Clark Kent Becomes a Freelancer

In the latest issue of the Superman comic book, Clark Kent quits his job at the Daily Planet and is becoming a freelancer. Clark quits because the Daily Planet is acquired by a media conglomerate that cares more about entertainment than hard news.

Kent, who sees his job as an extension of his duties as Superman, doesn't like this.

In a melodramatic outburst in the newsroom he says:

"the Daily Planet no longer stands for the principles of truth, justice and the American way."

As a Policy Mic article points out, "comic books have historically been incredibly in touch with the zeitgeist, so Kent’s resignation is indicative of something bigger present in our society." 

Policy Mic goes on to discuss a loss of faith in media (and institutions in general).

But Kent's decision to become a freelancer also reflects the growing dissatisfaction with traditional employment and signals the coming of age of self-employment.  

After all, if anyone needs the flexibility and control going independent provides it's Kent, who often has to run off and save the world. 

It's also interesting to compare this choice to another freelancing superhero, Spiderman. Poor Peter Parker has always been a hard luck character, and his job as a freelancer was in part meant to highlight his lack of personal success.

 

But times have changed in the many years since Parker started freelancing.  As Superman's move shows, freelancing is no longer viewed negatively.  Instead, it's an attractive work option.