Our fascination with comic superheroes is time-tested. Why do we continue to relate to them?

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Y! Answers staff note: This is the real John Woo!
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Answer 1

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I think it is partly because we are looking for beings that are good and more powerful than we are to protect us from the big bad guys whom we can't fight on our own. Human beings have always liked myths and pantheons of gods and tales of heros. Think of the stories of the Arabian Nights, and the tales of miracles and prophets and things.

Each hero has his or her own appeal. Teenagers could relate to Spider Man because he was a teenager with problems just like them. Everybody who has ever been bullied by some tough guy in a dark alley wants Batman do come and beat him up and hold them and take them away from it all. Who has not wished to be Superman, a man above all other men? Or Wonder Woman, for the ladies.

Comic book writers (good ones) work with the themes their audience wants. In World War II, there were a lot of patriotic heros. I the 70's, Green Arrow and Green Lantern tackled the problems of drug abuse and racism. In later days, some wrirters invented a whole pseduo 'civil rights' theme around supposed 'mutants'.

But there's more. As American civilization had fallen away from traditional religion, we are looking for powerful moral figures who are above us, who will come to rescue us when we need them. When Jimmy and Lois are saying "Where are you, Superman? We need your help!", are they not praying in the most essential sense of the word...? Check out a book called The Gospel According to Superman (I forget the author, but you can find it on line.) And what goes for Superman goes for many other heros as well.

Then there are the anti-heros, not bad guys but flawed good guys, for flawed people, who think that because they themselves are not perfect that there could be no perfect super heroes, either. Hulk, Wolverine, Daredevil, there are lots of them. People tend to read about heros they can identify with.

These are just a few of the reasons.

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Answer 2

Many of them are just like us. Take Spider-Man for example, he is a poor geek from Queens who has girl problems. Rogue from the X-Men wants to touch someone, but she cannot, and many teens feel like that. Wolverine is the Universal Solider (search Donovan for that reference). Daredevil is blind, but he can still see and fight better than we normal humans can. The Fantastic Four, they are a blended family who fights a lot, but in the end they go to the park and have fun playing football. The Hulk is what we all have deep down inside of us, our uncontrollable dark side... These characters have each and every one of us written all over them.

Answer 3

They're what we wish we could be

Answer 4

I think a part of us likes to believe or wished they existed. Imagine being able to call out "Superman help" when you are being mugged or something like that.

Answer 5

Most people get introduced to comics as a kid. Its very rare that adults start reading comic books, only after becoming an adult. In that young age, we let our imaginations run wild, and imagine what all we could have done if we had those powers. We would have rescued that neighbourhood girl, ( whome you had a crush on, but never got the guts to speak to ) from some goon, and earned her love. We desperately wanted to be like those heroes and have those powers.

As Adults, most of us, still cling to that childhood fascination. With todays special effects wizardry, we are able to bring to life and show practically anything we want to, including the powerful talents those super-heroes have. Seeing them come to life, excites the child in us.

Answer 6

Super Heroes are we are in embryo: heroes and villains. Time to create new Super Heroes. Can't wait to see Woo's Seven Bros. Kudos Virgin Comics!

Answer 7

Because they are being written by others our age and we see some of our same concerns being placed upon our favorite heroes. therefore, we are still reading the adventures of our heroes, no matter how old we get. Some things never go out of style.

Answer 8

Things never really change...time goes around in circles which is why things such as clothing, hair styles, diets, etc...keep popping up every few decades. Heroes have been around since David and Goliath. I think deep down we all need someone to help us look out for one another. Comics were popular in the 30's and 40's almost died out in the 50's, became popular again in the 60's & 70's, kind of died down again in the 80's and became popular again in the 90's. They crashed again in the 2000's but are slowly making a come back with series like the ULTIMATE AVENGERS. I highly recommend it.

Answer 9

they are examples of things that we can accomplish!

