sort of? but not specifically. I'd say what he is getting at, is since the 1800s Antiheroes have become more and more popular in novels, pulps, short stories etc. There was a sharp decline around the end of WW2 which in part explains the end of the golden era of comic books, now adays its hard to find a movie or book with a "true hero" Superman Movies are the only superhero movies produced in the last decade and the only ones to hit sales as high as they do since before the silverage. so it sticks out like a sore thumb. It probably his popularity alone that lets him hold on longer than the other non antiheroes. and pull in less at the box office than antihero comic book movies. but He is still Here, he is still one of the main, and most popular heroes... He isn't going anywhere, sometimes, you need to look up to a hero, instead of over at one.
I guess people generally like anitheroes. probably why Flash movies always get cancelled, and Wonder Woman movies always do so very awful. I don't for see Ill see a mainstream Captain Marvel/ Captain Marvel/ Miss Marvel/ Miss Marvel movie that grosses very high either. people not reading comics probably want their heroes touchable.... not admirable... they want to see the same flaws in them as they do themselves (or potential in themselves)
even in comics, if you look (this came up in a recent topic here) theres not many "true heroes" just antiheroes as far as the eye can see... other than the ones I listed I can't think of any off the top of my head... amybe Kyle rayner, but Im not that familiar with him.... (wait isn't he the one infected with the most fear? if so, I guess not even him)
Did I miss something. What WW movie? Spiderman isn´t exactly an antihero either. At best he might have more problems on the surface than Superman. I think the real problem with Superman is the quality of his movies and that the last good ones now seem antiquated. Most of his TV programs were big hits, because they were very well written, smart and kept to the spirit of the character. Lois and Clark was a huge pop culture hit and Terri Hatcher became a massive celebrity because of the show.
Batman´s popularity in films I think is strictly due to one thing, his movies in recent time have been a lot better than any other superhero and people have short memories. Take one of Superman´s best stories, say Birth Right, and make that comic into a film frame for frame, I think it would have done a lot better than Man Of steel. In these dark times I think writers are more drawn to dark material, so it is harder for them to cope with Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash or Shazam. However in these dark times I also think they are the superheroes we need more than any, right now.
@wolverine08: For the record, I wasn't insulting Wolverine and I have read a few of his comics. I was just using him as an example of how supposedly gritty and edgy heroes are not more complex characters than iconic, stoic, morally righteous characters. That illusion is one that is held by many and can be dispelled by reading well written issues of said characters.
This statement is completely true. Being a Good person for in modern culture = being less complex and interesting. It´s a completely ludicrous way of looking at things.
I´ve always found Superman´s story when looked at objectively far more interesting than most other superheroes. It has so many dimensions and so many ways you can play with it. Batman and WW are my second favorite heroes and I feel the same way about them. But it looks like Superman, much like WW is getting shafted these days.
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