Mini-Rant on Lois Lane
"N'kay this multiple universe crossover shit might not be so bad after all."
To see Lois bust Superman’s balls, go:
HERE. And:
Anyway…I was gonna tweet this but I thought it’d be better to blog it.
Lois Lane is the single most unkillable non superhero character in all of comicdom. Period. Dot. The end. Even in arcs where she’s actually died(Superman:The Movie, Crisis on Earth Bumblefuck), we as the audience know that she can’t possibly, possibly stay dead. I actually don’t necessarily have a problem with that, because it’s comics. I know that a lot of people also have a problem with Lois’s apparent blindness:
…I never have, I always thought it was kinda funny.
Lemme tell ya what I do have a lil’ problem with.
"I got yer three cheers for the red, white & blue right here baybeh."
This revisionist history that they’re painting on Smallville. 
So let me just state a few thangs:
LOIS LANE ISN’T FAMOUS FOR WHO SHE IS, OR WHAT SHE’S DONE. SHE’S FAMOUS BECAUSE SHE’S SUPERMAN’S GIRLFRIEND. Period. DOT. The end.
Lois Lane doesn’t get noticed because of her career, her claim to fame IS BEING RESCUED BY SUPERMAN. 
Even in Superman Returns, where she got the pulitzer, it was a loose continuation of the Donner Universe, and she got the Pulitzer after WRITING A PIECE ABOUT SUPERMAN.
I’ve heard quite a few people say that she’s been around as long as Superman, and appeared in the same issue of his very first appearance, which is true, Action Comics #1, June 1938. It’s true because SHE WAS CREATED AS A LOVE INTEREST FOR SUPERMAN, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. *headdesk*
"Why am I famous? I'm wrapped in it baybeh."
Lois Lane is the moon, Superman is the sun…it’s reflected glory. Some people will get that later.
Lois Lane, as she has been portrayed pretty much throughout her history, WOULD’VE BEEN DEAD BY NOW SIX WAYS TO SUNDAY, IF IT WASN’T FOR SUPERMAN. There’s not a single incarnation of this story where HE DOESN’T REPEATEDLY SAVE HER BACON.
The name of her comic book was “SUPERMAN’S GIRLFRIEND, LOIS LANE.” I didn’t go through all 137 issues, but she may not even have a cover of that comic run WHERE SUPERMAN IS NOT FEATURED.
I like how Nightwing
"Yah I've got my own issues, what's it to ya?"
has evolved into his own interesting character(ironically based on something Superman did), and has his own fans.
I also like how Teen Titans,
(“When there’s trouble you know who to caaaaaaalllll!” FRIGGIN’ LOVE THAT)
I know this isn't the current version, but it's my favorite one. Get yer own blog.
even though it’s always been based on the “Jr” or sidekick versions of mainstream heroes, has its own life, and has for a while now.
But I have to wonder…what would a show, series, or a comic book that just featured Lois Lane be like? Hmmm…..
OH YEAH, IF SUPERMAN DOESN’T SHOW UP, NO ONE’S INTERESTED IN THE CHARACTER!!
And if you don’t agree with that statement, how many incarnations of Lois Lane have ever been featured that didn’t involve Superman? I’ve heard the argument that “she’s just as important to the mythos as he is.” Um…bullshit. If you took Lois out, do you think that there wouldn’t be any more Superman movies or comics? Do you think that people would abandon their love for the character if you took away his main love interest? Superman III didn’t feature Lois as the main love interest at all. It still sucked like earthworms after the rain, but it was because of the lame story featuring Richard freaking Pryor. Annette O’toole was positively charming as Lana Lang(the last version of Lana that anyone liked)…Superman IV had Lois in it and still bit the big sausage. This is also how I know that certain people are full of crap, because if I said these exact same things about Jimmy Olsen or Perry White, nobody would say anything. Nobody would be butthurt at all.
She EXISTS because of HIM. 
Her relevance in the comic book world is BASED ON HIM. If she has a solo piece in any media, it loses almost 100% of his appeal IF HE DOESN’T SHOW UP. 
I’m not anti-romance, I’m not anti-relationship, I’m not anti-couple, and I’ve loved Reeve/Kidder, Cain/Hatcher, and now Welling/Durance as the comic world’s most famous couple. I completely agree that that relationship pairing is an integral part of the story, and actually have no desire to change that.
WHAT I AM ‘ANTI’ IS ANTI-BULLSHIT. Any type of inference that he is based on her, and that he couldn’t became who he’s supposed to be without her, and, here’s the big one….that somehow Superman himself loses his appeal as a character if Lois isn’t around is absolute and complete bullshit. I guess we better tell Alex Ross & Mark Waid that their seminal work, Kingdom Come, was all for nought. No Lois in there but a dead one. Same with The Dark Knight Returns. The argument that Superman’s story is about love, humanity, and heart is a valid one…it’s one that I’ve often made myself. The love of his birth parents, the love of his Earth parents, and Lois’s love as an adult, are all there, no contest.
