Fictitious Heroes: The Inevitable Rise of Supermen.

Below is an article I wrote years and years ago, but is still circulating on the internet from one place to another. I thought I'd reclaim it and put it here on my current blog.

I've heard it argued that the current generations are growing increasingly juvenile due to their preoccupation with toys and comics. The recent success of several superhero movies in Hollywood show remarkable turns in the type of diversions both young and old are demanding from the entertainment industry. The accepted argument, for this trend, is that intense marketing campaigns from the past are now infecting the minds of adults.

There is a certain conceit in the notion that today's youth are brain washed zombies who want to buy back their childhood. Infatuation with the story of Superman, Spiderman or the Hulk could be seen as neglectful towards our roles as adults. There is a long held belief that at a certain age a person must leave the trappings of youth aside. This conjecture however needs to be seen from another angle, that superheroes are a symbol, not a passing fancy. Ulysses flaunted the Gods; Captain Ahab fought his demon, Sherlock Holmes out witted the scum of London and today Superman serves the common man from seemingly unassailable evils. Every century needs its heroes whether they are honest and honorable or disturbed and misunderstood. Aside from fictional 'men of steel' who is left in the real world of offer the people hope? We live in a time where large corporations and government officials seem oppressive and more powerful than ever. The people grow poorer, their powers are stripped away is it any wonder that our new heroes reflect conflicts with the establishment. Our current presidents are no Roosevelt or Jefferson and war had lost it's glamour as a highly respected profession. The youth of the world turn their eyes toward the efforts of Optimus Prime, because there is lack of Martin Luther King's left to look up to. A nation devoid of heroes will inevitably create their own. You're twenty something child may be collecting action figures but before you dismiss it as a childish obsession get to know the hero they've decided to idolize. It's a window into the desires and conflicts affecting their daily lives. Inevitably some of them will rise to be their own supermen, and save the planet in their own unique ways.