When Superheroes Were Our Little Secret

[Hector]

I preferred going to the mom and pops comic book shop as a kid and teen back in the day. I have so many fond nostalgic memories.

Today’s superhero movies are cool and all...but speaking as a jaded adult...it just doesn’t hold a candle to those memories of yesteryear

[Hedji]

I think it's amazing when I go to a convention and see how many girls are into comics. (Where were you when I was growing up?) You have to look at it as a way to prolong the longevity of these characters, and elevate them to modern myth status. I think it's terrific how all inclusive and appealing it is. I'd rather have it this way, because my coworkers and family members don't think I'm a complete nut for dressing up like Batman. It's just sort of accepted.

I don't miss the exclusivity; I miss the art style, paper style, storytelling, and price tag of silver age books.

[Brazoo]

I have some complicated feelings about this stuff. The cliche was true for me — as a lonely and socially awkward kid superhero comics (and specifically the mythology of Marvel comics) gave me some happiness in a time when I didn't have much else. I really relate to the bond you describe, but I do see the other side of this too, a somewhat potentially darker aspect of this, and I often and think it can lead to a place that seems unhealthy, in some ways. I think I've actively pulled myself away from mentally feeling "ownership" of these intellectual properties to protect myself a bit, if that makes sense?

To me, watching Captain Marvel in the theatre was the most culture shock-type moment, because it was easy for me to get why people liked Iron Man, for example, but the fact that a mainstream audience was this deep into the Marvel mythology seemed like the world had gone insane. It blew my freaking mind. I'm in a packed theatre full of "normals" and the first 30 min. of this movie was Krees and Starforce, and Supreme Intelligence, and Skrulls all told in a fractured way to mimic Captain Marvel's mixed up memories and everyone was just watching is if it wasn't the craziest thing to see in a $150 mainstream movie. I was genuinely surprised nobody seemed angry and nobody was walking out. I couldn't find a kid my age to talk about this stuff when I was an obsessed 12 year old and now it's normal?

[palitoy]

I have some complicated feelings about this stuff. The cliche was true for me — as a lonely and socially awkward kid superhero comics (and specifically the mythology of Marvel comics) gave me some happiness in a time when I didn't have much else. I really relate to the bond you describe, but I do see the other side of this too, a somewhat potentially darker aspect of this, and I often and think it can lead to a place that seems unhealthy, in some ways. I think I've actively pulled myself away from mentally feeling "ownership" of these intellectual properties to protect myself a bit, if that makes sense?

Totally get this, I did it with bands. Especially in my youth, if a band i liked became popular i'd disown them because "it's mainstreamer crap now".
I even found myself doing this with Mego now that the brand has been revived, it's really easy to fall into that mentality.

[Brazoo]

Totally get this, I did it with bands. Especially in my youth, if a band i liked became popular i'd disown them because "it's mainstreamer crap now".
I even found myself doing this with Mego now that the brand has been revived, it's really easy to fall into that mentality.

YES, I totally went through that with bands! You feel like you "discovered" them and they're yours in some way. Along the way a smarter friend of mine said something like "I like their old stuff better but I'm happy they're making some money now" and that re-programmed my brain a bit. I'd argue that I have a lot more peace and fun with music since I gave up being a slave to that, because now I can enjoy some obscure 70s krautrock band AND I can enjoy the occasional catchy Carly Rae Jepsen tune.

[PNGwynne]

Totally get this, I did it with bands. Especially in my youth, if a band i liked became popular i'd disown them because "it's mainstreamer crap now".
I even found myself doing this with Mego now that the brand has been revived, it's really easy to fall into that mentality.

I agree, I feel a bit that way about Aquaman and Capt. Marvel (SHAZAM!).

For decades I had to defend these characters I love: Supposedly one was lame, the other a rip-off. I always knew they were special, but now that they are "cool" and have mainstream success, I'm a little bitter. Perhaps part of it is that neither character received the kind of adaptation that Captain America did.

[palitoy]

I agree, I feel a bit that way about Aquaman and Capt. Marvel (SHAZAM!).

For decades I had to defend these characters I love: Supposedly one was lame, the other a rip-off. I always knew they were special, but now that they are "cool" and have mainstream success, I'm a little bitter. Perhaps part of it is that neither character received the kind of adaptation that Captain America did.

I was there with you on those guys as well. It was kind of weird being a big Shazam! fan in the 80s.

[Wee67]

I have some complicated feelings about this stuff. The cliche was true for me — as a lonely and socially awkward kid superhero comics (and specifically the mythology of Marvel comics) gave me some happiness in a time when I didn't have much else. I really relate to the bond you describe, but I do see the other side of this too, a somewhat potentially darker aspect of this, and I often and think it can lead to a place that seems unhealthy, in some ways. I think I've actively pulled myself away from mentally feeling "ownership" of these intellectual properties to protect myself a bit, if that makes sense?

Well said. I do think there is an inherent conflict for me. I sometimes attached my identity to this and several other "secrets." When they are no longer my little secret, it can diminish that feeling of special-ness. I think that may be the darker potential.

Totally get this, I did it with bands. Especially in my youth, if a band i liked became popular i'd disown them because "it's mainstreamer crap now".
I even found myself doing this with Mego now that the brand has been revived, it's really easy to fall into that mentality.

When I posed question, I was thinking about several subjects where this applied to for me. Nothing more so than bands. I was heavily involved in underground/alternative/punk/whatever its called music in the 80's. It took some adjustment when the "garage" bands I loved started being called "grunge" and I started hearing them on commercial radio. Brian, I even remember sharing a band t-shirt moment with you, similar to the comic one you described with the waiter. You were wearing a Dirtbombs t-shirt at a Meet and I was thought, "yeah. he gets it." We shared a secret handshake, played air guitar for a moment and then I said "I'm a street walking cheetah" to which you responded "with a heart full of napalm."

I might be exaggerating.

[palitoy]

You were wearing a Dirtbombs t-shirt at a Meet and I was thought, "yeah. he gets it." We shared a secret handshake, played air guitar for a moment and then I said "I'm a street walking cheetah" to which you responded "with a heart full of napalm."

I might be exaggerating.

No, I remember that, we totally had a moment there, i felt it too.

[Brazoo]

I agree, I feel a bit that way about Aquaman and Capt. Marvel (SHAZAM!).

For decades I had to defend these characters I love: Supposedly one was lame, the other a rip-off. I always knew they were special, but now that they are "cool" and have mainstream success, I'm a little bitter. Perhaps part of it is that neither character received the kind of adaptation that Captain America did.

My favourite superheroes were always the FF, so one benefit to them always screwing that up is that I haven't lost them to "coolness" yet.

[Mr.Marion]

My favourite superheroes were always the FF, so one benefit to them always screwing that up is that I haven't lost them to "coolness" yet.

Yeah FF were the best marvel title of Marvel's silver age. Romita era Spiderman followed close by.