LET’S KEEP THE ORDER STRAIGHT THOUGH. THAT’S NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK.
I didn’t know that not worshiping the Lane was a crime. Well sacrilege and blasphemy, call me guilty. Ain’t nobody EVER SAID, “Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird…it’s a plane! No, it’s Lois n’ Clark!” So I don’t care how much some people want certain perspectives to be valid, facts aren’t misogyny, but they are, as Ronald Reagan said, “stubborn things.” This: 
..will never be the truth. No matter how hard some people try.
http://dcanimated.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_times_Superman_saved_Lois_Lane_in_the_DCAU
Unfollow that.
"We're having a good time, huh Clark?"___ "Yes, much ado about nothing."
November 11, 2010 at 3:15 AM
I admit, that I usually don’t agree with all of your opinions, but I think with this one you are spot on!! I love Lois, but I believe her importance has to be put in perspective & you did a great job of that.
November 11, 2010 at 3:25 AM
Thanks Patticakes. I’m not anti-Lois at all, I just think, as you said, that things should be kept in perspective.
November 11, 2010 at 11:45 AM
As a big fan of Lois Lane I was really quite offended when I first started reading your post. But you’ve got me agreeing with you in a big bad way. She is currently portrayed on Smallville as an extremely empowered woman (which rocks) but I agree that her necessity as far as Superman is concerned can certainly be overstated. Go you for putting it out there!
November 11, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Thank you
November 11, 2010 at 2:54 PM
Interesting post. I’m going to try and do my best to respond to it in some kind of organized way but I apologize in advance if I don’t quite achieve that. I understand and respect the point that you are making; howeer, I disagree with some of your comments.
Let me start off by saying that, like you, I have been reading comics for most of my life. There are not as many female comic readers….but we are out there. I’ve been watching Smallville since the pilot although I only recently joined the online forums. i introduced my husband to the show a few years ago and now we watch it together. I’ve enjoyed every incarnation of Superman that I have ever watched. He is, by and far, my favorite hero.
I agree with you that Lois created in 1938 to be Superman’s love interest. Actually, to be more specific, according to Jerry Siegel’s comments, she was created to be the love of his life. The interesting thing, at least for me, is that Jerry Siegel put quite a lot of care into how she was created during a time when women were not often allowed to be portrayed as anything other than one dimensional ingenues or virgin damsels. He gave her a brain and a career and he gave her a very flawed personality. None of these things were truly necessary at the time when it came to female characters. Readers certainly didn’t expect those things from female characters because it was not the norm. However, it was important to Jerry Siegel to develop a woman that would truly compliment Clark. And I’ve always found it very interesting that he put so much care into doing that during a time period where…truly….he didn’t have to. It wasn’t the societal norm. Lois’ inherant flaws have always made her intensely interesting to me. There are several women that I really love in comics and all for different reasons. And I do love Lois very much.
I agree with you that Lois Lane’s comicbook during the Silver Age was very closely connected to Superman. And I agree with you that the title of the book proclaimed her identity as the girlfriend of Superman loud and clear. I also think that the book was a product of the times. Despite the care with which Lois was created….she was still a woman in a culture where women were not equals yet and where often a woman could be a wife or be a girflriend or she could be a “hero” like Kara or Diana—but she couldn’t be both. The roles were very clearly defined. Margot Kidder actually had some very interesting comments about this concept on the Smallville Season 4 feature on Lois Lane. She said that by the time they made Superman:the Movie things were starting to change for women. All of a sudden it was more acceptable for women to work and to have an identity seperate from men. People were learning that you could be a wife/lover and still have an individual identity AND have self-worth. It didn’t have to be one or the other.
I agree with you that Superman has saved Lois’ life many, many times over the years. Truthfully, that’s never been something that has bothered me. For one thing, I usually admire the reason why Lois is in trouble. She’s usually trying to get to the bottom of something or showing incredible courage. Does she act foolishly sometimes in the face of danger? Yup. But I always feel like she’s made the decision to put her life at risk. While it may sound corny, I often relate to the idea of Superman saving her on more of a metaphorical level. Thankfully, I am not in a position where my life is threatened on a regular basis. However, I often rely on the people closest to me, including my husband, to “save” me on a regular basis. My entire life is filled with little but essential saves that come from the people who love me. I don’t think that makes me any less capable or strong or successful. But it does make me human.
