Intersectional Identification in “Superman Smashes the Klan”
“Superman Smashes the Klan” does what its title promises. It’s also a coming-of-age story in which Superman’s introspection about his heritage is inseparable from the emotional journey of the comic’s other central protagonist, Lan-Shin Lee. 1/12 #Superman
Like Superman, Lan-Shin has a hyphenated birth name and an Americanized given name (Roberta). Their perspectives also share narrative space and thematic elements of their journeys intersect to underscore the relevance of the Superman mythos as a story about/for immigrants. 2/12
The story opens with Superman battling a Nazi remnant and experiencing a (literally) nauseating sense of disconnection when he encounters a toxic rock from his home planet. Concurrently, Lan-Shin arrives in Metropolis, stomach gurgling with nerves about her family’s move. 3/12
Then, Superman confronts a vision of himself as a green-skinned alien paired with Lan-Shin’s first awkward meeting with her father’s new employers, one of whom is overtly racist. Through this juxtaposition, we understand why Superman fears being different in Metropolis. 4/12
Superman’s first full vision of his alien parents is later paired with a conversation between Lan-Shin and her mother. Both conversations are translated into English. And Lan-Shin’s mother articulates a loaded theme: “If you learn enough secrets about a place, it becomes home.” 5/12
These moments of tranquility are then dramatically ruptured by a burning cross on the Lee’s lawn, which artist Gurihiru renders in a two-page splash. This aligns readers with the shock the characters feel; we confront the shocking scene alongside them upon turning the page. 6/12
On this occasion, Superman doesn’t rescue them, but the neighbors do, led by off-duty African American police inspector William Henderson. We thus see the heroism of the community–composed of minorities facing violent bigotry–become an inspiration for Superman’s heroism. 7/12
After Superman gets involved, he uses his privilege as a beloved, white-presenting hero to help Lan-Shin feel welcome in the community. He gifts her his cape, which Lan-Shin’s mother sews into a jacket that finally breaks the ice with the other kids at the community center. 8/12
Continuing the theme of Superman and Lan-Shin exchanging moments of heroism and inspiring each other, in a pivotal scene, Lan-Shin uses her personal insight about the effects of difference and prejudice to help Superman unlock his suppressed abilities, including flight. 9/12
Within the climactic action scene, Lan-Shin is also pivotal, throwing Superman a lead ball he uses to protect himself from a Kryptonite attack long enough to regain the upper hand. This public display of heroism unites Superman & Lan-Shin in the eyes of the wider community. 10/12
The story ends with Lan-Shin being offered another way to fight injustice, as a cub reporter. Lois’ gift of a pen with an L.L. monogram (important because she uses Lan-Shin’s Chinese name) further connects Lan-Shin to the Superman mythos–and empowers her to help write it. 11/12
Whiteness and maleness are often seen as universal, while other identities are “particular” and supposedly less identifiable. Here, Superman’s story is universal for the same reason Lan-Shin’s is: because it resonates with many different experiences of difference. 12/12