Answer 10

its a part of our time of hero's and innocense. the good guys aways won against evil. subconsciencely, we want to believe there are people out there who will save us from the worlds mess. it was a time of family and having something to believe in.

Answer 11

Hi John...Your Cool.

I beleive superheroes are the modern equivilent to Mythology as to the Greeks, Romans etc.

They hold this ability to overcome all manner of obstacle but at the same time are a social pariah, a sad existance that only another superhero can relate to.

I think it's this balance that brings them acceptance from an audience.....

Fuente(s):

I'm an animation art director...give me an email if you ever need my services.

Answer 12

It is our human tendency to believe that we are good people. We continue to see those heroes as ourselves.

Comic book heroes especially attract our attention because they have many problems of their own, they make mistakes, and they have feelings like us. Because of that, they are more "human" and more realistic. It tells us that it is okay to be flawed because so are heroes.

Also, in America's individualistic society, we believe that we are unique and special. We consciously and/or unconsciously put ourselves in the role of the hero.

Lastly, comic book stories have a way of drawing us in so that we care emotionally about the hero's well-being. Whether the hero falls or triumphs, we eagerly await the outcome.

Long live comic superheroes!

Answer 13

We all want to be something more.
They are us, In that sense.

Answer 14

Because society continues to strive for an escape from this Hellish existence called reality.

Answer 15

Simply because they are what we are looking for. We want someone who could save the planet with super natural powers. Someone who could fly and defend anyone in times of need.

Answer 16

It doesn't matter when in history, but we are always trying to escape reality.

Comic superheroes allow us to escape into a world where so much is possible. We can disassociate ourselves with reality and do or say things that our own cultures won't allow, imagine we have enhanced skills and knowledge....basically all things are possible.

We relate to them because there is a little bit of everyone in the comic's broad character.

Answer 17

In the part of world where i live...south asia...super heros are actually are like saviors for the people. Whenever childern read any comic and find a superhero, he/she wants to be like that to solve all the problems he/she have. and this feeling relives when he/she watches a movie based on that comic.

Answer 18

My Minority Report --

Not all of us do. I have no problem relating to protagonists in films, even larger than life heroes... but super heroes have never appealed to me. Mutant powers, radioactive spiders, lost sons from far galaxies... somehow I just can't suspend my disbelief that way. I think it has something to do with not seeming logically consistent, somehow 'not real'. Many of the films I have enjoyed are close enough comic book/super-hero that the division seems arbitrary and illogical. Maybe it is the costumes. Maybe it is inbred pseudo-intellectual snobbery (But I'm geeky enough in other ways that this doesn't really ring true.) Anyway, I know I am in the minority here, as almost ALL of my friends keep telling me, and box office receipts keep proving; but my thoughts on Comic Book Movies can be sound-bited as follows...

"Comic book films are doing to the film industry what Reality TV has done to Television."

That said, I have enjoyed many of your works... MI2, Face/off, Hard-boiled, the Killer, etc... Good luck with the current film!!!!

EDIT >> Actually, I'm looking forward to 'The Battle of Red Cliff'!

Answer 19

This has been noted before, tonnes of times - Super Heros are Archetypes and as such resonate with us on an unconsious level. Archetypes are like the blue print for patterns of behaviour, they are a single and simple in "purpose". When I say purpose, it's us that attach purpose to them as they are part of the deeper level of the psyche that responds to patterns and have no phyiscal manifestion other than what we act out or are drawn to.

The Hero archetype has always featured in every culture, in every aeon. Connected to this is The Quest which is the archetypal journey where the Hero is created, tested, abandoned and comes full circle. Add to this, the Villian who is a Shadow archetype, the opposite of the Hero. The anti-hero is still a Hero archetype, but of a contempory position. There are lots of other archetypes of course, The Mother, The Father, The Golden Child, The World Soul.... Explains why religions have similar features and how it can be so integrated into our culture, language and lives.

