Super Hero Culture
From Comic Books to Movies, what it can teach our kids.
It seems like every children’s TV network- Disney, Disney XD, Disney Jr., Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Cartoon Network and PBS- have superhero shows. And they are all immensely popular. Disney bought Marvel Studios back in 2009, which has allowed Disney to make shows such as Avengers Assemble, Ultimate Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy. Nickelodeon has the rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Cartoon Network has had multiple renditions of Batman and Justice League shows. And yes, PBS has the ever so popular Super Why! reading adventure series. What is the one thing all of these networks and shows have in common- they are based off Comic Book characters (with the exception of Super Why!- which is based off Fairy Tales, not comic books).
Superheroes have long been ingrained in our culture, from Comic Books to radio to Movies to TV shows. Superman debuted in Action Comics #1 in June of 1938, and the genre of superhero comics began. Following Superman’s success was Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel (DC/Shazam) Batman and Captain America, who brought about mythical and legendary stories of super-humans, alien beings and beings with incredible powers. The culture and genre of Superheroes has waned and crested over and over since the ‘30’s, but has never completely ceased to entertain fans. The most common and well known comic publishing companies are of course Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and Valiant Comics.
Superman was the first comic book character to gain true stardom. His role of American Hero and Legendary persona moved from the pages of DC Comics to the small screen in The Adventures of Superman. The series starred George Reeves and Phyllis Coates and aired from 1952 to 1958. Despite very limited and unconvincing special effects the show was hugely popular. Following the success of The Adventures of Superman, came Batman starring Adam West and Burt Ward. The show was campy and was well known for it’s visual effects of extremely colorful costumes and backgrounds, visual sound effects (POW! KABLAM!) and heavy expository dialog. Both shows were revered by children of all ages in their own right and created a new culture for the Superhero genre. The fans of these shows grew up to instill their love and fandom in their own children, who have turned around to help that love and wonder grow in the following generation.
Since then, there have been hundreds of shows and movies to grace the small and big screens. Adaptations of adaptations have been made and re-made. Each trying to tell something different, trying to adopt a sense of excitement for each new generation. The reason behind the never dying Superhero genre is fairly simple. It’s the same reason fairy tales such as Cinderella and Snow White and Robin Hood are never forgotten. When you ask your child why he or she enjoys their favorite Superhero show or movie, they may state they love the action, they enjoy the entertainment or the ridiculous antics. But deep down they see the same thing as adults. There is a reason so many adults clamber to the movie theaters anytime Marvel or DC releases a new film. There is a reason why we love those comic books and hold them in such high regard. The humanity. It doesn’t matter if the Hero was imbued with a super-soldier serum, was bitten by a radioactive insect or trained to become the best spy or detective. Every being, even the ones not born of Earth, displays an unquestionable depth of humanity. A struggle of some sort. And kids relate to that better than most adults.
One of the reasons I remember loving Superman so much as a young girl was because it was comforting, in a way I did not understand until I was much older, to see this super-powered alien struggle with daily life. Clark Kent spends so much of his time as a child trying to figure out who he is. When he discovers his powers, he struggles not only to come to terms with not being “normal” but with how to cope in a world where he feels he must hide. Name one child who doesn’t feel that way at some point in his or her life. Bruce Wayne hides behind the mask of Batman to escape his endless sorrow and to right the wrongs of his past. He lost his parents at a very young age and never knew why. It was a senselessly violent act that leaves a lot of questions and a jagged hole in Bruce. And that’s where the true life lessons come into play. These two characters, if they’d given in to fear, hate and self-pity could have become very different characters. But they had friends and family to help them. And they became heroes and fighters. Captain America was the runt of the litter. He was nothing to no one and constantly bullied for everything. But he never backed down. He knew, in his heart, there was good in the world that needed to be fought for and protected. That bullies needed to be stood up against and that everyone could make a difference. He never backed down and he worked hard to accomplish his goals. Tony Stark was a jerk. He was a weapons manufacturer and a womanizer. But he had a life altering experience. He’s the perfect example of redemption. He’s not perfect as a human. None of them are. And that’s the part we see and grab onto, even if it is unconsciously. It’s all disguised behind mind-blowing special effects, great costumes and astounding action scenes, but the message is there. It is true. And it is part of the human condition. And comic books and Superhero Movies and TV Shows are a fair way to introduce such concepts to our children.
My son loves the Avenger’s. He’s 3 years old, and yes, he has seen all three Iron Man movies, the first two Captain America movies, both Thor movies, The Incredible Hulk, both Avenger’s movies, Ant-man, Spiderman and Guardians of the Galaxy. He has not seen the Batman movies (but only because they are not as colorful and the music isn’t as interesting so they don’t hold his attention as well) He has seen the first Christopher Reeves Superman movie and a handful of Justice League shows. And he loves them all. Currently, his favorite Superhero is Captain America, but he’s rather partial to Hulk and Iron Man. I love sharing these movies and TV shows with him. I sit down with him and when he asks me questions I answer them to the best of my ability. I explain why the heroes are the heroes and why the villains are the villains. And it’s comforting to know that he’s grasping a concept of right, wrong and that there might be some in-between wiggle room. We talk about why the heroes get sad, or why the villains are defeated. And on top of everything else, he has an amazing imagination! Of course, I have to tell him that these characters are not real. That aliens have yet to invade Earth and that if he gets bitten by a bug, to tell mommy and daddy instead of trying to crawl up the walls. But these concepts and characters and ideas help him to develop a sense of the wonder in the world. I share my love for these themes and these characters with my son, but I recognize that things still require explanation and a sense of control and safety.
The television shows are made with the mindset that children are going to be watching, so the violence is a little less, the dialog is more simple and the characters are more straight forward. But the messages and ideals are still there. And whether you let your children watch the cartoons or the movies or both, it is up to the parent to help the children understand what it is they are seeing and hearing. The Superhero Culture can teach children and adults so much, if we take the time to explore the deeper meanings. If we talk with our children and help them recognize what it is they’re seeing, we help them grow in so many ways. Superhero culture can be a great tool for development and growth, if we, as adults, can find ways to use it. If you love the culture, share it with your children. Embrace it and pass it on. You’re children will love the time you spend with them, and you’ll get to share one of your passions with them. Win Win.
