Comic book superheroes are modern day incarnations of mythological figures. They represent going beyond the limits of human ability. We can actually learn important lessons from mythology to help free ourselves from the limitations we all acquire as we move through life. The limitations and expectations from others that can weigh down our expectations and actions.
It’s these kinds of ideas that I’ve explored in my books and pop-sci writing. I think a fair bit about these issues. But I didn’t expect to have these same thoughts about superheroes when I was in a movie theatre watching “42”, the biographical sports drama about the life of Jackie Robinson. I never really thought of Jackie Robinson as a superhero. But, wow, do I ever now.
Like the New York Times review headline for “42” that read “The Superhero Who Leapt Color Lines”. That Times review goes on to call “42” “the season’s first major superhero movie”. And it’s hard to argue with that assessment.
And the link between fictional superheroes and real life heroes is blurred a bit by the timing of things. In fact, April of 2013 has lots of neat calendar convergences: 42 opened and set a record for baseball movies (12-14 April); Jackie Robinson day in Major League Baseball (MLB) (April 15); and, Superman’s 75th birthday (April 18).
Superman, Batman, Captain America and crew are superheroes that share an age with Jackie Robinson. Jackie broke into the major leagues in 1947 while Superman broke onto the scene in 1938, Batman in 1939, and Captain America in 1941. This list of real and fictional heroes were willing to take action, had extreme drive and dedication, rose against the obstacles in their paths, were smart, respectable, and showed true humility.
Take Batman. A key part of his mythology is his all-around athleticism. How Batman is good at more than one thing and when you put all the parts together you get this fantastic ultimate athlete. Batman is instructive as a great example of success through skill in multiple domains: he is good at many things. Specialization, while useful, can also be limiting if not balanced with some other skills. Well-rounded is something to strive for, to work at and to respect.
Jackie Robinson was a well-rounded ball player. He had great hitting, base running, and fielding. When he retired from MLB in 1956 having played 9 seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie’s career statistics as a 6-time All-Star were:
Batting average .311
Hits 1,518
Home runs 137
Runs batted in 734
Stolen bases 197
He also had an extreme list of distinctions: MLB Rookie of the Year (1947), National League Batting Champion (1949), MVP (1949), Stolen Base Champion (1947 & 1949), and a 1955 World Series Champ. Oh yes, Jackie was also inducted into Cooperstown in 1962 and selected for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.
Jackie led a relatively short (passing away at the age of 53) but extremely productive life. Like all superheroes, Jackie was a symbol of struggle, hard work, dedication and achievement against very long odds.
Superman symbolize someone who will always be there and is determined to succeed, has extraordinary ability but uses them for the good of others. For winning against evil.
Jackie’s legendary status was achieved by his single minded determination to pursue his destiny. He became and remains a beacon and symbol for struggle against narrow thinking and racist oppression.
The underlying point for connecting with comic book superheroes like Batman and Superman is to appreciate how much each one of us has in common with the hero. Or more importantly, hopes to have in common by connecting and emulating in some way their achievements. And how can we fail to connect with the inspirational story of Jackie Robinson?
Superman, Batman, and Jackie Robinson—inspirational superheroes in fiction and reality.
© E. Paul Zehr (2013)