--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We've all read, I'm sure, a Superman book…" description: "\"We've all read, I'm sure, a Superman book where we didn't really feel like we knew the character. Where the writer, often with the best of intentions, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/gary-frank-48947_appeal_we-ve-all-read-i-m-sure-a-superman-book_1182518.jpg" --- # We've all read, I'm sure, a Superman book where we didn't… ![“We've all read, I'm sure, a Superman book where we didn't really feel like we knew the character. Where the writer, often with the best of intentions, has tried put a personal stamp on the character, whether it be to try and make him more current, or cool, or have a broader appeal, etc.” quote by Gary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/gary-frank-48947_appeal_we-ve-all-read-i-m-sure-a-superman-book_1182518.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/gary-frank-48947_appeal_we-ve-all-read-i-m-sure-a-superman-book_1182518.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/836/gary-frank-48947_appeal_we-ve-all-read-i-m-sure-a-superman-book_1182518.jpg) > “We've all read, I'm sure, a Superman book where we didn't really feel like we knew the character. Where the writer, often with the best of intentions, has tried put a personal stamp on the character, whether it be to try and make him more current, or cool, or have a broader appeal, etc.” [Gary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-frank/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques adaptations that alter a character’s core identity, making them feel unfamiliar despite good intentions. **In simple terms:** Changing a character can distance fans. Key Takeaway Preserve essential traits while updating. Themes authenticity adaptation fan expectations creative intent Mood critical reflective Type analysis commentary When to use this quote - film franchises - comic book reboots - TV series - fan conventions Key Concepts character integrity modernization branding Questions to Reflect On - How can creators modernize without alienating fans? - What core traits define a character? A Different Perspective Balancing freshness with core identity is difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best Of Intentions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-of-intentions/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Intentions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intentions/) [Personal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal/) [Stamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stamp/) [Superman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superman/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [If you're well-known, you're at the risk of becoming your own character. When you're alone, as a writer, you have to be unknown, putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-munoz-molina/if-you-re-well-known-you-re-at-the-risk-of-becoming-your-own/) [Antonio Munoz Molina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-munoz-molina/) > [Well, everybody knew their character. I was the only one who didn't have a partner. I basically showed up when people got in trouble.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bubba-smith/well-everybody-knew-their-character-i-was-the-only-one-who-didn-t/) [Bubba Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bubba-smith/) > [I love those preliminary conversations about who a character is. You try on wigs, shoes, and clothes. It's preferable when it's not about looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-love-those-preliminary-conversations-about-who-a-character-is-you/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [Usually when I'm trying to establish character, I try and find out where they live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-mina/usually-when-i-m-trying-to-establish-character-i-try-and-find-out/) [Denise Mina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-mina/) > [When you take on a character you try and lose yourself into it because you want to be less self-conscious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-lester/when-you-take-on-a-character-you-try-and-lose-yourself-into-it/) [Adrian Lester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-lester/) > [“Who but a fringe character would try to impede the unimpeachable improvement of the world?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-eggers/who-but-a-fringe-character-would-try-to-impede-the-unimpeachable/) [Dave Eggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-eggers/) > [Of course, when you work on a character, you try to understand her. You feel that everything she does has a reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berenice-bejo/of-course-when-you-work-on-a-character-you-try-to-understand-her-you/) [Berenice Bejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berenice-bejo/) > [When I'm putting the character together I try to find music that I think fits the character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-speleers/when-i-m-putting-the-character-together-i-try-to-find-music-that-i/) [Ed Speleers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-speleers/) > [Whenever I approach any character, I try to find examples to draw upon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-marvel/whenever-i-approach-any-character-i-try-to-find-examples-to-draw-upon/) [Elizabeth Marvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-marvel/) > [As a writer, every time I create a character, I try to go for something to captivate the audience in some way. It's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dini/as-a-writer-every-time-i-create-a-character-i-try-to-go-for-something/) [Paul Dini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dini/) > [When I do a character, I try to base it on someone I have met or an experience I've had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/illeana-douglas/when-i-do-a-character-i-try-to-base-it-on-someone-i-have-met-or-an/) [Illeana Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/illeana-douglas/) > [For each character, I try to understand what is driving them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-rees/for-each-character-i-try-to-understand-what-is-driving-them/) [Dee Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-rees/) > [I'm trying to look into each character and try to realize her as someone who is also me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillipa-soo/i-m-trying-to-look-into-each-character-and-try-to-realize-her-as/) [Phillipa Soo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillipa-soo/) > [Everyone is complicated one way or another. But it's interesting to dig into a complicated character, to try to find that within yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-olin/everyone-is-complicated-one-way-or-another-but-it-s-interesting-to/) [Lena Olin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-olin/) > [I feel like with every character, you try to put yourself