DuracellEnergizer said:

Is it just me, or do most people who call Superman a bland/overpowered/dick/etc. superhero happen to be people who

1. have read few to any of the comics?

2. have read only the Silver & Bronze Age comics?

3. have read only The Dark Knight Returns?

4. only know the character from the Chris Reeve movies and/or silly Saturday morning cartoons from the 60's & 70's?

The "silly" cartoons and Christopher Reeves movie are my favorite Superman products. The whole idea of Superman is goofy and silly and even more so when the material is handled with an overly serious tone. I grew up reading comic books and hanging out in the comic shop and still do with some regularity, so I'm no stranger to Superman (silver, bronze & golden). I'm in the "Superman is overpowered and silly" camp. Most of the time when he's in some kind of trouble or trying to get someone else out of trouble, it's impossible to not say something like "Why don't you just use your _____ power?!?!". When the tone isn't so serious, it's easier to dismiss such things and just have fun with it.