In the modern Superman canon, Clark openly views Lois as his equal and a source of hope and inspiration. He loves being Superman “for her.” He openly states that the thought of her is what drives him to fight longer, harder and is what gets him through when it becomes difficult to keep going. In many ways, this emphasis on equality and inspiration is a reflection on the way our culture has changed regarding relationships. Women are no longer accessories. (At least, they aren’t to most men I don’t think.) Most husbands see their wives as equal partners….something that wasn’t necessarily openly accepted 30-40 years ago and certainly wasn’t the case 70 years ago.
Now, all that being said, I should make something very clear: I have ALWAYS believed that Clark Kent, as we know him, is capable of being the hero that the world needs because of who he is and what he stands for. I believe that Clark is who he is because of the incredible upbringing of his parents and due to the incredible innate sense of goodness and justice that resides inside of him. I think Smallville has done a good job of reminding the audience in episodes like Absolute Justice and Warrior that Clark is driven to do what he does because he cares so damn much. Because it’s the right thing to do. He doesn’t do it because he is forced to or because someone tells him he has to but because he CHOOSES to. I believe that whole heartedly. I would never dispute that Clark has everything that he needs inside of him to be Superman.
One of the most interesting contrasts between Superman and Batman, in my opinion, is that they both fight for love….but in very different ways. Batman fights for love lost. His grief over the loss of his parents drives him to fight harder….to be brutal against crime so that no one else has to suffer the same kind of grief or pain that he was forced to endure as a child. Superman fights for love present. Because he cares so damn much about the living. He thrives on giving and receiving love both agape and eros. His entire life has been influenced by those who love him. His birth parents loved him so dearly that they put everything on the line to save his life. Jonathan and Marthan treated him as if he was their biological child and raised him with incrediblly pure love and adoration. And Lois, as his wife, loves him and cherishes him as both man and Superman as one. Jonathan, Martha and Lois have provided places where Clark can truly belong on the deepest level of humanity. To try and seperate all of that love or put one over the other doesn’t really make sense to me. If someone asked the average (happily) married man to try and weigh what he feels for his father and mother and what he feels for his wife…..he’d probably have a really had time doing so. There is no order or ranking to that kind of love. Neither has to exist less for the other to exist more. There is room for all to go around. The relationship between father and son, between mother and son and between husband and wife can all co-exist as very different but equally important expressions of love and inpsiration in one’s life.
I understand completely that there are those who don’t feel as though Lois is interesting enough to have her own comicbook without Superman around. But I don’t think that is true for everyone and it shouldn’t be stated as such. Ironically, there has been a movement in literature over the last decade where several very famous stories have been approached from the POV of another character in the story. Gregory McGuire was one of the first authors to explore this concept although he has been copied several times over. It’s became a rather famous literary trope in the last decade to take a very famous story and try to deeply explore another character in that story as opposed to the main character in order to provide new and creative POV. Now, I’ve read examples of this that I thought were successful….and I’ve read those that I didn’t feel were successful. But I personally find Lois Lane interesting enough in her own right to give something like that a shot. I would buy it and I would read it. I find Lois Lane very interesting in ways that have nothing to do with her relationship with Superman and I always have.
Yes, Lois was created as Superman’s girlfriend and she is now his wife. But I do think we are at a point in our society where being someone’s girlfriend or wife does not have to be mutually exclusive from being interesting and worthwhile in one’s own right. It wasn’t always that way. But I’d like to think that we are at a point where that is no longer the case. I believe that a woman can identify as a wife or a girlfriend or a fiance and still have other equally important or interesting roles to play. Just as I believe that a man— even a man who is identified as the greatest hero the world has ever known—can identify himself as a husband and not have to fear that he’ll be considered any less of a hero or any weaker because he deeply, deeply loves and needs his wife. I believe that all these different “roles”can co-exist.
Could Superman exist with Lois? Sure. Although, it’s truly hard to gauge how successful various verisions of his story would be without Lois there. The truth is that we really don’t know if removing Lois would change the longevity of the character. She’s been such a strong presence for so long that it’s really hard to say how removing her would change things in terms of the overall character’s appeal to the general masses. Would Superman I and II have resonated with so many people in such a deeply emotional way if Lois wasn’t there or if Lois was another woman? You know…I’m not sure. But my gut is that removing her would have changed the entire story and I don’t think that would have been a good thing. My gut feeling is that if Lois was not who she is…..if she was another woman….people wouldn’t be so invested in the love story. And yes, I agree that Kingdom Come was a very powerful story. However, although Lois was not physically present….I still felt her presence very strongly thoughout that story. I felt what the impact of her death had done to Clark….and without that impact….I’m not sure I would have felt as emotionally invested in his return to public heroism. I knew what he had lost and it helped me to sympathize with him on a very deep level.