The reason these ancient stores require retelling is that we act out these actions while we hear them, we place ourselves in the roles and they make us comfortable with a world we can't control. Right and wrong are clear and there is justice. They assist us to balance our inner world with what's going on around outside us.

You see during times of social distress we turn to these stories more than usual, the same way others turn to religion or a charismatic leader (despite them being good or bad). It's just the way our minds work. It's part of how we are all able to relate to each other as there is a common set of "symbols" for us all to identify in each other and it activates our imaginations which can often feel disconnected in daily life.

In the end it's not escapism, it's tunning into something we all share and jumping on the ride of our psychological legacy.

Answer 20

Mr. Woo, there are plenty of great answers here, and each is valid in it's own right. What I have to add is this: Escapism. The "flight of fancy" appeal has been borne through other sources, such as Crime Noir, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and plenty of Action & Adventure tales in magazines and books, and given the added visual medium which is inherant in comic books, this definitely adds to the immediate accessibility of comic superheroes. The thought of accomplishing tasks deemed "impossible" in reality is a strong drive for plenty of people, males and females alike, and while it seems to have its base appeal in younger people and teens, the attraction has seemed to last with plenty of us in our later years. Comic superheroes are colorful; think of Superman's, Wonder Woman's and Spider-Man's costumes. Readers also can lend bits of their own imagination to the action and storylines, which I believe is an important factor; while comic books can seem like they are full of action, it is still a "static" medium for all intents and purposes, because the stories and heroes are illustrated and written on paper. Comic superheroes have reflected the times, as others have stated here, as well, and iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Capt. America, Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner have all "assisted" the U.S.A.'s propaganda and war bond efforts during WW2, for example, and the writers and artists constantly change the attitudes and stories of the characters to match the trends of readers' mindsets and even social events. We love comic superheroes because they reflect whom we wish we could really be had we the means to do the things these characters do: fly, pick up tanks with our bare hands, walk through walls, punch out a bad person, shoot fire, etc. To overcome incredible odds, because life gives us some challenges that are indeed difficult, and I implore you to visit with anyone who has a physical or mental challenge, and you will truly know what I mean. Families of our Armed Forces, who suffer every day, never knowing specifically what is happening with their loved ones far away, yet brave enough to sacrifice their time and love for the Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors to fight for our country, whether the cause is agreed or not; these are people who have to overcome overwhelming challenges. The list can go on and on, but there are plenty of reasons, which does have its true base in Mythology, whether it's from Greek, Viking, Chinese, or Celtic, there have been plenty of tales of fancy where the central character(s) accomplish something so impossible, the stories last. The simple appeal of a teenager acting out his desire to best all odds like Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man, to Batman, who's nature it is to use his taught skills as a fighter and whose status in society allows him to fulfill the role as a "savior" of his city, to the Incredible Hulk, who represents the unbridled anger we all wish we could release and perform the phsyical stunts he does; all of these superheroes represent the best of who we yearn to be and even the worse we can be, at times, and that is why we continue to relate to them, esp. given the worldwide struggles in reality. We need grand forms of escapism, and comic superheroes can and have provided it.

Answer 21

Because, in the end, they always win. We all want to win in the end.
They face every turmoil, but come out on top in the long run.
They are goals, idols, fixtures of hope. They achieve what we dream of. They are our future.

Answer 22

It's the archetype of the eternal hero (Joseph Campbell) the idea of the hero is deeply rooted in the human psyche, and represented perfectly and most varied in comic book superhero's...they don't get busted for steroid or other substance abuse ,,,they don't have multiple marriages and divorce...their powers / strengths are usually born out of some tragic misfortune....and from this they transcend the mundane daily human existance and usually get the girl, while simultaneously facing off fearlessly a force from the heart of darkness, so attractive in a man especially combined with the musculature of a Greek mythical god. What's not to love?Wow Xinis totally covered the idea of the hero thing. I disagree with the gal below on the "childish" comment I love the chldlike freedom I feel when experiencing these tales,,, I think it is because I had a son and have been viewing every one that has hit the BIG screen since he was born,1991. Also with this I believe that in our dreams we are the hero, we fly , we jump,bash, win! every battle is ours... I personally like the flying best...No I like the relationship I have with my boy from viewing all of these Batman,X-men, Superman,Hulk,Fantastic Four,Spidey movies They keep on coming and he knows I love them as much as him...I'll be some aged gal still wanting to see them on the big screen:)

