|
Four years ago I wrote an article about how I believed the idea and potential of heroes
were returning. I do still think it's happening, but it's moving very slowly. I wasn't sure
why it was moving so slowly, but I think I have a better grip on it now. There haven't been
many heroes that people could identify with. In comics, on the Marvel side, we've had the
continuing evolution of the Thunderbolts, but that has been countered with the self-destruction
of the New Warriors' values and the occurrences of Civil War in general. Over in the DC camp
we have the events of Identity Crisis and Infinite Crisis tearing apart the concept what a hero
is. So, when what I would consider to be the modern age's bastion of the concept of heroes (sure,
they wear tights some times) isn't even sure of what one is, or plays with our concept of what one
is, where do we turn?
Amazingly enough it seems as though television may be the place to look. While I could say there are a few shows to look at there is only one that sticks out to me, and it seems others are noticing. That show, of course, is Heroes. Luckily for us (the comic community) a gentleman named Jeph Loeb is involved with the show. He's actually been involved with a few shows dealing with the concept of a hero, but this one is standing out. The concept of comic book superheroes has also been incorporated into the show. I mean, when you find you have superhuman abilities where are you going to look for examples of how people dealt with the same thing?
I won't go into detail about the show as I believe one must see how it evolves on their own.
I will say though that it strikes me a bit like Freshman meet's John Woo's 7 Brothers.
I am very hopeful that there will be a tie-in by a comic company to Heroes. I mean, if they can do it for "Who Wants to be a Superhero?" they can do it for a show that's actually getting ratings, right?
I've been waiting for a while for some kind of connection to the mainstream media to pop-up again for people to go "seeking" comics. Sure, we've had a few major motion pictures that have come along, but they aren't enough for people to come into the world of comics since doing so would require a fair amount of work to familiarize themselves with comic continuity. Heroes could change that if comic companies were to take advantage of the season break and produce some actual comic stories about that world. Personally I wish there was a way that the comic companies could come to some kind of understanding where at least DC and Marvel (maybe Image) could split the use of the property, but I just don't think that's likely to happen. Oh, and the reason I don't mention other companies is that while I realize many of them do a better job handling television and movie properties, most of them aren't available in the markets DC and Marvel are.
If you haven't seen Heroes, please take a look at it. You can see it on ABC, Sci-Fi and watch older episodes on ABC.com, not to mention that if you're actually internet savvy I'm sure you can find someplace to access the episodes. Then, if you find others are interested in it use it as an opportunity to welcome them to the world of heroes you're used to, but please have some good recommendations ready (there aren't a lot right now in my opinion). I think things may become better for those in the comic industry if Heroes continues to pull in viewers, but I believe a lot of that hinges on what the journey of those heroes looks like.
|