with each other. People are generally the same thing. While we can feel utterly helpless as individuals, we can actually perform great things if we work together.

Even when we are a part of a team, we can still feel useless and not contribute to the group’s success. While Gleek’s only ability is to lengthen his tail, he is able to help the Wonder Twins by acting as a conduit for them to use their powers. This goes with us; while our contribution is only going to be minimal, it doesn’t mean that the contribution is not meaningful. As the old saying goes: Every little bit helps.

“You can kill a vampire however the fuck you want because vampires don’t fucking exist!”

From: The Death and Return of Superman (Youtube)

Genre: Comics, Internet

Who said it?: Max Landis

The story behind the quote: Sorry for the profanity in the title, however, it was the best way to convey the wisdom from the entire video that Max Landis made. The video is essentially a 15 minute tirade regarding DC Comics’ handling of the Superman “final” battle with Doomsday, his death after the battle with the monster and his eventual resurrection.

The video is extremely well made. If you know the Death and Return of Superman story arc, the video is a pretty exact (but given a comedic spin) retelling. If you’re not familiar with the story, well, the video does give a negatively bias opinion of the storyline. Also, it’s pretty entertaining whether or not you have some knowledge about it.

Also, Max managed to use his contacts to get high-caliber actors such as Elijah Wood to play Cyborg Superman and Mandy Moore as Lois Lane. It makes it extremely fun to watch, especially if you can manage to identify all of the actors and actresses who made cameo roles.

You can go to 15:24 for the quote but it’s much better if you watch the entire thing (especially if you want to get Max’s hilarious view of the story arc.

Geek wisdom: We sometimes let our own creativity be stifled by so-called “conventions” of life. Remember, people believed a long time ago that there was no way we could fly. Well, the Wright brothers didn’t let “conventional” wisdom from creating the first airplane. Now, we can fly from continent to continent quickly without a second thought. Even before that, people believed that the world was flat and that you could go over the edge. It seems hilarious now but that was what people thought of before and you would be an idiot to think otherwise.

Allow yourself to be creative and break the rules sometimes. That’s the only time real innovation can come out.

“Kneel before Zod!”

From: Superman II

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: General Zod

The story behind the quote: Superman II is, obviously, a sequel. And this is actually kind of important to note since we actually get to see what happens to the three criminals that were sent to the Phantom Zone during the first Superman movie. So, if you’ve watched the 1st Superman film and wondered, “Hey! What happened to those guys that were encased in a floating square?” then you really need to watch this movie.

Anyway, the leader of the criminals, General Zod, tried to take over Krypton, which is why he and two of his followers were jailed in the Phantom Zone. Because of the events that unfolded during the 1st film, Zod and his group managed to escape and, this time, try to take over Earth. They actually succeeded for the most part. However, with the timely return of Superman (long story, just watch the original or the Richard Donner cut, with the latter being more serious in tone), the Man of Steel challenges the General to battle. This is when General Zod yells and orders the Last Son of Krypton to kneel before him.

Geek wisdom: There is going to be a time, when pushed too far, we have to fight back against what we hate. While we do symbolically kneel before those things sometimes (following orders from a boss you don’t like or stuck in a hurtful relationship), we have to gauge when enough is enough. We do eventually have to stand up, say that we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore.

Speaking of which…

(God, I just love this clip!)