Superheroes: What America Needs Once Again

Why do we need superheros today? In a country where a 3 year old can pilot an ipad, unassisted, to her favorite episode of DORA (I've seen it happen), are superheros needed any longer? Can old, outdated, 1950's print media protagonists really appeal to the up and coming 'Generation Z'? I say, YES! We've always need superheros and always will need them.

Superheroes have been an important part of American history since their beginnings. They have fought against the Nazis, terrorism, bullying, and basically all the forces of evil. They have been upstanding as presidents, congressmen and women, senators, even mayors (in the comics at least). Superheros taught us things like having a moral code (Superman), breaking free from the shadows of your past (Batman), and working with what life throws your way (Spider Man). Superheros have been and continue to be inspirations. Whether it's Superman to a G. I. in WWII or the ipad generation of today, superheros make us root for right and cheer when wrong is brought to justice. 

Now, am I saying that all superheroes are good? No, we have our anti-heros: Punisher, Elektra, Deadpool, Sub-mariner, Rorschach, Spawn, and in some cases even Wolverine and Batman. Even with these, in most cases, they do good ... just going about it in the wrong way.
  
Sadly, these anti-heros are beginning to look like saints. Now gangster movies have been popular since the 40's and continue to climb in our culture. I'm not trying to bash on a good gang flick, but the rise in popularity has become a concern of mine. Movies in which the star is a drug dealer, a mafia boss, or a convict on the run may be entertaining, but what happens when generation Z starts idolising these 'heros' over the real ones. When these things start to reform our attitudes of good and bad, making cops the bad guys and the criminals the guys we cheer for, this is wrong.

Movies where an illegal lifestyle is promoted and glorified would include: The Godfather, Scarface, Goodfellas, Lord of War, Casino, Pulp Fiction, Gangs of New York, Public Enemies, Blow, Brooklyn's Finest, Brother, Gone in 60 Seconds, Bonnie and Clyde, and Sin City ... just to name a few. Let us not forget video games such as, grand theft auto (which is what initially prompted this article), Gang Life: Gang Wars, The Warriors, 50 cent: Blood on the Sand, Saints Row ... also ... just to name a few. 

I'm not even going to get into gangster music...

With all this negative influence it's refreshing to see Batman defeat Bane. It's good to see superman struggle with the death of Zod. It's good to see Loki dethroned! Stop cheering for the bad guy, America!

To sum up: in a year of Gangster Squad, Parker, Pain and Gain, and Identitiy Theift, it's good to see some Superman holding up a moral code and fighting for truth and justice. Did I like Superman? ... to be honest it wasn't my favorite ... but amid the other movies this year, Superman has never flown higher.