When I began this class I believed that superheroes are extremely courageous individuals and I still do, but what about all of the regular people out there that do not have the huge advantage that superheroes do…meaning super powers? Where are the comic books made about the one fine upstanding and socially conscious citizen that sees a problem and decides that they will fix it. Don’t these people have more courage than superheroes? The firefighters and police officers and other people who stand up for what they believe in even if it isn’t their job. That’s an extremely brave thing to do. Superheroes know that they have super strength or speed, or any number of things to protect them if they are outnumbered or threatened, but average people don’t. So who is the stronger character? Who is braver, the person without superpowers who stands up for herself and others or the superhero who does the same thing, but with the advantage of special powers?
And while it is true that superheroes (at least the ones in comics) always end up behind masks to protect the ones they love, but regular people don’t normally have time to put on a cape and mask before helping someone out. They are easily recognizable and they are putting not only their selves in danger, but also their loved ones. So really who has more to lose by being a hero? Superman keeps stalkers, villains, and evil-doers under control with his secret identity, but Meg who saw a mobster kill two of her friends has to stand face to face with the one who murdered her friends and send him to jail knowing that by doing so puts herself and her family at risk for retaliation from a mob…who is braver?
While I agree to an extent, It takes courage to be able to put your life on the line for citizens that you do not even know. I think that believing who is braver is in the eyes of the beholder. I would always stand up for my self and my family, and would never think twice about it. If it came to the Joe on the street getting robbed at gun point, I as a average human being would have to think about it before putting my life at risk when I know it is a losing battle.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting way to think about this topic. It got me thinking about the ideas of bravery and selflessness. It is a good point to make that we have plenty of heroes in our own world, but I wonder if comparing the two(real heroes and superheroes) based on bravery says as much about them as looking at how selfless they are. I agree that their powers give them an advantage in many different respects. However, I think that being selfless is just as hard for someone with powers as it would be for any normal human. It would almost be easier to be selfish(as opposed to selfless) as a superhero because you would have the means to make things your way. In the end, I guess its more about being a good person rather than being the best or the bravest.
ReplyDeleteOne can hope that a child who reads superhero comics and admires the selflessness of these characters might grow up to choose one of those professions you mention which help others selflessly. These stories can provide examples of how someone with extraordinary gifts can choose to use those gifts to help others, much like those humans with gifts (intelligence, compassion, social justice) choose to give of themselves to help change the world too.
ReplyDeleteAnother point you make is also interesting. There has, indeed, been a rise in comics about "real world heroes" like policemen, firemen, etc. which happened as a result of the focus on the heroism of many during the 9/11 attacks. We will discuss that a bit toward the end of the class, as we look at some of the comics' response to the attacks.
A question: How might a superhero comic help a child understand heroism in a different/distinct way to a comic about a policeman or fireman?