Superheroes in Real World Situations - Good or Bad?

[mikegraham6]

I just finished reading Marc Guggenheim's miniseries Squadron Supremem: Hyperion VS. Nighthawk and I don't see any mention of this book on the forums, I was wondering if anyone was reading it. WIKI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squadron_Supreme:_Hyperion_vs._Nighthawk
For those of you who don't know what it's about it basically begins with a fight between Hyperion (Superman) and Nighthawk (Batman) and leads to Hyperion being deployed to Darfur to protect a diplomat. It turns out that Nighthawk is there as well trying to take out the Janjaweed who have been ravaging the country. Nighthawk basically blackmails Hyperion into helping him clean up the horrible situation there, and of course the typical superhero action ensues.

I picked up this series mainly because I read the Squadron Supreme series put out by JMS and this is replacing it for 4 months, but then the Darfur storyline intrigued me. Guggenheim is donating his writting fee to charity helping the Darfur situation. He used a significant portion of the book to outline what is happening in the region and notes that in the end there is no easy solution.
I thought it was an average book that was elevated due to the fact that you can tell that Guggenheim truly does care about the situation and wants to educate his readers about the horrors that are going on in that country.
What do you guys think about using real world situations and tragedies as a backdrop for storytelling? do you think it trivializes the situation, or is it simply a way to comment on what going on and educate people. It always seems like a touchy ground when your dealing with superheroes because they could so easy swoop down and solve the problem in a matter of minutes.
What do you think about this book, or if you haven't read it, other books like Amazing Spider-man #36 (9/11 issue) or The Ultimates 2 #1 (where Cap drops into Iraq to free american hostages). Is it a big deal?

[alexg]

I just finished reading Marc Guggenheim's miniseries Squadron Supremem: Hyperion VS. Nighthawk and I don't see any mention of this book on the forums, I was wondering if anyone was reading it. WIKI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squadron_Supreme:_Hyperion_vs._Nighthawk
For those of you who don't know what it's about it basically begins with a fight between Hyperion (Superman) and Nighthawk (Batman) and leads to Hyperion being deployed to Darfur to protect a diplomat. It turns out that Nighthawk is there as well trying to take out the Janjaweed who have been ravaging the country. Nighthawk basically blackmails Hyperion into helping him clean up the horrible situation there, and of course the typical superhero action ensues.

I picked up this series mainly because I read the Squadron Supreme series put out by JMS and this is replacing it for 4 months, but then the Darfur storyline intrigued me. Guggenheim is donating his writting fee to charity helping the Darfur situation. He used a significant portion of the book to outline what is happening in the region and notes that in the end there is no easy solution.
I thought it was an average book that was elevated due to the fact that you can tell that Guggenheim truly does care about the situation and wants to educate his readers about the horrors that are going on in that country.
What do you guys think about using real world situations and tragedies as a backdrop for storytelling? do you think it trivializes the situation, or is it simply a way to comment on what going on and educate people. It always seems like a touchy ground when your dealing with superheroes because they could so easy swoop down and solve the problem in a matter of minutes.
What do you think about this book, or if you haven't read it, other books like Amazing Spider-man #36 (9/11 issue) or The Ultimates 2 #1 (where Cap drops into Iraq to free american hostages). Is it a big deal?

Yeah, real world situations in superhero comics bugs the crap out of me for some reason--Especially war/poverty/genocide issues. there's no way to make it work really. What excuse can Tony Stark possibly come up with for Ignoring Darfur and fighting Captain America for example. I think the danger is that it makes it all too easy. Superman could probably single handedly wipe out most of the insurgency in Iraq if he set his mind to it--does reading a story like that really get us anywhere? It's TOO escapist and too delusional. If you want to tell stories of events in the "real world", use the 'myth and symbol' of the superhero world in question and draw analogies that way--Have hydra be your terrorist organization for example. Tell the story without relying on the real world events to add gravitas--because using those real world events in a mythic superhero world is in a way, not respectful to me.

That being said, I don't think we shouldn't filter real world events through the medium of comics--just do it in a different way-case(s) in point:

Queen And Country.

Whiteout

Criminal

[comhcinc]

i don't know i think if it is the right character you can make a real statement.


how about US Agent(yes yes i know) in Darfur? He's a merc so it would make sense to be there and giving his power level, he really couldn't change things. that gives you the opportunity to do a story about the situation without it becoming to easy.

it might help spread the message

[mikegraham6]

well that's kinda what Guggenheim does in this book. in the end

SPOILER (but really, i think im the only one reading this book anyways:rolleyes: )


They meet some African heroes who explain why it isn't a situation that can be resolved over night. if they remove the government or the janjaweed, someone will just take there place.

it was a good way to comment on Africa in general, its a problem with no easy resolution (it dates back for centuries). But the problem with the issue is he only touches on this, therefore he doesn't really offer any commentary on the issue and if you are placing your story in this real world situation you should at least use it as some sort of platform (if not, then why use it?).
but i guess in the end Guggenheim does help educate his readers about Darfur (something that desperately needs to be done)

[alexg]

They meet some African heroes who explain why it isn't a situation that can be resolved over night. if they remove the government or the janjaweed, someone will just take there place.



See it's that kind of storytelling that bugs me (this comment on the story, not your post Mikegraham, which I dug). I'm all for education, especially about things like Darfur, but it's just not enough to say "someone else will replace them" As true as that may be, we need story that delves into WHY someone else will just replace them. Maybe comics that show more of African history are in order...maybe we need to know some of the elements that led us to the current situation.

Does this mean comics about the Portugese and Arab colonists/slavers in Africa? I don't know...I'm not sure anyone could stomach reading that.

[mikegraham6]

See it's that kind of storytelling that bugs me (this comment on the story, not your post Mikegraham, which I dug). I'm all for education, especially about things like Darfur, but it's just not enough to say "someone else will replace them" As true as that may be, we need story that delves into WHY someone else will just replace them. Maybe comics that show more of African history are in order...maybe we need to know some of the elements that led us to the current situation.

Does this mean comics about the Portugese and Arab colonists/slavers in Africa? I don't know...I'm not sure anyone could stomach reading that.

I'm with you, thats what i felt this story needed after i read it. i asked WHY? and got no answer.

About the whole african situation: I've trying desperatly to find a book that outlines the history of africa as a continent from colonilization onward. Just looking at the situation in various african countries like somalia, sierra leone, sudan, south africa and zimbabwe; they are all in shape but for extremely different reasons. and it interests me to find out how all this happened and how come it's different in various countries but all seem to lead to the same result. Anyone know where i can find a book like this? I've only been able to find books that outline the history of a single country.


BACK ON TOPIC: But maybe we are asking too much of these comics, but hey, they really bring it on themselves when they touch on these topics.

[acomicbookgirl]

What book are you guys talking about ?

[mikegraham6]

What book are you guys talking about ?

Squadron Supreme: Hyperion Vs Nighthawk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squadro..._vs._Nighthawk

[alexg]

But maybe we are asking too much of these comics, but hey, they really bring it on themselves when they touch on these topics.


EXACTLY! A slipperly slope indeed

[acomicbookgirl]

Squadron Supreme: Hyperion Vs Nighthawk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squadro..._vs._Nighthawk

There's nothing in the link.. :confused:

[mikegraham6]

There's nothing in the link.. :confused:

wierd, i think i copy and pasted it wrong
here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squadron_Supreme:_Hyperion_vs._Nighthawk