"S" of SUPERMAN
- Thread starter IFA
- Start date
Probe Droid
Master Member
Isn't the English S actually the K in the Kryptonian alphabet? I think that's it.
I always thought it meant "Superman" from the first comic on until the later "Let's make it the El family symbol" idea was concocted.
Here's some info...
http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/comics.php?topic=articles/the-s-story
Here's some info...
http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/comics.php?topic=articles/the-s-story
darth_myeek
Sr Member
Simmon M
Sr Member
I don't know what the retcon meaning is behind the 'S'. I'm sure Simon originally wanted it to represent S for "Superman" in the comics.
But years back I read a great interview with John Byrne. He spoke about how when he first saw the symbol he didn't see a red 'S' - what he saw was two yellow "fish" (speaking of the negative areas of the symbol) swimming like the Pieces symbol.
I thought that was a pretty cool misreading! :lol
But years back I read a great interview with John Byrne. He spoke about how when he first saw the symbol he didn't see a red 'S' - what he saw was two yellow "fish" (speaking of the negative areas of the symbol) swimming like the Pieces symbol.
I thought that was a pretty cool misreading! :lol
That is funny.... when I was a boy, I had a superman themed bedroom, and I had this huge "S" symbol on the wall. I would lay at night and just stare at it, and I used to think the negative space looked like fish as well. Glad I was not the only idiot looking at it that way :lol
Dave Porter
Sr Member
It really depends on the time, as to what it means.
In the comics, originally, it was for Superman.
In the Superman Movie, it was the family crest.
When Byrne revamped continuity with the Man of Steel miniseries, Clark and Pa kent came up with it.
In Lois and Clark, it was a kryptonian symbol again.
With the Birthright re-do a few years ago, it was a kryptonian symbol still.
So, it depends.
In the comics, originally, it was for Superman.
In the Superman Movie, it was the family crest.
When Byrne revamped continuity with the Man of Steel miniseries, Clark and Pa kent came up with it.
In Lois and Clark, it was a kryptonian symbol again.
With the Birthright re-do a few years ago, it was a kryptonian symbol still.
So, it depends.
YenChih Lin
Master Member
There are many answers to this question - originally it stood for Superman - there are variations some mentioned here in the Reeve movies and Smallville it was the family crest "El", since other members of the science council wore their own emblem. In some newer comic continuations it stood for "hope". It's just an interpretation - I personally go with a mix of the crest and Superman thing (Lois did call him "Superman", since his symbol resembled an latin "S").
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
When I was young I didn't see the S. I saw the yellow parts of the symbol and never connected the red parts and the border to be the actual symbol and the yellow to be the spacing. So to me, the symbol was alien.
darthgordon
Sr Member
It's DC... there's no real answer to anything. Is Lex Luthor a business man or an evil scientist? Is Batman a vigilante or was he deputized by the GCPD? How old are these guys anyway?
There was actually a time when Superman didn't fly... he jumped.
The reason he wore tights wasn't explained until much later. I don't think his cape was explained right away either.
The family crest idea is certainly a lot cooler than the idea of him just putting an "S" on his chest and calling himself Superman.
There was actually a time when Superman didn't fly... he jumped.
The reason he wore tights wasn't explained until much later. I don't think his cape was explained right away either.
The family crest idea is certainly a lot cooler than the idea of him just putting an "S" on his chest and calling himself Superman.
It's definitely the family crest in the movie
but what I've always wondered is if one of the other council members had shot their kid to Earth - that kid would have worn his family's crest. Some have little to no resemblance to our alphabet, meaning that person may not have been called "(S)uperman"-
Leading in the front I give you "VERY-MAN". To his left - "NUMBER 1" and to his left - this is where we lose our alphabet - this symbol looks to me like a pac-man ghost with his arms over his head giving out a cheer of "RIGHT ON!" - So, I give you - CHEERING ALIEN MAN!
