Superheroes: Heroes and The Cult of the Celebrity

Heroes are superior beings doing good deeds without the intention of recognition from others. Celebrities are famous people who may do good deeds but often for their own image (Browne, 2005). Qualities of a hero include self-sacrifice, bravery, and kind (Murphy Jr, 2014). Being a celebrity means that you are famous and recognized among the majority of the world.

Although dubbed superheroes, I think some are more heroic than others. I believe Captain America and Batman are the most heroic popular superheroes. Captain America is heroic because he has demonstrated the stated qualities of self-sacrifice, bravery, and kindness. He wanted to join the army, but was denied because he was too small and fragile. He was approached to be part of an experiment that would allow him to gain those traits that he did not have to join the army (Marvel Database). In the Captain America movies, he shows these qualities time and time again. For example, in the second movie he sacrifices himself to save his friend Bucky (Russo & Russo, 2014). This is not only self-sacrifice but also bravery and kindness. Batman is heroic in that he dons no superpowers. He is a regular guy who is strong and smart. He fights crime for the safety of the citizens of Gotham, though sometimes he is a too violent. 

Superheroes that are celebrities are the most famous or widely-known. These include Spider-man, Superman, Batman, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Thor, and Hal Jordan, a.k.a Green Lantern (Petey_is_Spidey). The first three are by far the most famous although the rest are becoming more popular as movies are being made. In the movies both Spider-man and Iron Man enjoy the fame. Peter Parker, Spider-man, is a photographer for a newspaper who sets up a way to take pictures of himself as Spider-man when he is fighting crime (Raimi, 2002). Tony Stark, Iron Man, is a business man who has always enjoyed the high life. He has commented that he is self-obsessed (Favreau, 2008). Both of these superheroes provide witty comebacks which add to their celebrity persona.

References

Browne, R. B. (2005). Profiles of Popular Culture. Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America: The University of Wisconsin Press.

Favreau, J. (Director). (2008). Iron Man [Motion Picture]. Retrieved October 23, 2014, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Marvel Database. (n.d.). Capatin America (Steven Rogers). Retrieved October 17, 2014, from Marvel Database: http://marvel.wikia.com/Captain_America_(Steven_Rogers)

Murphy Jr, B. (2014, April 30). 5 Qualities of Incredibly Heroic Leaders. Retrieved October 23, 2014, from Inc.: http://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/5-qualities-of-incredibly-heroic-leaders.html

Petey_is_Spidey. (n.d.). Most Popular superheroes. Retrieved October 23, 2014, from Comic Vine: http://www.comicvine.com/profile/petey_is_spidey/lists/most-popular-superheroes/52049/

Raimi, S. (Director). (2002). Spider-Man [Motion Picture]. Retrieved October 23, 2014, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145487/?ref_=nv_sr_3

Russo, A., & Russo, J. (Directors). (2014). Captain America: The Winter Soldier [Motion Picture]. Retrieved October 23, 2014, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1843866/?ref_=nv_sr_4