What's Up with Christians & Superheroes?

[cyn]

Everywhere the promo materials for League of Suerheroes (Steve Rice's sci-fi superhero novel) has gone, people have shown interest.

People like the cover and love the concept. Of course, these are people interested in Christian fiction in general and spec-fic specifically, so maybe it isn't such a big deal.

ANYHOW . . . yesterday I received notice that FIRST WildCard would tour League of Superheroes in November. Within minutes of the Yahoo group post, I began to receive requests for the book . . . and the flow didn't let off until bedtime. This a.m. I opened my email to . . . more requests.

Why such an interest in superheroes? Can anyone explain this?

c

[ansric]

At least these days, I suppose that people feel powerless and would like to have the power to make a difference. Or at least they would like to be special in some undeniable way. Tom Reilly, the narrator of _The League of Superheroes_, says that he wanted to be a superhero to escape his boring life, but he soon becomes afraid that his life will never be boring and normal again. It's a lonely life.

I hope people aren't expecting a lot of mindless violence. The story is mostly about the boys themselves becoming men and helping a new friend truly get in touch with her humanity. (In case anyone wonders, the "normal" superhero stuff, such as foiling a kidnapping and intervening in a hostage situation, doesn't begin in earnest until the third installment, though it's pretty steady thereafter.)

[Caprice]

When have superheroes ever NOT been big? They keep making Spider-Man and Batman movies. How many times have they done Superman? Fantastic Four. Hulk. X-men. Hancock. It's debatable whether Harry Potter is in this category too. Yeah, you need a wand, but does that really change the idea? It's innate. It's powerful. Who wouldn't LOVE to be able to do magic or ride flying brooms?

I'd think the hard thing for writers is coming up with new or unique powers that haven't been done yet and/or powers that are cool enough to covet, but limited enough for conflict (i.e. if there was no Kryptonite, Superman would be invicible, so what would be the point?)

[cathikin]

I don't find it surprising at all. Our real-life heroes disappoint us so flagrantly, and people--adults as well as kids--need 'heroes' or role-models to follow. Paul in the Bible actually invited people to follow his example. I think that today it seems more and more like a person has to be a 'super'hero to avoid the pitfalls that so many have fallen into. Even in the Christian community, so many of those who we have believed were living lives close to God have let us down. Of course, the only real superhero is Jesus, the only one without sin or corruption. But there should be some people out there that can stand a bit better against corruption and FOR the values of Christ better than I have seen in our leaders recently. The hunger to see someone stand against evil goes beyond the child's thrills over Spiderman or Batman. We love the cool gadgets, for sure, but we want to see someone that will get up and keep going no matter what the odds. We like to see a character with humanity, that we can actually relate to somewhat, but one that will overcome in the end. As Christians, we particularly want to see the characters overcome because of their reliance on and belief in Jesus.