Superheroes: Bad Role Models?

[Frank W. Baker]

Psychologists suggest that the notion of the virtuous comic book superhero has been distorted by blockbuster movies and action figures that promote violence. We beg to differ. Here are five superheroes that provide a counterpoint.

[Sean]

Here is an article about the negative effects of superheroes. It mentions Scott Pilgrim, Wolverine, Iron Man, and The Punisher. There are better superheroes to use as role models. Besides many LCS owners refuse to sell mature material to actual children when they're under the influence of comic characters. I'm not saying that superheroes don't have an impact on me; they do tend to, especially someone with the likes of Captain America or Storm. What would these characters do in real-life situations? The article, though, Frank, that you provided does tell us that the movie counterparts exaggerate the original comic character: less relatable and more action junkie and larger than life.

[Suzanne Lustie]

I had to sort this through when I first taught the hero myth (comics / graphic novels aside). I always started with a discussion that a hero could follow the archetype without being a role model. Look at Odysseus, he was unfaithful to Penelope and not a nice person in many respects yet he is considered a hero, he fits the archetype. For me it was important to not use the idea of hero and role model interchangeably.
I guess we all have words or concepts that just stick cross wise in our thoughts.
Suzanne

[Sean]

Exactly. I'm pretty sure nearly every "classic" book would have a psychological effect on a child, which is why we look at the choices they make (like Sassy Gay Friend telling Juliet, "Look at Your Life; look at the choices you made").

[Russ Weems]

What they are not acknowledging in this article, first of all, is that, like books and movies, is that you are comparing apples and oranges when you compare movies to comic books. Movies are a much more visceral medium than comics, which isn't as apparent since comics have pictures. However, more akin to books, comics can spend more time on character. Since movies are so short in comparison to story coverage when compared to a long running comic, and since movies depend on action, even if they aren't "action" movies, you need to see and hear what's going on rather than spend time perusing the writing. Of course, movie versions of heroes will be more action oriented. The fact that some still do develop character well is amazing.

What I find funny about the article is that one of the examples they give for comic heroes comparison is The Incredibles, which is a movie creation, NOT a comic creation. Not a well researched report.