Gotham City and Metropolis - Superman, Batman, and American Myth

     The United States is still relatively young as a nation with respect to the majority of the globe and its ancient civilizations. Those who come from around the globe and become part of the cultural mix in the United States help create a unique overall culture via the assimilation of aspects of other cultures and their mythologies. This has been the case for over 200 years now. So, can one say there is a distinct mythos that defines what is more commonly referred to as America?

     Folk heroes have existed for hundreds of thousands of years around the globe. In Ancient Greece they had the likes of gods such as Zeus and Poseidon. Ancient Rome held gods such as Jupiter Volcanus, and Apollo in high regard. Even Scandinavia can lay claim to the great Thor. Israel is the region of origin for folk heroes such as David and Goliath. What then can America claim with respect to the folk hero that has stood the test of time? What mythological characters are unique to America? Why superheroes of course!

     It was 1938 when the American Action Comic was born. It was introduced in the form of a comic strip published by National Allied Publications.  This super human, super strong, man was dubbed Superman! In 1939, another comic publication by these folks ( later to become DC COMICS) sprouted from the pages of popular detective comics.  Batman was released to the world, and more importantly, to the criminals of Gotham City. Superman and Batman are the focus for this brief blog on the American mythological hero. There are more , and future blogs will seek to address the likes of Spiderman, The Flash, Green Lantern, The Hulk, The Fantastic Four, and Wonder Woman to name just a few. 

     Superman appears bold and colorful , lighting up the already bright skyline of Metropolis, assuming a humble life hidden amongst the masses as every day Clark Kent.  While Batman, in contrast, is the alter ego of one Bruce Wayne, a well known wealthy playboy who scoots out under the guise of darkness to tackle a dark, gloomy, corrupt, crime riddled Gotham City.

     Superman, though the last survivor of the dead world of Krypton, grew up in a well balanced family in the Midwest, Kansas.  He was raised by farmers in a traditional family values manner after being rescued from his crashed ship as an infant along the roadside. The comics even had kept the parents alive for sometime after Clark had reached adulthood and worked as a reporter for the Daily Planet. He continued to assist his parents on the farm. Superman is a globally recognized hero in every sense of the word.  Batman, however, saw his parents gunned down in an alley near the local theater after they were mugged. He grew up angry and hateful. He was fearsome of the world around him. Bruce would go on to be raised by the family butler, Alfred.  Bruce shunned his childhood and turned his attentions to fighting crime. He sought revenge for the death of his parents and felt by ridding the world of evil and crime, he would have that.  He used his wealth for this purpose. he built the batcave, batcar, and would set his sights on cowardly criminals as he referred to them.  All by the shadow of darkness, he became known as the Dark Knight.  Batman became well respected throughout Gotham City, but some felt he was nothing more than a dangerous vigilante, someone to be feared. 

     Superman and Batman have taken up permanent residence in the hearts and minds of Americans, they are fully embedded in the American psyche.  Bruce Wayne is the self made millionaire that epitomizes the American dream.  He does as he pleases as either persona.  Bruce Wayne/Batman is the person that everyone who continues to buy into the American dream strives to become.  Superman, on the other hand,  is more of a god-like figure that people strive to be more like.  He is the boy scout, the big brother, a protector and defender of what is right, particularly for those who are too weak to defend themselves.  Superman is benevolent. His actions are based upon being the right thing to do, then returning to a simplistic life at the end of a day. 

     Both Metropolis and Gotham personify these two superheroes. Metropolis is big, bright, and full of life.  It is a city that is larger than life where anything is possible. It is a living depiction of the American Dream.  Smallville, the hometown of Clark , was a small farming community, and it too was developed to mirror small town USA.  On the other hand, Gotham, Batman's home, is depicted as dark, dangerous, and corrupt. Gotham has an eerie air of mystery to it at all times.  Gotham is the epitome of all that people fear about the American city, abundant crime and corrupt politicians, police, and other city leaders all around. 

