Lately I have been wondering why I have such a strong infatuation with superheroes and and the comic book medium. I am always seeking to understand the various elements of my interests beyond their surface levels. So I pondered some questions and was determined to figure out what makes them so interesting. I am very intrigued by the nuances of the human experience. In comics, when you strip away the fantastical nature and focus on the characters, you find nuanced human experiences. Their talents and powers are closely related to who they are. They manifest in all kinds of different ways. There are so many characters in the world of the super capable. This variety means there is quite literally something for everyone as far as powers go. Credit must also be given to the writers of these stories. They paint the picture of human experience through fantasy and exceptionalism. A skilled writer and artist will convey intricate relationships through their words and illustrations. At its core, everyday human concepts are what is being dealt with. The characters are the vehicles that deliver those stories.

I see myself in the super heroes I read about. Obviously, I will never have these crazy super powers. Through understanding these characters however, I recognize that I too have some form of an exceptional capability. I am not be able to shoot lasers or teleport. My unique and singular attributes feel like having a power. They are special in their own way. The parts of me that make up the whole of me are the things to look at. It is how I think. It is how I create. It is how I respond. It is how I foster relationships. It covers a variety of aspects of myself.

 A very identifiable special ability that I see in comic book stories and in real life, is strength. Super heroes take on various battles and responsibilities every day. These tasks require obscene levels of strength and resiliency. I often find myself thinking that being a super hero character would be a very undesirable occupation to have. The job never ends. For every world ending catastrophe, there is another one waiting for them as soon as they finish. Looking at it from a different angle however, I can say the same thing about the human experience. Every day, regardless of the battles we have fought in the past, we encounter new challenges. We must continue to take them on. We have to continue the fight, to stand up for ourselves and for others. We fight for what is right, we fight for what is just, we fight to survive. Look at Captain America, the version that is Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson. Before he ever got the serum that made him super capable, Steve Rogers had a heart full of courage. That gave him exceptional ability. Sam Wilson is the same way. He does not have a special power that makes him different from the average man. However, his character and honor separate him. They wear the shield and the suit. They take up the mantle every day. They choose to be a voice for the people. He won’t ever be the strongest. However, if you asked the character themselves, he’d say he is capable of literally anything. The authors of these stories and the artist do an exceptional job conveying this through a printed media. 

The Inner Character

When I read the comics, I see myself in them. This connects me to the characters in these stories on a deeper level. I notice powers and attributes in the characters I enjoy reading about. These are the powers I would want for myself. It takes seeking a better understanding of self to identify the qualities in you that make you exceptional.

I consider myself someone whose thoughts, values, and understandings of the world guide my actions. A lot of the characters whose stories I enjoy reading have that same type of character quality. Here is a list of few characters I resonate with:

• Silver Surfer
• Vision
• Captain America (both versions)
• Luke Cage
• Daredevil
• Dr. Strange

Discoveries bring a sense of freedom and personal power. However, as any comic book reader knows, when handled incorrectly, certain discoveries can hinder you or others. The famous quote from Uncle Ben in Spider-Man states “with great power comes great responsibility”, that applies here too. When you discover what makes you a superhero, you find what resonates with you. You must then take up that mantle. It is up to you to grow and develop yourself into the best version of yourself. This is not the easiest thing to do. I can attest to this because I am always seeking to learn more about myself. I am always trying to harness my special abilities. I believe that if I want to resonate with those who are exceptional, I must ensure I become exceptional myself. I need to make myself stand out too. After all, these comic book stories came from the minds of every day people like myself. These people harnessed their personal powers. They conveyed them through big ideas in their stories and illustrations. As much as their comics are entertaining, to me they have always been motivational just the same.