WHY DO WE NEED SUPERHEROES?
I’m honored to have my friend Keith Walker as a guest writer today. Keith spent some time in Los Angeles as a director of development for a small production company as well as being a ghost writer on segments of scripts, freelance script reviewer, and also reviewed would be projects for Fox Television. He now is currently working on some hopeful TV and movie scripts. You might say Keith is scraping the bottom of the barrel these days as he helps me with a manuscript I’m currently working on, but the truth is, Keith is really just a great guy and God crossed our paths for a reason. Enjoy.
There is darkness in the world. Where ever there is good, it is a circle of light encroached by the darkness. The dark tries to collapse the circle. Superheroes keep the circle from collapse. Not because of their powers, but because of their ability to inspire.
I heard an interesting commentary on an NPR show out of Boston called “Fresh Air.” A film critic proposed that the latest Batman trilogy has achieved a sort of mythic status amongst the younger generation below forty years of age. The films have a resonance similar to the Kennedy assassination or the power of the Beatles or even 9/11 to galvanize a generation and create an identity. There was an implication that this was a misguided or anti-social reaction.
I disagree.
Superheroes (Batman in particular) strike a powerful chord because they succeed where ordinary people fail. It’s not just defeating the villain or saving the city. At the core of every hero is a foundation of sacrifice. The hero can make the hard choice consistently. They can endure pain, suffering, disappointment, etc. far longer than we ordinary folk can. That is what makes them great and something to aspire to — not to have their powers or fight their battles, but to have even a portion of their strength to endure our mortal trials.
Now we get to The Dark Knight. The concept of Batman can be captured in four scenes.
In the first film “Batman Begins” Commissioner Gordon meets Batman on the roof of the police precinct, the Bat Signal blazing for the first time against the night sky. Together they have saved Gotham City, and for the first time in memory, there is a sense of hope.
Commissioner Gordon: I never said thank you.
Batman: And, you’ll never have to.
The message of sacrifice begins.
In the second film “The Dark Knight” the Joker has caused so much chaos that surrender seems to be the only viable alternative to stop further carnage. Bruce Wayne (Batman) asks his loyal friend Alfred . . .
Bruce Wayne: What would you have me do?
Alfred: Endure. Be the outcast. Make the choice that no one else will face. The right
choice. Gotham needs you.
In “The Dark Knight Rises” Batman speaks to Catwoman before the final battle that will surely mean his death. She cannot understand why he would sacrifice himself after years of ridicule and hatred for his efforts. She says . . .
Catwoman: You don’t owe these people anymore. You’ve given them everything.
Batman: Not yet. Not everything.
Do you see the pattern? At every stage, the hero embraces sacrifice in the service of those he must protect. This is the siren call that draws us to such characters. Not the powers or the theatrics, but the unwavering role of the protector.
A person would have to be crazy to envy the life of a superhero. It is almost always a life of pain, loss and tragedy. The corollary to the Christian motif is plain. Take the story of Superman. His tale is directly Christ-like. The exiled child eventually becomes an Earth-bound god. After growing to manhood and searching for his purpose (substitute the Fortress of Solitude for the Garden of Gethsemane) Superman finally hears his celestial father’s words.
“They can be a great people, Kal-El. They wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. It is for this reason, above all — their capacity for — I have sent them you. My only Son.”
Contrast that statement with a line from the anti-hero graphic novel (and later film) Watchmen. The masked vigilante Rorschach stares down at the city from the rooftops and says, “The world will look up and shout save us, and I’ll whisper . . . no.”
The superhero never says no. What we envy and take courage from is their ability to never stop sacrificing. They never lay down their burdens at the expense of those they safeguard. They never put their needs before those they are supposed to protect.
I saw this failure when I was at the theater to see “The Dark Knight Rises.” I counted nine children who were too young to have the real-world violence planted in their heads. Their parents failed them. They weren’t strong enough to make the right choice.
We are the protectors of someone. We are all parents, husbands, wives, lovers, siblings or the children of our Elders. Whatever the role may be, we have a duty to protect. We will never be superheroes. But, imagine what we can be if we aspire to that level of vigilance.
A final line from the Batman films, a paraphrase.
“If you make yourself more than just a man, then you become something else entirely. A legend.”
We will not become legends. We will not save cities or the world. But, if we all forever struggle to make ourselves more what we are . . . then we will become better people. Better protectors and caretakers of those we love.
No costumes. No powers. Just better. The circle of light survives and just maybe the darkness is pushed back.
Diane
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 7:23 am
Keith, you have written a powerful message. Wow…
…that’s about the only thing I can say at the moment…
There truly is a deep message here. Thank you. I feel it in the core of my being.
And thank you, Floyd, for sharing your friend’s writing. Truly Deep has called unto deep.
Floyd
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 3:46 pm
Thanks Diane, those are kind words and I appreciate them on both of our behalf’s.
Dan Black
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 11:31 am
What a great post Keith. Anyone can bring positive change and leave a lasting legacy.
