WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Batman: The Brave and the Bold #13!

Thanks to Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Superman’s original slogan, “Truth, Justice, and the American Way,” is making a comeback in comics. This revival is an excellent opportunity to review the origins, history, and reasons why the iconic catchphrase was discontinued. While it is unlikely that fans will see Kal-El himself adopting the old slogan again, there is one way that “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” could return to the main continuity—but fans better hope it NEVER happens.

Joshua Hale Fialkov, Lisandro Estherren, and Patricio Delpeche’s The Invader, Part 1 is one of the five must-read stories featured in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #13. In this installment, Batman investigates a UFO crash landing and ends up with an unwanted team-up with Green Lantern Guy Gardner.

True to his character, Gardner immediately makes himself insufferable by greeting Batman as “Batsy” (a nickname usually used exclusively by the Joker for the Caped Crusader), calling Bruce a “winged-rat guy,” and facetiously using Superman’s slogan, “Truth, Justice, and the American Way,” all within a single breath.

Truth, Justice, and the American Way: Green Lantern Guy Gardner Revives Superman’s Original Slogan

Even casual fans of Superman likely did a double take at the unexpected resurgence of the Justice League hero’s several-year-discontinued catchphrase. Although it’s clear that Guy Gardner wasn’t saying “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” with any seriousness, the moment was still a nostalgic blast from the past. This iconic slogan finds its roots in the 1940s radio program The Adventures of Superman. First airing on February 12, 1940, with Bud Collyer starring as Superman/Clark Kent, the phrase quickly became synonymous with the character, capturing the essence of Superman’s mission and values during that era.

While some fans may know where the catchphrase originated, they might not know its WWII ties. By the time The Adventures of Superman—which would eventually become one of the most popular radio shows of all time—was in full swing, the United States was deeply embroiled in WWII, with the outlook of victory uncertain. As a way to bolster troops and support the American war efforts, Superman was given his patriotic slogan. Eventually, when the war efforts began to favor the Allies, the slogan was dropped from the program. However, it wasn’t long before it returned to Superman mythology.

“Truth, Justice, and the American Way” Is Anchored In Over 80+ Years of Superman (And American) History

The slogan’s legacy endured beyond the radio show’s era, finding new life in the 1950s television adaptation The Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves. Premiering in 1952, the show brought the slogan to a broader audience, solidifying its place in popular culture. By featuring it prominently in the opening credits, the show cemented the catchphrase’s status as a quintessential element of the Superman mythos. Interestingly enough, this TV revival of “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” also has a wartime connection—America’s war against the Soviet Union.

The revival of the “American Way” slogan during the early years of the Cold War and the height of McCarthyism paranoia holds significant meaning. This era was marked by widespread fear of Communist infiltration in the United States and intense hysteria over the perceived threat posed by Communists. Emphasizing American values became a paramount concern in various aspects of society, including television programming. Even iconic figures like Superman were not exempt from America’s ideological battle against the Soviet Union. The reiteration of the slogan served as a reaffirmation of American identity and values amidst perceived foreign influence and domestic subversion.

Why DC Replaced Superman’s ICONIC Slogan With “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow” (They Actually Have a Pretty Good Reason)

Despite “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” being synonymous with Superman, DC altered the Man of Steel’s iconic slogan in 2021 to “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow.” This change was announced in October during DC Fandome by DC’s Chief Creative Officer and Publisher, Jim Lee. In a public press release, DC stated that the change is intended to honor Superman’s 80+ year legacy of striving for a better world and to align better with the evolving storylines being told. In essence, Superman has transcended being solely a hero for the American people, and this new motto reflects that evolution.

As part of DC’s statement regarding this change, Jim Lee remarked, “Superman has long been a symbol of hope who inspires people from around the world, and it is that optimism and hope that powers him forward with this new mission statement.” While the “American Way” slogan holds sentimental value for long-time Superman enthusiasts, the rationale behind transitioning to a “Better Tomorrow” is undeniably compelling and further enriches the character with the bright optimism he represents. However, it remains to be seen whether the new slogan will achieve the same level of beloved status as the original “American Way” slogan.

There’s Only One Way Superman’s Original Slogan Returns to Mainstream Continuity (And Fans Better Hope It NEVER Happens)

In considering the potential return of Superman’s original slogan, “Truth, Justice, and the American Way,” fans can draw parallels to past events. As previously discussed, the origins and initial resurgence of the slogan coincide with two significant chapters in U.S. history: World War II and the Cold War. With this historical context in mind, one plausible scenario for the revival of the American Way slogan is the onset of another war that necessitates a morale boost for Americans. While the loss of Superman’s original motto is more than justified if its revival hinges on the outbreak of another war, this is an interesting insight.

Currently, the only channel through which Kal-El’s slogan is making a comeback is via the unexpected source of Guy Gardner. It’s intriguing to observe how DC is transforming the once solemn and inspiring motto into a source of humor by having Guy, of all characters, employ it in a facetious and nonchalant manner. The question remains whether DC will continue down the path of parodying the “American Way.” Nevertheless, there’s now a pressing need for DC to depict Superman’s reaction to Green Lantern Guy Gardner appropriating his iconic slogan.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #13 is available now from DC Comics!