Superheroes More Super than ever!
January 12th 2009 13:23
On a personal note my cat is back home and fine. Sorry for the delay.
This blog is in responce to a blog post by Bill Willingham writer of Fables and several other DC books.
The Article in question
Now having read that I had to respond.
The first thing that strikes me about the blog is obviously he has given this much thought and that I understand his desire to put Superhero's back on the pedestal that they once maintained. A place that allowed us to have something to live up to.
But I find this kind of fond recollection on the past a dangerous pursuit. As a reader of the current superman comic books I am able to identify with this character as a personal ideal and I find that he has lost nothing of his heroic nature in his current incarnation.
One of the elements of the book that I take particular issue with is the insistence that Superman should stand for the American Way. This I feel is a little short sighted. Ask any person who has had the privileged of going to space. One of the things that they all maintain is how small and connected we all are.
Superman is a character who has seen the world from orbit several times and has never shirked from saving someone no matter what country they are living in.
He never enforces his ideals on to other people, rather he lets his example be enough to inspire others to act bravely and courageously.
Now I know that Superman is a fictional character but our fiction is an example of our world view. Superman to me represents a character where each writer can express their own projection of what a true hero should be.
He is any writers opportunity to talk about the nature of heroism and an optimistic view on character. Why is superman diminished by not espousing the American way.
Now I have never read the Captain America comics that Bill is referring to, I do however find the tone of his commentary to be a little concerning. I feel that if you want to look at a problem like terrorism and September 11 particularly you have to look at what lead you to that moment.
If the writer is expressing a characters ability to take responsibility for the actions of a nation that he represents that some can say contributed to the circumstances that lead to the attack on the world trade center then I feel that is a brave and admirable step. That writer is willing to tackle a challenging subject and ask the questions that at times need to be asked. That doesn't diminish these character. These things make them stronger.
The fact that Captain America later dealt with the fact that the American Government has operations that lead to civilian casualties and good soldiers will follow orders and not express objections.
Gasp! Say it isn't so. Maybe that particular writer was expressing a deconstruction of the way that the only living superpower deals with foreign policy?
In the end I think that a man who is worried by the Superhero Decadence should concentrait on creating characters that will say the things he wants to say. I respect that and he should have the freedom to do such things. If he wants to use Superman et all as puppets to ram down our throats the fact that America is a wonderful place and sits at the center of the universe then I for one will be voting against him with my wallet.
Sorry not interested.
But then that is just my opinion and the great thing about something like this is that other people will believe differently to me.
But what I am not doing is taking character that are loved be people ALL OVER THE WORLD and using them to ram my opinions down your throat.
My favorite part of all this is one of the comments by Thomas Talionis
It all started going downhill when The Avengers were handed over to the U.N. and The Justice League of AMERICA got it痴 name shortened.
Is it America痴 fault Belgium doesn稚 produce comic books?
And as is pointed out later in the comments Belgium does produce comic books ever heard of Tin Tin. But Oh that's right it wasn't produced in America so it doesn't count.
I find the idea of a Superman that my son can read and feel like he doesnt belong to him because he doesn't live in America to be offensive. Superman lives in Metropolis a fictional city and the current incarnation is a citizen of the world. That to me is great and makes him a stronger character.
I mean he stands for truth and justice. Why isnt that good enough.
I have been reading superman on and off since 1987 and I have to say that he is now more super than ever.
Read of the week
Superman - Up, Up and Away
Link
This trade collects all the issues that marked the beginning of the current age of Superman. Geoff Johns is the current writer of Superman and his is crafting a great mythos. The set up is that Superman goes away for a year. This story marks his return to the DC Universe.
Great Stuff.
View of the Week
The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons
Good movie very much is the same vein as Forrest Gump. A film that looks at aging and mortality. Nice uplifting film from David Fincher a man who we associate more with Fight Club and Seven. Really a quality film Brad Pitt brings his 'A' Game and the visual effects people manage to make Brad Pitt look young like in "A river run's through it' again. Marvelous
stuff.
Game of the Week
The Great Dalmuti
This is a game of insane fun and not to be played any other way but lightly. A great review here.
Review
Buy it here.
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