Our fascination with comic superheroes is time-tested. Why do we continue to relate to them?

Many of them are just like us. Take Spider-Man for example, he is a poor geek from Queens who has girl problems. Rogue from the X-Men wants to touch someone, but she cannot, and many teens feel like that. Wolverine is the Universal Solider (search Donovan for that reference). Daredevil is blind, but he can still see and fight better than we normal humans can. The Fantastic Four, they are a blended family who fights a lot, but in the end they go to the park and have fun playing football. The Hulk is what we all have deep down inside of us, our uncontrollable dark side... These characters have each and every one of us written all over them.

They're what we wish we could be

Most people get introduced to comics as a kid. Its very rare that adults start reading comic books, only after becoming an adult. In that young age, we let our imaginations run wild, and imagine what all we could have done if we had those powers. We would have rescued that neighbourhood girl, ( whome you had a crush on, but never got the guts to speak to ) from some goon, and earned her love. We desperately wanted to be like those heroes and have those powers. As Adults, most of us, still cling to that childhood fascination. With todays special effects wizardry, we are able to bring to life and show practically anything we want to, including the powerful talents those super-heroes have. Seeing them come to life, excites the child in us.

I think a part of us likes to believe or wished they existed. Imagine being able to call out "Superman help" when you are being mugged or something like that.

Mr. Woo, there are plenty of great answers here, and each is valid in it's own right. What I have to add is this: Escapism. The "flight of fancy" appeal has been borne through other sources, such as Crime Noir, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and plenty of Action & Adventure tales in magazines and books, and given the added visual medium which is inherant in comic books, this definitely adds to the immediate accessibility of comic superheroes. The thought of accomplishing tasks deemed "impossible" in reality is a strong drive for plenty of people, males and females alike, and while it seems to have its base appeal in younger people and teens, the attraction has seemed to last with plenty of us in our later years. Comic superheroes are colorful; think of Superman's, Wonder Woman's and Spider-Man's costumes. Readers also can lend bits of their own imagination to the action and storylines, which I believe is an important factor; while comic books can seem like they are full of action, it is still a "static" medium for all intents and purposes, because the stories and heroes are illustrated and written on paper. Comic superheroes have reflected the times, as others have stated here, as well, and iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Capt. America, Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner have all "assisted" the U.S.A.'s propaganda and war bond efforts during WW2, for example, and the writers and artists constantly change the attitudes and stories of the characters to match the trends of readers' mindsets and even social events. We love comic superheroes because they reflect whom we wish we could really be had we the means to do the things these characters do: fly, pick up tanks with our bare hands, walk through walls, punch out a bad person, shoot fire, etc. To overcome incredible odds, because life gives us some challenges that are indeed difficult, and I implore you to visit with anyone who has a physical or mental challenge, and you will truly know what I mean. Families of our Armed Forces, who suffer every day, never knowing specifically what is happening with their loved ones far away, yet brave enough to sacrifice their time and love for the Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors to fight for our country, whether the cause is agreed or not; these are people who have to overcome overwhelming challenges. The list can go on and on, but there are plenty of reasons, which does have its true base in Mythology, whether it's from Greek, Viking, Chinese, or Celtic, there have been plenty of tales of fancy where the central character(s) accomplish something so impossible, the stories last. The simple appeal of a teenager acting out his desire to best all odds like Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man, to Batman, who's nature it is to use his taught skills as a fighter and whose status in society allows him to fulfill the role as a "savior" of his city, to the Incredible Hulk, who represents the unbridled anger we all wish we could release and perform the phsyical stunts he does; all of these superheroes represent the best of who we yearn to be and even the worse we can be, at times, and that is why we continue to relate to them, esp. given the worldwide struggles in reality. We need grand forms of escapism, and comic superheroes can and have provided it.

This has been noted before, tonnes of times - Super Heros are Archetypes and as such resonate with us on an unconsious level. Archetypes are like the blue print for patterns of behaviour, they are a single and simple in "purpose". When I say purpose, it's us that attach purpose to them as they are part of the deeper level of the psyche that responds to patterns and have no phyiscal manifestion other than what we act out or are drawn to. The Hero archetype has always featured in every culture, in every aeon. Connected to this is The Quest which is the archetypal journey where the Hero is created, tested, abandoned and comes full circle. Add to this, the Villian who is a Shadow archetype, the opposite of the Hero. The anti-hero is still a Hero archetype, but of a contempory position. There are lots of other archetypes of course, The Mother, The Father, The Golden Child, The World Soul.... Explains why religions have similar features and how it can be so integrated into our culture, language and lives. The reason these ancient stores require retelling is that we act out these actions while we hear them, we place ourselves in the roles and they make us comfortable with a world we can't control. Right and wrong are clear and there is justice. They assist us to balance our inner world with what's going on around outside us. You see during times of social distress we turn to these stories more than usual, the same way others turn to religion or a charismatic leader (despite them being good or bad). It's just the way our minds work. It's part of how we are all able to relate to each other as there is a common set of "symbols" for us all to identify in each other and it activates our imaginations which can often feel disconnected in daily life. In the end it's not escapism, it's tunning into something we all share and jumping on the ride of our psychological legacy.

It is our human tendency to believe that we are good people. We continue to see those heroes as ourselves. Comic book heroes especially attract our attention because they have many problems of their own, they make mistakes, and they have feelings like us. Because of that, they are more "human" and more realistic. It tells us that it is okay to be flawed because so are heroes. Also, in America's individualistic society, we believe that we are unique and special. We consciously and/or unconsciously put ourselves in the role of the hero. Lastly, comic book stories have a way of drawing us in so that we care emotionally about the hero's well-being. Whether the hero falls or triumphs, we eagerly await the outcome. Long live comic superheroes!

Hi John...Your Cool. I beleive superheroes are the modern equivilent to Mythology as to the Greeks, Romans etc. They hold this ability to overcome all manner of obstacle but at the same time are a social pariah, a sad existance that only another superhero can relate to. I think it's this balance that brings them acceptance from an audience.....

It's the archetype of the eternal hero (Joseph Campbell) the idea of the hero is deeply rooted in the human psyche, and represented perfectly and most varied in comic book superhero's...they don't get busted for steroid or other substance abuse ,,,they don't have multiple marriages and divorce...their powers / strengths are usually born out of some tragic misfortune....and from this they transcend the mundane daily human existance and usually get the girl, while simultaneously facing off fearlessly a force from the heart of darkness, so attractive in a man especially combined with the musculature of a Greek mythical god. What's not to love?Wow Xinis totally covered the idea of the hero thing. I disagree with the gal below on the "childish" comment I love the chldlike freedom I feel when experiencing these tales,,, I think it is because I had a son and have been viewing every one that has hit the BIG screen since he was born,1991. Also with this I believe that in our dreams we are the hero, we fly , we jump,bash, win! every battle is ours... I personally like the flying best...No I like the relationship I have with my boy from viewing all of these Batman,X-men, Superman,Hulk,Fantastic Four,Spidey movies They keep on coming and he knows I love them as much as him...I'll be some aged gal still wanting to see them on the big screen:)