In 2015, domestic comic book sales in the United States topped $940 million. Lest you think all of this cash is generated from guy’s bank accounts, market research has shown that 46.67% of comic fans are women. With more comic material devoted and targeted directly to women - Marvel’s current Thor gal being a case in point - some see this as likely to increase even more. That said, the divergence from classic brands within Marvel and DC - all for sacred cow of 'diversity' - have not been met well. With few exceptions both male and female fans prefer the traditional, and yes, more complementarian in worldview superhero story lines.
With easy to follow story lines, natural scripting, and graphic illustrations of characters and scenes, it stands to reason that comic superheroes are a favourite with script-writers, producers, directors, actors, and fans. Some graphic novels that are not strictly-speaking a part of any superhero universe, such as Frank Miller and Dark Horse Comic’s 300, have successfully been portrayed in a unique almost identical frame by frame way on film. While this has not been done in quite the same way with live-action superhero films, the possibility is there and it is not uncommon to recognise certain scenes or frames as being directly inspired by a particular comic. Box office mojo has listed over 120 Superhero movies made since 1978, with combined earnings of $17,058,046,745. And things aren’t slowing down.
Comic book giants DC and Marvel will continue to go head to head in what I call the Supe-stakes with what is anticipated to be over 20 films set in their respective super-hero universes over the next four years. If the significance of this is still not appreciated, consider the presence of The Avengers, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War and the un-originally named Iron-Man 3 in the world-wide all time highest grossing movies top fifteen. There are over 20 superhero movies in the United States all time highest grossing domestic top 100 (and almost that in the worldwide top 100).
What is so attractive about super-hero stories? What draws people to them? What lessons can we learn from them? How do super hero stories illustrate mankind's nature, wants, needs, and emotions? Is there intended allegory in their stories?
I want to make some simple and hopefully thought provoking points that I will return to in more depth in upcoming posts.
Super heroes show us that:
1. There is absolute truth
Comic book giants DC and Marvel will continue to go head to head in what I call the Supe-stakes with what is anticipated to be over 20 films set in their respective super-hero universes over the next four years. If the significance of this is still not appreciated, consider the presence of The Avengers, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War and the un-originally named Iron-Man 3 in the world-wide all time highest grossing movies top fifteen. There are over 20 superhero movies in the United States all time highest grossing domestic top 100 (and almost that in the worldwide top 100). What is so attractive about super-hero stories? What draws people to them? What lessons can we learn from them? How do super hero stories illustrate mankind's nature, wants, needs, and emotions? Is there intended allegory in their stories?
I want to make some simple and hopefully thought provoking points that I will return to in more depth in upcoming posts.
Super heroes show us that:
1. There is absolute truth
2. The world is in trouble
3. Mankind and Earth has value.
4. The greatest reflection of love is sacrifice
5. Super heroes tell us that they are sometimes not so super and not so heroic
6. Everyone, even super heroes must die
6. Everyone, even super heroes must die
7. We need something better than super heroes.
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