Having all that historical perspective, let me now delve into how comics are still part of my life.
I could say that my moral compass may have been based on comics... and to a certain extent, that would be true. I admire the self-sacrifice that many characters live through - always helping others, not because they're paid to do it. Nope, its not their job - in fact, at times, this little calling even affects their ability to work real fine. Spider-man, for example always has to juggle his work with his vocation of being Spider-man.
Yet he does it anyway. He fights crime - by way of tackling villains, leaving them webbed-up in a present-like packaging for the local authorities. At the endof the day, he comes home - bruises and all, and sleeps his fatigue off. His wife, MJ, accepts this kind of life - worried that one day she may lose him (and in the current arc of Spiderm-man, he does die - so we see MJ's fears realized - lucky for her its just temporary, as Pete evolves and lives), yet accepts that this is what he's been doing since she met him.
Pete isn't rich, and some would say he's rather a bit hard-lucked in life. He just wants to live through as a normal person - yet he has this pledge made because he failed to stop someone commit a crime and his uncle paid for it. So he swings out to help where he can. Not because he's forced to... but because he needs to.
That is putting others first before self. This I can relate with... as a father, maybe even a husband, I take time to help my family - their interests come before mine. Am I equally helpful to strangers? Maybe not, at least, not in the sense one can be expected to help. I used to be part of a volunteer group - the Jaycees, but have since outgrown the organization's political directives, if not its volunteerism aspect. I joined what seemd to be right advocacies against bad government... may still do again, though admitedly, I'd weigh it against my family's needs, and the risks I'd undertake should I be active. Make no mistake - I'm not an activist... but I do want the right thing (policies, actions, security, legitimacy) in our government.
Superman can likewise be an example for good. Though I'd still choose Spidey since he seems the more noble person - the one with more to sacrifice. It's easier to go around and do things as Superman... far harder to accomplish the same feats as Spidey.
On the example of courage - any hero showing tenacity would do. There's Captain America, Batman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) - all three have seemingly indominable will - never giving up, despite the odds. Life tosses you lemons? Make lemonade. - see, I'm that practical. Rather waste time (and energy) complaining, I buckle down to see how I can work around things. I don't want to give up. I may pause, rest, recover... but I will find ways to get up and continue 'the good fight'.
I can think of other things as well reagrding how comics has molded my beliefs - but Stan Lee said it best with his 'Great powers' quote attributed to Spidey.
Now, how did/does comics affect me? Its a hobby - so I enjoy buying and reading them. Yes, they can be a means to temporarily escape reality - so its a de-stress process too. But it has also instilled in me an inquisitive mind. I've learned many concepts of good/bad, right/wrong. It helps me excercise my imagination, and in the past - it inspired me to draw and paint better. Now (it has been years since I tried drawing) I focus more on plot, characteristics and consistency. Heck - the things I did not bother observing as a new reader back then - but have a beter appreciation these days. Naturally I read a lot too - a side effect of reading comics, I presume.
So... I'm patient, self-sacrificing (if need be), able to pick myself up and try again (not giving up) if I stumble, and to my mind, I've got good Karma. These i can attribute to comics - plus of course, all these trivial knowledge that I hope to one day use to get rich with (I can dream can't I?) I can continue saying glowing accolades about me - but who'd believe me? Nope, for a better consideration, maybe you'd have to ask my wife and kids.
These days I share my passion with like minded individuals in the net - I visit and participate in the forums at avenegrsforever.org - and enjoy the excange of ideas and opinions. So there'r things to do when I'm not working.sleeping or reading.
That's it for now. Is there a part 8? When I think of other things to write regarding comics, you bet I'll contribute. 'Til then - see you arounc.
I could say that my moral compass may have been based on comics... and to a certain extent, that would be true. I admire the self-sacrifice that many characters live through - always helping others, not because they're paid to do it. Nope, its not their job - in fact, at times, this little calling even affects their ability to work real fine. Spider-man, for example always has to juggle his work with his vocation of being Spider-man.
Yet he does it anyway. He fights crime - by way of tackling villains, leaving them webbed-up in a present-like packaging for the local authorities. At the endof the day, he comes home - bruises and all, and sleeps his fatigue off. His wife, MJ, accepts this kind of life - worried that one day she may lose him (and in the current arc of Spiderm-man, he does die - so we see MJ's fears realized - lucky for her its just temporary, as Pete evolves and lives), yet accepts that this is what he's been doing since she met him.
Pete isn't rich, and some would say he's rather a bit hard-lucked in life. He just wants to live through as a normal person - yet he has this pledge made because he failed to stop someone commit a crime and his uncle paid for it. So he swings out to help where he can. Not because he's forced to... but because he needs to.
That is putting others first before self. This I can relate with... as a father, maybe even a husband, I take time to help my family - their interests come before mine. Am I equally helpful to strangers? Maybe not, at least, not in the sense one can be expected to help. I used to be part of a volunteer group - the Jaycees, but have since outgrown the organization's political directives, if not its volunteerism aspect. I joined what seemd to be right advocacies against bad government... may still do again, though admitedly, I'd weigh it against my family's needs, and the risks I'd undertake should I be active. Make no mistake - I'm not an activist... but I do want the right thing (policies, actions, security, legitimacy) in our government.
Superman can likewise be an example for good. Though I'd still choose Spidey since he seems the more noble person - the one with more to sacrifice. It's easier to go around and do things as Superman... far harder to accomplish the same feats as Spidey.
On the example of courage - any hero showing tenacity would do. There's Captain America, Batman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) - all three have seemingly indominable will - never giving up, despite the odds. Life tosses you lemons? Make lemonade. - see, I'm that practical. Rather waste time (and energy) complaining, I buckle down to see how I can work around things. I don't want to give up. I may pause, rest, recover... but I will find ways to get up and continue 'the good fight'.
I can think of other things as well reagrding how comics has molded my beliefs - but Stan Lee said it best with his 'Great powers' quote attributed to Spidey.
Now, how did/does comics affect me? Its a hobby - so I enjoy buying and reading them. Yes, they can be a means to temporarily escape reality - so its a de-stress process too. But it has also instilled in me an inquisitive mind. I've learned many concepts of good/bad, right/wrong. It helps me excercise my imagination, and in the past - it inspired me to draw and paint better. Now (it has been years since I tried drawing) I focus more on plot, characteristics and consistency. Heck - the things I did not bother observing as a new reader back then - but have a beter appreciation these days. Naturally I read a lot too - a side effect of reading comics, I presume.
So... I'm patient, self-sacrificing (if need be), able to pick myself up and try again (not giving up) if I stumble, and to my mind, I've got good Karma. These i can attribute to comics - plus of course, all these trivial knowledge that I hope to one day use to get rich with (I can dream can't I?) I can continue saying glowing accolades about me - but who'd believe me? Nope, for a better consideration, maybe you'd have to ask my wife and kids.
These days I share my passion with like minded individuals in the net - I visit and participate in the forums at avenegrsforever.org - and enjoy the excange of ideas and opinions. So there'r things to do when I'm not working.sleeping or reading.
That's it for now. Is there a part 8? When I think of other things to write regarding comics, you bet I'll contribute. 'Til then - see you arounc.
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