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The Antidote to Toxic Masculinity
Allow Men to be the Heroes they Want to Be
I’ve always loved comics though growing up I knew they were normally the purview of boys. As a child, I was the odd girl who collected X-Men comics. I loved Wolverine, Storm and Nightcrawler. Another of my favorites was Spider-man. As a fellow New Yorker, I thought he was way cooler than Superman. I loved his personality.
Comics are the modern equivalent of fairy tales and myths. These art forms speak to us in deep and meaningful ways, often at a subconscious level. Children need such tales to help make sense of the world. Adults can still find value in them. Boys in particular find the superhero archetypes compelling.
Therefore, it’s generally boys (and men) who are fond of comics. They are the ones who will analyze and argue over the details of various multiverses. While some people make fun of comic books and superhero movies and the men who are passionate about them, I think that, like any meaningful fable, these works of art teach us important lessons.
When boys avidly pore over stacks of Marvel or D.C., they also learn important lessons about right and wrong, good and evil, self-discipline and self-sacrifice. Even self-centered playboy Ironman ultimately sacrifices himself for those he loves.
