Superpower: The Superhero Phenomenon

Abstract

Superheroes are a massive part of popular culture, but what makes them so successful? In this essay, I will be analyzing live action superhero films of the 21st century. By discussing the themes and attitudes surrounding the superhero movie genre, I will reveal how these films commentate on how we perceive power dynamics. Furthermore, I'll illustrate how traumatic historical events shake our ideology and how superhero films respond to that. As I analyze the relationships between superheroes and their respective worlds, we can begin to see a clear connection between these fictional power dynamics and the dynamics of our world that deal with government, politics and leaders. In order to fully understand the relationship between the audience and the superhero, one must understand the origins of the concept and how it relates to our society.