They're sometimes faster than a speeding bullet, but they can also be mild-mannered reporters. They can be hulking, green behemoths, or lightning-fast speedsters, but they can also be billionaires and forensic scientists. There's a lot that we can learn from this nerdy subject, and whether it's the typical Lois-Lane-in-peril, damsel-in-distress shtick or an explosion-packed Avengers movies, boundless amounts of material exists that we can dissect. So what can we learn from superheroes?
1. "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility."
This quote comes from the first Spiderman movie, the one with Tobey McGuire. Uncle Ben says this to Peter before he dies, and it makes sense. Of course, it is really just a nod to Peter, who is about to misuse his powers in the pursuit of winning money, and it becomes a guideline for him while he fights crime in New York (just like every other MARVEL hero). Think of the President of the United States or anyone in a government position. With that power, a tremendous amount of responsibility is thrust upon the shoulders of someone taking office alongside tremendous power, not that the President or governors usually keep the responsibility aspect of it, but that's beside the point.
2. Anger Can Be Good.
The hulk is pure, unrestricted, perpetual anger manifested into brute strength. Anger is a human reaction to what we perceive as a threat. We are taught that anger is bad, and acting rashly in anger is, but anger can be used for good. Anger is energy or at least a form of it, and like all energy, it can be redirected. Personally, I channel anger and any other emotions I may have into book writing. It is possible to transfer negative energy into productivity. The Hulk could just smash cities, but usually, he just smashes bad guys.
3. You Don't Have To Have Abnormal Abilities To Be A Hero.
. . . but you do need A LOT of money, very high intelligence, or both. In the case of Iron Man, Batman, Green Arrow, and Hawkeye, you definitely don't need to be anything abnormal. You can be a normal human-being and still be on the level of Hulk and Superman, at least if you have money, intelligence, and talent. All joking aside, these individuals show that it is entirely possible to bridge the gaps between the average and the above-average. It's entirely possible, in a track competition, for example, for someone average with enough determination and time to transcend someone genetically predisposed to be a talented runner.
4. No One Is Invulnerable.
From Superman, Supergirl, and the People of Steel, we can see that no matter how strong or powerful someone is or seems to be, he or she can be beaten. Superman is "invincible," super strong, super fast, can fly, and is solar powered, among other things, but despite his numerous abilities and his incredible power, it only takes a green, glowing rock to beat him. It doesn't matter how insurmountable a challenge may be; there is still a way to win. Switching to real-life for a second, David was a fourteen year-old shepherd when he fought against Goliath, a giant with expertise in killing and fighting. Everyone thought they were going to watch a massacre of both David and the Jews; however, God was with David, and he flung the rock from the slingshot, and in one shot, the giant fell.
Superheroes exemplify the best in us, and the desire to be heroic, but they also draw parallels to other events throughout history and many times highlight Biblical themes. Whether it's Batman with his endless gadgets or the Hulk and his endless strength, the superhero genre captivates millions of people and has done so for as long as comic books have existed. Although nerdy, they allow us to visually see how we could be something more than ourselves. Those are just a few things we can learn from superheroes.
