Superheroes have been around since the 1930s. Superman’s introduction to the world in “Action Comics No. 1” in 1938 sparked a revolution of superheroes that ever since, has expanded exponentially with Spider-Man, Batman, The Avengers, The Flash and countless more.
Blake Coker | Argonaut
But now in Hollywood, superheroes have seen resurgence in mainstream media. Comic Book movies are spreading like wildfire with huge blockbusters such as “Captain America: Civil War,” “Suicide Squad,” “Doctor Strange,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and dozens more.
The question then becomes, what makes superhero movies so popular and relevant in today’s culture?
Of course, superheroes have existed a long time, but now more than ever, their popularity has skyrocketed. It used to be derogatory to be called a “geek,” but now people flock to comic book conventions in droves.
There are several reasons for this. One, comic book movies are attracting big name actors like Ben Affleck, Benedict Cumberbatch, Will Smith and Margot Robbie. Recently, Academy Award winner Brie Larson was cast as Captain Marvel, making her the first Oscar winner to play a superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans of these powerhouse actors will no doubt line up to see whatever they’re in, and if it’s a comic book movie, those people will become fans of the material based on the film.
Not only that, but the advancements in digital technology have allowed filmmaker’s imaginations to catch up with them. Now, “Iron Man,” “The Thing” and “Doomsday” are feasible rather than impossible. This makes comic books, no matter how outlandish the storylines, ripe for cinema.
This abundance of resources also allows grander storytelling. Some see comic books as unintelligent, but the truth is that superheroes can tell more complex stories and reach a larger audience.
Take “Jessica Jones” for example. A series set in the Marvel Universe, and yet, it discussed serious issues such as rape, PTSD, abortion and LGBT rights. These topics were once taboo in mainstream media, and now a comic book show is tackling them.
The expanse of comic book stories is so large that virtually anything is possible to cover as a story now. Some have theorized that this is simply a fad that will fizzle out, but the world will always look up to superheroes. Ever since 1938, we’ve idolized men in capes and that is not likely to change anytime soon.
Bradley Burgess
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