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Superheroes; American Mythology

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Superheroes; American Mythology
Superheroes; American Mythology

Developed in the early nineteen-hundreds, books of re-printed newspaper “funnies” became a quite popular form of American entertainment. More true at the time to their title of comic panels, they portrayed very light brands of comedy, superficial, predictable, very brief story-lines. But more modern comic books rarely entertain such limitations, ever portraying more serious tones. Superficial plot-lines are almost nonexistent, while we are lead to relate to the heroes on a much more personal level, privy to their internal struggles frame-by-frame.

The superhero universes’ ongoing themes of issues with blending in, strained relationships other characters, and attracting attention from the wrong people are extremely relate able for all age groups. While it may seem from the outside to the citizens of Gotham and Metropolis that Batman and Superman are on top of the world and have few drawbacks, both of these prominent characters have substantial stress levels. Most of the time, their dilemmas are larger than saving the occasional cat from a tree. Masses of fictional people are dependent upon help from these trademark superheroes, and their abilities to think on their feet and make the best decisions. This too is an especially relate-able theme for older readers who are continually under scholastic and career deadlines, biological clocks, as well as various outside responsibilities toward friends and family members, and still dealing with the occasional bully. These readers in particular can empathize with the heroes on the page and on the TV screen, because however varying the degrees, the feeling that the world is on their shoulders isn’t an entirely unfamiliar one.

The initial infatuation with these super-human entities nowadays often begins as a passage right, hobbies handed down from our parents and relatives, parallel with cultural traditions, and sometimes with more enthusiasm. This background knowledge is then built

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