in that person's position and just completely use your imagination. That's what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-fanning/i-feel-like-with-every-character-you-try-to-put-yourself-in-that/) [Elle Fanning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-fanning/) ## More by Gary Frank > [For some reason, Superman seems to be held to higher standards on the subject of secret/super identities than other superheroes. No one ever says,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-frank/for-some-reason-superman-seems-to-be-held-to-higher-standards-on-the/) [Gary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-frank/) > [Christopher Reeve so completely inhabited the character Superman when he was in that costume, and that had such a huge effect on me as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-frank/christopher-reeve-so-completely-inhabited-the-character-superman-when/) [Gary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-frank/) > [I think it's a mistake to try to pin down one particular reason for a person's personality. Don't we all, for many reasons, act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-frank/i-think-it-s-a-mistake-to-try-to-pin-down-one-particular-reason-for-a/) [Gary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-frank/) > [We can't do a modern Batman continually beating up thugs in zoot suits with tommy guns in violin cases. The game has to move…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-frank/we-can-t-do-a-modern-batman-continually-beating-up-thugs-in-zoot/) [Gary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-frank/) > [I don't think anyone who has been to Africa comes away untouched by the place. You see a lot of beauty and optimism, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-frank/i-don-t-think-anyone-who-has-been-to-africa-comes-away-untouched-by/) [Gary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-frank/) > [The fact is that Superman isn't around because he is the oldest superhero. He's still around because he is a great superhero. He's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-frank/the-fact-is-that-superman-isn-t-around-because-he-is-the-oldest/) [Gary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-frank/) > [When Captain America is in a room full of Marvel superheroes, he is always Top Dog, even though his powers are pretty modest. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-frank/when-captain-america-is-in-a-room-full-of-marvel-superheroes-he-is/) [Gary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-frank/) [Explore all 8 Gary Frank quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-frank/) ## More Appeal quotes > [Trump's enduring appeal is a resource to be harnessed by the Republican Party, not a burden to be jettisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-devine/trump-s-enduring-appeal-is-a-resource-to-be-harnessed-by-the/) [Miranda Devine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-devine/) > [You don't have to be Sigmund Freud to surmise that war has a perverse appeal for the human race, nor is the attraction limited…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-willis/you-don-t-have-to-be-sigmund-freud-to-surmise-that-war-has-a-perverse/) [Ellen Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-willis/) > [Chicks who dig home runs aren't the ones who appeal to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ichiro-suzuki/chicks-who-dig-home-runs-aren-t-the-ones-who-appeal-to-me/) [Ichiro Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ichiro-suzuki/) > [The dictum of the industry is such that I can't only do films that appeal to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/biju-menon/the-dictum-of-the-industry-is-such-that-i-can-t-only-do-films-that/) [Biju Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/biju-menon/) > [There was such mass appeal for 'Sharknado.' It went over so well - not just here in the United States but globally - that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-ziering/there-was-such-mass-appeal-for-sharknado-it-went-over-so-well-not/) [Ian Ziering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-ziering/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-sends-forth-to-you-an/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I'm not going to appeal to violence or aggression - of course not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexei-navalny/i-m-not-going-to-appeal-to-violence-or-aggression-of-course-not/) [Alexei Navalny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexei-navalny/) > [I'm sorry, but Juicy Couture tracksuits and Ugg boots don't move me in any way, shape or form. I refuse to wear them. Modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-may/i-m-sorry-but-juicy-couture-tracksuits-and-ugg-boots-don-t-move-me-in/) [Imelda May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-may/) > [I think Trump is a very interesting candidate in this sense: I think he has cross-party appeal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/i-think-trump-is-a-very-interesting-candidate-in-this-sense-i-think/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [I think great songs appeal to people at any age. Kids love the Beatles, too. Kids love Tom T. Hall. Of course, Tom T.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/i-think-great-songs-appeal-to-people-at-any-age-kids-love-the-beatles/) [Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/) > [When you are producing for ABC, you are producing for a big tent network. So when you are thinking about your story lines and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sweeney/when-you-are-producing-for-abc-you-are-producing-for-a-big-tent/) [Anne Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sweeney/) > [In the long run, the people are our only appeal. The only ones who can free us are ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/assata-shakur/in-the-long-run-the-people-are-our-only-appeal-the-only-ones-who-can/) [Assata Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/assata-shakur/) > [Barbarism is the absence of standards to which appeal can be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/barbarism-is-the-absence-of-standards-to-which-appeal-can-be-made/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [There is a certain androgyny to my appeal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/there-is-a-certain-androgyny-to-my-appeal/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [As a kid, there was a painting of 'Appeal to the Great Spirit' that I would see when I would get oatmeal bowls out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-henriksen/as-a-kid-there-was-a-painting-of-appeal-to-the-great-spirit-that-i/) [Lance Henriksen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-henriksen/) Browse all 432 Appeal quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We've all read, I'm sure, a Superman book where we didn't really feel like we knew the character. 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