The Tao Te Ching Guide's to Being a Super Hero Pt 1
I wish to construct a hero that would revision, or better comment, the iconicity of a Super-Hero. Superman is iconic. Batman is iconic. Spiderman is iconic. The list goes on and on. Yet, I fail to understand how they reach this iconic status. Is it because of longevity? Or, is it what they represent ? Maybe, it is the combination of both.I simply could not understand this, this idea of a character reaching an iconic status. In order to understand the concept of a Super-Hero better I look to Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching. I am using this Eastern Philosophical work to properly to understand the idea of an iconic Super-Hero. This text was picked essentially because this work showed how most iconic Super-Heroes can be characterize as trying to live a virtuous lifestyle.Furthermore, they try to pass on that lifestyle to those around them through their actions, whether they know it or not. I feel a Super-Hero in any world, universe, dimension, etc needs to at the very least try to follow this kind of path. However, I come to understand what makes people attracted to these characters is that their iconic Super-Hero sometimes fall of that beaten path, and therefore the reader can relate more easily to the character. This notion I am not interested in.Rather, I am interested in the path the hero takes.
To be continued...........
To be continued...........
Who Are We (More Ramblings)
Another aspect I will cover in my comic is the notion of self awareness. My main characters will constantly try to understand themselves.
I keep forgetting that these "fictional" characters need to relate to my audience. This can be done easily with the two "normal" characters. However, my problem here lies with the aging Super-Hero. How can I make this character more appealing? More relatable?
I think of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's Superman. He can be considered upper echelon of any to all Super Heroes. Of course, like many claims, this a arguable. Anyway, I like to think that this character, this alien from a far off place, does more of an inward self examination than any other being. Human or not, it is because of his differences in which he needs to constantly seek out who he is.
This leads me to his wink.I always wondered about his trademark wink. That wink can put any reader at ease. It is his power that effect our plain of existence. I like to think of that wink, within any context, is that of a universal joke. In that, for all the differences he posses, he is after the same thing we are.
Now what is the point of all this soul searching? Other than confirmation, what is the point for a super powered finding his or herself? I want to suggest, that for a super- hero to find themselves out, they do so to confirm their own existence and more importantly their sense of reality.
Average people soul search, find purpose, or whatever in order just to know. After all, we are in an age of information and introspection is an act that leads us to more knowledge. Yet,these Super-Heroes, who are the minority in a existence full of non-power beings, try to become more self aware so that they can preserve their sanity.
I do not know about Superman or any other comic book hero, but I believe that anyone with that kind of power are constantly questioning there own sense of reality. Thus they must find something to hold, themselves.
Okay, that was some rambling, but I think I have something. My Super-Hero, my super powered being, to be more appealing, must be at a point in his life in which he is trying to find himself. After all, we all do that constantly, whether we know it or not. However, the difference is motivation. I believe non powered beings do it out of sheer knowledge. Yet, my hero will do it to save himself from...himself. I think I might be getting somewhere.
I keep forgetting that these "fictional" characters need to relate to my audience. This can be done easily with the two "normal" characters. However, my problem here lies with the aging Super-Hero. How can I make this character more appealing? More relatable?
I think of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's Superman. He can be considered upper echelon of any to all Super Heroes. Of course, like many claims, this a arguable. Anyway, I like to think that this character, this alien from a far off place, does more of an inward self examination than any other being. Human or not, it is because of his differences in which he needs to constantly seek out who he is.
This leads me to his wink.I always wondered about his trademark wink. That wink can put any reader at ease. It is his power that effect our plain of existence. I like to think of that wink, within any context, is that of a universal joke. In that, for all the differences he posses, he is after the same thing we are.
Now what is the point of all this soul searching? Other than confirmation, what is the point for a super powered finding his or herself? I want to suggest, that for a super- hero to find themselves out, they do so to confirm their own existence and more importantly their sense of reality.
Average people soul search, find purpose, or whatever in order just to know. After all, we are in an age of information and introspection is an act that leads us to more knowledge. Yet,these Super-Heroes, who are the minority in a existence full of non-power beings, try to become more self aware so that they can preserve their sanity.
I do not know about Superman or any other comic book hero, but I believe that anyone with that kind of power are constantly questioning there own sense of reality. Thus they must find something to hold, themselves.
Okay, that was some rambling, but I think I have something. My Super-Hero, my super powered being, to be more appealing, must be at a point in his life in which he is trying to find himself. After all, we all do that constantly, whether we know it or not. However, the difference is motivation. I believe non powered beings do it out of sheer knowledge. Yet, my hero will do it to save himself from...himself. I think I might be getting somewhere.
What I have been reading
Just got through Batman RIP. For all the comments I have been hearing from different places, I figure I might do an issue by issue breakdown. I'll try to post as soon as I can.
Constructing a Story
I am trying to construct my storyline right now. It is hard as hell. With the framework I came up with, it is only a matter of time.
Definite Ideas
1) A Superhero tale
2) Incorporate Relationships
3) Use the story as a way to understand the notion of "Change"
Definite Ideas
1) A Superhero tale
2) Incorporate Relationships
3) Use the story as a way to understand the notion of "Change"
Some Preliminary Thoughts
Before I go into the synopsis of the story and character descriptions, here are some thoughts I had typed down that led me to construct my overall story.
The main tagline of this comic is: The World Will End on Saturday.
Specs: This will be designed in a three act structure. Since this will be designed in a “web-comic” fashion, the issue format will be different. Meaning, the first act will be six issues at 5 pgs an issue. The second act will be the same. The final act will be ten issues with 5 pages and issue. However, seeing that this is a work in progress, this format is subject to change.
Themes and Goals
Before I go into the nit and grit allow me to ramble.
Change
One of the goals of this work is to explore the notion of change. Change in character, change in emotion, change in physical being, and etc. I want to compare and contrast an everyman’s want for change and a Super-powered being’s want for change. In doing so I may be able to deconstruct this notion of change. A simple question that can be asked: What differences can be derived in the yearning of change between an average person and gifted person? Does one much more deserve than the other? Clearly, I am trying to understand the need for change in any form.
Relationships
Here’s the problem and I only have myself to blame, it seems I just created an “us” versus “them” situation. Let’s even they playing field, no division, just people. Create three individuals, two average people and one super human. Place them in a setting where they want change and allow them to go about trying to make it happen, while performing their normal duties. Better, let me make them interact. Who affects who? Allow the reader to relate and understand each, while trying to play judge. Show all three characters in a negative and positive light, yet wanting the simplest of things.
These three individuals will encompass the simplest traits, one being dethatched, the other being a “dreamer” and the last being realistic.
The overall goal of this work to explore one’s yearning for any kind of change in their live, and to explore the dynamics of relationships whether it would be platonic or otherwise.
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