The Superhero Effect: Idealism and Stereotypes in Comic Books

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In our society, certain ideals are held in high regard. Individuals relentlessly pursue these ideals to achieve a perceived perfection. These principles are often depicted in media that further glorifies and establishes a desire to pursue these paragons. In a medium such as comic books, however, these standards and perceptions are heavily distorted by the characterizations and settings. Particularly, the superhero genre absorbs the ideals we strive towards and regurgitates them in an extreme and unrealistic manner. The superhero genre is often reflective of societal changes in ideas and morals. These ideals are then molded into misleading representations that influence the behaviors of viewers. Comic books absorb elements of our society and transform them. For example, as the enemies of America change, so do the enemies of our superheroes. However, the enemies are transformed into supervillains that are extremely dark and villainous. Such characterizations cloud people’s understanding of real threats and enemies affecting our society. Also, to cater to the value that American society places on intelligence, attractiveness, and physical strength, comic books create characters that epitomize these characteristics. Though the represent society’s ideals, these characters manipulate the ideas and convey them back to the audience in an unrecognizable manner. In developing such distorted representations, the superhero genre affects human behavior and perceptions of these ideals.
Idealism shown in comic books is a fruit of human perceptions and values. Society provides the material on which our superheroes and their enemies are based. Our perceptions of ideal figures are what drive their characterization and impact how we respond to them...

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Robinson, Wills. "Not Quite a Whizz in a Phone Box: Superman Fan Has 19 Surgeries over 16 Years to Look like His Favorite Comic Book Hero." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 09 Sept. 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2014. .
Rʼnžička, Jiří G. "American Superheroes And The Politics Of Good And Evil." New Presence: The Prague Journal Of Central European Affairs 12.2 (2010): 46-48. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Apr. 2014.
Siddiqui, Abdul. "DC Comics Fires Top Female Writer For Refusing to Comply with Company's Sexism." PolicyMic. N.p., 14 Dec. 2012. Web. 01 Apr. 2014. .

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