With the release of Suicide Squad this past Friday, the world once again turned its eye to the latest superhero franchise to hit the big screen. Superhero movies have become the corner stone of our summer blockbusters dating back to the 1989 release of Batman. True, there were superhero movies before 1989 but Tim Burton's masterpiece has been claimed to be the start to the superhero era we live in today. Batman proved that our favorite hero can be funny, powerful, and a bit dark. All of the ingredients you can see if you turn on any modern superhero movie.
A lot of people I know are "over" all of the superhero movies and don't want to pay money to see "unoriginal" content. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, it's important not to put down something that means so much to millions of people. Die hard comic fans have been reading and collecting their favorite hero's comic books for decades. My father, for example, had comic books dating back to when he was a kid stored in our basement. He loved to tell me stories of how excited he would get when he saved up enough money to go out and buy the latest issue of Batman or Superman. My dad would share books with his friends and spend hours comparing and arguing superheroes. It was more than just fantasy figures, he was a part of a community. So, it's so nice to see the pure excitement on his face when Marvel or DC announces their latest projects. He's seeing his childhood projected on the big screen.
Superheroes are more than just colorful characters who defy the odds to defeat evil; they represent different parts of our society that we wish were real. Take for instance Superman. He was always known for standing for truth, justice, and the American way. He always came at the sound of danger and no problem was too great or too small. Superman was and is still popular because we all wish there was some magical being we could call to fix all of our problems. Think of how great the world would be if a man in a red cape swooped in every time we called for him. And, while superheroes do have their own issues and problems, their presence in their comic book worlds is overwhelmingly positive. That is why we love them so much; deep down, we all want to be saved.
If you're over the superhero genre, I urge you to reconsider. You are missing out on being a part of a warm and accepting community. Superhero fans are passionate and creative; the only thing we fight about is who is the best superhero. And even then, you might change your mind about yours when your hear every side. Not only are the people amazing but the comics and movies will have you both crying and cheering. Superheroes may be fake but their messages are real.
By the way, the best superhero is a tie between Batman and Wonder Woman!
