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What are superheroes? People usually think of righteous masked characters with bright awkward spandex outfits, and corny lines. Beyond the silly uniforms superheroes are modern myths; Batman, Spiderman, Ironman, Hulk and many more are equivalent to Hercules and Odysseus from Greek mythology. 

In Power of Myths, Jospeh Campbell states that "myth in modernity are not carriers of religious content, but of political and economic organization"(Campbell 387). Modern myths are not founded upon religious ideologies, but developed from ethical association to our political and economic society. Superhero culture has become an integral part of our culture’s myths since 1938, broadcasting powerful message of right and justice.  

  

Plato's explanation of myths in The Republic, is that myths plays an important role in educating society and constructing the ideal state. Plato emphasizes that, in youth especially, mythic tales make an impression on a person’s character (Plato 377b), making it clear that myths influence moral character. People observe and learn social norms of justice from iconic superhero characters such as Superman.  As a result, the superhero culture as modern myths guides us, and we have resorted to these alternative media, since mainstream ideologies does not usually offer us answers to our need for democracy, protection, and change. 

Superhero culture at its height, has dominated all forms of media, from TV, film, video games, and comic books. Mass media has brought these fantastical character to audiences around the world. These superheroes have infiltrated society in ways that not even Jerry Sigel and Joel Shuster could have imagined when they first came up with the idea of Superman. Superheroes are a reflection of who we are and our need to personify our faults and successes in exaggerated terms. They are mirror images of our own relationships and interactions. Society has formed a need for superheroes beyond entertainment; people look to these characters for morality and justice to fight for what is right.

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