Answer 23

The real always looks unreal... similarly, unreal looks real beacuse we hate what we have and we love what we don't.
We don't have unreal power so we love the superheroes.

Answer 24

I personally have no fascination with comic superheroes and find them immature and childish.

They continue to fascinate children who have imagination as the powers of comic superheroes are desirable to them.

Answer 25

On one level you have a nostagia thing going on, comic book collestors hoping to revisit their childhoods and the wealth of useless facts and plotlines they stored up in those childhoods.

On another level, you have kids who grew up collecting trading cards loaded with statitics which glamorized these characters as if they were real people. They are in it to see if you get it right.

On still another level, you have the new groups of children searching for diversion in an otherwise barren greveyard of rehashed stories and weak children's tales.

And then, there is the age old search for a hero that has permeated literature since it's earliest times. Odyseus, Sampson, Hercules, Achilles, they were all godlike heroes in their day and time. And then came Superman and Batman and a world of countless others to take their place.

Personally, I think the whole comic book industry is a bunch of sexually frustrated wannabes that found a way to make themselves feel strong, and handsome and verile while never actually doing anything heroic and never attempting to meet with a girl. You will notice that sex is toyed with in these books but never committed to. That could be that they are trying not to loose their key market, children, or it could be that they have no idea of what they write. At any rate, the question is there:"Why don't they have sex and create families?"

The "Incredibles" was Pixars attempt to deal with this question.

The answer to your question is all of the above and the fact that Hollywood is spoonfeading superheroes down our throat. They are using CGI to cut production costs and speed up delivery of sequel after sequel. It is quite sad, mind you, the lack of creativity in Hollywood. One movie is bad enough. Four and five is ridiculous.

If you want to test my theory, come out with the Odyssey, or A Tale of Two Cities, or Alice in Wonderland, blown up with computer graphics to the point that they resemble the big budget films like Cleopatra or Ben Hur, and see if they don't eclipse the comic book sequels. Or better yet, write something good and new and give it the same treatment and see if it doesn't take flight. You saw what happened with Lord of the Rings. They want the Hobbit now.

People are starved for good literature in films and all they get is comic books. That is perhaps the worst reason the fascination continues.

Answer 26

In the history of the world I dont think comic superheroes are time tested. Do you really?

Answer 27

because they seem to right the wrongs that we as "normal people" cant. Superheroes are the ones that we'd like to see take care of societies ills. We elect politicians to do that but they make things worse. or so it seems

Answer 28

many of us still relate to them while we was growning up as children ourselves and still look at them as our hero,s yet no matter how old we getwe still like our past reading comic books and the superhereo,s that was our favorite passtime and still look at them to save the world from crime and disater from evil villians yet no matter how old we get there is still a kid in us all those was the good days and still are keep up the good work it will never be forgotton . ?

Answer 29

Because there are similarities of them, within us and some of them we look up to in a strange way.

Answer 30

There is always the feeling that we could do more for the world if we had super strength.

Yet, we learned that even super heroes have limits and some problems may be impossilbe to solve.

Perhaps it is all a metaphor for life. You solve one problem to find another, endlessly

Answer 31

I think its a fantasy we all share and can relate. We all deep down want some kind of special super powers but in reality that doesn't exist. That's why it makes sense to portray superhero characters as normal beings like us especially the geeky kinda people. Luckily for us and thank you to brilliant Producers/Director such yourself Mr. John Woo we get the see these fantastic superheros come to life in movies and identify them as ourselves.