Comic Book hero's have always been, since they first appeared, people of immense human interest. That is not to say that comic book heroes have to be human. No, let's face it, the whole non-human thing, adds to the intrigue - just take superman. Looks human, but he is from another planet, Krypton. Thus he is an alien.

Comic book heroes have always been multi-layered. It is the duplicity of themselves, the whole, normal identity versus the secret identity, their day job versus they're office job, kind of mentality that has drawn audiences to their stories. So sure enough at some point in the comic book universe, your hero will have a weak moment, will be tempted to do something against the grain of what they always do. They may even - gasp - turn bad for a milli second or at least one issue. And what do we readers and fans of these 'vers's do? We get excited and intrigued and we buy into the story. Wanting more of this change, fueling our fascination for our hero's ability to change his moral code, along with appearance.

Let's face it, Comic book hero's have never been designed to be dull. What would the point in that be? They are about fantasy,the ultimate type of fantasy really, to be whatever they want to be whilst being what they were born/destined to be at the same time. Because Comic book heroes go dark, like batman, superman and others, does not mean they should automatically loose they're hero status.

No, because as human readers, we know what it is like to be fallible. To have overwhelming emotions. To feel the conflict of a situation. And so, we accept our hero's when they turn, usually, momentarily,for we BELIEVE in them. It does not mean they have turned into bad guys and left us, left the side of good. I still believe there are plenty of heroes in comic books. I mean, Buffy The Vampire Slayer just made a re-appearance this year! Total hero!

I don't think our heroes have gone anywhere.

I do not think the world of comic books would exist, could in fact exist if our heroes were taken out. They take breaks, they breakdown, but they still exist, it is more a case of how they exist. Weather they're human side, the secret identity consumes them or they're super heroes identity becomes them or is used against them. Our Heroes are still very prevalent, but like us, they are prone to moments of emotion which defines them, not always the way a 'traditional' hero can be defined.

Learn more about this author, Tricia Van Der-Kuyp.
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