There's a reason Superman rises above other superheroes as an American icon.

No other hero has been as immortalized in as many TV shows — from "The Adventures of Superman" in the 1950s to the more recent "Smallville," which chronicles the adventures of a teen-age Clark Kent. He's also appeared in a number of movies and cartoons, and is even referenced in a variety of songs, from the Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" (which questions his manhood) to the Spin Doctors' "Jimmy Olsen's
Blues" (in which the Daily Planet's photographer has to cope with the fact that he has a crush on Superman's girlfriend, Lois Lane).

It's not just that Superman's the original superhero, nor is it that he's the most easily identifiable thanks to his blue suit, giant "S" and red cape. Nor is it just that he can fly or that he's "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound" (to quote the opening sequence of the 1950s TV show starring George Reeves).

Superman's endurance has to do with the things he stands for — which are more than just "truth, justice and the American way." Think about something for a moment: He came from out of this world, was raised by parents who weren't his own, has otherworldly powers and is destined to save mankind.

Sound like any religious figure you might have heard of?

Even if you're not particularly religious, Superman connects with Americans from a variety of backgrounds. Raised in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, he represents the small towns that make up so much of middle America. A refugee from what was formerly the planet Krypton, he's an alien in the truest sense, someone who's come to the United States to make a life for himself the way millions of immigrants
have.

Having to disguise himself as mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, he has to hide who he is so people don't treat him like an outsider — a feeling we've all had at some point in our lives. He works in a profession (journalism) where people tend to be overworked and underpaid, and his archenemy, Lex Luthor, is a billionaire who has no concern for his fellow man; does this not represent average middle American values vs. corporate greed?

And let's face it: Haven't we all wished somebody could swoop in and rescue us from pickles we've gotten ourselved into at some point in our lives?

What do you think, Bakersfield? What is it about Superman that has allowed him to be loved throughout the generations? Will he one day become too cliché and fade from the public consciousness, or will his legend last forever?

(And for those of you who've seen the new movie — I haven't yet, here are two bonus questions: Which actor made the best Clark Kent? Which actress played the best Lois Lane? My picks: Christopher Reeve from the "Superman I-IV" and Teri Hatcher from "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.")