Today's Topic: Superheroes
I have always been really jealous of Batman, even though I know he's not real. When I first saw the new "Batman Begins" series several years ago, I became even more intrigued and wondered, "What would it be like to be a superhero?" The thought of being an unsung hero has always interested me for some reason. Maybe because it is one of the only noble things a person can do anymore, and not have to ask for anything in return, get paid for it or get recognition for doing it. To become Batman would be a thing of sheer beauty; to roam the streets and protect the innocent or ones who can't protect themselves.
There was a time when the comic book was considered to be a stereotypical "nerd" thing to hold in your hands. It wasn't a cool or flashy hobby to be into men flying around in capes, super human beings with their laser eyes or lighting fast speed and even scientists that were the result of a science experiment gone wrong. I was watching a show on HBO called "Superheroes" and the show dealt with real life people who have taken on the hobby of making the streets safer in their communities. And they are everywhere! One man has formed the XJL...Xtreme Justice League. Another married couple spend their down time together and make it their duty roaming the streets as Zetaman and Apocalypse Meow. The Dark Guardian, a man who calls himself Life...the list goes on and on. Even individuals who have had extensive jujitsu or martial arts training make it their citizen duty to be a silent (or sometimes very vocal) protector. I think Marvel and DC Comics have done an incredible job making the superhero "cool" again by pushing out successful summer blockbuster movies and really getting people back into the newly discovered comic genre. Mix incredible graphics and a director's passion for a project and you can really see the magic on screen when you watch films like The Dark Knight, X-Men, Watchmen, Transformers and Ironman...just to name a few. You don't have to be a comic lover to appreciate a brilliant on screen performance.
I think the thing about superheroes that really impresses me is their alter ego. We all do have an alter ego or quirky thing about us, and that's completely normal. Just not all of us dress up in a costume or wear a mask to show it. In fact, there were times when I seriously questioned myself and wondered what it would be like to become a superhero like Batman. So I picked up a book called "Becoming Batman" which was a neuroscience professors look at the possibility of a superhero. In his opinion, to become a superhero like Batman could actually be possible. If you think about it, Batman does not have any superhuman qualities or strengths. He just has a cape, really good equipment, years of training in martial arts, a really sweet vehicle and busloads of money; all things that would be required to become a man of his stature. You also have to keep in mind the extreme dedication to the process it would take someone...the food you would be required to eat, how to improve your reaction time, the dangerous situations you would be throwing yourself into and the hours of training it would take to become a masked vigilante. We are looking at a least 20 years for all of these to fall into place. And then once you're in the position, realistically, how much physical abuse could you put your body through and still function a day to day basis?
I think at one point growing up, we may have all dreamed (or maybe it was just the guys) of being a hero, sweeping the pretty girl off her feet and saving people from crime, one day at a time. Many argue saying, "that's what cops are for." But superheros generally don't have rules to follow; they are just more interested in preventing mass chaos (which is why they signed up to be a superhero in the first place). If I had all of those things required to do the job (including thousands of dollars), I think I would seriously consider becoming a superhero. It would be the ultimate way to give back selflessly, and not need to have anything come back in return for the service you provide. Even thrilling television shows like Dexter have taken the possibility of a noble man into consideration. Only for Dexter, a question of morals comes into play, even though he is killing criminals and evil doers who pray on the innocent. It is something that I find truly fascinating, which some would say doesn't sound normal. But others would stand up and applaud, because the world will always look for a hero.
I have always been really jealous of Batman, even though I know he's not real. When I first saw the new "Batman Begins" series several years ago, I became even more intrigued and wondered, "What would it be like to be a superhero?" The thought of being an unsung hero has always interested me for some reason. Maybe because it is one of the only noble things a person can do anymore, and not have to ask for anything in return, get paid for it or get recognition for doing it. To become Batman would be a thing of sheer beauty; to roam the streets and protect the innocent or ones who can't protect themselves.
There was a time when the comic book was considered to be a stereotypical "nerd" thing to hold in your hands. It wasn't a cool or flashy hobby to be into men flying around in capes, super human beings with their laser eyes or lighting fast speed and even scientists that were the result of a science experiment gone wrong. I was watching a show on HBO called "Superheroes" and the show dealt with real life people who have taken on the hobby of making the streets safer in their communities. And they are everywhere! One man has formed the XJL...Xtreme Justice League. Another married couple spend their down time together and make it their duty roaming the streets as Zetaman and Apocalypse Meow. The Dark Guardian, a man who calls himself Life...the list goes on and on. Even individuals who have had extensive jujitsu or martial arts training make it their citizen duty to be a silent (or sometimes very vocal) protector. I think Marvel and DC Comics have done an incredible job making the superhero "cool" again by pushing out successful summer blockbuster movies and really getting people back into the newly discovered comic genre. Mix incredible graphics and a director's passion for a project and you can really see the magic on screen when you watch films like The Dark Knight, X-Men, Watchmen, Transformers and Ironman...just to name a few. You don't have to be a comic lover to appreciate a brilliant on screen performance.
I think the thing about superheroes that really impresses me is their alter ego. We all do have an alter ego or quirky thing about us, and that's completely normal. Just not all of us dress up in a costume or wear a mask to show it. In fact, there were times when I seriously questioned myself and wondered what it would be like to become a superhero like Batman. So I picked up a book called "Becoming Batman" which was a neuroscience professors look at the possibility of a superhero. In his opinion, to become a superhero like Batman could actually be possible. If you think about it, Batman does not have any superhuman qualities or strengths. He just has a cape, really good equipment, years of training in martial arts, a really sweet vehicle and busloads of money; all things that would be required to become a man of his stature. You also have to keep in mind the extreme dedication to the process it would take someone...the food you would be required to eat, how to improve your reaction time, the dangerous situations you would be throwing yourself into and the hours of training it would take to become a masked vigilante. We are looking at a least 20 years for all of these to fall into place. And then once you're in the position, realistically, how much physical abuse could you put your body through and still function a day to day basis?
I think at one point growing up, we may have all dreamed (or maybe it was just the guys) of being a hero, sweeping the pretty girl off her feet and saving people from crime, one day at a time. Many argue saying, "that's what cops are for." But superheros generally don't have rules to follow; they are just more interested in preventing mass chaos (which is why they signed up to be a superhero in the first place). If I had all of those things required to do the job (including thousands of dollars), I think I would seriously consider becoming a superhero. It would be the ultimate way to give back selflessly, and not need to have anything come back in return for the service you provide. Even thrilling television shows like Dexter have taken the possibility of a noble man into consideration. Only for Dexter, a question of morals comes into play, even though he is killing criminals and evil doers who pray on the innocent. It is something that I find truly fascinating, which some would say doesn't sound normal. But others would stand up and applaud, because the world will always look for a hero.
No comments:
Post a Comment