Comics need not be violent. Are they for children?
May 18, 2024 21:10:55 GMT -8
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Post by ruben on May 18, 2024 21:10:55 GMT -8
Special thanks to kav for introducing me to Otto Binder.
Here's a great place to start:
Legion of Super-Heroes: The Silver Age Vol 1
ISBN-13 9781401281571
It's not for everyone. Great for children.
The stories predate Marvel's revolution in realism. I would argue that you read about superheroes precisely to get away from reality and escape into fantasy.
How do you defeat a super villain?
Easy.
You don't become one yourself!
When children read these stories, they get exposed to good old fashioned values early. Simple values, but elusive nonetheless. No one is too young or too old.
Power is power whether in fantasy or in life. They say "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." I've observed this to be basically correct. But Superman/Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes are incorruptible! They use their super powers for the greater good not their own selfish aspirations. They make you hate the bad guys and provide vicarious relief when they stop them.
Power breeds bullies.
For the Legion of Super-Heroes abuse of power is unthinkable. For you and me it's irresistible. Otto Binder let's you experience in fantasy what you won't get in life and it makes you feel good.
In life, no one (usually) is all good or bad. But having bad guys, and good guys with the power to stop them, delivers clarity in water that's often muddy.
Courage. Loyalty. Friendly Camaraderie. Coping with setbacks that are disappointing. Persistence. Making tough decisions. Altruism. Self Sacrifice. Teamwork. Risking all to put a stop to evil. Kindness.
And of course: Justice.
No one is too young to start developing these, and everyone needs to be naive enough to pursue them. Demand them. If you have children I think you want them to read these comics. Ironically, surprisingly it's educational!
Isn't that the number one objection to Superman? He's naive. He's a "Boy Scout". I say nonsense. When I read Otto Binder, I feel like I'm watching "Leave it to Beaver" which like it or not was enormously popular in its day.
It's all clothed in the accoutrements of comic books of yesteryear. Traveling 1000 years into the future. Super Powers! of the most creative and comprehensive variety. Space Travel. Aliens. Monsters. Robots. Ray Guns. Futuristic Gadgets. The gadgets are my personal favorite. Some are unadulterated fantasy. Some are not nearly as good as the phone I'm holding in my hands right now!
The ideas don't get any more creative, like a ray that makes good people evil and vice versa. There are many. Applause for Mr Binder! He invented the most original (and silliest) gadgets, scenarios, powers and plots for his stories. But none of that matters. All children will be enchanted by the Legion of Super-Heroes whose sandbox is the universe and whose play is nothing less than super.
But here's the rub:
Real powerful people in the real world should behave less like children and embrace the "childish" values in these stories.
Sounds like I'm lecturing; comic books never talk down to you! Quite the opposite.
Though they're comic books, there's something wise and profound, and it's buried in so much silliness, if you blink you'll miss it.
Don't get me wrong. I love Batman. DC is at the top of their game when they make Superman and Batman good friends. Two superheroes who couldn't be more different but still work together.
Everyone knows Batman doesn't have super powers.
But Superman needs Batman to do those things he isn't capable of.
Here's a great place to start:
Legion of Super-Heroes: The Silver Age Vol 1
ISBN-13 9781401281571
It's not for everyone. Great for children.
The stories predate Marvel's revolution in realism. I would argue that you read about superheroes precisely to get away from reality and escape into fantasy.
How do you defeat a super villain?
Easy.
You don't become one yourself!
When children read these stories, they get exposed to good old fashioned values early. Simple values, but elusive nonetheless. No one is too young or too old.
Power is power whether in fantasy or in life. They say "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." I've observed this to be basically correct. But Superman/Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes are incorruptible! They use their super powers for the greater good not their own selfish aspirations. They make you hate the bad guys and provide vicarious relief when they stop them.
Power breeds bullies.
For the Legion of Super-Heroes abuse of power is unthinkable. For you and me it's irresistible. Otto Binder let's you experience in fantasy what you won't get in life and it makes you feel good.
In life, no one (usually) is all good or bad. But having bad guys, and good guys with the power to stop them, delivers clarity in water that's often muddy.
Courage. Loyalty. Friendly Camaraderie. Coping with setbacks that are disappointing. Persistence. Making tough decisions. Altruism. Self Sacrifice. Teamwork. Risking all to put a stop to evil. Kindness.
And of course: Justice.
No one is too young to start developing these, and everyone needs to be naive enough to pursue them. Demand them. If you have children I think you want them to read these comics. Ironically, surprisingly it's educational!
Isn't that the number one objection to Superman? He's naive. He's a "Boy Scout". I say nonsense. When I read Otto Binder, I feel like I'm watching "Leave it to Beaver" which like it or not was enormously popular in its day.
It's all clothed in the accoutrements of comic books of yesteryear. Traveling 1000 years into the future. Super Powers! of the most creative and comprehensive variety. Space Travel. Aliens. Monsters. Robots. Ray Guns. Futuristic Gadgets. The gadgets are my personal favorite. Some are unadulterated fantasy. Some are not nearly as good as the phone I'm holding in my hands right now!
The ideas don't get any more creative, like a ray that makes good people evil and vice versa. There are many. Applause for Mr Binder! He invented the most original (and silliest) gadgets, scenarios, powers and plots for his stories. But none of that matters. All children will be enchanted by the Legion of Super-Heroes whose sandbox is the universe and whose play is nothing less than super.
But here's the rub:
Real powerful people in the real world should behave less like children and embrace the "childish" values in these stories.
Sounds like I'm lecturing; comic books never talk down to you! Quite the opposite.
Though they're comic books, there's something wise and profound, and it's buried in so much silliness, if you blink you'll miss it.
Don't get me wrong. I love Batman. DC is at the top of their game when they make Superman and Batman good friends. Two superheroes who couldn't be more different but still work together.
Everyone knows Batman doesn't have super powers.
But Superman needs Batman to do those things he isn't capable of.
