Superman: True Brit is an DC Comics story published under the Elseworlds imprint, written by Monty Python alum John Cleese and Kim Howard Johnson, with art by John Byrne and Mark Farmer.
It humorously speculates on what could have happened if Kal-El had been raised in England rather than Kansas, and still became Superman.
Compare Superman: Red Son, which shows what could have happened if Supes had been raised in the USSR instead.
This story contains examples of:
- Adaptational Dumbass: In canon, Superman refuses to use his powers to create diamonds or bring back valuable materials from other planets because he knows doing so would have dire economic consequences. This version of Superman tries the former (with predictable results) and suggests doing the latter to solve the problems creating the diamonds caused, which prompts an irate member of the House of Lords to point out that he knows absolutely nothing about economics.
- Adoptive Name Change: Baby Kal-El's rocket lands in England. His parents learn his birth name early on, but decide to give him the more appropriately British name "Colin Clark", because they don't want the neighbors to think they've adopted a foreigner.
- Alliterative Name: "Colin Clark" is one, starting with the same consonant sounds as "Clark Kent".
- Amusing Injuries: On more than one occasion Colin's strength leaves a cricket implement lodged within someone which cannot be removed without killing them.
- Artistic License – Economics: Superman turning all the nation's coal into diamonds, which not only greatly devalues the price of diamonds but puts thousands of coal miners out of work. He then suggests he can go to outer space and bring back huge amounts of gold, causing a Lord to chastise him for not understanding basic economics.
- Borrowing the Beatles: The Rutles serve as the local stand-in for the Beatles.
- Decomposite Character: Essentially; Louisa Layne-Ferret is initially presented as the equivalent of Lois Lane, but Lois herself is later introduced as Louisa’s American cousin.
- The Daily Misinformer: The Daily Smear, which Colin Clark works for, is a magazine whose editors have no compunction against printing libel, lies or even slandering Superman.
- Drama-Preserving Handicap: It’s eventually revealed that part of the reason for Colin’s problems is that his enemies slipped kryptonite into a medal he was given early on, weakening him and causing him further issues with his self-confidence.
- Good Cannot Comprehend Evil: Colin’s so nice that it takes him a while to recognise that his colleagues are more interested in tabloid journalism and uncovering scandal than actual news.
- Fun with Homophones: In this continuity the Batman is someone who has a cricket bat lodged in his stomach by Colin's bumbling.
- Idiot Hero: Colin is utterly incompetent at being a superhero.
- Mythology Gag: When Colin moves to America he decides to change his name, keeping his family name but also honoring his parents' place of birth in Kent, deciding on Kent Clark.
- Naturalized Name: In this story, Kal-El is given the English name Colin Clark.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Superman tries to generate more wealth by turning all of the United Kingdom's coal into diamonds. Not only does this make it so that diamonds are worth less than coal, but it puts thousands of coal miners out of work and renders heating the country much harder.
- Running Gag: Every time Colin does something embarrassing, his parents move further and further away.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: At the end, Superman leaves for America in hopes that he'll be better accepted there.
- Shout-Out:
- A Shout-Out to Monty Python's Flying Circus' "Bicycle Repairman" sketch, when a Frenchman comments on Colin using a lever to tighten a nut when repairing the Eiffel Tower.
- Superman has to save Ron Nasty and Dirk McQuickly.
- Michael Palin is mentioned with a reference to his travelogues.
- Strawman News Media: Colin ends up working for a breathtakingly sleazy tabloid called the Daily Smear.
- Vestigial Empire: The Batman mentions working for the good of the British Empire. Colin mentions that the British Empire no longer exists but The Batman says they still own a bit of Ireland.
