Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship in Latest Comic Book

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(AP/DC Comics)

Truth, justice and not just the American way — Superman decides it’s time to become a global citizen in the 900th issue of Action Comics.

“I’m tired of having my actions construed as instruments of U.S. policy,” says the man of steel after both U.S. and Iranian officials criticize him for attending a peaceful anti-Ahmadinejad protest in Tehran.

“I stayed in Azadi Square for 24 hours. I didn’t move. I didn’t speak. I just stayed there,” Superman tells a U.S. national security adviser, who fears the hero has gone rogue. Iran’s government, meanwhile accuses him of acting on behalf of the U.S. President, and calls his protection of the million-strong protestors an act of war.

“This is why I intend to speak before the United Nations tomorrow and inform them that I am renouncing my U.S. citizenship,” he announces to a stunned-looking agent.

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The man of steel has long been an American icon, and the shift drew ire from purists and even gave presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee the heebie-jeebies. Huckabee said on Fox News: “Well, it is a comic book, but, you know it’s disturbing that Superman who has always been an American icon is now saying ‘I’m not going to be a citizen,'” he said. “I think it’s a part of a bigger trend of Americans almost apologizing for being Americans.”

But while the man of steel wants to be unaffiliated from any government, DC’s publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio say he remains as American as ever.

“Superman is a visitor from a distant planet who has long embraced American values,” DC’s they said Thursday in a statement to the NY Post. “As a character and an icon, he embodies the best of the American Way.” He is, they say, like his alter-ego Clark Kent who remains a U.S. citizen, “committed to his adopted home and his roots as a Kansas farm boy from Smallville.”

The 900th issue is available in stands this week. (via AP)

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