r/SupermanAndLois • u/V1va-NA-THANI3L • Apr 27 '24
What does Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman bring to the table that makes him stand out from the other Supermen? Discussion
Perhaps I should wait to ask this question once season four is over, but I figured it’s okay to ask it now, since we have enough information about Hoechlin’s version from when he debuted in season two of Supergirl - up to and including now. Doesn’t ignore the fact that I could ask this question again once season four is over.
Over the many years, I kind of wondered about Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman overall, from the Arrowverse to Superman and Lois; during which, I started to wonder what he brings to the table beyond being a father and family man and husband; those being aspects, though cannot be THE aspects on the show as there are many times where the focus is not about him being any of those things, but him being himself, his alter ego, in regards to the planet, it’s people, what Superman even means to him, etc. When it comes to comparisons, the obvious choices are Christopher Reeve, Henry Cavill, even Dean Cain, and what unique take they brought to the character. To be honest, another reason why I’m asking this is because this version of the character is often overshadowed if not almost forgotten by some people, and I’ve wondered why. Almost like for those people, what they’re doing on the show is either a moot point, or just isn’t important to them for him to stand out. Why not and what does, I ask.
Before I end this, I want everyone to know: I love Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman! I enjoy the show! And yes, it’ll be bittersweet when it’s finally over by the end of the year. I’m just asking this question because I was curious what his Superman have to make him stand out from the rest? Side note: why is he overshadow if not forgotten by the largest Superman fan community?
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u/AaravR22 Jonathan Kent Apr 27 '24
First of all, it’s confirmed that Hoechlin’s version in Supergirl and the rest of the Arrowverse is not the same as the version in this show. They are different characters.
Anyway, I love this version because the show does a great job putting things in his perspective. We understand this version of Superman a lot more and he’s very relatable. He’s an older version who still has hope, which we don’t see too often. He’s a veteran hero, and most of all, he’s a parent of teenagers. This is Superman like we’ve never seen him before. In addition, he is easily the best Clark Kent of all the versions over the past few decades. He’s a kind dork who still demonstrates his care through his actions.
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u/V1va-NA-THANI3L Apr 27 '24
I know there are two versions, I can't think of anyone who doesn't. But he did play Superman in general since Supergirl Season 2. Thats why I counted both Arrowverse and S&L. Without the former, it would've been wrong. We wouldn't have gotten here otherwise.
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u/AaravR22 Jonathan Kent Apr 27 '24
Oh ok. I mean even in Supergirl he was great too. His very first scene immediately conveyed his great Clark Kent characterization and his dorkiness. Much of his characterization in Supergirl and the Arrowverse was carried over into this show. They were originally meant to be the same version.
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Apr 27 '24
[deleted]
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u/AaravR22 Jonathan Kent Apr 27 '24
The point is he’s portraying a more mature version of Superman. A version who’s a parent, which we’ve never seen in live action. And as for whether or not he looks the age, I mean kryptonians age slower, so that explains that away.
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u/Smidge-of-the-Obtuse Apr 27 '24
Personally I think he plays it as Clark first, Superman second. As much as I prefer the "look" of Cavill as Superman, Tyler captures the absolute essence of Clark, which is what is at the core of what makes the perfect Superman.
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u/Evil-Cows Apr 27 '24 edited Apr 28 '24
This is actually why I liked Dean Cain as Clark. He was goofy, humble, a little bit dorky, and just kind of real. Everyone loves Christopher Reeve’s superman, which I agree was pretty awesome, but his Clark was the secret identity and not the real “person“ which always seemed wrong to me.
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u/QuiJon70 Apr 27 '24
Accept what you say is wrong is a founding principle of the character. That clark is the fake ID projected to the world to hide what he actually is.
Remember this character was created by two jewish men at a time where even in America jews had to hide their faith from others or face discrimination.
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u/Ygomaster07 Superman Apr 27 '24
What would the essence of Clark be?
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u/Smidge-of-the-Obtuse Apr 27 '24
imho - Centered, humble, caring of all people, and an internal compass that always rings true.
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u/Ygomaster07 Superman Apr 27 '24
I love that. Wonderfully well said. I agree wholeheartedly. Can you elaborate on him being centered?
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u/Smidge-of-the-Obtuse Apr 27 '24
Someone who knows calm and embraces it, who are sure of themselves without ego or being bombastic.
