Do You Love Superheroes?

[pastor's wife]

After reading this article in Slate, I wondered what you guys thought of superheroes.

The writer mentions that part of the appeal is that superheroes embody the tradition "hero's journey" found in Moses, Gilgamesh, and countless fairy tales. Another person notes that, "It's about seizing power and then observing how that power affects your subjects. Of course, it doesn't hurt that [they] . . . get to wear really cool outfits."

Now, I've seen some superhero movies that I've enjoyed, but mostly superheroes don't appeal to me. I like movies about humans who try to defy the odds even if they fail (like Braveheart) more than guys empowered with superhuman strength and abilities. For example, I like the legend of Robin Hood, but if Robin had the ability to magically disappear or to leap over walls, I wouldn't like it. It would be silly to me. I guess I can willingly suspend disbelief only so far.

What do you think?

And here's the Slate article: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/dispa..._now_.html

[Phatchick]

I grew up reading Fantastic Four and Spiderman comical and watching Batman on the "same bat -time" every week. And yes, I'm still a fan and a total geek fangirl.

[pastor's wife]

I like (in increasing order of dedication) Sherlock Holmes, Star Wars, Firefly, and the Lord of the Rings/Narnia, but although they're all "hero tales" in a way, none of them really involve SUPER heroes. Does Luke's use of the Force count as a super power? And then of course Gandalf IS a wizard, but he's not the main character.

[Bob M]

I am Spiderman.

[phil]

I grew up watching the Batman Animated series(90's), The Spiderman Animated series(90's in my mind no Spiderman cartoon can replace it). X-men animated series, The Superman Animated Series, The Super Friends series, The Justice League. So yea I guess I like super-heroes. I saw the Spiderman Trilogy it was ok. I think that the new Spiderman movie will be better. I like that The Lizard will be a good villan. I liked that Batman movies and I'm sure the third one will be good.

[Mommy2Kids]

Loved watching Wonder Woman and Captain America as a kid. Do the Bionic Woman and 6 Million Dollar Man count as superheroes?

[JessB]

I also like Sherlock, LOTR, Star Wars, & Robin Hood. My husband and kids just LOVE superhero movies and cartoons. I'm like, "eh". I might watch one here and there just to be with them, but I'd rather leave them than take them.

[dramaturge]

I absolutely see the superhero (whether endowed with special powers via lab accident or extra-terrestrial birth) as a modern extension of the epic hero. Basically, post-modern adaptations of the god and hero tales of old, as the Slate article discusses. After all, Achilles--demi-god; Hercules--demi-god; Odysseus and Aeneas--men with above-average skills, wit, and destiny; Roland--the greatest warrior alive with impeccable honor and loyalty. I tend to view them the same way, and love them for it. We embrace them just as the ancients embraced the epic heroes old--because they speak to our strengths and failures on a grander scale, because they cause us to look into our own response to power (what would we do if we had that power), because they offer a different take on society and its rules and strictures. Yes, yes, I know I'm delving into the depths of superhero psychology, but whether we actively acknowledge it or not, that's what's going on here. Epic heroes must be in some way "larger than life" (the aforementioned demi-gods and super-wit or super-prowess)--the special power of the superhero functions the same way: it's their larger-than-life characteristic and they must discover how to wield it either for the good of mankind (Aeneas) or for the good of themselves (Achilles).

For what it's worth, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings are also epics with epic heroes. Luke is larger than life because of his ability to manipulate the force and his destiny as the sole living Jedi. Frodo is larger than life because he is the only one who can carry the One Ring without succumbing to its powers and the only one who can ultimately destroy it (there is the element of Christianity that Tolkien infused to impart an extra level to the epic--Frodo cannot accomplish his task alone, and ultimately needs the Providential actions of Gollum to be successful). A case could be made for Robin Hood resembles an epic hero based on his incredibly charisma and leadership skills, but I wouldn't go so far as to say he is. Sherlock is definitely larger than life, even though he doesn't occupy and epic structure. After all, his powers of deduction are borderline inhuman. So--you do like superheros, just the more approachable ones. :-P

Ok, I'm through over-analyzing superhero stories for now. /lit teacher. hahaha

(I have to edit my post because I wrote about how superheros are epic heroes before actually looking at the Slate article or carefully reading what you wrote PW. hahaha. Great minds or something?)

[pastor's wife]

Great answer! Thanks for delving into it! (English major here so I love talking about stuff like this. And, yes, I know using the word "stuff" is BAD writing!)

I guess that's why I find it a bit weird that I'm rather blase about superheroes, because I do like epic heroes so much. Maybe it IS that they are more approachable or perhaps more vulnerable. And perhaps because their battles seem more realistic whereas a lot of the superhero stories have such campy and overblown villains. I guess I like someone who seems like an underdog who rises above his circumstances and battles great odds. Maybe for me I prefer heroes with less grandiose abilities. Or maybe I just don't like those exuberantly bright costumes in primary colors. lol

[M Go Blue]

The ancient civilizations had their council of gods with human personalities and struggles and, I believe, our superheroes are just a modernization of such. When I was younger I loved reading all kinds of comics about the various heroes. Even at 41 (closing in at 42) I still love a good superhero movie or comic series. My favorite is Superman, with Green Lantern coming in a close second.