The bottom line is that no one can speak for all Superman fans in factual terms. There is no one way to be a Superman fan. There is no one way to be a comics fan. All I can tell you is that Clark’s relationship with Jonathan and Martha and his relationship with Lois is what has continually brought me back to Superman over and over and over again throughout my life. I can also tell you that, as a woman, I have always found Lois more relatable than either Kara or Diana—both of whom I like fine but have no real investment in at all. I love Superman as an individual. His capacity for goodness and humility and forgiveness blows me away. And for what it’s worth, I think Tom Welling has done an OUTSTANDING job of making Clark a truly humbe, sincere and kind person who truly wants to help others in any way that he can. Clark Kent is the reason why I have continued to turn into Smallville for ten years and why I will always consider Superman my favorite hero. But, for me, his relationship with his parents and his relationship with Lois is what gives him his soul…..what makes me feel as though I can understand and connect emotionally to WHO this man is. It’s what makes me care more about him than I do about any other superhero. And for that….I will always consider Lois Lane and her place in this overall story as completely irreplacable. In many ways, it was Lois who brought me to Superman. Love and heroism can co-exist and I don’t think either has to be brought down in order to build up the other.
Anyway, I’m sorry for the way way too long post. I apologize if I didn’t organize my thoughts very well. I hope I was able to make some kind of sense. Thank you for your comments and I appreciate the opportunity to share different perspectives.
November 11, 2010 at 4:48 PM
I appreciate reading what you say Audrey, I just wasn’t quite sure about your overall point. If you’re saying that Lois is well fleshed out, and has evolved, I completely agree.
Kara & Diana & Nightwing are able to sustain entire titles apart from their root characters and/or on their own; I don’t think the same is true for Lois. That’s what I meant by ‘no one would be interested.’ Maybe that statement is too absolute, but if she’s all that separate from Superman, it shouldn’t be a problem for her to carry anything solo. I definitely know that I can’t speak for all fans, I was just speaking my opinions.
November 11, 2010 at 5:37 PM
I’m sorry if I wasn’t very clear. I know I went into a bit of a tangent on the way Lois has evolved. The reason I did that is because I do think her evoluation and “role” in the story has changed with society and I think that’s relevant to the argument that she started as a love interest and relevant to the argument out there that she couldn’t sustain a title without him. My point is that I don’t think the fact that a character begins as another character’s love interest negates the fact that the character could be interesting and sustain a story on their own. There have been many fictional characters who were created, initially, to be someone’s love interest and have gone on to have their own successful novels/spin-offs.
Truthfully, I found your statement to be too absolute because you stated it as a fact and not as your opinion. It came off like myself or anyone else who might be interested in something like this were either lying or kidding ourselves. And that’s….very condesending. I’m sure you didn’t mean it that way and I appreciate your clarifying your stance. I completely understand and respect that you (and maybe other guys out there) wouldn’t be interested in reading a story about Lois seperate from a Superman story. But I truly would. I like her. I’m more interested in her than I am in Kara or Diana. Kara and Diana aren’t even close to the top of my favorite comics heroines. (That would be Lois,Babs and Dinah….all for very different reasons.) I like Diana more than Kara….but neither of them truly hold my interest for very long. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong as I know this is all subjective. And again, Kara and Diana fall into the category of women that were allowed to be “heroes” because they aren’t serving as someone’s girlfriend or wife. There was a real divide in our culture in terms of what kinds of “roles” women could play. You couldn’t overlap. You could be a superhero ala Diana. You could be a pseduo villian ala Selina. But you couldn’t be a true/equal partner to someone AND be any of those things. It’s only been in recent years that women have been able to be portrayed as ALL Of these things.: to be portrayed as a love interest and as an equally unique person in their own right. There are some rare exceptions to this rule but for the most part….this is the way it was. I think that Lois is a character who suffered from this type of thing in a way that characters like Kara and Diana did not and I do think the lingering effects of this type of role casting are what make it difficult for some people to recognize that Lois has a lot of individual appeal outside of being a love interest.
Now, all that being said, if Lois Lane were to have her own series….I wouldn’t have any objection to seeing Clark in it as well sometimes. And that’s not because I don’t think Lois is interesting in her own right or because I don’t think she could carry a series. It’s because I sincerely enjoy their interaction and the way that they compliment each other. So, my personal preference would be to have a series where Lois’ POV is explored in a new and creative way. However, I don’t necessarily agree that Superman needs to be excluded completely from the piece either because I think that both characters do a beautiful job of complimenting each other. And vice versa, I enjoy Superman titles more when Lois is around. I guess what I’m saying is…..I don’t really see it as an either/or. And I don’t see it as a bad thing that Lois is so connected to Superman either. I don’t think that makes her just a love interest. I think that Superman and Lois Lane were, in many ways, created to compliment each other and it makes sense to me why they work so well together because it was quite literally designed that way.