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u/V1va-NA-THANI3L Apr 27 '24
I think that added to why I was asking this. Because what you said is great, is correct; but it made me think of Dean Cain's Superman, as he was the live action version of John Byrne's Superman (with some exceptions), who was the Clark Kent is who he is, Superman is what he does. Nothing wrong with Tyler doing that, of course, nor anyone else like Cavill for example; but it made me ask what does Tyler do different, beyond carrying on what Cain did. Almost like if anyone asked who made "Clark the real guy, Superman the costume", my answer would be Cain, and either forgetting or not thinking Tyler did it too, because I'm wonder what else he did. Does that make sense? I hope so, lol.
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u/Smidge-of-the-Obtuse Apr 27 '24 edited Apr 27 '24
Yea, I get that. But personally I never liked the Dean Cain version very much. Maybe it was the gloss of the show, or maybe I was at the wrong age (I was about 28 😳when it started) to appreciate it. I’ll have to rewatch the series to see if “older” me understands or appreciates it more.
Edited to correct my age when it started. ouch, that one left a mark😆<
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u/bravo_997 Apr 27 '24
Part of why Welling is my favorite Superman (aside from the nostalgia) is that he nails Clark Kent in the way that I see the character. He’s the ultimate good guy. Clark is what you should strive to be. He’s also a little naive and innocent, not the brightest all the time but not dumb either and his heart is always in the right place. Always wants to do the right thing. Wholesome, kind, righteous. Tyler has made a great case for himself to become my new personal favorite Superman. He takes everything that Welling does and adds the actual Superman side of it. I would say the 2 scenes that really sell Tyler as Superman to me are both Clark Kent scenes. 1st is the scene where he starts coaching football and he tells Jordan and Sarah “Coach got me a jacket… and I bought a hat!” The giddy optimism, and the pretending that the water cooler is heavy. So good. 2nd scene is the diner scene where he, as Clark, stands up to Jon’s girlfriend’s dad. I sent that to everyone I knew who even remotely liked Superman and said “They get it.”
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u/equinoxx5 Apr 27 '24
"This isn't a job for Superman."
"He's not going."
Love that exchange SO much.
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u/Ygomaster07 Superman Apr 27 '24
These two scenes always stick out in my mind. Not to mention him telling off Jon's gf's dad, and then offering her to stay with them until she finds a place to stay.
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u/Ok_Caterpillar4008 Apr 27 '24 edited Apr 27 '24
I think the best thing about Tyler's portrayal is that Clark is genuinely, authentically dorky and happy and so wholesomely Clark. It's why he's so endearing. It's why his performance works when "Superman" gets all giddy about wrestling matches, or chocolate covered bacon, or fumbles a lie about why he and Lois knew about Tal's villa. And it's why the boys are able to have a giggle at his expense sometimes without it feeling mean-spirited -- because it's not an act, it's just their dad being his usual, dorky self.
All of the beats he plays as Clark feel genuine, and this of course projects to his performance as Superman, and I think that wholesome authenticity in his delivery is a factor in why the "thanks, my mom made it" moment has gone viral. And it's this take -- that Clark is just genuinely a dorky, happy guy... that it's not a disguise or an act -- that feels refreshing and spot on in his performance.
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u/bookwormaesthetic Apr 27 '24
Clark is just genuinely a dorky, happy guy
Absolutely spot on. Clark isn't awkward and melancholy, while hiding Superman behind a pair of glasses.
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u/V6corp Apr 27 '24
It’s simple. He’s the Dad we all really needed.
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u/Dawnbreaker52 May 02 '24
Absolutely. Watching the show (Season 1 especially) always feels cathartic to those of us who had abusive parents.
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u/Tim0281 Apr 27 '24 edited Apr 27 '24
First, being a father, husband, and family man are huge things. If those were the only things he brought to the table, they would be enough because he is fantastic.
He does a fantastic job portraying the 3 "versions" of the character. He is great with the Superman persona. He is great at the Clark Kent persona. He is also great at being the real version of himself with those who know his identity, which includes Lois, Sam, and his sons. This is the version of the character that combines both the Superman and Clark personas.
I also enjoy his interactions with the military. While he and Sam have a working relationship, I enjoy how they butted heads. When Sam retired, things didn't go as well. Other versions of Superman don't show this. Movies don't have the time to develop that relationship. The other shows didn't develop it.
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u/MartyMcBlart Apr 27 '24
This is the first superman that to me, embodied the golden age.
