In Which the Ringmaster Considers an Icon

I've submerged myself in superheroes today. First I binged on nearly a dozen episodes of Justice League, then I read some classic comics, then I watched the new trailer for Superman.

Coincidentally, a buddy of mine told me that he'd heard that Marvel Comics is pitting heroes against heroes that support the U.S. government's new policy of requiring costumed adventurers to register with Homeland Security. Captain America leads a resistance force to prevent Spider Man from helping the bill pass.

It struck me that it's hard to find a 'classic' superhero story anymore. The black and white world of superheroes has become grey. Sometimes a hero will succumb to human passions and fall from grace (Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern,) or face real-world issues (Captain America vs. Columbian Drug Lords,) it has become harder to hold them up as paragons of what a righteous hero should be. Even Superman died and was reborn.

I write this as a reminder of what a super-hero is.

A superhero is a person that, despite the temptation to do the wrong thing will choose to do what is right.

I don't think super powers are necessary, I don't think that a costume is called for. All it takes is a little integrity and a sense of duty to the world to set an example. When one person can be a superhero, I like to think that they can raise the standard of everyone around them. Perhaps they can inspire others to be heroes.

Why not just call them heroes? Call it a courtesy. Now, more than ever, it's possible to insulate ones self from the rest of humanity. To hide behind ipods and computer screens, to talk on the cell phone to only the people you want to communicate with...they imprison us in our own personal bubbles, insulated from anyone or anything we don't want to hear or see. People that can break free and still be able to do the right thing without selfishness or greed are exceptional, above the norm. They are super.

Here's to the superheroes of the world. I believe in you!