I guess I just feel like….what is the harm in people wanting to see a series for Lois? Why is it such a problem that there are people out there that want this? If it is successful…..great. If it’s not….well….at least they gave it a try. We really have no idea how people would respond to that type of thing. I’d be thrilled if more young women, in parituclar, were willing to turn to comic books for their fictijonal heroines rather than the stunningly weak heroines that they find in the Twilight saga. I’ve taught at the College level and honestly it stuns me sometimes the types of heroines that some of these young women look up to both on television and other forms of media. I’d welcome any kind of series on someone more like Lois as a different kind of woman for these women to be exposed to.
Anyway, thank you for engaging in a respectful conversation about all of this. I know I went off on a few tangents. Sorry, like Lois Lane…I tend to do that sometimes. But I appreciate your perspective and the honest dialouge.
November 14, 2010 at 4:49 AM
I do agree that Lois can lift right out in some cases (though I personally didn’t care for that element in some of those Elseworld stories you mentioned. Particularly I’m not a fan of the idea of Superman and Wonder Woman hooking up; no matter how they do it, it just seems to be contrived to me somehow) but to that point, Lois was barely featured in the Justice League animated series (which of course ties to, incidentally, your screen cap from the animated Superman series of the same continuity) Supes had his adventures in the Justice League and later JLU and Lois had maybe one or two cameos through the whole thing. (And there have certainly been comics with Superman, without Lois factoring in at all too) So Superman can most definitely hold his own without Lois, but time has not proven the reverse.
But to play devil’s advocate, I’d say the same is true for many other characters, like the Kents for example. They probably couldn’t hold their own independent story WIHTOUT HIM either; but that’s not to say that the Kents, or Lois, aren’t important to Superman as a character – in certain ways. Superman CAN hold his own without them, but I do think it would eventually get boring if it were always JUST Superman, EVER. I think he’s a better, more rounded character, to have that continuity of supporting characters in his life, that anchor him, and represent an interest for him at times, for winning the day. Some times even heroes like Superman need a larger reason for succeeding, than it simply being the right thing to do; some times they need a personal stake – but I don’t think your arguing characters like Superman don’t need that, or that Lois isn’t suitable to fill the role as a love interest and partner for Clark Kent. It seemed to be more along the lines of, Lois has no business being the catalyst for Clark becoming Superman; and I don’t wholly disagree with that – but that also speaks to a greater issue in general with Smallville and Clark’s meandering, deeply closeted journey towards becoming a hero. And I have thoughts specific to that, but I’m going to make it a separate post, as this one is a little more on topic, and that one, while in the vein of the topic you addressed, kind of goes off on it’s own tangent….
What I would add in concluding this reply though, is that I’m not entirely convinced it would be impossible for Lois to hold her own in a story. I do think you were too liberal with that absolute. It’s definitely true, to my knowledge at least, that no one has managed to create such a story, if anyone has even tried; but I’d like to think it’s possible. In fact, for the sake that it seems like a counterintuitive fact (she’s an independent, smart, resourceful woman; who could take care of herself before Superman came along. Maintaining most, if not all of those qualities in a story in a post Superman life, HAS TO be possible), I’m tempted to write such a story myself, one of these days. So I’ll end this particular post in the words of the great Barney Stinson, “Challenge accepted!”
November 14, 2010 at 4:50 AM
I think you make a solid point overall. The things is with Smallville, Lois being made to be so integral in Clark becoming Superman, is par for the course. Lana, Chloe, Tess, Bug Boy, Jor-El AI, freakin’ BRIANIAC – all them and then some have, at one time or another, been in a proactive position to push Clark towards being a hero, when they really shouldn’t have needed to. For a long time on Smallville, Clark has fought tooth and nail against his destiny (in part, because it was long held and known by Clark to be his destiny) and he’s pretty much had to be dragged out of the closet – or phone booth rather – just to get where he is now.
None of those characters belonged in that role; nor should Clark have needed as much cajoling to become a hero, as he’s needed now in Smallville. I can think of only two characters who should have any role in Clark’s decision to become Superman; that of course being Jonathan and Martha Kent. But even there, it’s more of personal development by example; Clark wants to do as much good for the people around him as he’s able to do; and with the powers he has, he’s afforded to do a lot of good. But it’s the ideals instilled in him by the Kents that puts him on that track.
