Stark's story offered Superman a valuable lesson. He did not want to repeat the same mistakes.
In Superman's eyes, Zod's status no longer mattered. The man was a villain. Superman would do his best to correct his views, but if they could not reach an understanding, he had the resolve to make a decision.
He was not alone. Not only did he have his young cousin Kara, but on another Earth in another universe, there was also a member of his race who protected universal peace, along with her descendants. There was nothing left to agonize over.
Besides, when they had encountered General Zod, the formidable Kryptonian warrior had been beaten so badly by the Hulk that his mouth was crooked. Before he could say a word, the Hulk, Superman, and Stark, all equally bewildered, had given the equally bewildered General Zod a savage beating. In the end, Superman still had no idea why those Kryptonians had come to his family farm.
There had been no clash of ideals, and he had not known that the Codex those Kryptonians sought was inside his body. Superman had been quietly tending the farm at home until, two hours later, he received news of the Kryptonian invasion of Metropolis.
People—or rather, all intelligent life—had an instinct to avoid danger and trouble. Superman was no exception.
Without all those ideals and personal values mixed in, the current invasion by the Kryptonian ship seemed to him completely devoid of personal grudges. It was purely official business. That made him hesitate slightly, wondering whether he should step into the public eye completely today.
Protecting Earth from the shadows and never involving himself in any of Earth's internal disputes had always been his principle. It was also the way of life he had described to his young