Based on “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?” in Action Comics #775 by Joe Kelly, who also wrote the screenplay, Superman vs. The Elite deals with an age-old question in comic books: Why don’t the good guys kill the bad guys so they can’t hurt anyone again? It’s a very intriguing inquiry, unfortunately, it isn’t dealt with satisfactorily.
Buy Superman vs. The Elite Blu-rayAtomic Skull goes on a rampage in Metropolis, kills people and destroying property. At the United Nations, Superman is asked why he didn’t permanently stop Atomic Skull. Superman states he’s not judge, jury, and executioner, and talks about the goodness of people.
A war begins between the countries of Bialya and Pokolistan. While battling Pokolistan’s bio-weapon creatures, Superman encounters the Elite, a group composed of Manchester Black, a British telepath/telekinetic; Coldcast, a manipulator of electromagnetism; Menagerie, a woman with wings and a symbiotic relationship with alien worm creatures that reside within her; and Hat, a magician. They work together to defeat the creatures. After stopping a terrorist attack on a train, Manchester almost kills a two men while interrogating them. Superman realizes he and the Elite pursue justice differently.
Atomic Skull breaks from prison and kills people again. After defeating him, Superman wants to return Atomic Skull to prison, but the people have had enough and are all for Manchester killing him. When Superman tries to stop the rising escalation between Bialya and Pokolistan in a peaceful manner, his efforts are undercut when the Elite kill both countries’ leaders. Considering the movie’s title, it’s no surprise that Superman has to battle the Elite, and what they represent.
Superman shows the Elite and their supporters that their aggressive, lethal ways are not the answer when it comes to administering justice. However, they only come around because the writer makes them. While the final battle itself is well written and shows off Superman’s cleverness, the reasons the people supported the vigilantes aren’t dealt with. Superman doesn’t answer why Atomic Skull, who was jailed for killing innocent people, should be given a third chance when he continues to show a complete disregard for the life of others. Not only does it seem fair to reason that Atomic Skull forfeited his life, it’s clear the the legal system built for humans can’t contain him, and Superman, or another superhero, should be tasked with collecting on Atomic Skull’s debt to society.
Superman vs. The Elite is an entertaining, animated adventure. The story makes an effort to do more than just have good guys fight bad guys by offering food for thought regarding the responsibilities of those with power in society. For that, it rises above typical superhero fare. However, once the argument is posed, it doesn’t offer a balanced look at the issue, which is slightly disappointing.