Leaving Jor-el to sulk in defeat we have Cheering Alien Man and his friend who again sports a symbol that makes no sense - so lets concentrate on just the white blotches in the symbol - "THREE CHICKENS IN A NEST MAN" being this name would have used up a lot of printers ink it probably would have been reduced over the years to THREE CHICK MAN and eventually "EL POLLO LOCO".
giving us a million dollar cover girl look we have a female member of the council who thankfully has returned us back to something that looks like our beloved letter "C" - so, taking a look at her, we all know there are no do it yourself home PERM kits on Krypton (c'mon, this is an advanced society) - meaning those curls are going to be passed on to her child who on Earth will proudly don the name "SUPERCURL" - don't worry, if it's a boy - no one in their right mind will tease him (ha! get it - "tease" him - like as in hair!!!)
here's Veryman in front, along with Supercurl to the rear right - she is being helped by another player who has a weird looking "Y" scribbling of a crest - I call him "Y CHROMAZONE", which we all know h triggers testis development if present - again, great as long as the kid is a boy.
here's a pic of Veryman's dad about to buy the farm - shoulda listened to Jor-El , BALDY!
All kidding aside, I've seen this movie more times than I can count and had always assumed we never really get to see Jor-El and Lara's death - well guess what... to my surprise, i stumbled over this as I was capping the council scenes.
There you can see Joe El falling to his death - I'm sure Lara is somewhere in there as well. Sad actually, wish i never saw it.
And just so we leave on a high note - i capped this only because I thought it was pretty funny and never once noticed it before -
It seems this Kryptonian Beekeeper has the right idea decideding to live it up during his last few moments of life, snagging him a Kryptonian stripper on her way home from her job at the Kryptonian Cabaret - or better known as The Fortress of Boobatude" Who knew Krypton had lap dances. I'm sure Zod was in there all the time.
okay Kurt - i say stop messing around with what shirts you can make from Iron Man and let's get busy on some Kryptonian Council shirts - I need a VERYMAN and CHEERING ALIEN like tomorrow!
but what I've always wondered is if one of the other council members had shot their kid to Earth - that kid would have worn his family's crest. Some have little to no resemblance to our alphabet, meaning that person may not have been called "(S)uperman"-
Leading in the front I give you "VERY-MAN". To his left - "NUMBER 1" and to his left - this is where we lose our alphabet - this symbol looks to me like a pac-man ghost with his arms over his head giving out a cheer of "RIGHT ON!" - So, I give you - CHEERING ALIEN MAN!
Leaving Jor-el to sulk in defeat we have Cheering Alien Man and his friend who again sports a symbol that makes no sense - so lets concentrate on just the white blotches in the symbol - "THREE CHICKENS IN A NEST MAN" being this name would have used up a lot of printers ink it probably would have been reduced over the years to THREE CHICK MAN and eventually "EL POLLO LOCO".
giving us a million dollar cover girl look we have a female member of the council who thankfully has returned us back to something that looks like our beloved letter "C" - so, taking a look at her, we all know there are no do it yourself home PERM kits on Krypton (c'mon, this is an advanced society) - meaning those curls are going to be passed on to her child who on Earth will proudly don the name "SUPERCURL" - don't worry, if it's a boy - no one in their right mind will tease him (ha! get it - "tease" him - like as in hair!!!)
here's Veryman in front, along with Supercurl to the rear right - she is being helped by another player who has a weird looking "Y" scribbling of a crest - I call him "Y CHROMAZONE", which we all know h triggers testis development if present - again, great as long as the kid is a boy.
here's a pic of Veryman's dad about to buy the farm - shoulda listened to Jor-El , BALDY!
All kidding aside, I've seen this movie more times than I can count and had always assumed we never really get to see Jor-El and Lara's death - well guess what... to my surprise, i stumbled over this as I was capping the council scenes.
There you can see Joe El falling to his death - I'm sure Lara is somewhere in there as well. Sad actually, wish i never saw it.
And just so we leave on a high note - i capped this only because I thought it was pretty funny and never once noticed it before -
It seems this Kryptonian Beekeeper has the right idea decideding to live it up during his last few moments of life, snagging him a Kryptonian stripper on her way home from her job at the Kryptonian Cabaret - or better known as The Fortress of Boobatude" Who knew Krypton had lap dances. I'm sure Zod was in there all the time.
okay Kurt - i say stop messing around with what shirts you can make from Iron Man and let's get busy on some Kryptonian Council shirts - I need a VERYMAN and CHEERING ALIEN like tomorrow!
Last edited:
CSMacLaren
Sr Member
It's interesting that you point that out. Some people's brain pick up on the negative space around the positive object.
Artist John Bryne had pointed out that the way he drew the "S" was drawing the two yellow fish. John Byrne was, at the time, "rebooting" Superman for the then modern crowd.
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