Can Superman save us now? – The Man of Steel vs the Age of Trump

Can Superman save us now? – The Man of Steel vs the Age of Trump

The Bunker – News without the nonsense · 2025-06-27

On July 11, Superman flies back into cinemas in his third reboot – but this time, he’s different. Director James Gunn promises a beacon of hope, kindness, and decency, a sharp contrast to the grim hero we last saw. How will a reborn idealistic Man of Steel land in the most cynical American moment of the modern era? How has Superman changed in his 87 years in comics, movies and radio? And can he save the American Way from a real-life supervillain in the White House? Ian Gordon, author of Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon , joins fellow comics addict Andrew Harrison in The Bunker’s Fortress of Solitude.

IAN GORDON’S SUPERMAN STARTER LIST

• Action Comics #1 (June 1938)

• “Must There Be a Superman?” Superman #247 (January 1972) – In Superman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told

• Superman (1978) the film

• “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” (Superman #423 and Action Comics #583, September 1986)

• Kingdom Come (1996)

• All Star Superman #1-12 (2005)



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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Bunker – News without the nonsense

News without the nonsense, every weekday morning. In episodes that fit your commute*, The Bunker cuts through the noise to make sense of what’s really going on in news, current affairs, politics, economics and culture. We bring you smart explainers, interviews, fresh perspectives and under-reported stories to as a refreshing alternative to repetitive Punch and Judy news coverage. It’s the only way to start the day. From the producers of Oh God, What Now?
Our regulars include: Gavin Esler • Ros Taylor • Alex von Tunzelmann • Andrew Harrison • Zing Tsjeng • Jacob Jarvis • Emma Kennedy • Rafael Behr • Seth Thévoz.
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The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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