Superheroes, inspired by comic books, have become a popular American phenomenon. Although Superman was not the first superhero, his unique scientific explanation for his powers set him apart. Most superheroes have a double identity and suffer from poor relationships. Hollywood has created many superhero films, including adaptations of popular comic book characters and original creations. The genre has expanded to include superhero families, which have been well-received by audiences.
The superhero is often referred to as a unique American phenomenon. Inspired by comic books, especially the Superman series in the early 1930s, superheroes with superhuman strength and a desire to save the world have become the stuff of dreams and fantasies of many children and numerous adults as well. Yet Superman was not the first literary character to whom the term superhero could have applied. Certainly many of the heroes of earlier literature: Gilgamesh, Beowulf, Hercules, Zorro (first appearing in 1919), Sir Lancelot and others were superhero types.
What made the American interpretation of the superhero unique, at least in its inception, was an attempt to explain scientifically why the superhero had special powers. In Superman’s case, he’s actually an alien and was born on the planet Krypton. He can fly, see through metal (except lead), has extraordinary strength and speed.
The superhero is usually someone who has to live a double existence, hiding his superpowers from the world. This idea isn’t exactly new either; Zorro wears a mask to hide his identity, and King Arthur passed the time by masquerading as the Black Knight. With the first superheroes, the dual identity gave rise to a common trait: the awkward and often brilliant character who never gets the girl. . Clark Kent, Superman’s alter ego is an inadequate, bumbling and bumbling character. Some superheroes lack a secret identity, such as the group that makes up the Fantastic Four.
Superman is a born superhero, unlike those who have become superheroes. Others are mere Earthlings who derive their superpowers from exposure to toxic chemicals, venomous insect bites (Spider-Man), or genetic mutations (X-Men). Some superheroes have no special abilities, but are instead effective due to their manipulation of science. Batman is considered a superhero, but he mostly relies on fancy gadgets and a superior understanding of science as well as martial arts skills to fight crime. Zorro, when considered a superhero, is simply a gifted and intelligent athlete and a superior swordsman.
Most superheroes came to life in the pages of comics and very quickly the superhero genre began to change. While there were many types of ideal Superman, with extremely upright moral principles (Spiderman, Wonder Woman), morally conflicted superheroes also began to emerge. Batman, for example, is sometimes portrayed as extremely dark in certain interpretations, and certainly some of the X-men can barely be called heroes. The Hulk is another example of a superhero who is sometimes overwhelmed by his own power.
Virtually all types of superheroes suffer a high degree of distress, and in addition to the average crime-fighting, they usually fight against mortal enemies, who may even have superhuman abilities. Most are doomed to live a secret life and have extremely poor relationships. The superhero also fights alone, although the comics have spawned quite a few superhero groups and have also grouped well-known superheroes into crime-fighting organizations such as the Justice League.
Hollywood quickly immersed itself in filming superhero stories, initially mostly as television stories or short films. With the first Superman film in 1978, superhero films became very popular, although sequels to the film were considered inferior. Batman in 1989 revived the genre and since then cinema audiences have been delighted to watch Darkman, Spiderman, the X-men, Hulk, Zorro, Hellboy, the Fantastic Four, the Shadow and numerous others. In reality not all of these film adaptations have been well received, and some have been noted to be exceptionally bad films.
Hollywood has also created its own types of superheroes. The Pixar movie The Incredibles features a very entertaining crime-fighting family. Sky High also continues the trend of the superhero family. In fact, there seems to be some wish fulfillment in these last two films. Maybe as the filmmakers grow up to middle age, and kinda around middle age, they still wish they were superheroes, or at least recognized for the superhuman strength it takes to be a parent! Americans have responded well to these films, especially the Pixar film, suggesting that we may just be seeing the beginning of the superhero family genre in film.
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