An amazing piece ofSupermanfanart has proven that he lovesSmiling Friends, and it makes total sense for his character. Since its premiere in 2022,Smiling Friendshas risen in popularity asAdult Swim’s next greatest serieswith its absurdist sense of humor. It’s become a show that almost everyone who sees it loves, and a new piece of fanart shows that even one of history’s most iconic comic heroes absolutely adores it.
ArtistHooded Maskshared with X a wholesome interaction between Superman and Pim & Charlie fromSmiling Friends. The piece is filled with optimism as Pim reaches out to the Man of Steel in total excitement. However,the absolute best part of this whole piece is Superman himself telling the duo that he’s “a big fan” of their work, showing that he loves the series.
It’s a remarkably simple interaction between the two franchises in this crossover. However, it has a lot of weight behind it as it showcases the best part of Superman as a character.
Superman Admires Pim’s Optimism andSmiling Friends' Mission
The Two Share Similar Views on Life
The best part of this fanart is how it reflects who Superman is as a character. He’s a hero who embodies positivity and optimism as he shines asthe ultimate symbol for hopefor the planet he protects.In a sense, the goal ofSmiling Friendsis similar to Superman’s ideas, as they make it their mission to make their clients smile, no matter what it takes.It can get hard along the way as they navigate an absurd world, but they don’t stop until the job is done.
“Optimism is the backbone of Superman’s entire character”
Plus, Superman interacting with Pim in particular is a perfect detail for this piece.Pim is essentially the most optimistic member of the team, so it makes sense that Superman would appreciate him the most.They’re both the brightest beacons of hope in their respective franchises, making Pim the obvious pick for who would be the most excited to shake the Man of Steel’s hand. Optimism is the backbone of Superman’s entire character, so Pim achieving this same role on a smaller scale would undeniably catch his eye and show great appreciation for his work.
Superman Likely Understands the Darker Side ofSmiling Friends
Superman Has Seen Dark Days Himself
Of course,Smiling Friendsisn’t solely a series about bringing happiness wherever they go. A lot of the humor comes from pushing just how dark and absurdist their situations can get, making their goal more difficult than it needs to be. This is something that Superman can strongly relate to, as he has undeniably been met withlow points throughout his career.There have been times when his views on life were tested on his darkest days.However, just likeSmiling Friends, he doesn’t bend to nihilism.The heroes of both franchises always find a way to turn things around and give a positive message, even in the pilot episode ofSmiling Friendswhere Pim suffers an existential crisis.
It’s fascinating to see just how similar the two franchises are when breaking them down to what has made them so successful over the years. The respect for optimism, despite how dark things can get, is something that’s sorely missed in modern media, and both series reflect that very well. It makes total sense thatSupermanwould be a fan ofSmiling Friends, and Hooded Mask’s fanart bringing the two together shows just how well the two vastly different properties would get along perfectly should the two ever meet.
Source:Hooded Maskvia X
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
