Do We Need a Superhero?

Do you know why comic book superheroes and action heroes are so popular? One reason is because we like to fantasize that we could have powers and fight the bad guys like Spider-Man, Captain America and even Superman (I'm not really a fan of Superman, but that is another issue). But another reason is we would like to think there could be someone out there protecting us, doing the things we only wish we could. Perhaps we kind of wish superheroes were real. In reality, I think the world could use a real superhero or two; someone like Spider-man or Captain America. Someone who would fight the evil that exists in the world, and give us hope that good does exist.I think Aunt May said it best in Spider-Man 2,

"And Lord knows, kids like Henry need a hero. Courageous, self-sacrificing people. Setting examples for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them how to hold on a second longer. I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams."

Those are pretty good lines. Now when I think about it, we have a hero like this in Jesus Christ. The only problem is He is not here physically right now. We have his example in the scriptures, and His words through modern prophets, but we do not see Him in the news fighting bad guys, you know?

I wonder what it would be like if superheroes did exist. I mean if Superman were real there would have been no 9/11, right? He could have swept in and caught the planes. Or if there were heroes like Captain America, he would have gone in and kicked some terrorist butt, right? But, then again, maybe we need tragedies like 9/11. These tragic experiences help us to grow in the end, we are strengthened through adversity and by overcoming them. I think that is why we like comic books so much, we enjoy watching these heroes overcome adversity and come out of the experiences stronger for having gone through it. It reminds us that we can do the same.

I wonder how we would treat people like superheroes in the real world. I mean, they wouldn't be able to run around in those cool costumes, would they? Would a guy in a leotard capture society's attention in the real world? Would someone in a costume really inflict fear in the hearts of bad people? I don't know.

How would people react to news stories of masked vigilantes fighting criminals, gangbangers, drug dealers, and terrorists? I wonder if in reality people would be afraid of them, hate them, or just think they were nutcases. That is how they are often viewed by the public in their fictional worlds. What do you think, how would we respond to a real world superhero? Probably arrest them. How would you respond to news of some person or organization out there fighting the bad guys like Batman or Spider-Man?

Here is something for fun: Create a real life superhero. What I mean is come up with a hero that could exist in the real world. He couldn't have real super powers like Spider-Man or Superman (Superman can barely exist in a fictional world he is so over the top poweriwse).I doubt he would swing around like Spider-Man or Batman, although I suppose he could have a cool souped up car. I suppose someone like Iron Man could exist to some extent. I doubt he could fly, but certainly a suit that offered protection and increased strength could be possible. Probably something more like War Machine, again minus the flying. So let's see what ideas you can come up with.

Also, who is your favorite super hero and why?