The superheros we know today got their start in the early days of World War II with comic books; giving the people hope. Most of the audience consisted young boys who had fathers and hero's fighting for them across the sea. It wasn't a replacement for a dad, just a glimmer of hope and a heroic figure for young boys and men to follow. Captain America is a perfect example of this. A man who uses his genetically altered past to bring evil to justice. He is an example of fighting for others and take nothing for yourself. Not only were comic books fun and entertaining to read, but those who read them developed a bond with the characters as thy followed them through each book. Each superhero had a lesson to learn and a opponent to beat. Most boys have this thirst for adventure and will to discovery new places. When I was young my imagination ran wild, I was always the superhero. That brings me to why these films are so popular. Most of these kids who grew up with these hero's are now seeing them in a movie for the first time and it's thrilling. It's more important than real history to some people. I guess in a way it really is history because it is perceived history.
My favorite superhero will always be the Wolverine. I was inspired to write this post after watching the new film which came out today entitled, "The Wolverine". He isn't very friendly or glamorous, which I think is why I like him so much. He keeps to himself and I can see my reflection when I watch him on screen. I wish I looked like him, yeah, but that's not what I'm talking about. It's his character and who he chooses to be. The Wolverine is a soldier and like Captain America was a World War II hero figure. His choice: To be behind the spotlight and into the fight. See now, I'm talking about him as if he was real. To me he really is real, just like Middle Earth is a real place.
Superhero films have a quality about them that most people look for in themselves. People relate to superheros one way or another. I relate to Wolverine because he has a hard time finding his purpose. I also had a hard time finding my purpose. Now that we both have something in common I'm drawn to the character. Maybe someone is struggling to do the right thing, they may be drawn more to Batman. What if you have everything and it's still not good enough? Iron Man can relate. Maybe you are self centered and think that your the only thing that matters. Thor is in the same boat. You feel like no one can accept you for who you really are? Superman is right there with you. The list goes on and on. Superheros, when examined, are no different than us. They deal with the same issues and problems. The difference is they complete their story when the film is over. Giving us hope that we can overcome our own struggles. That's why so many people pay top dollar for a superhero movie. They want to see their childhood hero in action, their longtime friend to polish off the bad guys, a hero to give them hope and a few hours to forget about life and find someone who you can relate to and concur the world with.
~ Jesse
I realise this post is different than the rest. It was a subject I wanted to explain more, to anyone who would listen. Never forget the creator who gave us life and the amazing abilities to hope and dream and aspire to be more than the world tells us we can be. We must know that through Christ and Christ alone we can move mountains. Through our downfalls and failures we must rise to the challenge and defeat our enemy. To do this we must give our lives and all that we are to Christ.
What will appear in the credits at the end of your film? Will it be all about you? Or will Christ be in every line?
Everyone has a gift to use just like the superheros we know and look up to. What will we do with them? Christ is, and should be, the ultimate example, but lets not overlook the underlining lessons found within our comic book hero's next time we hit the theater.
"You raise me up, to be more than I can be."
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