Look! Here on my table! It’s a . . .
good book about Superman?
I know. I know. Why would anyone read a novel about a superhero? Actually, I have no answer to that question. But I’ve put aside my colorful comic books and have picked up an actual novel about the first superhero. The Big Blue Boy Scout himself, Superman. Bonus: It doesn’t even have pictures! It’s all words! Amazing.
I understand that a lot of people don’t like him and that they think he’s out of date. But he’s been one of my favorite fictional characters most of my life, so when I saw the book in the bookstore, I had to pick it up. Come on! The cover is a shot from one of the old Fleisher Superman cartoons! Who could throw that aside?
I’m not done with the book—what’s that? Doing a review before I’ve finished the book? No, I’m not. Not really. I just want to point out that the book, It’s Superman by Tom De Haven, is what the TV show Smallville should have been.
The book combines the Superman myth with the Depression Era. Since Superman first appeared in comics during the Depression, it’s almost like the book is retelling the Golden Age Superman’s story. Ma Kent is dying and Clark can smell the dirt kicked up by the hard winds creating the Dust Bowl. The Kent Farm has no electricity and Pa Kent thinks about fears he once had that his adopted son was mentally handicapped. Not your normal Superman story, huh?
And yeah, I haven’t finished it. But you know what? I’m already regretting the fact that I’m sitting here writing something for you when I could be reading it. Wanting to read a book is a pretty good sign that it’s a good book.
Bonus: So far, no Mary Sue by the name of Lana Lang. Do you see that, creators of Smallville? I’m betting when she does show up, she’ll be a well-rounded character who is supportive of Clark, who, by the way, is the main character of the story.
Not that I’m bitter or anything.
Heroes
Alright. I should put this out in the open right now. I’m a geek. Granted, I’m female, married, and close to 30 years of age. But I’m still a geek. My apartment is covered in superhero action figures—not toys, never toys—and superhero posters. There are some statues too.
So, what does that mean? That I’m a loser? Maybe. But what it really means is that I’m into the TV show Heroes. And I could talk about how last night’s episode was the greatest episode evah! But I won’t. I want to talk about Claire and Niki.
When I read comics, I understand that I’m stepping into a “male” territory. Same with video games. I accept it, but I don’t understand it. Most female comic characters are secondary to the male characters. They’re there for the T&A aspect.
Of course, most, like Catwoman, are fleshed out much more than in the past. But when the major hype behind a character is what she’s wearing rather than what she’ll be doing, there’s a problem. I’m looking at you, Supergirl.
I’m not even touching on how most are drawn as all boobs, hair, and legs. That’s obvious and very wrong when it’s Wonder Woman or Lois Lane. And this is where I compliment Alex Ross and his rendition of Wonder Woman.
Back to Heroes: Granted, Claire is a cheerleader, and Niki was an Internet stripper. Not the greatest feminist role models. But what makes them interesting is their powers, which are very “male.” Claire’s healing factor obviously comes from the idea of Wolverine’s healing factor, and you can’t really find a more male character than Wolverine. It means that she can take damage and keep going. She’s not going to stand back like Jean Grey and think really hard. She’s physically going to get into the fray.
Same with Niki. She reminds me of the Hulk and her ripping people in half can be seen as a male power as well. You have super strong women in comics, but rarely do they lose it and rip people apart. Again, it feels very male.
Of course, Heroes still has the cliche of the pretty girl who does nothing but have men fall in love with her. That would be Simone, who has gone the way that I can only dream Lana Lang on Smallville will one day go. And Niki uses her sexuality to achieve her goals. But small steps, right?
By the way, I think I may have tricked you. You read the title of the blog and thought that it sounded intelligent. And now I’m talking about TV and comics. All I can say is that I really wish I could point and laugh at you right now.
