Spider-man Sighting

And this is what happens when I learn something new and get to mess around with it.  Yes, there's no real point to this posting.  I was going to take it down, but I think I'll leave it for a while.

Scared of Clowns, Allergic to Rocks, and Other Heroic Flaws

Every hero has some type of flaw - a weakness that exists as a counterbalance to their superhuman powers.  Flawed heroes are common in literature.  The tradition dates back to ancient civilizations.  Achilles with his vulnerable heel is the most obvious example, but there are plenty of others.  Why is it that, as humans, we seem to have an inherent need to attribute flaws to our heroes?

In considering the comics that I enjoy most, I find myself drawn to the most flawed figures.  At the risk of turning the comments for this post into a literal stream of flame, I'll admit that I've never really been a big fan of Superman.  It's really for a simple reason: he's too perfect.  Think about it.  Superman's invulnerable (except to an ultra-rare rock), can fly, can move at supersonic speeds, possesses inhuman strength, has heat vision and x-ray vision (I wonder how many times he scorched a wall learning to change between the two), and, my personal favorite on the ridiculous factor, has super-breath.  I contend that Superman is what you would get if you asked a 6 year old to design a superhero.

Unfortunately, he does not handle criticism well.

So, now that I've had my mini-rant, what do I prefer?  There are a lot of answers, but I'd like to focus on one that I've really developed more respect for recently: Daredevil.

Seen here on a lunch break

For those of you unfamiliar with Matt Murdock (Daredevil), he was blinded as a child when radioactive material fell from a truck involved in a near-accident (which Matt helped to prevent) .  He lost his sight, but all of his other senses reached superhuman levels.  Daredevil has the most obvious flaw of any comic hero, but I think it serves to make him all the more intriguing.  I wonder if his ability to triumph over his adversity makes him more inspiring and/or understandable as an authentic character.

If you've ever read Daredevil with any consistency, you are aware that for some reason he's essentially Marvel Comics' tragic figure.  He's had little more than a constant stream of tragedies make up his backstory.  His father, an amateur boxer, was killed for not throwing a fight.  Every love interest he has had ends up either dead or insane.  His "secret" identity is common knowledge.  The most recent storyline in the current volume of Daredevil has him being slowly driven insane by a complex plot orchestrated by a villain that was supposedly killed.  The highlight of Daredevil's life was probably being blinded.

This should not be part of the high point of your life.

It seems like Daredevil's entire purpose is to suffer.  Somehow, though, that just makes him more interesting. What do you think?  Is the flawed hero better than a perfected one?  Do we need our heroes to have weaknesses?

If you're interested in reading any Daredevil, I highly recommend Ed Brubaker's work on the series, which can be found in graphic novel form.  The current incarnation of the comic, written by Mark Waid, is also quite engaging and can serve as a good jumping on point for those unfamiliar with Daredevil's history.  Finally, Frank Miller's early work on the series, specifically the "Born Again" storyline is considered to be some of the best of the comic, offering a retelling of Daredevil's origins and the basis of his war with his primary villain, the Kingpin.  Lastly, I would recommend the recent mini-series from Marvel, Daredevil: End of Days, which tells the story of Daredevil's death.  I'll be posting a review of this mini-series soon.

Mr. Wilson Teaches Literature

Marvel Comics has made an effort recently to bring some works of literature into the comic and graphic novel format.  Their renditions of portions The Wizard of Oz series (illustrated by Skottie Young) are just one example.

This blog post will not be discussing these efforts.  Instead, I'd rather look at another approach that Marvel took to classic literature: killing it.

Pictured Here: Killing It

In his mini-series, Deadpool Killustrated writer Cullen Bunn takes Deadpool (aka Wade Wilson), the regenerating, wise-cracking, fourth-wall-breaking mercenary out of the traditional Marvel universe and into what he dubs the "Ideaverse."  The essential premise follows on the heels of 2012's Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe.  After coming to the realization that he is (gasp!) a fictional character, Deadpool sets off through a variety of alternate universes in an attempt to completely end his constant cycle of dying and being reborn.  Upon discovering the Ideaverse, Deadpool becomes convinced that each of the classic literary characters that he encounters there is an archetype for the heroes and villains that populate the various Marvel universes.

As he sets about his quest to destroy existence, a small group of notable literary figures led by Sherlock Holmes sets about preventing the end of all ideas.

What I found most interesting in reading the series was the larger question that it raised about the significance of a life where death is simply temporary.  Marvel has at least two major characters that showcase regenerative powers, often to the point that they seem immortal.  But Deadpool Killustrated and Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe have taken a more philosophical approach (yes, I see the apparent irony in using Deadpool and philosophical in the same sentence).

Sure, you can read this series and simply enjoy the comic carnage.  However, you could also use it as a jumping off point for some significant discussion on life and death.  I, personally, enjoy having the more thoughtful content present, if I want to engage it.  I understand the implications that Bunn is pointing out in Deadpool's existential crisis.  I would have to agree that without permanence of death, life does lose meaning.

What do you think?

Fair warning, this comic is definitely not geared for children.  I have to at least pretend to be a responsible adult.

What're you waiting for?
Go get the comic!

Up, Up, and Away

So, here we go.  First of all, thanks.  You've taken the time to explore my blog, which you didn't have to do, so thanks.

If you've looked through my "about me" section you know what I'm all about and what I'll be doing in my own little corner of the web.  If you're looking to talk comics (or comic-related things), you're in the right place.  I'll be dropping in my thoughts on comics and trying desperately to keep it current.

Enjoy!