That’s easily the problem I see with the synopsizes and discussions about Superman: Earth One. It may be an over simplification of what I’ve heard, as I’ve yet to read it (but I do plant to) but no matter how long he does it – even if it were just a page or however short it is in the story – having a young Clark Kent mope around, brooding about what he’s going to do with his life and his powers is just stupid. I don’t care what anyone else thinks about it; the idea of Clark Kent wanting to be a hero, because it’s the right thing to do and because that’s the sort of person he was raised to be, IS NOT an outdated notion. There are REAL people, who go into real, heroic professions, because they honestly want to make a difference, to the best of their ability; and they want to uphold what they believe to be right. They find any avenue available to them to do so; police officer, military service, fire fighter, paramedic, doctor, and the list goes on I’m sure. And I’m just as sure that you could find many among those same ranks, were they given Superman’s powers, wouldn’t hesitate to try and be a hero in near the same stead. Might some people sooner use that power for their own personal gain, in spite of whatever altruistic beliefs they may have held beforehand? I’m sure there would be, but Clark being raised to be the sort of person who would choose to be a hero in a heartbeat, with or without powers, is absolutely realistic and still relevant in this day and age..
So yes, it’s absolute bullshit for Lois to be in that role of molding Clark into the man he needs to be; and it’s bullshit that any of the others have done the same. And it’s bullshit they got rid of both Jonathan or Martha; and it’s further bullshit that Smallville had to arrest Clark’s development, just to prolong the show.
November 15, 2010 at 3:18 PM
Couldn’t you pretty much say this for any girlfriend/boyfriend of some superhero who isn’t a superhero/villain, but just a regular person?
November 15, 2010 at 3:21 PM
None of those other sig others have people screaming about how “equal” they are
November 15, 2010 at 7:45 PM
Very true.
November 22, 2010 at 7:46 PM
I’m glad I stumbled onto this forum. For someone who says he’s not anti Lois you sound pretty anti Lois. Here’s how I see things. Lois Lane is an impressive character in and of herself. More specifically the golden age and modern age versions of Lois are impressive. I didn’t like the version of ehr that was in the silver age (and continued into the bronze age, but I disliked that version of Superman, Jimmy Olson and Lana Lang as well). I think that in the golden age she was presented as a feminist before the term was ever even used. She was smart, sassy, tough (not super heroic-tough), and there were quite a few times that she managed to get herself out of trouble too. She was a great supporting character.
The modern age version of Lois could concievably hold her own in a solo comic. I read the superman titles, but I have to admit that when I’m reading one of the many issues that she is not even in that in the back of my mind I wonder where she is. I personally like her every bit as much as I like her husband. I think that their love story is a big part of what makes the superman comic work.
I’m guessing that “thehumanscorch ” is one of those people who are secretly (or not so secretly as the case may be praying for the death of Lois Lane because s/he wants to see Superman with someone else. Probably Wonderwoman am I right? Hey did you notice that the current version of her in the comics (and on smallville) is a very capable military brat. Her dad more or less raised her to be one of his soldiers. The modern age version of Lois has managed to get herself out of trouble without her husbands help more than her fair share of times. Notice that some characters like Atlas have described her as being as beautiful as Aphrodite herself. Kind of like Diana who was blessed with the beauty of the love goddess. Of course those who are familiar with their greek myth may recall the tale of Aphrodite and Psyche. Psyche was a mortal woman who’s looks rivaled Aphrodite. Lois being described as being as beautiful as Aphrodite, is sort of like that in the way that Diana was blessed with the goddess’s beauty (and her vanity). Lois and Diana are both from military backgrounds. We’ve never really seen the two go up against eachother in some version where Diana has no super powers but we have seen the elseworld tale “kingdom come” where Lois gains the same power set as Diana , the two face off and Lois wins.
Yes there are a lot of elsworld stories where superman ends up with wonderwoman for example kingdom come) but in every single one of those tales the SM/WW relationship happens because he loses Lois and settles for Diana. Diana may love him, but Lois will always be numero uno in Clarks heart. I’m also aware that at the beggining of the modern age of the comics superman was very attracted to Wonder Woman, and why wouldn’t he be, the lure of hooking up with a sexual partner that you wouldn’t have to hold back with is pretty tempting, but he moved past that. Beyond the potential sexual release, he had no true feelings for the amazon princess other than friendship and he had already fallen in love with Lois. What’s that you say Lana Lang? A childhood crush in soem versions, a boyhood Nuisance in others. Lana has never been the love of his life. Lyla? Simply what he felt for Wonder woman, he wouldn’t have to hold back with Lyla because she is/was kryptonian like him. Lori Lemaris? He never chose to reveal his secret to her,she was a telepathic mermaid who uncovered his secret and he continued to see her because-let’s face it- he was probably lonely. Yes he has had other passing flirtations but none of them—- NONE OF THEM- amoountedto what he had with Lois Lane.