Superman and Batman both tap into basic American ideals and because of this, they have each gone on to survive in pop culture for over 70 years.  Their messages are constant, they are easily identified with, and they offer timeless insight into American culture, timeless insight into outcomes of the paths humans may choose, and timeless messages about how to redirect those paths. These are the reasons for the longevity of these characters. They continue to speak to each of us as individuals, and to all of us as a cultural whole.  Batman and Superman are household names, and like Superman, each individual has their kryptonite! Superman teaches us how to identify it and how to avoid it. Superman and Batman are indeed American folk heroes, their stories creating an American mythos. 

      The gods of great cultures were complex, but integral to the culture. Due to similar complex continuities that began to develop for Superman and Batman by the 1950's due to DC's decision to have Superman guest appear in Batman comics, merged universes. Superman would go on to have a love interest in Wonder Woman, Batman would go on to struggle with his identity and lack of true super powers. He would struggle to fit in with true super human beings.  Complex timelines and relationships emerged and have continued to develop. This is what has grabbed the attention of the American public, and it is what has solidified both Batman and Superman as American mythological heroes, creating an ever evolving myth that all can identify with and learn from.  Superheroes are so much more than entertainment for children, they are the stories that define us and teach us over multiple generations. They are our American mythology. As they continue to evolve, so shall America. 

 ppt: Cultural Imagery of Gotham City and Metropolis

Next Blog...... The Themed Convention !

Comics and Superheroes: Contemporary Myth

Comics and Superheroes: Contemporary Myth

 

 

Introduction

 

In this blog I wanted to take the time to explore comics more than I usually do in my work, which up until recently has focused primarily on science fiction.  This blog will explore comics and the story telling they provide through superheroes, and explore a bit about why this has remained significant in our world today.

Superheroes, both known and those yet to be created, along with the comics they are found within all act as a form of contemporary myth.  Science fiction, fantasy, and comics are no different than mythologies of the past or from folktales and fairytales.  All provide insight into the cultures and time periods they are products of.  Comics and superheroes act as cultural mirrors and teachers in that they reflect the ideologies at that time through their stories, but as cultural teachers they provide insight into our cultural concerns on larger scales and the outcomes of the paths humans take in the contemporary world.  Some provide insight into better paths and some provide warnings of doom along current paths. 

Comics standout as a solid form of contemporary myth , but as a mythos also unique to the American culture, in many ways similar to that of Japanese Anime within the Japanese culture that created it. Though widespread on a more global scale now, comics still are considered to be reflective mythos for the culture they were produced in.  Our superheroes represent to us the same things Greek Gods represented to their culture. Our mythological Gods take the form of Superman, Batman, or the X-Men. These characters are all representative of the culture that created them.  These superheroes are American Gods and tell American stories in the form of a narrative that acts as a reflection of contemporary society via commentary contained within the story of the comic.  Our comics have examined issues of war, terrorism, drugs, racism and more. All reflective of current social issues and attitudes while also acting as an insightful teacher to help us make possible changes in our world for the better.  Individual superheroes may also act as role models we can identify with, who influence us in personal ways. 

Superheroes do also change with time periods.  This is how they adapt to us and how they also help society to continue to grow and evolve.  Stories change, characters may be added or deleted, costuming looks change , as does the technology used in a story.  Superheroes are also becoming more subtly flawed in some way so as to perhaps reflect that in our own world.  Humans , as well intentioned or as good natured as they can be, are inherently flawed and do make mistakes. How we handle those mistakes is reflective of who we truly are. Mistakes can also be forgiven , mistakes can also produce positive change.  Flaws are key elements in characters and stories.  Comics are truly reflective narratives within their culture, truly a modern and evolving mythos.  Future historians and social scientists will surely be able to glean quite a bit of insight into who we are today by thumbing through the pages of our comics that we may leave behind. 

