I was watching an episode of the latest British incarnation of ROBIN HOOD the other day, and I was struck by something… ROBIN HOOD is the English SUPERMAN, isn’t he?

In America, we are constantly re-envisioning the Superman story — Superman, Lois and Clark, Smallville…. The hero who has an exotic backstory and helps the poor and defenseless.

Of course, Robin came first — his antecedents are in the medieval romances — but his story is the one that the British remake over and over. Brooding Michael Praed, zealous Jason Connery, playful Jonas Armstrong — each brought a new spark to the character.

And Robin is also popular in America — as seen by the new film that came out this spring. Some of the biggest Hollywood names have put their stamp on the character.

But Superman hasn’t traveled across the pond for production, has he? Is it because the British have more human heroes of their own?

Wandering ponderings from an addled mind….