Floyd
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 3:47 pm
Well said Dan. Thanks for the reminder, we are called exactly to that.
Betty Draper
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 2:12 pm
Like this post Keith. YOu have pin pointed the core of a super heroe, to sacrifice himself for others. This is why the Jews in Christ day would not accept a super heroe who would not pull down the Romans. Heroes are all around us really…doing the unselfish acts on a daily basis. I know a few of those kinds of heroes, people who pour them selves out for the sake of others. They are not dressed a super heroes suit with a mask, that would get in their way of serving. They are not fighter for injustice but for the souls of men and woman all over the world. Occasionly God shoves one in the lime light usually by having their life taken for the cause of Christ. Brother I could go on and on at the anologies in this. But will close with…priase God I worship a heroe who wore a robe and now lives in my heart. He walks with me and talks with me and helps me through my day. He chose to wear this frail body as a tent to walk around in but someday we will drop this body and then we get a real super hero body, no mask though…Blessings
Floyd
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 3:49 pm
That sounds amazing Betty! What a revelation! We will be super natural heroes of God… Maybe we’ll get to wear a mask? Great insight Betty, thanks.
CodyJames
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 2:21 pm
Fantastic post Keith. That final paragraph sums up what we should all be fighting for – something better. “Live forever, or die in the attempt.” — Joseph Heller
Floyd
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 3:50 pm
Wow Cody. Deep. Who knew the gang of us misfits at the gym had such deep thoughts? Thanks man!
Jason Stasyszen
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 4:55 pm
Heroes sacrifice. If we hold onto our talents, love, compassion, money, or lives so as to selfishly gain, we cannot become the heroes He made us to be. We also can’t even get to the point of surrender without His grace. He has truly provided everything pertaining to life and godliness. Good word, Keith. Thank you.
Floyd
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 5:07 pm
Thanks for the input Jason, you always have such wise words of encouragement, they are a blessing.
Hazel Moon
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 7:21 pm
I think I might have made more of an impact on my children if I wore a costume!
🙂 There is criticizm for super hero’s but we need them whether they be our teachers, pastor, leaders in government (hemmmmm) or what ever. We could use some super heros in government 🙂
Floyd
Friday, August 10, 2012 @ 8:09 pm
Amen to that Hazel! We could definitely use some super heroes in government. It used to be about sacrifice, now they vote for what will keep them in office long enough to become rich… Their pockets fill up and their soul drains out the bottom of their shoes…
Andrew Ronzino
Saturday, August 11, 2012 @ 1:23 pm
Wow! Very well written! I really like the Superman quote you include. I love Superman, and often drew strength from his character, and have seen him as a type for Christ.
Floyd
Saturday, August 11, 2012 @ 5:47 pm
Good stuff Andrew. I recognize that last name! Your mom is amazing, what a blessing for you! Thanks for stopping by!
Danelle
Saturday, August 11, 2012 @ 2:10 pm
Loved this. So true. We are all protectors of someone. May I wear my cape with the assurance that I am using all that I have to show all that I know God in me. 🙂 Love is always the superpower. 🙂
Floyd
Saturday, August 11, 2012 @ 5:50 pm
We are all superheroes for sure. In truth, as we get older I think it becomes more obvious. I want to be that superhero that sacrifices for love of others… Keith hit a home run with this one. Thanks Danelle!
Keith Walker
Sunday, August 12, 2012 @ 4:16 pm
Hello, All. Thank you for the kind words. And, thanks to Floyd for allowing me as a guest. Sometimes an understanding of something will catch fire within you, and it is good to try and explain it to yourself. Better still when that understanding has resonance for others. Thanks again. Best.
Floyd
Sunday, August 12, 2012 @ 6:33 pm
Thanks for sharing your talents here Keith. It was an honor to have you my friend!
Audra Krell
Monday, August 13, 2012 @ 4:50 pm
Thank you for hosting this great guest post Floyd! And thank you Keith for writing these much needed words. I’m inspired to be more of a light, because indeed, where there is light, there is much less darkness.
Floyd
Monday, August 13, 2012 @ 5:02 pm
Well said Audra. Darkness is the absence of light.
Nancy
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 @ 9:45 am
Loved it! You got me on a roll of thoughts!
It is the putting on of Christ and the putting off of self. Ephesians 6:11 directs us to, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
In ourselves we can do nothing, but energized from above, and with weapons of righteousness ( sword of the Spirit, helmet of Salvation, belt of Truth, Shoes of Peace etc.)
it appears that God does expect us to enter into the fight! Once we are in the Kingdom, we ARE involved. The step of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord, but it’s up to us to check in for our orders.
We are instructed to walk as He walked. Do as He did. Lay down our lives. Paul said that he died daily. It is the great exchange. We lay down our wants, hopes and desires, and trust that HE will restore to us what we need to live the life He ordained. We look to Him, the Author and Finisher of our Faith.
For us, there is a Hope; a final reward when Jesus is The One – our Super Hero to whom we give our allegiance! Thanks for a stimulating post! Thanks Floyd for sharing it.