The Independence of Lois Lane: a Critical Analysis of Superman and the Dam

The Independence of Lois Lane:

A Critical Analysis of Superman and the Dam

Due: October 11, 2013

Throughout the many years of Superman comics, Lois Lane’s presence in them is a constant. While her personality varies over time, looking at the earliest version of Lois Lane we see that her characterization is quite progressive and whether intentional or not, Siegel and Schuster wrote a feminist character for the time they lived in. As they made Lois a determined, career-driven woman who strived to be taken seriously by her boss, she stood out against a sea of women who were used only as plot devices. This is no different in “Superman and the Dam” (Action Comic No. 5), originally published October 1938, in which Lois proves once more that she can be a better reporter than a man.

The Story begins when the editor of the Daily Star receives a telegraph that a huge downpour has caused the dam in Valleyho to start cracking, putting the whole town in danger. Once again the chief passes Lois over for a story again, in favor of Clark. Despite her being right in front of him, the chief demands she look for Clark to cover the dam. When he’s nowhere to be found, Lois asks why she can’t take the story and the chief states that the assignment is “too important” and “no job for a girl”. Fed up with this line of thinking, Lois plots to take the story for herself anyway. When she runs into Clark in the building lobby she gives him a false story and sends him off on a wild goose chase. By the time he realizes he’s been duped, Lois is already on a train to Valleyho and the chief fires Clark on the spot. Clark becomes Superman and races to catch up with Lois, saving the train from a fallen bridge on his way and physically supporting the dam as best he can as he waits for the town to evacuate. Meanwhile, Lois arrives on the scene and immediately notices that she is the only person not fleeing town, but instead heading right into the danger. She attempts to get a ride from a...