Comics have Global Appeal

 

 

The idea of the comic as narrative and the role of the superhero as a role model allows one to look at how and why heroes in general hold appeal. Sure, super powers are neat, but that is only one layer of the appeal.  Superheroes reach into the human psyche. Superhero identification propels self evolution. This can be attributed to the narrative, mythic, structure of the character and story.

 

One example of this would be the classic "Hero's Journey" defined and outlined by Joseph Campbell. Campbell was a mythologists who examined myth from a cross cultural perspective. He determined what features were common across cultures and what features were culturally unique.  He was primarily interested in mythos convergence, the common features of all myths. Campbell found that regardless of when a story had been written or where it had originated from, there was a pattern to myth structure that permeated cultural lines.  He referred to this as a Monomyth. (* At some point I would like to create additional blogs for more detailed exploration of the Monomyth). 

 

What Campbell had discovered was that every culture told stories in a similar way with similar patterns in the development of those mythological tales.  It was determined that such as structure filled a need or role innate in the human mind.  The patterns that showed similarity were in the way heroes were created, how they evolved, and how they completed a given journey.  This is an attractive and powerful narrative, the journey of the hero.  The world needs heroes, the world therefore needs superheroes. Such characters and stories connect with the human psyche, and connect humans cross culturally in ways that are yet to be fully understood.  There is indeed a collective human mindset connecting all humans globally.

 

 

Superheroes: Inspiration for a Better Self

 

Hero narratives written in the Monomythic style allows a hero to be easily identifiable.  Those who identify with a particular hero interpret that hero to be an extension of themselves, consciously or subconsciously.  There are traits in heroes each of us is drawn to, things one learn from them, insights and perspectives that are  gained from both the character and the narrative they  are involved with.  A personal connection or identification develops. 
 

 This connection can be attributed to the fact that humans want to be heroic. The symbolic image of the superhero embodies human values and ideals. The hero is represents that which one wishes to see in themselves. This does not happen easily or immediately however, and much of the development of a personal identification depends upon how the hero is created and what journey(s) the hero takes. This personal connection is a result of the way a story is presented. The reader must grow with the character, and the character must continue to grow and evolve to maintain that connection with the reader. There exists a coevolution between the hero and the reader who identifies with them. This in turn leads to greater individual variability and adaptability which can aid in the larger scale evolution of culture over time. The hero experiences struggles that are shared with those who identify with them and teaches them how they can overcome their own struggles. Heroes and their stories allow others to also experience their journeys. By doing so, those who feel a personal connection to a hero also learn to ponder how they too would react to extraordinary scenarios in their own life. Superheroes teach others how to evolve into their best personal selves over a lifetime.

On a cultural level, the stories provide greater insight and deeper understanding of the world as a whole while also providing warnings about the dangers of certain paths humans may take as well as providing glimpses into what wondrous  things humans can possibly achieve. Comics and superheroes humans in seeing their potential for change, both on an individual level as well as a global , cultural, level.  Comics tell stories about striving for change.

Conclusion

 

In briefly summarizing this discussion, Superheroes hold global appeal and are important because they offer such grand inspiration on many levels. This is why the world is still so attracted to comics and superheroes. They inspire humans on both small and large scales and help educate about social concerns. Superheroes can inspire us to do the smallest of things that may have the largest of impacts, and this is why the world still very much needs comics and their heroes. Such entities are integral components of any culture. 

 

 

In the next blog : Gotham City and Metropolis - Social Imagery via Myth



 

Science Fiction as Modern Myth - Part III

Science Fiction as Modern Myth - Part III : The Power and Scope of Science Fiction

 

 

This is the final part of the posts on science fiction and modern myth.  In this brief post we examine the enormous impact science fiction has on culture and how broad a reach it also has across culture.

