We Don’t Need Superheroes!

Who doesn’t like superheroes? They swoop in and save the day, fight and triumph against all odds and look good while at it! It gives us hope and unites us as we cheer on those brave men and women. Of course, there’s the debate that never stops on who is the best superhero. I think this one is a taste issue more than anything else. Whether you like Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman, you like some superhero.

Never before (at least that I can recall) have superheroes been so celebrated. The biggest films in the last two or so years have been superhero driven with the most recent ‘Avengers’ taking it to a whole new level. Of course I was one of the many that cheered on as the heroes fought alien forces and saved the world and yes I did a little dance when I heard they would be doing it again with ‘Avengers 2′ on the way.

Sometimes, I wonder why there are so many superhero movies around and why they are doing so well. There are some obvious answers available like the entertainment factor and that we are already like these characters. Still, they’ve been churning them out of the ‘Adapted Concepts’ factory faster than Commissions are being set up in Kenya. Okay I lie, Kenya and its Commissions wins.

I have a theory. Indulge me. The world is not in the best shape. The recession tidal wave has taken out most of Europe and North America. Global Warming is making the weather more confusing than it already was leading to food insecurity, (as though we didn’t already have this problem) water issues (again, another problem we already had) and hurricanes. We may not be in the middle of World War III however, there is a lot of unrest in the world whether it’s triggered by austerity measures, politics, tribal or religious affiliations or plain greed.

I haven’t been in a war zone and I pray that I never am. However, I have seen humanity at its worst through the stories either on the news or from survivors of conflict. How can a grown man slash a four year old to death? How can people burn a church with women and children inside it? How can people throw a grenade into a place of worship? How can people in government steal funds meant for the sick and hungry? How can someone in power have people killed because they stand against corruption? How can governments suppress the people that have entrusted them with the sacred honour that is leadership? The list goes on. I am in awe of humanity but frightened of it in equal measure.

With all the negative portrayals of humanity, the idealistic creatives came up with a solution, an escape. Enter the superheroes. There aren’t just any ol’ heroes, they are Superheroes! They don’t have those pesky deficiencies of the mortal human being. They are super-fast, super strong, deflect bullets, and have laser beams coming out of their eyes, whirlwinds coming out of their mouths and these nifty force fields. All this and more is achieved while churning out the corniest lines ever written but it somehow works! They’re that awesome!

It’s understandable that people want an escape from the not so awesome reality. They want to believe that there’s a secret world agency called ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ (Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-Enforcement Division) that’s looking out for the world and fighting the bad guys for them. They want to believe that they’ll be a happy ending to the story where all the bad guys will be brought to justice. “Evil shall never triumph. Not under my watch!” their preferred superhero will say coming to their rescue.

Have we lost faith in humanity? Even the human heroes are portrayed as super human. They are shot at and blown up but do not die. Just take a look at James Bond. What is wrong with the regular Joe, the one you and I are? Is it because we are mortal? What is wrong with mortality? Shouldn’t we look at mortality as a reminder of our limited time on earth and purpose to use every moment wisely?

I believe in humanity with all its flaws and weaknesses for in them is its true strength shown. When a mother starves herself so her children can eat. When a friend sacrifices the little they have so their friend can fulfil their dreams. When strangers give to those in need. When neighbours risk their lives to pull their neighbour out of a burning house. These and many more examples show that humanity is not without heroic acts.

“No one should expect you to be a superhero because superheroes are cartoon characters and you are a real person.” The fantasy of superheroes is just that, a fantasy. Here in the real world, superheroes do not exist but you and I do and we can make a difference no matter how small. It may not be film or book worthy or even a CNN Heroes endeavour but as long as we are making a difference, we are doing our bit to save the world.