One indicator that shows the way the next generation has shifted in trend, frame of mind and preference is the hero they adore. The media and showbiz enterprises have given the young people opportunity to vote the hero of their time, the figure that represents them best.
Decades ago, in the late 1930’s, the eye and mind of the young generation were fixed on a superhero created by D.C. Comics: Superman. He was awesomely – and simply – perfect: he got superhuman powers, the ability to fly faster than speeding bullet, eyes that beamed like lasers, breath that could freeze fire, and impenetrable skin. Physically, he was tall, well-built and handsome – not to mention his decency, politeness and prudence. He gave his life to rescue others, save the planet, and promote the goodness of all mankind. Basically and thoroughly, he was flawless inside and out!
Why did the children and teenagers of 1930-1940’s love Superman so much?
It was because they lived in an era of broken lives and torn nations. They experienced the time of war, fright and terror. In such a difficult period of time, the young sought for a figure that might save them out of calamities, came from a place none of this fallen world, perfect in every single aspect in life, a character that could stand as a flawless hero through and through.
Nevertheless, time went on and trends changed. Teenagers grew up and wars ended. A new generation sprang up, the generation of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, a bunch of kids that defied the old dominations and fought for the freedom of mind and decision. It was then, early in 1960’s, that Marvel Comics hit the crowd with its band of superheroes. But these new characters were not termed “heroes.” They were labeled “mutants.” They were the X-Men.
Unlike D.C. Comics that had brought forth Superman, a perfect superhero coming from another planet with multi-superpowers and abilities, Marvel offered teenagers a different kind of heroes: heroes that lived among us, ordinary human beings. These characters had superpowers as they had flaws. Each superhero had his/her own power, and each had his/her own weakness and problems:
• Spider-Man was a nerdy, unpopular student at school before he got bitten by a radioactive-loaded spider and became a mutant with superpower resembling the nature of a spider.
• Wolverine was a vagabond suffering from amnesia due to excessive torture.
• Daredevil lost his parents and sight in an accident but developed into a great martial-artist.
• The Fantastic Four were a group of scientists that fell into genetic mutation after an episode of radioactive blast in space.
Why did Marvel make such a great impact on the young generation of 1960’s with the creation of these superheroes?
It was because they understood the frame of mind of the teenagers. The young people of 1960-1970’s didn’t need to be rescued as in the previous generation. They simply wanted to be accepted the way they are. They wished for their weaknesses to be understood and their talents and abilities recognized. Through X-Men (and other heroes), Marvel was telling them, “It’s okay to be different. It’s alright to be imperfect. Nobody on Earth’s perfect, anyway. But, hey! You’ve got gifts as much as you’ve got flaws. Why not use your powers to do goodness and cover up your weaknesses?”
And teenagers simply loved it!
But now, the millennium has shifted and we live in an era of fast-growing information and technology. We’ve got computers, laptops, iPODs, digital cameras, camera-phones, netbooks and symbions. Slowly but sure, our younglings begin to grow asocial due to too much interaction and exposure to gadgets instead of humans.
Do you notice what superhero-movie our teenagers love most, these days?
Yup, you’ve guessed right: Transformers!
We no longer need a Superman from another galaxy coming to our rescue, or a pack of genetically mutated individuals to be the heroes of our time. We’ve got machines as our heroes that give solutions to our problems – and the young just love them!
Can anybody predict what sort of heroes our grandchildren will look up to, 2½ decades into the future?
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