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Health & Fitness

Top Ten Reasons to Love Comic Books & Superheroes

Boys will be boys. A case for comic books and superheroes. How I came to value the artwork, stories and creative opportunities provided by our friendly neighborhood superheroes.

A change in perspective often takes time.  For me, this change took many, many years!  Here are ten reasons to love comic books and superheroes!

I'm surrounded by boys. My husband, my child, the dog. All boys. I fondly refer to them as 'my boys', or 'the boys'. I encourage them to go out and experience.. father son time, male bonding time... at the dog park, Long Beach's 2nd Street and the... any... comic book store.

Being surrounded by boys in our household means that you will be surrounded by superheroes. A few of the moms I know have their favorite superheroes and yes, as a child, I read my share of Superman, Spiderman and Batman comics (along with Archie, Little Lulu, O.G. Whiz and Sad Sack). Wonder Woman was one of my regular programs to watch.  I LOVED Lynda Carter!

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However, I don't necessarily turn my head when I see a superhero movie poster or comic book store, and the look of confusion on my face is real when the powers and weaknesses of the various superhero characters are shared.

Still, the value of the comic book and superhero has been presented to me by the boys in different ways over time. Here I present some of those points:

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  • Comic books are filled with artwork. Galleries may be grand places to present a well known artist. Comic books are seen by more eyes than will make it to most galleries. Comic book artists are treasured by their readers. Fans will flock to comic book conventions for a chance to meet a comic book artist, get his/her signature and hope for an impromptu sketch to accompany that autograph. Some, like my boys, have treasured autograph books of sketches and signatures. 
  • Some comic book artists become big name artists! Several galleries and museums dedicate exhibits to comic book artists. We visited the Stan Sakai exhibit at the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo and Alex Ross, huge in the comic book industry, was recently featured at the Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, PA. Stan Sakai is the world-renowned creator of Usagi Yujimbo, a sword-wielding wandering Samurai rabbit. Alex Ross has drawn for Marvel, DC and independent labels, creating many iconic images of favorite superheroes.
  • Passion can lead to inspiration. When your superhero loving child or adult friend tells you – I just love the artwork! Believe it! My cynical side said... It's justification. You just like to read comic books... Admit it! Now, having lived in and around comic books for many years, my perspective has changed. Each comic book purchase can be an exposure to a new comic book artist, viewing of new work of an established artist. A child drawing his/her favorite superhero is being inspired by the subject matter. Some of these will be inspired to draw as adults. Perhaps as career artists, recreational artists or simply creative individuals.
  • It's not just art, it's the stories, too! You've seen them... kids playing together, dressing up in capes and engaging in superhero-play. Story development at work.
  • Dressing up is fun! Why wait for Halloween? Dressing for Halloween is one way that a large percentage of Americans participate in costuming and dress-up-play. At the San Diego Comicon, the Long Beach Comicon, Wondercon, Wizard World conventions, additional opportunities... excuses... justifications for... dress-up-play are offered. The adults who dress for these conventions often make their own costumes and make their own rubber masks, capes and muscle features.
  • Role Playing is fun, too! As long as you're dressing up, go ahead and learn the mannerisms of the personality... character.. that you are symbolizing. Relive that childhood fun!
  • Comic book fans support budding comic book artists.  While at the con, comic book fans will commission drawings from their favorite artists as well as with up-and-coming artists.
  • Language development.  There are significant language benefits to indulging in superheroes. Words like indomitable, perplex, outwit, probability, invulnerability, impervious, quintessence, exploit, weakness are put into daily use.
  • Mental development. Some of the games become pretty intricate. One such, Heroclix, is very popular with the 'comic book set'. I've been informed of the benefits of this game. A friend described it in these words: “It's like chess with superpowers!”
  • Why must the fun stop when you stop being a kid? I think that as kids we go through the 'have to act mature' phase. As such, the 'little kid' games and diversions are dropped for more mature activities. As adults, we hopefully can grow beyond these social constraints and feel free to indulge the child in us.

My boys are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 5th (first Saturday of May every year). They and you can meet writers, artists, get autographs and giveaways at any comic book store.

Trish writes as for the Belmont Shore Patch and as Handmade Penguin for the Handmade Penguin blog.

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