The following is something of an edited version of a few of my comments over on Charles Rozier's blog.
[On reasons for being a superhero and its implications.]
It may be argued that the special attention a superhero seeks--such as Batman's idea of transcending humanity, mortality, and self--is implicitly narcisistic and egoistic (or perhaps a sign of the opposite, as has been argued with, say, Napoleon). This is another reason I think it best for superheroes, particularly those more driven in and obsessed by their struggles, should perhaps have problems socializing and empathizing with others, thus denying either interest or ability when it comes to serious, adult relationships with either sex. These problems are notably often played out in more recent comics featuring meetings between Superman and Batman.
[On Charles's comment that superheroism as alter-ego can be viewed as commentary on homosexuality, and how this leads to greater 'manly' violence and forced attempts at romance with the opposite sex in superhero based movies.]
In the past, Marvel's mutants and their allegorical struggles to either form their own rule or be accepted into mainstream society have been likened to racial minorities (but not social ones), and specifically African Americans. If this is accepted, it paints blacks in a rather violent and dangerous light, particularly when one considers that the militaristic leader of the serparationist faction of mutants (Magneto) is a mass murderer, and the most nihilistic characters (like Apocalypse) are generally mutants. Even the most friendly of mutants is prone to bouts of dangerous self hatred and violence, and the best heroes almost always use physical force when possible rather than thinking of some other way to solve problems. What's more, most of them want to 'pass' as normal, not mutated, white.
>_< Stan Sakai, most anything by Scott Morse, or all of Paul Hornschemeier's material (especially his masterful Mother Come Home). These are almost infinitely better than even the much improved superhero comics of late.
You could also try out my comics. ^_^
[On reasons for being a superhero and its implications.]
It may be argued that the special attention a superhero seeks--such as Batman's idea of transcending humanity, mortality, and self--is implicitly narcisistic and egoistic (or perhaps a sign of the opposite, as has been argued with, say, Napoleon). This is another reason I think it best for superheroes, particularly those more driven in and obsessed by their struggles, should perhaps have problems socializing and empathizing with others, thus denying either interest or ability when it comes to serious, adult relationships with either sex. These problems are notably often played out in more recent comics featuring meetings between Superman and Batman.
[On Charles's comment that superheroism as alter-ego can be viewed as commentary on homosexuality, and how this leads to greater 'manly' violence and forced attempts at romance with the opposite sex in superhero based movies.]
In the past, Marvel's mutants and their allegorical struggles to either form their own rule or be accepted into mainstream society have been likened to racial minorities (but not social ones), and specifically African Americans. If this is accepted, it paints blacks in a rather violent and dangerous light, particularly when one considers that the militaristic leader of the serparationist faction of mutants (Magneto) is a mass murderer, and the most nihilistic characters (like Apocalypse) are generally mutants. Even the most friendly of mutants is prone to bouts of dangerous self hatred and violence, and the best heroes almost always use physical force when possible rather than thinking of some other way to solve problems. What's more, most of them want to 'pass' as normal, not mutated, white.
>_< Stan Sakai, most anything by Scott Morse, or all of Paul Hornschemeier's material (especially his masterful Mother Come Home). These are almost infinitely better than even the much improved superhero comics of late.
You could also try out my comics. ^_^
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