The Archetype of Superheroes

[rhoenix]

We're all quite familiar with the concept of a human with extraordinary abilities, whatever their source. This concept has been explored in multiple media, in ways both subtle and overt, with the superhuman-ness either taking center stage, or only as a minor detail.

My question to you is a more personal one - what about the genre appeals to you, personally? What examples are in your mind prime examples of why you like the concept, and why do they stand out in your mind?

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For my part, having someone with extraordinary abilities deal with the trouble and responsibility of that power - the struggle on the part of the character for understanding and comfort of this within themselves, contrasted with the weight of their responsibility for having it - is what usually draws me into a given story.

For this perception on the genre of mine, the Mass Effect games, the Star Wars movies & story, some of the more recent Marvel movies, and even ST: Deep Space Nine are all good examples of this. DS9 may seem a bit like an outlier, but many of the stories shown were the power/responsibility balance for various characters, as well as the consequence of those struggles. Sisko was after all the child of the Prophets, but that meant nothing to him... except as a means by which he could maintain his responsibilities for others' lives.

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I would like to also hear your thoughts - feel free to use the podium.

[Josh]

Personally, the thing that probably resonates most with me is the concept of overcoming adversity. I've always leaned toward the Bruce Willis/Die Hard type of story, where the hero is outgunned, outnumbered, and prevails through cunning and grit. It's the indomitable human spirit that gets my motor gunning.