Man Of Steel Storyboard Artist Defends Film Against Trolling

04/22/2017 11:53 am EDT

The DC Cinematic Universe certainly has its detractors, and indeed some of those criticisms are valid. The universe has its share of defenders though, and one, in particular, didn't take too kindly to comments about Man of Steel.

DC animation director Jay Oliva has helmed films like The Dark Knight Returns and Flashpoint Paradox, but he's also responsible for storyboards on Man of Steel, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Wonder Woman. In honor of Superman's 79th anniversary, Oliva shared a storyboard frame from Man of Steel, showing the scene where Superman (Henry Cavill) is embracing Lois Lane (Amy Adams) high in the sky. Writer Alex Bledsoe posted a reply saying "Why didn't you post a storyboard from a real Superman movie?" After someone else replied, he followed it up with "Nope. The guy in Man of Steel, who grew up terrified and aimless and let Jonathan Kent die? Not Superman. Not even a hero, really."

Oliva took issue with this and proceeded to post more than a few replies to Bledsoe's comments. Oliva said "Alex. As a writer and professional I'd expect you to have the common courtesy to not troll someone's work. Especially since there have been many different versions of Superman over the past 79 years. We all have our favorites. Just because you don't like. Particular version does not invalidate it nor ruin the character. Superman is a timeless and iconic character who has changed man many times when in the hands of different artists and writers. I have my favorites just like anyone else. I'm sure we agree on a few. But my post was to celebrate the character's 79 years."

Bledsoe responded by saying "Sorry dude. Just saw the one panel. Still stand by my opinion of MoS", to which Oliva replied "If it's not your cup of tea that's cool. I never intended to change your mind. I'm very proud of my work on this and many other Superman's."

"I also did this so if you would like to pick your favorite era I will happily share it with you!" He posted the Superman 75th Anniversary Animated Short he worked on with Zack Snyder and Bruce Timm, which features many of the various incarnations big blue has had over the years.

As a last aside to Bledsoe's comment, there are plenty of issues with Man of Steel, though the "not Superman" thing is sort of the point of it. He isn't Superman for much of that movie on purpose, as he grows and matures into someone who would put on a costume and defend humankind in the first place. You might not like that of course, which is perfectly your right, but you can't accuse it of something that it made no attempts to be.

Cavill's Superman will once again be seen in Snyder's upcoming Justice League, which releases on November 17, 2017.

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