Why We Love Superheroes
We are each the heroes of our own lives, but from others’ perspective, we’re merely extras. At best sidekicks, or significant supporting players. Who among us hasn’t wished, at one point or several, that others could see us, the idealised us, as we see ourselves? That we would be regarded as the heroes of others’ lives as well?
Of course, the world is full of heroes, of one sort or another: cops, docs and fire-fighters; single parents who work two jobs to provide for their kids; research scientists who labour in obscurity to cure cancer and the like; social trailblazers who challenge barriers of race, class and gender. But we’re not really talking about them.
The heroes we have in mind err on the super side. Those we’d turn to, if only they existed, to overcome the sort of insurmountable stuff we toast to at Christmas: the end of war, poverty, crime… All the big stuff. Beyond that, who would save us if aliens invaded? Or Godzilla struck?
The respectable elder statesman of Marvel superheroes, Captain America was created by a couple of Jewish lads, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, back in 1941 before the U.S. joined the war effort for real. Cap didn’t wait for orders to do what was right. He didn’t sit on his hands until the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbour forced the issue. He fought the good fight, leading by example and, better late than never, eventually America followed his lead.
Superheroes inspire. We can’t fly or see through walls like Superman, but we can emulate his goodness and honesty. We can’t climb a building or swing on a web like Spider-Man, but we can still do selfless good deeds. Captain America can defeat an entire army single-handed. We can’t. But we can share his passion for duty. And though we have neither the means nor neuroses to dress like a winged rodent and strike terror in the hearts of criminals, we can, much like Batman, endeavour to improve ourselves, physically and mentally, to be the best we can possibly be. And perhaps even correct the odd injustice along the way.
Author: Marshall Julius
You may also like
View all
