Despite what many might think, superheroes are well known across hundreds of nations all over the world. Superheroes has been around for several centuries and has a very important meaning in the lives of many sort of like to uplift. It would be safe to assume that superheroes are going to be around for a long time and have an enormous impact on the lives of many people. Although being branded to only one race that widely be accepted to people.
In today’s culture, few things are as relevant as superheroes. Every other movie is a multi million dollar budget Comic Book film. Why are these movies so popular? Why are the source material so enthralling? Well, that most likely has to do with the fact that the characters in these stories are so interesting to read about. Though there stories and lives may be extremely beyond reality to anyone, the characters still seem so real. So relatable. Which, if one were to think about it, is rather strange. What is relatable about a young man in a fire truck red costume that swings from buildings stopping crime? Nothing. But one could be sure that it would be quite simple to relate to a nerdy outcast who gets bullied everyday and is crushing on someone way out of their league. So, it's more of a relation to the person behind the mask, not who they come while wearing the mask. The title The Psychology of Superheroes may give the impression that the work will be about the persona, it's more about the
The superhero archetype is traditionally a staple of the comic book medium. The Golden Age of comics, a period of comic publishing between the 1930s and early 1950s, was rife with larger-than-life super-human figures, who often served as an escape from the anxieties produced by war and everyday life. Superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Captain America function as cultural representations of idealism and the American Dream. However, representations of heroism in comic books has shifted significantly since the bright-eyed idealism and Romanticism of the Golden Age. In the Modern Age of comic publishing, contemporary comics tend to appropriate, adapt, and deconstruct tropes from the Golden and Silver Age of comics. Ultimately,
Adam Hogue, in his article “Why Do Americans Love Superheroes So Much?,” discusses the reasons behind the popularity of the superheroes. Hogue’s purpose is to instill the idea that superheroes are popular due to their static personalities. First, he illustrates his opinion with his anecdote about Captain America: “Sure, there were some slightly different nuances here and there, but for the most part, he was the same man…The superhero is someone we deeply trust” (para 9). Here the author describes how his personal attachment to Captain America was due to his unchanging personality and how the Captain “wasn’t going to be dead forever” (para 9). Not only this, Hogue demonstrates his ideas by using Spiderman as an example: “With
It seems that children seek to have an ideal of a perfect hero to whom they can admire. Superhero comics deserve their own part in the history of comics, since most comics are only about superheroes, and Captain America, is in fact a superhero. What are the roles of a hero in defining the values of a culture? A man on the street might tell you, a superhero is someone with extraordinary abilities and powers who saves the day. Superheroes could be characterized as having super strength, the ability to fly, or magical capabilities that utilizes the elements. Most would probably say superheroes are usually attractive white men, who have a super strength,
Superheroes, everyone knows them as the ones who fly or run around defeating the villains, then there are the vigilantes who like to keep their actions in the dark. These two groups have always been confused with one another and there really is not a clear difference in their goals. However, there are many differences in the way they will reach them. They protect the world in many different ways, and they leave people in admiration.
Gary Engle describes Superman as the ultimate American, “Superman is the greatest American hero” (Engle, 677). After reading three comic books I notice an occurring theme of wanting to protect what is good, even though the comic books chosen span over eleven years. Several distinct things to Superman’s personality are his cape, the respect he has for others, the respect others have for him, his intelligence, his protection of all life and what is right, his origin, and the sacrifices he makes. Superman is considered to be the greatest American hero of all time.
According to Atticus Finch, heroism is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” If a first grader was asked what a hero was, the majority of them would respond: Spiderman, Superman, Batman, or any other of the endless marvel superheroes. However, heroes can be anyone. They can be your mom, dad, brother, friend, a new acquaintance, or anyone and everyone. In movies and books heroes usually have special qualities otherwise known as superpowers. Superpowers such as super strength, invisibility, they can walk through walls, or even fly. But in the real world where superheroes and superpowers do not exist, qualities that a hero possesses are varied.
What Characteristics do you think about when you describe a hero? Usually people think about selflessness, Bravery, and Confidence. A person doesn't have to have superpowers, super strength, or the ability to fly to be a hero. One Modern day hero is President Barack Obama the 44th President of America and also the first African American President. Like President Obama, Beowulf Leader of the Geat warriors he is headsmart and a strong leader. Although The two heros Live in two different time periods and only on is a warrior. Beowulf and President Obama are both Courageous.
What makes us want to watch super heroes? Why do we think them as super-heroes? In films, We follow their battles and their struggles, as we hope they would come out victorious, we actually know they will never lose. The movies now not only target the young
The life of a superhero fits a certain pattern. No matter the universe or comic book, superheroes generally follow the same pattern. Three essential characteristics of a superhero's life include an unusual birth, embarking on a quest and winning rewards for completing an ultimate quest. In Thor, he fulfils these three elements of a hero's quest cycle. Thor is born under strange circumstances; goes on a journey to learn humility and regains his powers back thus becoming one of the quintessential models of classical heroism.
There are several traits that can be used to describe a hero: immense strength (physically and/or mentally), loyalty, honesty, dependability, etc. A hero is somebody who is a role model to many, so it makes sense that traits like the ones above are commonly looked for. When comic books were first introduced, in the early part of the twentieth century, they were not very popular. However, when World War II began, people began reading and enjoying comic books because of the different stories they told. Wonder Woman is a very well-known superhero. Her true name is Diana, with Wonder Woman being her alter-ego. In the book The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll, who is the main character, has an evil
America’s current political events and values are reflected through the film industry’s portrayal of superheroes. Post 9/11, it has become increasing clear that the issues and values held dear to most Americans are now being portrayed on the big screen. Fighting back at the “enemy” and consolidating as one were some of the messages in the background of superhero films after the attacks on the twin towers. More recently it has become apparent that the USA is becoming more divided; just like the superheroes that have been on the silver screen in recent months. America’s allowances for overly violent superheroes and everything said superheroes stand for, are simply just reflections of their own socio-political views and values. It is this allowance that has lead to the rise of Donald Trump.
“Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary” Gerard Way. What do Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America all have in common? Well, the obvious answer would be that they are all superheroes. From the time one is little they are told magnificent stories of charming princes, handsome knights, and cheeky vigilantes who all, in one way or another, save the day. At a young age a hero is someone who is always courageous, fearless, and willing to do whatever it takes to win the fair maiden's heart. However, as one grows up and matures, the ideas of what makes a hero can begin to change. With age comes wisdom; and with that wisdom comes the knowledge that sometimes the bravest warriors are the most unexpected.
America’s current socio-political events and values are reflected through the film industry’s portrayal of superheroes. Annika Hagley writes a very convincing argument regarding this theory in her article “America’s need for superheroes has lead to the rise of Donald Trump.” Post 9/11, it has become increasing clear that the issues and values held dear to most Americans are now being portrayed on the big screen. Fighting back at the “enemy” and uniting as one are some of the messages in the background of superhero films released after the attacks on the twin towers. Today, the USA is more divided; just like the superheroes that have been on the silver screen in recent months. In continuation, America’s allowances for overly violent superheroes and everything said superheroes stand for, are simply just reflections of their own socio-political views and values. It is this allowance that has lead to the rise of Donald Trump.