Superheroes, Week 1 Worksheet

A big thanks to all who came out for our first class last night. Hope to see you again in the weeks to come. Please feel free to leave comments on this site and I will get back to you!

Title: “Heroes” (2006-2010)

Starring: Milo Ventimiglia, Hayden Panettiere, and Masi Oka

Synopsis: Both the big and small-screen have been deluged with superhero tales. While films tend to focus on the established, existing superheroes of the Marvel and DC Comics world, the small screen has presented unique options. Over the past few years a number of shows have tackled the idea of humans with super powers in unique ways, often trying to ground the idea in a somewhat relatable world. Some of them have been family friendly — such as the “No Ordinary Family” model offered on ABC — while others have focused more on the scientific aspects of the phenomenon — such as “Alphas” on the SyFy channel.

Then there’s “Heroes,” which was perhaps the most popular of those iterations during recent years. “Heroes” soared out of the gate when it premiered in 2006 because it really captured the fascination the public has with the idea of superheroes, the idea of comic book heroes, and the ethical and moral questions that surround these stories. At the outset, “Heroes” really tried to capture all those elements in an exciting way. And that worked for the first season and a half before the narrative became muddled.

“Heroes” soared in the first season primarily because of its focus. The core characters were really wrestling with these abilities and with how it fit with their vision for their lives. Underlying several of the stories is the question of what we’re meant to do. When Peter and Hiro espouse the belief they’re meant for something more; that they’re meant for something special. That seems to be a concept and an idea that resonates with a lot of people. Another idea that resonates with a lot of people is the idea of having heroes out there to save us. That is the foundation of a number of comic book stories and, I think, speaks to the desire in all of us for a savior — someone greater than ourselves — to believe in.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Why do you think our culture is so drawn to superhero stories?

2. What do superhero stories tell us about our culture and our world?

3. Do superhero stories have a positive or negative impact on our worldviews? Why?