Imagine it now: Superman, in all his shining glory, the blue
and red soul of the US of A, gleefully brandishing a Kryptonian Pulse rifle, as
he rains his own brand of fiery incapacitation upon the crowds of human
miscreants below him. Yeah, doesn’t sound too natural, does it?
What I’ve noticed during my travels in the world of comics,
games and films is that the use of weaponry by heroes, and the reaction it
garners from said hero’s fanbase, is extremely varied and sometimes a bit
bewildering. Where a character such as Deadpool is glorified and idolised
(somewhat unjustly considering how few stories of his have been genuinely interesting)
by casuals and devout fans alike for his trademarked gratuitous, humorous and
weapon filled violence, yet Superman in Zack Snyder’s somewhat divisive reboot,
‘Man of Steel’ (2013) was vilified and generally cited for (SPOILER ALERT)
breaking General Zod’s neck at the end of a film in what was clearly an effort
to stop any further death/destruction that may have taken place had Zod stayed
alive, and it was also made clear that killing Zod took a huge toll on Superman
after he let out a shout that would make Dinah Lance proud. What is it that is
so acceptable about Deadpool’s brand of violence when pitted against the
die-hard restraint of the likes of Batman and Superman that (unfortunately for
them) doesn’t always pay off?
Now I know a lot of this can be put down to the characters
themselves, after all, Supes is supposed to be the greatest beacon of “Truth,
Justice, and the American Way!” that there ever was. However, I can’t help but
feel like this prejudice is completely unjustified.
Take Green Arrow; a highly popular character who now has two
comic series of his own (as well as appearances in other titles) as well as a
hugely popular TV series that has led to the expansion of DC Entertainment’s
television presence with the eve of the new Flash series fast approaching
(hehe), yet in his comic he straight up kills people. Not just maiming or
dishing out many variants on the term grievous bodily harm, but genuinely
putting them down without a care in the world. Now I love Green Arrow more than
any other character but even I have to admit that that is pretty damn cold. That
doesn’t affect his sales though. Why care so much about the ethics of Spidey,
Batman and Supes if you’re just going to wash over the triggers and three
fingered gloves of the more violent characters?
I’m not trying to complain, because if I’m honest I really
don’t care if someone else complains about it, but what I do dislike is the
sort of reaction that the likes of the MOS ending received from some who
clearly don’t take this point into consideration as they type their comments,
DP shirt and belt buckle at the ready.
Oh wait, I forgot, it’s *absolutely* ok because
he’s ‘funny’.
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