Where is Metropolis?

Metropolis is an iconic city set in the DC universe specifically made for the superhero, Superman. 

A bit of history on Superman. The character was created by Jerry Siegel the writer & Joe Shuster the artist. The character first appeared in Action Comics #1 back in June of 1938. Jerry and Joe developed Superman in their adolescent years and later on sold the rights of the character to DC Comics. And that's when Superman really took ground as it became one of the most iconic and influential superheroes in comic book history and in culture for that matter. As kids grew up reading about Superman and all his strength and powers. They too felt that they found someone they could look up to and give them the confidence they needed during those hard times. 

I will say that this article is based on a fictional character and in consequence, the locations mentioned are also fictional. However, with every fictional idea there's always an inspiration that's drawn from it and that's where I am focusing this on. What inspired these locations. And where I believe these locations would be if we were to point it out on a map.

Now it is mostly recognized that Metropolis is inspired by New York City. When you watch the movies of Superman you will clearly notice all of the buildings and Skyscrapers that are in the scenes. Especially in the 2006 movie Superman Returns, there's a scene where it shows Superman flying out of the city into the harbor and you can see the NYC skyline behind him. 

However, Superman also known as Clark Kent grew up on a farm in the state of Kansas. The town he grew up in is called Smallville. Smallville is a fictional town, but it does showcase that he lived in a small-town right smack in the middle of the United States. He then gets a job at the Daily Planet. Now here is where it turns from country life to city life. The Daily Planet is a news company, and its depicted as being in the heart of the Hussle and Bussle and looks just like New York. But if you add a bit of logic to the setting. Does it make sense for Clark to move over 1,500 miles from his hometown to a faraway city? Especially away from his mom Martha Kent? 

Of course, he can travel the speed of sound, but it just doesn't make sense for him to travel more than he really had to. Another wrinkle in this is that Batman is part of the DC Universe, and he is located in Gotham City which just like Metropolis is a city that by all accounts is New York City. So how is it that both Superheroes are in the same city? Well one may assume that Superman takes care of the city by day and Batman takes care of it by night. But that's not what movies and comics depict. They showcase that they are in separate locations. 

For instance, in one of the animated movies where Superman comes to Batman's aid, he mentions to Batman that he needed to get back to Metropolis and that he couldn't stay. If Superman's Metropolis was just on the other side of the city, it wouldn't make sense for him to have to leave and not come back for some time. In fact, he would come over to Gotham City very often. But the movies and comics don't show that. Batman for the most part is left to protect Gotham City on his own and Superman is left to take care of Metropolis on his own. So, it's safe to assume that Metropolis and Gotham City are not only different cities in its entirety but also very distant from each other. Which makes sense. 

Therefore, with all this said where is Metropolis? 

I believe that Metropolis is really Chicago. 

I also think that this isn't a revelation. Many people also think the same thing. It just makes more logical sense. It's clearly much closer to the state of Kansas at about 750 miles away from the city nearly a half the way over to New York. And it's got the large Lake Michigan which almost looks like the ocean. And Chicago is a very big city with architecture that resembles Superman's universe. I also think it makes more sense because no both heroes will be at the same location. Superman takes care of Chicago and Batman's jurisdiction is New York City. That way both don't clash in their respective locations. Also, Superman or Clark Kent while working at the Daily Planet will be in a much closer distance to his hometown of Smallville and closer to his mother. 

Those are my conclusions. What do you think? Do you think this makes sense? Or do you have your own conclusions. Share your thoughts in the comments. And thanks for tuning in.