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 !
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