Science fiction has continued to increase in popularity and grow as a genre at a phenomenal rate.  It has grown globally, forming a vast global network or global fandom culture in its many forms ( literary/ filmic ).  A vast variety of themed conventions are held annually and continually throughout the course of a calendar year around the globe. They celebrate authors, artists, and others involved in literary or filmic science fiction. They celebrate both classic works as well as current materials.  Fans partake in the culture and participate in it more fully when engaged with others at a convention event.  Seattle, Washington is home of the Science Fiction Museum, a phenomenal display of all aspects of the genre across time.  Science fiction is perhaps the most influential contemporary form of what is referred to as futuristic thinking in pop culture. Science fiction and its fandom are truly a culture of their own. 

 

As can be gleaned from the history of the genre, science fiction encompasses quite the array of social themes and provides an abundance of insight into the human condition while also offering solutions to contemporary problems for the here and now as well as for the future. It offers insight into the various potential outcomes of the paths humans travel today. 

 

Some examples of themes in science fiction include:

 

1.  Future cultures

2. Science and Technology, the good and the not so good

3. The human relationship with technology

4. Cultural paths for humanity that could be outcomes of actions in the past or present.

5. The role an individual can play in cultural evolution

6. Human evolution - biologically, psychologically, and culturally

7. Biotechnology

8. Ecology

9. Robotics and Androids , as well as computer intelligence in human culture

10.  Space exploration

11.  Contact with other lifeforms

12. Time Travel

13. Philosophy, Religion Spirituality

14. Morality and Values, morals vs ethics

15. Love in the future

16. Reality

17. War

18. Politics

19. Defining and exploring the nature of Progress

20. The end of humanity

21. The transcendence of humanity - survival of the species

22. Meaning of life

 

Science fiction both embraces and questions the ideals of religion and spirituality, as well as those of a secular world.  What really can lead to a better world? Science fiction explores all aspects of the human condition within such framework. It offers challenges to long held morals, ethics, and values. If offers predictions based upon contemporary times and the paths humanity finds itself on.

Science fiction also explores human emotions in as much as they play a role in decision making processes. Science fiction excites and explores the human emotions of fear, hope, exhilaration, sadness, joy, and humor. Science fiction can be said to be the one art form that offers an understanding to both humanity and human emotions as well as to science, technology, and exploration via its attempt to imagine the future in both narrative and aesthetic forms. In Science fiction, the future of humanity is a series of stories, speculative stories about the future.

 

Science fiction also utilizes a mythological or religious approach to its exploration of the human condition through its stories and archetypal characters that humans can readily identify with. These stories inspire thought and ideas which can aid in altering the future and help to better ensure the survival of the human species.  Science fiction educates its followers. It explores all aspects of humanity through the minds and experiences of characters in order to personify the journey of the human future. 

 

Science fiction has many different functions indeed, which provides strength to the stories that are told and helps solidify the place of science fiction in human culture on a global scale.  it stimulates thought via exercising the critical and rational intellect and stretching the speculative/creative imagination. It does so by drawing upon all aspects of human inquiry and study and integrates such things into its stories.  Science fiction holds much power to influence the future and the future paths humanity takes. 

 

Science fiction is a holistic exploration of the future of humanity, impacting humanity along the way and offering solutions to help propel humanity into a more evolved future to help ensure its survival. In general, science fiction unites what appear to many as opposites - it combines the strengths of religious inspiration with rational and scientific understanding to create thought experiments on a personal level while also striving to relate a narrative on a broader scale. 

 

Science fiction strives to predict and help us understand the future while it also inspires and entertains us with its stories and characters that mirror us and our world in the present.  It is in that futuristic fiction that truths of humanity exist for the past, present, and future. It is also where individual truths exist.  In mirroring ancient mythology, science fiction creates a contemporary mythology that ties together past , present , and future for all of humanity. 

 

This concludes the broad discussion on science fiction as modern myth. The next blog will focus on super heroes and comics as a form of contemporary mythos.