Our continued interest in comic book heroes reflects our admiration for those who help others despite the challenges.
When I was a boy I got my comic book fix in 12 cent monthly increments They were delivered via the local variety store called [in all its early innocence and lung-stomping dastardliness] the Smoke Shop. There, amidst my options of Donald Duck, Richie Rich and Archie comic books I would seek out the stories of how a rich guy, helped by the small but vital team of his butler and young protege, would use his wealth and techno-talents for good.
Unlike talking ducks, gold-plated helicopter owners and red-haired perennial teenagers, Batman was focused on righting wrongs, and so was his audience. He was fully energized, serving where needed, and plenty able to get [the right] things done. The crooks and causes were pivotal but secondary, troublesome but not undefeatable. We knew good would triumph, even if it did get tied up from time to time, because Batman kept on trying.
There was a fellow comic-loving lad named Larry in my home town. The first time he and I got together at his place we each read a comic book. I was ready to read another but Larry said: “Let’s play together instead, and when you head home you can borrow some of these…” and he opened a cupboard door, to reveal hundreds of comic books, including dozens of Batman issues I had never seen. I felt like I had discovered the Lost City of Gold, but Larry already knew something I didn’t: that life isn’t about being entertained but doing things together.
In addition to whatever value those many Batman original pressings would have right now [somewhere between 12 cents and priceless], I wish our society would realize that we have almost everything Batman had back then. We have cool technology, greedy bad guys galore, and a lot of people shining bat-signals into the sky, asking for help. What we need to do now is not don a costume or slip into another bad guy-focused media event, but to start doing what Batman did best: serving where needed.
Research shows that helping others relieves stress and depression, and actually brings us joy.
It’s time to stop feeling that the bad guys are getting too tough, and get energized. It’s time to get off the couch and start getting off on helping others.
Start small, but get involved. What’s going on in your community that could use some help? You can see Bat-signals. Go help someone!