A Random Nightly Thought: Superheroes, Idealistic or Classist Propaganda

I have a friend who is very insightful and intelligent who once told me that she didn't like Superhero comics in general because she thought that they were classist. They were upholding the status quo, which means that the people in power stay in power, while the people below stay below. And she felt that the whole movement had its roots in old classist notions of heroes who were "born better" than the ordinary man.

It's an interesting perspective, really. Personally, I've always felt it to mean something different. The appeal of the superhero to me, has always been that most of these people are relatively ordinary and identifiable but have found something about themselves that's exceptional, that they are able to channel in a way to help their fellow beings. Whether it's because they're powerful aliens, born with nifty powers,have had something happen to them...whether it's because of something many people have: intelligence, imagination, altruism, blind faith. I've always thought that the varied kinds of Superheroes really represented how everyone had their own unique gifts that could be used to somehow make the world better.

My friend resents the idea that the heroes are presented in a way that emphasizes some sort of inner nobility and self-sacrifice. I have to admit, I can't really present her argument properly because I've never been able to see why these attributes *shouldn't* be considered admirable.. Unless, perhaps what she resents is that perhaps the hero archetype presents the notion that it is admirable to sacrifice one's own individual needs for some sort of governmental ideal (truth, justice and the American Way!) or a charismatic individual's goals (see Professor Xavier). I should really ask her to write about it formally some time so I can link to it.

I'm not really posting this to argue one way or another, but it is an interesting point of view. Especially since, I personally, have always been of the idea that superheroes were the ultimate symbols of freedom and transcendence. I've never been particularly sensitive to propaganda and I can be a little easily influenced.

In the end it probably doesn't matter, entertaining characters and stories are entertaining characters and stories.

But it's still a fairly interesting thought to play with late at night when I should be asleep...