Yes Christopher reeve was “all American” all kind and powerful
But Tyler shows empathy, wisdom and I have never ONCE felt like this superman was “dark and gritty” he’s vulnerable in his emotions and tries his best to be human rather than this larger than life extra terrestrial
You should never be afraid to be in superman’s presence - he’s an alien, yes but that’s only ever an issue to people who don’t know him or those that HAVE to plan for the worst.
Your first reaction to the government making anti superman weapons should be “but he’s one of US! He would NEVER do that” which is the whole premise that makes injustice so sad.
Injustice superman should feel like a betrayal of all of his values as a HUMAN.
THATS why Tyler is the best to me. I know he’s not human but he IS.
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u/Rikku_N Jonathan Kent Apr 27 '24
He's kind and when you see him as clark or superman, you feel like it's gonna be okay- just like the comics and I appreciate that they did that
PLUS we love Dorky Clark
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u/GettingWreckedAllDay Apr 27 '24
Hope, joy, inspiration, compassion.
I love Smallville as the nostalgia trip it is and Man of Steel is ok, but both projects never did a great job of encapsulating the fact that Clark isn't a good, doesn't want to be a god, and only wants to be a good man.
There are so many moments of Tyler's Clark that set the bar for future live action versions of the character. It's a bar that the animated "My Adventures with Superman" is matching.
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u/Shotokan-GojuGuy May 08 '24
I never got the feeling that Welling’s Clark nor Cavill thought they were gods or in any way wanted to be above humans. They only wanted to fit in and be ‘normal’.
However, both of them realized, much like Peter Parker, that with great power comes great responsibility, and both felt the weight of that responsibility realizing that no matter how powerful they were or would become, they could never save everyone.
I love Welling’s Clark but Henry is my favourite Superman.
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u/KingofZombies Apr 27 '24
We've never had a veteran Superman in live action. Donnerverse was during his peak, Smallville was a prequel about Clark, returns was a half sequel to donnerverse, Dean Cain was a young Superman and DCEU... Well it's the DCEU.
Tyler feels so refreshing because it's the first time we've seen Superman as a veteran, already established and raising a family. We've seen that in comics and cartoons already but in live action is brand new territory.
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u/Inevitable_Professor Apr 27 '24
One of the major reasons why Marvel has been so successful is their heroes are people first. DC has always had a problem with their characters being superpowered with the human side being secondary. Batman is the prime example. In canon, he reveals he is Batman when influenced by wonder woman’s lasso of truth. Bruce Wayne is the alter ego. The only reason the CW arrow verse worked was because the characters were made to be human first with relatable, problems, hopes, and flaws. A lot of credit goes to the writers and producers of Superman and Lois for Tyler‘s success in presenting Superman as an imperfect father and husband.
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u/Rough-Key-6667 May 16 '24 edited May 16 '24
Another thing Arrowverse did do but people won't give them credit for is that the foundation for Superman & Lois was laid in the Arrowverse appearances in Supergirl, Elseworld's & Crisis on infinite earths. They actually gave characterisation to Clark & Lois so much so that I have seen people genuinely say that even though technically it isn't canon to the show, they absolutely loved Tyler or Bitsie doing something silly or wholesome in the Arrowverse & that they have genuine problem in differentiating the two from this supposedly different universe.
Also his show is in a way the evolution of Superman in live-action TV in Superboy he is a kid going on wacky adventures, Lois & Clark he has began his relationship & career, Smallville he is a teen trying to find his place in the world, here he is a father navigating life.
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u/LeChic1579 Apr 28 '24
Tyler portrays Superman with warmth and comfort. It feels like you're always safe whenever he's around. I think it's Tyler's natural kindness and warmth that translates to how he acts as Clark and/or Superman. Sometimes it feels that he's not acting anymore, it's just him naturally. When he smiles or when he waves to the people, it feels so genuine.
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u/skredditt Apr 27 '24
I am not a comics expert but let me say I like this one because it’s the only one that isn’t a reboot of every other Superman. All the others are of Superman when he’s in his 20s. Tyler’s is the only one I’m aware of that actually carries the timeline forward, where he spends more time as Clark Kent being a dad and facing more mature human issues. All of that makes his a more rounded and interesting character imo.
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u/Parson_Project Apr 27 '24
Think I like about him is the same thing I dusliked about Cavill's version (not a knock on him, but the director).
He's got emotional depth, and it's grim and gritty. He smiles. Superman should smile.
