Part two however, is just a more brazen commentary on heroes in general and how they have certainly had a massive effect on me over my lifetime. I think that the concept of what a hero is would appear to be surfing high on a crest of a wave of popular culture. The concepts are ancient but the general uniformity of how they are being embraced is still in ascendency.
Fancy words, but what does it actually mean?
I think if I cast my mind back and delve into the murky waters (some would argue, cesspool) of my past - the embracing and emulation of larger than life heroes was at best kept at arms lengths, at worse, frowned upon. I'm talking predominantly of the 'Super Hero' genre. It seemed to be okay to want to emulate Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sly Stallone blowing up Germans/Terrorists/Robots/Aliens but if you wanted to dress up like Spider-man and not kill anyone then you were viewed as a maladjusted child with especially appalling taste in clothes.
Super Hero worship was the realm of geeks and nerds and if I'm brutally honest, I still don't understand why. I have been pleased to watch that as the past decades have rolled by there has been not just acceptance of this type of hero, but an embracing of it.
Why should I care so much? Does its acceptance somehow justify a childhood of persecution and hiding the fact you think that the buff men in spandex are really cool? Well, I suppose it does a little... but it's much deeper than that. The hero concept is one that has actually guided my through life, something that has inspired me, motivated me to act in a certain way.
Now I want to draw a line under this point very quickly - I don't think or see myself as any kind of a hero. No way, but I have tried to carve out my own path through interpretations of what I have read and seen on page and celluloid and apply them to my behaviour and principles in life.
I think an example is best suited here. One of the most powerful lines I have ever absorbed was written in Garth Ennis' 'The Preacher.' This run of comic books is renowned for it's extreme violence, debauched depictions of sexual preferences as well as an incredible satire of modern religious beliefs. The whole run is powerful, shocking and brutal. Just like real life. The words are below, spoken to the Hero, Jessie Custer by his dad during a heartfelt moment in a flashback scene.
Thank you Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon!
For years those lines have rattled through my skull and soul and they will be the exact words I tell my little boy when he is old enough to grasp the weight of their meaning. These words shape Custer and they have shaped me. Moments with true impact and resonance are few and far between in any type of media. When they surface, wherever you find them, they should be remembered for times where strength might feel lost and hope is needed. I have also found inspiration through the more classic superhero avenues. The Spider-man maxim 'With great power, comes great responsibility' has become somewhat of a cliché these days. However, it was a motto I grew up with and I believe I understood its complexities at a relatively young age. Another sage piece of advice to pass on.
I found growing up there was escapism and yet a true source of power with these characters. If you could look deep enough you'd always find connections you could apply in real life. These characters have helped keep things in perspective for me. Sure, they aren't real but that doesn't stop their exploits having meaning. The themes that run throughout are sometimes much clearer to see when set against the background of super heroics. Most people will have particular standout characters that they recognise with more than others. I know I do. Trust me, you've not had a bad day until you've read anything that's happened to Matt Murdock (aka Daredevil) in the past 20 years.
Trust me, this is actually doing 'okay' for Daredevil...
The Japanese Manga (comics) and anime (animation) are another source of hero worship for me. A great part of the most famous and popular examples all have a very similar set of particular themes. Most notably, the overlying principle that protection is paramount. Dragonball Z, Naruto, Bleach and even the legendary Fist of the North Star all have characters who marshal their strength and overcome incredible odds for the sake of protecting others. A basic heroic tenement? Yes. But not nearly as well emphasised in Western culture as it is with the Japanese heroes. The protection of others is sacred... and that message has been so strong I have found it has permeated my way of thinking too. So much so I will go to incredible lengths to protect those I care about. This is something I'm very proud to say I try and fulfil - whether I always succeed is a totally different matter.
I am well aware that there is an indulgence in this type of hero worship. There are 'true' heroes out there, everyday doing things that flabbergast me. Some genuinely leave me awestruck and similarly make me hope that should I ever find myself in their situations I could act even a modicum of the courage, dignity and decorum as they. A few I find myself tempted to name, such is their effect on me, but that is not the nature of this blog.
It's about finding strength through an unlikely source of inspiration. People find themselves scared much more frequently than they'd like to admit. Fear creeps in and if we let it truly take hold and absorb us it can have life altering effects. Not just on grand scales but in increments too. We have no idea of the fears faced by people all the time, the strength and courage needed to challenge what the next day has in store for us. Whether it's a job interview or that next dreaded doctors appointment there is always that fear of uncertainty. Most people swallow these fears and the rest of us continue oblivious to any pain caused to the souls that are suffering.
I'm not preaching that I'm some sort of fear guru and emulating a few superheroes will enable you to conquer all concerns and live happily ever after. I have been afraid though. I have been scared past the boundaries of sense. As Mark Tremonti sings 'So you're afraid.' If you aren't scared once in a while, how is it possible to be brave? Close family and friends are invaluable too, but sometimes that inner strength needs a little internal kick-starting that can only be done by the individual.
I've no doubt that this next confession will split the readers of this blog somewhat:
There have been times, even in adult life, I have found myself facing unhappy, difficult situations and I have genuinely internally asked this question:
'What would Optimus Prime do?'
Usually the ridiculousness of this question is alone enough to get me through whatever troubles I might be having because the answer is usually that he'd say something wise and awesome like 'Freedom is the right of sentient beings' and then stomp all over the bad guys in a way that pretty much puts every other hero to shame. Ever. Easy when your a 30ft tall alien robot. Still, he was always the consummate hero to me and still inspires me when I find myself searching for courage.
Optimus Prime proving that fear isn't an option if you can be wise AND pose awesomely.
Any fanboys reading want to see how this particular fight finished - scroll down.
It's not all just dealing with fear and being strong physically. Occasionally these heroes provide relationships that unlike many films and books these days, are extremely complicated and rarely have the statutory happy ending that also proves so elusive in reality. Some in particular are so captivating and enchanting that they become similar to modern day fairy tales. Clark Kent and Lois Lane, Wolverine and Jean Grey, Batman and the Joker (Seriously, google the theory - it makes perfect sense). They encapsulate the trials and tribulations we face daily and it's very rare we get an Eastenders level of baseness applied. There are lasting repercussions and heart wrenching losses but there is again a level on which people can connect. It's the emotional aspects of Super Heroes that has come on furthest in recent years with the influx of very good Hero filmography. Motion pictures like Thor and Iron Man have successfully shown romance without it just being boiled down to rescuing a damsel in distress time and time again (The X-Men movies where also excellent at redressing the status quo among the sexes, with some incredibly empowered female characters - and don't get me started on Hit-Girl from Kick Ass!)
Jean Grey and Wolverine... the most tortured, star crossed lovers in recent comic history?
To bring this blog full circle, it is a genuine pleasure to see so many heroes of mine now being accepted and being able to deliver the same messages to a much wider audience. It's a thrill to see no one complaining that Batman runs round looking like an armoured condom... just that Ben Affleck should not be wearing said protection.
This is just one small source that I feel lucky enough to draw inspiration from and would admit that for me this has been a case where looking outward has helped me see inward. I would definitely recommend taking the plunge and emotionally investing yourself in a hero or two.
Thanks again for reading!
In your face!
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