by Ryan Richards

Created on: October 16, 2009   Last Updated: October 17, 2009

The Justice League and The World Around Us

So recently I found myself without internet and cable. Like most North Americans, I was slowly dying a little inside without life's precious comforts. A friend saw that I was in need and let me borrow the first two seasons of Justice League Unlimited. As a comic book fan, I jumped at the chance to kill some time with some the DC Universe's finest. Little did I know that I was in for some life lessons as well. Not only has this cartoon provided me a great topic for an article, but a great bit of personal reflection into myself and the world around me as well.

JLU shows us that sometimes we must do things even when we don't want to do them or they might seem undo-able. Time and time again, we see the heroes on JLU do what's right, even when the right choice doesn't always benefit them. The heroes on the show sacrifice their own well-being for the greater good, but hey, these guys are superheroes, it's their job, right? This has, and probably always will be the basis for all heroes, super or not.

Why is that? The members of the Justice League are no different than anyone else; save for flight or super strength. The world truly would be a be a better place if everyone put aside their greed and egos. The League, like the human race is made up of many different personalities; the dark, often brooding Batman, the wise-cracking Flash, or even the ego-centric Booster Gold. All of them are able to come together for a common goal of helping others.

Just because we have children, jobs, our own lives; does that mean we are above helping others? Our attitudes these days suggest so. We sit idly by while millions go hungry, and have no place to live. Most of the programs we have to help those in need are too often run for personal gain, with little, often none of the donations going to the cause. There are homeless that use the money they get from begging to but drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of an uncaring society. Men make false promises to get what they want; which is usually a lot more than they need, and when asked to help someone else in need, they scoff and say "Sorry bud, can't help ya." Many people believe they are above helping the little guy, others only see the negatives and refuse to help.

We don't need to be heroic, all the world needs is a little consideration. If we thought of one another a little more, tried to understand each other a little, then maybe the world's problems could be solved without fear and destruction.

This is the reason the world needs more heroes, Super or not.

Learn more about this author, Ryan Richards.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.