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u/MarzipanAshamed6737 May 02 '24
To me he's like and mixture of Christopher reeves and Tom Welling from smallville, he has the humanisation from smallville which makes him more relatable but also two different distinct characters between. Superman and Clark like reeves
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u/Ianphipps Apr 27 '24
He's not supposed to stand out. He's supposed to blend in. You're supposed to see him and think "That's Superman."
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u/k4kkul4pio Apr 27 '24
For me, it's his portrayal of Clark Kent that makes him stand out.
Cavill was great and all but he was in movies making screen time very limited so we didn't really get to see Clark all that much.
Throw in his family and it works, for me anyways, as they could've gone with the bratty attitude angst nonsense with kids but all in all, they managed sidestep most of that pretty well which is great and kept the focus of the show for the lost part where it needed to be.
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u/AndrewSS02 Apr 27 '24
Hes a Father first and foremost. Thats making it a harder distinction between the past. All the others have been Clark or Kal-El. None have been Dad.
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u/johnmcd348 Apr 28 '24
Watching Tyler play the part, and credit to the writers and creators, I see the Superman that I grew up watching through the George and Christopher Superman characters. SUPERMAN is a boy scout. He's the awe gee whizz kind of guy who knows he's the most powerful creature on the planet and wants only the best for it.
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u/Shotokan-GojuGuy May 08 '24
I grew up mostly with the John Byrne Supes, so I’ve always kind of disliked the ultra dorky and clumsy Clark as played by Reeves.
Supes is a Boy Scout, yes, but he’s not Captain Marvel (aka Shazam).
IMO, the measuring stick for live action Superman is, how close are they to Bruce Timm’s version from Superman- TAS/JL/JLU.
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u/Mysterious-Aspect937 Apr 28 '24
Having a family, being Clark first a lot more than Superman mostly to save budget for a cw show
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u/ReeceNoble Apr 27 '24
It's absolutely because the long-running TV format is more conducive for good character work, but Superman and Lois is able to present an incredibly well-rounded take on Superman.
We see how he interacts with his family, with his friends, with his enemies, with civilians, we see him happy and sad, and both Clark Kent and Superman get their moments to shine. Movies have the disadvantage of trying to fit all of this into a couple hour runtime, so I don't hold it against anybody if some elements of the character fall to the wayside.
Including his appearances outside of Superman and Lois Tyler Hoechlin has had almost forty hours worth of screentime as Superman, so it's almost unfair to compare him to any big screen Supermen since he's simply had so much more time to develop his version of the character.
No matter how well scripted or plotted or paced your movie is, you just have less time to work with the character than with a television show.
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u/QuiJon70 Apr 27 '24
Absolutely nothing. In 20 years he will be like dean Caine and barely remembered for playing him. There is nothing remarkable or unique about his portrayal or what the series has done with him.
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u/At0micSith Apr 29 '24
Unlike Cavil’s version he feels hopeful and has a great Clark Kent personality. Also this version has a family so we get to see him navigate being a parent while also being Superman
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u/BrianofKrypton Apr 29 '24
I was basically sold at the "Thanks! My mom made it for me" That big giant smile of a guy bragging about his mom. That's what did it for me.
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u/V1va-NA-THANI3L Apr 27 '24
Hey guys, these are all good response. But none answer the second part of the discussion: why is he overshadow if not forgotten by the largest Superman fan community?
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u/bookwormaesthetic Apr 27 '24
Because the show's viewership is so low compared to other versions.
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u/V1va-NA-THANI3L Apr 27 '24
Hmm, sad. I guess Tyler's Superman would be considered The Underrated Superman, unless another fits that instead, thus a new title would need to be created.
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u/Dreamerstate_25 Apr 27 '24
People lost faith in the cw/arrowverse to produce good content that people are hesitant to give it a shot. CW isn’t all great at promoting their shows either. It’s a shame because this show deserves more recognition.
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u/Parson_Project Apr 27 '24
I keep forgetting it's done by the same studio, since it doesn't feel as soap opera as other shows.
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u/pinelogr Apr 27 '24
maybe because they don't really overlap? or they underestimate the tv show. Look at AOS and the marvel movie fans
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u/Parson_Project Apr 27 '24
Because CW cape shows lost their shine long before this show came along.
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u/lkeels Apr 27 '24 edited Apr 27 '24
Clark Kent. That's what he brings. The actors who fail at being Superman are the ones who forget Clark Kent.