by Jamil Weeks

Literary heroes have been celebrated throughout history, going as far back as Beowulf. Our fascination with these characters lies in their heroism and how they triumph in the face of adversity. We watch in awe at what these heroes are willing to endure, whether it be tragedy or sacrifices, to preserve our way of life. These figures, brought to life by brilliant writers, are in part a commentary on society and can define the virtues and ideals of the culture. They reflect our values because they stand for truth and justice. X-Men used mutants to comment on racism and prejudice in society. Captain America was the embodiment of American values. It can be said Batman, in a way, is a commentary on poverty and social reform. For these reasons, these characters have persevered in pop culture for decades through various forms of media.

Some of my earliest memories of life involve waking up on Saturday mornings to watch Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends or re-runs of The Incredible Hulk television show starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. Some of my fondest memories were when my father would take me to Edward McKay’s Used Bookstore in my hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina. It was there I learned to love comic books. My introverted personality would leave me locked away in my room completely immersed in the heroic tales of these comic book figures. Rather it be the comic books, animated TV shows/movies, or video games, these stories would become a big part of my life as I grew from a boy to a man.

As technology evolved, these stories began to be translated to both the small and big screens. From Richard Donner’s Superman and Tim Burton’s Batman, over time Hollywood found a way to turn these films into blockbuster events. Gradually the popularity of these films dramatically increased as filmmakers began to figure out how to properly convert stories from comic book lore into movies that the public could grasp. However, once the popularity of these films began to peak, there was a backlash from cinema purists. Every few weeks or so, I would go on social media or read an article about a filmmaker or actor expressing their disdain for the superhero genre. A notable critic of these films has been the cinematic guru, Martin Scorsese. Scorsese, the ringleader, suggested that these types of polarizing motion pictures were not cinema. DC and Marvel films gradually went from beloved to polarizing and would become the subject of ire for pretentious cinephiles who grew weary of the stranglehold over the box office these films would enjoy for decades.

Well, I got news for Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jodie Foster, and anyone else in Hollywood who has a problem with the comic book movie genre: superhero films ARE cinema. Movies can be used for a variety of purposes. They can be used to make us laugh, make us think, make us cry, etc. When placed in the hands of capable minds, these films can not only be great, but also gripping and revolutionary. With Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, Nolan proved how you could innovate comic book films by taking a mature, grounded approach. These films could be more than just vehicles to entertain us or to sell toys to provide big bags of cash for major Hollywood studios. They could comment on the human condition and make subtle critiques of society. They could be character studies. Or they could blend genres, like Logan in the X-Men franchise, mixing superhero and Western elements to make a powerful and poignant drama that adults could appreciate. These films could turn villains into anti-heroes, like Thanos from Avengers: Infinity War, presenting us with philosophical moral dilemmas about what is the greater good. Marvel Studios found a way to create an entire cinematic universe, where individual films got to tell their own unique stories while still being connected to one single narrative. Marvel Studios reinvented the concept of blockbuster films, introducing a new form of storytelling in cinema.

Beyond being innovative, these films are also temporary escapes from the realities of everyday living. With all the stress that comes with life, movies are a way for us to turn off our brains for two plus hours and just enjoy a fun film. The superhero genre is a means to help us get through hard times. That is part of the appeal to these movies. Sitting in a theater with a tub of buttered popcorn, washing it down with your favorite soft drink as you watch your favorite superhero fight evil, eccentric villains for high stakes is a way some people alleviate stress. The entertainment value these movies provide is priceless. The drama. The suspense. The fantastic spectacle. The audience reactions on opening night. Blockbusters are not a new phenomenon. Modern day movie audiences enjoy DC and Marvel films much like previous generations enjoyed Star Wars or Indiana Jones movies. Films that blend action, science fiction, fantasy, and adventure with creative storytelling to dazzle us in ingenious ways. Nobody is going to tell me George Lucas and Spielberg, architects of the blockbuster film, are not cinema. So why are superhero films getting so much flack these days?

One trend I have noticed is that a lot of these comic book movie detractors seem to come out ever so often with a scathing tongue lashing for DC and Marvel when they have a new film about to be released. It is as if bashing the superhero genre is a part of their promotional campaign. Let’s get back to Scorsese, who remains a staunch critic of Marvel. The irony of his criticism is that in his 2020 film, The Irishman, he used de-aging technology that was pioneered by Marvel films. To add insult to injury, one of Scorsese’s closest colleagues, Spielberg, INVENTED the modern-day blockbuster. Then there is Michell Rodriguez, who is widely known for her appearances in the Fast and Furious franchise films. While promoting her film, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, she criticized Marvel films as not being innovative given the quantity of the films. This is despite her appearing in a franchise with over 10 films spanning over 20 years. The pious nature of these sorts of comments is enough to make my eyes roll so far back in my head they might pop out of their sockets!

Nostalgia is one of the most powerful tools that drives moviegoers into theaters. A reason why superhero films are important is because they connect us to our pasts. When I watched the airport scene in Captain America: Winter Soldier, it was like reliving my childhood as that kid waking up excited for Saturday morning cartoons. Some of the stories I grew up reading in comic book form are now being loosely translated into films, sparking endless fond memories of people, places, and events from my past. Superhero films are more than just entertainment for some people, but also a means for reflection of our own personal journeys. It may sound crazy, but these types of moments can bring comfort to people going through rough patches in their physical journey. DC and Marvel films are just as important as any other type of movie in that regard, by mentally transporting us back in time to happy days that, in turn, bring us joy in the present moment.

Art is subjective. What is one man’s classic is another man’s trash. At the end of the day everybody’s opinion should be respected. Whenever you present a piece of art for public consumption, some will gravitate towards it while others will reject it.I feel much of the hate from comic book critics is misplaced anger. Scorsese’s gripe with these films has more to do with major movie studios choosing to pour more money into developing comic book films than the traditional films we all grew up on. Maybe there needs to be more variety in the types of films being pushed by Hollywood. But that does not mean that comic book films are not cinema. Scorsese is a talented filmmaker, boasting a successful career that has spanned over 50 years. It is unfortunate that a person of his talent, and others like him, resort to tearing down another person’s art to prop up their own. Scorsese’s talent is so immense, it should stand on its own. Regardless of how he may feel, there are millions of people like me who love these films and will continue to do so for however many years we have left on this earth.