Thread by @ClarkJoeDCEU

It’s a new Monday, and today is a special one since I get to do a thread on one of my favorite #BatmanvSuperman scenes (The Mountain) and how it references the broad DC lore. Everything about it and a small analysis in the 🧵 below! #RestoreTheSnyderVerse #BvSMondayMood

In this scene, Clark visits a mountain where he talks with his father’s ghost about what he’s going through. Importantly, to dissect this scene a good starting point is thinking about Zack Snyder’s words about it (thanks to @hell0gary for the edit of the image).

In a way it’s all about the evolution of the Fortress of Solitude. Interestingly, the first part of Zack Snyder’s Superman arc (#ManofSteel) depicts a “sort of” traditional fortress, the scout ship in the arctic. A big palace where he talks to his birth parent, Jor-El.

This gigantic structure surrounded by ice. A place that contains several items related to his heritage and the history of his planet. In several comics we can observe a Fortress of Solitude with similar characteristics.

In #BatmanvSuperman there is another fortress, an inner one, related to self-reflection. This organic place at the top of a mountain, where Clark remembers the teachings of his fathers to think about what he’s going through.

This type of fortress seems very related to concepts that appear during The Man of Steel #1, which re-told much of Superman’s mythos. Superman considers his Clark persona as a fortress of solitude.

Additionally, in the same issue, when he needs to escape from what is going on in the world (related to his superpowers) he goes to the mountains to find inner peace.

Another point I found interesting is that this self-imposed fortress is in a mountain, while the traditional Fortress of Solitude it is not that often depicted in a mountain in modern comics but rather in the Arctic.

Curiously, the predecessor to the Fortress of Solitude in the comics, “Superman’s Secret Citadel”, is in a mountain in the outskirts of Metropolis and first appears in Superman #17.

Later, in Action Comics #241 (which tells a story around the Fortress of Solitude), it is still depicted in a mountain but now in a more of a snowy setup and this fortress is accessible by a giant key that only Superman could lift.

In some storylines, there is also an evolution for the Fortress of Solitude (analogous to #ManofSteel and #BatmanvSuperman where we also see the concept of the Fortress evolving). This evolution takes place for instance in the Superman: For Tomorrow storyline.

In that comic, the traditional ice-surrounded Fortress of Solitude self-destructs itself after Wonder Woman breaches into it. At the end of the run, Superman builds a new fortress very reminiscent of ancient buildings in Latin America.

But he’s embracing the little things in living and life, after suffering the vanishing of 300,000 people of Earth. So, this Fortress is surrounded by life, by nature, rather than by ice. Not the same as the evolution from #MoS to #BvS but shows an evolution in the Fortress.

So, that’s it about the relationship of this scene to the broad DC lore. I wanted to finish by highlighting two pieces of visual storytelling I absolutely love about this scene.

First, one related Clark’s backpack/baggage before and after talking to Jonathan I tweeted a while ago.

Second, something highlighted in this amazing blog analysis of #BatmanvSuperman (snyderverseanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/08/batman…).

When the scene starts Jonathan and Clark are facing each other. When it ends both are on the left of the screen, looking right, Clark following Pa Kent’s footsteps, learning from him, paralleling his story.

There’s even more. Clark changes from the right to the left of the screen as Jonathan says “While I ate my hero cake, their horses were drowning”. For me this is crazy, because this is one of the most powerful messages in #BatmanvSuperman…

…that sometimes doing the right thing have unintended consequences, especially in such a polarized world. But of course, even in that awful world, Superman still tries to do it with the help of those that love him. His world. #RestoreTheSnyderVerse

And that’s a wrap for today’s scene with a very long thread. Remember if you like this thread or any previous ones, consider donating to the @afspnational Autumn Snyder Fund. Every small amount counts to raise awareness for this cause! supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuse…