Killing Superman

You know how some products have the dumbest warning labels? I saw one today at a shop near my work that brought forth quite conflicting emotions. "Children's Superman Costume: Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly."

It saddened me to think that out there somewhere is a little boy that upon receiving the knowledge that under no circumstances, real or imaginary, will he ever be able to fly with that suit. He then, of course, will denounce all childhood enjoyment. He will lose all feelings of whimsy and joy. This innocent child will die inside. While neighborhood children play tag and hide-and-seek, eat snow cones and hot dogs, go to baseball games and movies, he will sit. He will always sit and stay alone, for he knows the truth of it all. Although coming from a distinguished and wealthy family, his surrounding will be those of absolute necessity as he does not see need for such frivolous articles that will not change anything.

His imagination will soon die, and he will become a self proclaimed hermit. All the while he will be totally unaware of the small seed of vengeance that has been laid. It will be in that time of isolation that he will face immense night terrors. These 'dreams in red and blue' will grow to such intensity that he will be forced to rejoin the masses to seek help. Upon further evaluation his psychiatrist from childhood will undoubtedly recognize the issue and attempt to force him to face his past. This professional will struggle to aid him in building passed the moment the child inside was brutally murdered. However, as it was such a traumatic event, at this time he has nearly succeeded in a full waking repression of said memory. It will only be in his sleep state that the truth will reveal itself to him. That is until the breakthrough.

While in session the significance of the colors will occur to him. He will then realize that the cause for his greatest unhappiness started with that costume. This will inevitably bring forth such a change the world has never known. For you see, dear reader, he will determine that perhaps the costume itself is not at all the one to blame. Rather it will be the inspiration for the suit. If Superman did not exist than no child would ever have to suffer the pangs and angst that he endured. Perhaps if there was no Superman than little boys would no longer feel the need to idealize the 'man of steel'. It will be this epiphany that will climatically lead to the transformation he feels he must achieve and life as we know it will be forever changed.

Who is this boy, you ask? Well most know him as Lex Luther. But inside he will remain a sad and lonely little boy that just wants to feel like a hero...