I don’t deny that you are correct in your statement that Lois would be long dead if not for superman, that’s a stone cold fact, but it does not diminish her importance in the mythos. She is a key ingrediant in what makes the story work. You said it, she is the moon to his sun. A reflective surface? Maybe. But would our world really be what it is without both the sun AND the moon? Would superman still exist without her? Undoubtedly, but would he be the same? No F-ing way. BTW- in the modern age Lois Lane already had a fairly successful carreer as a journalist even before Superman hit the scene. Personally I would love it if she gained her own superpowers not just as a one shot story (which has been done in the comics-many times) but permanantly. Lois Lane- Superwoman, it sounds good. I think that the modern version of the character would do good things with powers of her own, and hey if the crime syndicate version of Lois can be a superwoman why not the main version. Wouldn’t WonderWoman fans be happier to see her move on and find love with someone who isn’t just settling for her but actually puts her first in their hearts?
If we were adressing superhero’s leading ladies I think that even without powers of her own Lois stands out from the crowd of Iris West, Carol Ferris, Vikki Vale and all those other chicks. Honestly with the exception of Ferris, I don’t think any of those other chicks are even a tenth as important or as intersting as Lois Lane. Just sayin.
December 14, 2010 at 1:04 AM
Agreed. I was just thinking yesterday why the most powerful man on earth and the savior of the galaxy would love a woman who can’t even spell simple words and who always ends up almost getting killed on a weekly basis (and would have died if not for you know who)?
As a terribly sexist aside, I really enjoyed the Superman-robot spanking Lois comic book sequence. There’s also another way to take the line “I couldn’t sit down all night after what the robot did to me”, but I digress.
December 14, 2010 at 1:49 AM
…That’s what I’ve been saying for YEARS now.
December 17, 2010 at 8:24 PM
I’ve never had any trouble understanding why Superman loves Lois. She’s a very flawed character but also very lovable. I actually think the modern comics have done a good job of having Clark describe outright why he loves Lois. She’s very human and has a very good heart. She’s very different from Clark yet shares a similar ideology. When you really love someone, things like bad spelling aren’t turn-offs….they’re turn-ons. My wife has tons of little flaws that I find utterly endearing even as they drive me crazy.
I can understand how Lois wouldn’t be everyone’s choice. But I do think that she’s Clark’s choice and I do think it’s kind of funny when other men try to impose their own ideals/desires on Superman. It’s not about who you or I would choose. It’s about staying true to the character. Yes, Superman is the most powerful man in the world and he’s a savior to millions of people. But he’s also incredibly humble and he’d be the last person to ever revel in his power. He’d never been a character who is looking for perfection. Love is not a perfect science. I know it’s just my opinion but I remember always thinking it was really fitting that Superman loved Lois. He is so powerful but ultimately his humanity and humility draw him towards a woman who is very human and flawed but ultimately keeps him interested and has a very good heart. Honestly, when people question why Superman loves Lois….it just makes me think that people don’t understand Superman at all. The mythos has been very clear abuot why it’s Lois. Not everyone has to agree with it but I’d think that true Superman fans would care about staying true to who the character is as opposed to imposing their own preferences on the situation.
Either way, If DC wants to make a Lois Lane book, awesome. My wife would certainly buy it and i’d probably check it out with her.
March 27, 2011 at 12:06 PM
[...] into serious debates about Wonder Woman and female heroes in general, as well as the place of Lois Lane in his life, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m sick of it all. The offense taken by some [...]
March 27, 2011 at 6:07 PM
[...] into serious debates about Wonder Woman and female heroes in general, as well as the place of Lois Lane in his life, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m sick of it all. And by ‘sick of it [...]
March 27, 2011 at 6:07 PM
[...] into serious debates about Wonder Woman and female heroes in general, as well as the place of Lois Lane in his life, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m sick of it all. And by ‘sick of it [...]
March 29, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I was reading your “Desperately Seeking Superman” pieces (love them) when I came across this one and it definitely struck a chord.
First, I am a huge Lois Lane fan, have been for years. Before I respond directly to your piece, I just want to put out there why I like her, and I know it’ll be redundant but, indulge me. She has evolved with the times, no doubt. I echo someone else’s above post in that she has a big heart and a strong moral compass, and yes she IS flawed. I think that’s why I identify with her so much…she makes mistakes, whether it’s in her spelling or diving into precarious situations head on without thinking.
All that being said, I do agree with some of your points on here. Yes, Superman as a character is still intrinsically the same man whether Lois is present or not, I’d still love him either way. Specifically, in all other incarnations except Smallville, Superman was ALREADY who he was before he met Lois. (I do love Erica Durance’s portrayal of Lois and am a big fan, however, there are definitely some things that are tough to stomach more recently.)
Not to delve into that, continuing…though Lois definitely did not MAKE Superman who he is (I would never venture to say that), I do at times see her as a reaffirmation to him that what he’s doing (saving people) and who he is, is good and just. You mention above the love of his birth and Earth parents and Lois as an adult a part of his story. In correlation, in “Adventures of Superman” , there’s a scene where Supes has been talking about putting people in danger too much. Lois tells him that he’s “saved more lives than he could ever possibly endanger.” And would he ever want to find out about something happening to someone he loved because he “wasn’t there”?
