Heroes save the world... Not the individual?

[Clantern]

Almost all comics in recent times have Heroes who save the Earth, or Super-Men-Women-Aliens, who fight to the death to save the uni/multiverse, or even battling the ever-after to stop a God from destroying all of existence, but what I want to know is, how does this tie in with your average Joe keeping up with the rent whilst trying to support a family?


OK, so it isn't the best selling idea in the world, but have comics lost their way? Super-heroes once protected the little guy, stopping muggings, organised crime and general mis-behaviour, therefore allowing to maintain civillian unrest at a minimum. The thing that has been bugging me lately is that the people don't really have a Hero to rely on. Fair enough, Superman might be off saving the world from Brainiac trying to take over it, but life is still a struggle. This was well defined for me in an issue of 52 (Or Countdown, was a while ago) when Green Arrow stopped a clerk for charging too much on Nappies.

Lost my train of though there, but my point being, is what do you prefer? Do you think there should be little league Heroes looking out for the common man, or do you think that Colossal-level beating is pretty much a given and people can just face the grudges of life? Have Heroes moved on from simple muggings and murders? Is life bigger than 1 person?

[Decoy Elite]

I prefer Street Level heroes for the most part.

[Clantern]

I do too, do you think they are slowly being replaced by Brutes?

[Supreme Marvel]

Well I read comic to get away from paying bills and general kick arse stories. But Marvel tend to do things like that. Spider-Man would probably be the best case scenario. He pays bills etc. I think that's what some people find appealing in him. Plus his other qualities.

And welcome to the ledger.

[Decoy Elite]

Feb 22, 2011 16:55:51 GMT -5 Clantern said:

I do too, do you think they are slowly being replaced by Brutes?

Not really, there's plenty of Street Level guys.

[Supreme Marvel]

You do too? Yet your favourite character is Hal Jordan?

[Erik-El]

Spider-Man, Moon Knight, Punisher, Daredevil and several others still do the individual stuff. That is why the term 'street level' applies to them. Because they operate on a streel level. Although the term does loosely apply to their power levels, characters like Spider-Man have power sets that put them beyond 'street leveler' if they wanted to.

[Clantern]

Feb 22, 2011 16:57:06 GMT -5 Supreme Marvel said:

You do too? Yet your favourite character is Hal Jordan?

Yeah, but as much as I do like Colossal extreme, live-die, fate of the universe type of action/drama, I think it's slowly replacing street-levelers, but I've been reading more stuff on individuality and I think people like to dodge street-level because it's hard to take into acount who is the bad guy.

For instance, if I got mugged, then that person should be punished for committing a crime. However, if his family is starving, without the money they will be forced on the street or he owes someone money for University fee's. Then how do you draw the line? Even more so with 'Robin Hood' Heroes/ Villains. I think i'd like to read an interesting street-level, any suggestions?

[Erik-El]

Clantern:

I feel you are drawing your opinion mostly from DC. Marvel has quite a focus on the 'little stuff'.

[Clantern]

Feb 22, 2011 17:23:17 GMT -5 Erik-El said:

Clantern:

I feel you are drawing your opinion mostly from DC. Marvel has quite a focus on the 'little stuff'.

Yeah, i'm not gonna lie, I read alot more DC than Marvel. Which is probably where i'm drawing this theory from. Although, I do like Captain America, and I do suppose he is street-level. Could you recomend any street-level reads please?

[Erik-El]

Clantern:

Right off the top of my head, Amazing Spider-Man. It is actually an awesome series.

Birds of Prey is just starting up again and so far, has only been about street level stuff.

X-23 is also street level and is a fantastic series.

Captain America deals with Bucky as Captain America. It has been a blast so far.

Then of course there is Ultimate Spider-Man, which is similar to Amazing Spider-Man with snarky humor but he is still a sophomore in high school whereas Amazing Spider-Man is a Parker that is an adult.

[Admin]

Captain America is seen stopping muggers and stuff fairly frequently in his book.

For street level, give Moon Knight, Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Punisher a chance.

[spidey_17]

Feb 22, 2011 17:39:49 GMT -5 Erik-El said:

Clantern:

Right off the top of my head, Amazing Spider-Man. It is actually an awesome series.

Birds of Prey is just starting up again and so far, has only been about street level stuff.

X-23 is also street level and is a fantastic series.

Captain America deals with Bucky as Captain America. It has been a blast so far.

Then of course there is Ultimate Spider-Man, which is similar to Amazing Spider-Man with snarky humor but he is still a sophomore in high school whereas Amazing Spider-Man is a Parker that is an adult.

You should also mention Wolverine's more recent series, which is pretty cool.

[Clantern]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, it kinded of drifted slightly off topic to the main point haha, but i'm grateful regardless for all the suggestions. See I always liked street levelers, I drift off shows and comics when it spirals into the beyond. That's why I stopped watching Smallville and Heroes, yet why I'm loving Misfits atm.

However, I guess I have double standards because I do like it when Colossal things have direct impact on the little guy, Watchmen, V for Vendetta maybe?
BTW, i'm quick replying, so I apologise in advance if my posts are hard to follow XD.

[Killshot Caine]

I enjoy comics characters...Vance Astro,Gamora,Drax,Warlock etc. but they are less showcased so on another note i'm more into street levelers.DD being my favorite.

[Supreme Marvel]

The Immortal Iron Fist, Taskmaster, Any of the Batman comics and Red Robin will be good reads.

[Supreme Marvel]

Also, this site has a lot of street level fans. So they can point you in the direction, when I can't.

[Phantom Stargrave]

Feb 22, 2011 17:22:41 GMT -5 Clantern said:

For instance, if I got mugged, then that person should be punished for committing a crime. However, if his family is starving, without the money they will be forced on the street or he owes someone money for University fee's. Then how do you draw the line? Even more so with 'Robin Hood' Heroes/ Villains. I think i'd like to read an interesting street-level, any suggestions?

The problem with such stories which explore morality of justice and such, is that, unless done well, they tend to come off as extremely preachy which puts people off, and thus most writers tend to avoid them. Take for example Superman's most recent story arc, in which he literally walks around America, righting the little wrongs. It started out strong (at least IMO), but quickly lost wind as JMS tried to cram a social problem or two into every issue (Granted, the quality lapse could be due to JMS leaving to work on Earth one, but that's beside the point), leaving us to wonder at times if there is actually any sort of story there.

Such stories are hit or miss, IMO. If they work, they REALLY work. If they don't work, they fail horribly. So most writers just stick to the neutral ground and give you giant explosions.

I know Green Arrow used to be defined by such socially aware stories, but I don't know if that's still the case.

[Crom-Cruach]

I have no real preference on the power operational level of my hero, except maybe a slight preference for the lower spectrum (like street level).

What I like are interesting stories and characters, and those exist at all levels.

[Supreme Marvel]

Lol, every time I see your karma points, Crom, it's different.