Why Superheroes?

Sorry, this post is rather out of place, and it's really long, but I really felt like sharing it. Get a little perspective from me on a certain genre.

A lot of people ask me why I like superheroes and comics so much, and there’s not really a straightforward answer with that, but there are definitely deeper reasons than, “I just really like all the action and butt-kicking.” Which, I do like the fight sequences, but that’s hardly the reason why superheroes are so important to me.

When many comics were started, they served as archetypes for the time period. Superman could do no wrong and was of the highest morals when the Great Depression was coming to an end; when people weren’t sure where to turn and were just beginning to get back on their feet. Just as his ‘S” logo is a symbol for hope on his planet, Superman was a symbol of hope for America. Captain America was created to increase moral in the hearts of American soldiers fighting in WWII, and was resurrected in the 60’s when America was on the verge of losing their patriotism. Batman was the voice of all those who felt injustice.

Today, for me and many others, the superheroes still hold those archetypes, still hold their value and awe factor. They are symbols, or rather, personas, of what we want to be, of what we strive to accomplish. To want so badly to fight for what we believe and uphold that we actually go out and do it. Even behind masks and awesome costumes, our favorite heroes are people we can connect and relate to. They have their strengths and weaknesses, but for some reason they have the ability to balance their emotions with their responsibilities and everything that makes them human (or whatever species they may be) with their calling to help the world for the better.

 

There’s a lot to learn from comic superheroes. They represent what make each of us unique and what we should take pride in. Even the antiheroes like Wolverine and Punisher connect to their audiences, on a personal level. The X-Men are my favorite, and they mean so much to me. They’re mutants – outcasts of society, scorned and persecuted. But they fight to protect and preserve the basic human rights of those that would deny them their own rights. That’s truly incredible to me, that they are sworn to protect those who fear and hate them. Anyone who has felt different at some point in their life, anyone who doesn’t fit it, a minority, the bullied, can identify with the X-Men. Every mutant has their own special talent and power, calling us as fans to be proud of what we can do. Let’s look at Spiderman as well, just an awkward, nerdy teenager who found himself endowed with great power, and a great responsibility. He was just a normal teenager, who faced hardship, in first losing his parents, then losing his Uncle Ben. He fights his own inner turmoil, but continues to be the energized, happy Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman. Extremely relatable to most people, except for the radioactive spider bite part.

 

We can rework and re-tell, re-live and re-elaborate stories that we think could have gone a different way, or we make our own stories up, but still our favorite heroes remain the same. And there will always be hope. The movies are just now catching on to the essence and spirit of the superhero and comic. Sure, they may not always capture the meanings behind the characters or storylines, but for each Spiderman 3, we will have Days of Future Past to go back in time with Shadowcat or Hugh Jackman and save whatever we must. For each Origins: Wolverine, we will have the Avengers. For each Batman & Robin, we will have a Dark Knight. And for each Brett Ratner, we will have a Joss Whedon.

Maybe, we will always be a little unsatisfied when they don’t make a perfect movie or a perfect comic or whatever, because we cherish these characters and worlds so much. I’ve been extremely guilty of nitpicking. But will we turn our backs to our favorite heroes? No, because they do not turn theirs on us. Because they are more than just fictional characters. Because they ARE US, only with more... We project ourselves onto these characters, making them a part of us, and us a part of them. I’m part Nightcrawler, mixed with Captain America, a dash of Hawkeye and Batman, with a whole lot of Shadowcat.

So yes, superheroes mean a whole lot to me, more than just what’s on the surface.  And just try and read this post while listening to the Avengers theme and NOT feel the spirit of the superhero as well. I believe in heroes.