That’s not to prove anything one way or the other…just to illustrate that Supes does have days where he doubts what he’s doing, which is no wonder sometimes, and Lois is very often the one who tells/shows him that yes he IS doing good and right and just. What I’m getting at is that Superman, though he can stand alone as a character, he is only enhanced by Lois’ love and support for him. No, she’s not the only one in his life who does this, but I’d wager to say she’s the most present.
I now want to touch on Supes saving Lois. I do find that probably the most enjoyable, especially before she knows his secret. It’s fun and well hey, that’s what he does right? Save people
I would never change that. Therein you mention a storyline revolving around Lois and no Supes being around…I for one would be interested (yes, I am biased here) to see how they would do that. I’m in no way saying it would be successful. I think it would all depend on who wrote it, what the story was and how it would fit in with the general mythos itself. It’s never been tried, but if Nightwing could have his own fanbase and own life/story, isn’t it possible for others as well? Even if they are just mainly considered love interests, like Lois? Perhaps this is not answerable right now but, I see it as something to contemplate before shooting down entirely.
I’ll stop here otherwise I’ll write a novel and you’ll possibly consider me a human form of Ambien. I really enjoyed your piece here and I can totally comprehend the frustration you have. On the whole, I am not a fan of the “you complete me” or “you made me” phrases applied to any such relationship, fiction or not, so I agree with your sentiments on that as well. I may be an avid Lois Lane fan but, I can appreciate opposite points of view, and I am not blinded by my Lois Lane fangirlness (I know, that’s not a word).
Well-written, and I will continue to peruse this awesome blog!
March 29, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Thanks for all your compliments!
I’m just not a fan of the revisionist history that they’ve done on Smallville…no other incarnation of Superman has ever made me resent the Clark/Lois relationship.
But what they’re doing when he saves her?
Danger Porn.
March 29, 2011 at 11:31 PM
I hear ya, not to turn this into a Smallville thing but, I never expected Lois to even be on the show, then when she was (even though I love her), I thought, “How are they going to do that??” You know that every Superman fan out there went “Huh?” I mean, yes there is ONE story in the comics where Lois meets Clark before he’s Supes all the way but, it’s not the norm at all of course. I’d guess that’s why it’s all so hard to swallow for some, the Lois-and-Clark-together-before-he’s-Supes part, which is understandable. But then, SV has always marched to the tune of it’s own mythos, so to speak.
Ah yes, well, Danger Porn just does it for some I guess
April 24, 2011 at 5:08 PM
[...] is no other incarnation of Superman that I’m aware of(besides ElseWorlds Tales) that has Lois as a part of the developmental process, but whatever. There’s been almost no idea that [...]
March 4, 2012 at 3:13 AM
All told, I love the character of Lois. Not as much in some incarnations (KATE BOSWORTH, I’M LOOKING AT YOU), but she was on my list of heroes and role models, right along with Eowyn of Rohan and Joan of Arc, throughout my youth. That said, I agree with you that Lois Lane probably couldn’t stand on her own- that is to say, she couldn’t support a long-term storyline exclusively on her own. A big part of her interest is really her relationship with Kal-El.
However, I think it has less to do with her character and more to do with brand association. When we think of Lois Lane, we think, “Oh, that’s Superman’s wife and/or girlfriend.” If you changed her name to Jane Doe and wrote a comic book or novel or television show or whatever about the exact same character, just under a different name, I have no doubt that she could support a story on her own. Lois’s inability to become independent of Superman isn’t so much about any lack of interest to her character, it’s about the fan association with the name. I think, though, based on the content of the OP, you probably would agree on that subject.
I enjoy Smallville’s revisionist history (especially in relation to their fabulous version of Lois Lane), because while some aspects of the show annoyed the little comic book junkie in the back of my mind (notably the whole Doomsday thing and the cheap knockoff of Mr. Mxyzptlk, among other things), I prefer to take each story on its own merit. Although Smallville deviates pretty wildly from “official” Superman canon, it’s a very complete and very meaningful story in its own right, and while I get your point that seeing Lois as being deeply involved in the creation of the Man of Steel and the dual identity may rankle some fans, I thought it was very appropriate for where the story ultimately went (not to mention helping to silence the disturbing portion of the fan-base who still stubbornly clung to a fabricated image of a thoroughly unlikeable Miss Lang).
March 4, 2012 at 6:36 AM
Very good points.
December 3, 2012 at 8:59 AM
And I totally agree with your point. Lois Lane is the the universe, though some few people might like to imply otherwise.