By NATALIE SACKET
Feature Editor
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Superman! Friday is National Comic Book Day. With this day, superheroes will come “Hulk-smashing” into the limelight.
Superheroes have intrigued and delighted audiences for decades, with Batman being born to the comic book world in 1938 and Superman also in 1938. Heroes like these two muscular, mysterious crime-fighters have remained an essential part of pop culture since their creation. In past years, this has been particularly evident, with the revamp of Marvel classics in the Avengers series, and DC Comics joining the hero hysteria.
With a day like National Comic Book Day, the influences of both fictional and real heroes are brought to mind, whether that influence is using spidey-senses to inspire young children, or serving others in the community. You don’t need a cape to be someone’s hero.
The idea of a hero has changed throughout the centuries. From gladiator, to knight, to Western cowboy, to men that can fly in stretchy tights, our perceptions of the ideal superhero has modified with our culture. We tend to revere these fictional characters, yet often forget the respect that our modern, tangible heroes truly deserve.
Being a hero means one must face adversity with strength and courage. A hero must commit to self-sacrifice and maintain a belief in some greater good.
One doesn’t require super strength to be strong against the challenge. One does not need X-ray vision to see a better future that can be obtained. One does not need to shoot fireballs to be able to brighten the life of another. One does not need the ability to fly to help someone soar. One does not need superhuman speed to rush in and save another’s life.
There are examples of heroes all throughout our society. Teachers use their patience, intelligence, and caring attitude to shape young minds. Police use their strength, determination, and willingness to risk their lives to protect our communities.
Our military have the strength and courage to live extraordinarily perilous lives in an effort to protect our lives and our freedoms from the villains of the world. Farmers use their ability to create new life to feed nations.
All around us are hidden superheroes, using their superhuman powers of caring for others to better this world. They might not wear stretchy tights or have fancy gadgets or capes or have perfectly defined muscles.
Superheroes are pretty awesome, but I think our real heroes are the ones who truly deserve the utmost respect. So go watch a superhero movie or read some comics on National Comic Day, but don’t forget about the modern heroes who deserve our thanks.