History 83 What Ifs and Might-Have-Beens

Natasha Tonge’s Abstract

Permalink for this paragraph 0 No More Heroes : The 50s Without Superman

Permalink for this paragraph 1 Although Presidents, eagles, and flags may be considered the obvious symbols of America, some of the most pervasive icons are those from popular culture. One of the most pervasive icons of America and its cultural ideals is Superman, king and exemplar of the superhero genre. Without being within the superhero fandom or even reading comics, Americans and a large number of people worldwide can no doubt name Superman’s alter ego, recognize the color of his suit, identify his birth planet and secret weakness. Beyond the kitschy facade, obnoxious colors, convoluted story lines and childish appeal that make superhero comics difficult to respect as an art form is the first American hero of his kind, quietly represents the beliefs, values and concerns of the generation that reads him. The character’s boy scout protestant ethics and blind idealism make for an icon that can just as easily be used ironically or sincerely depending on the time, place and people.

Permalink for this paragraph 0 So what if he never existed? How would American popular culture be different when absent one of its most recognizable symbols? In exploring America absent Superman, I focus primarily on the fans and how their experience navigating society is different when their escapist hobby lacks such a strongly positive figure. I contrast between their experience with comics and society to examine the way in which American values are linked to popular media, and how the 50s, now looked upon as the Halcyon days of America, would lose much of it’s innocence and idealism when children have a fundamentally different experience with their popular culture. The prevailing attitude will be more cynical and more pragmatic while the fanboys, still captured by the fantastical, would be pushed even more swiftly to the outskirts of society.