Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, Captain America… They are the heroes of generations of children, adolescents, and adults. How were they born? Why do they evolve in New York settings? What influence in real life on the scripts of the comics? The documentary In the secret history of comics, available on the platform jump, answers all questions.
Why is New York the backdrop for comics?
New York City is THE city of heroes. To understand its central role, we have to go back to the beginning of the comics. New York has always been the place where dreams come true, the door to America. The whole world crammed onto a small island: such is the image of the city, especially in the first half of the 20th century. Comics were born in New York because their creators came from the city’s ghettos. Thus, Jack Kirby, co-creator of Captain America, was born in the Lower East Side of NY, or Bob Kane, co-creator of Batman, comes from the Bronx. In the aftermath of the First World War, during the Great Depression, these writers and others imagine extraordinary characters who come to restore order. Superman evolves in Metropolis, and Batman in Gotham City: the two cities are metaphors of New York, with its buildings which are inseparable from it.
Why do Marvel heroes evolve in New York City instead of a fictional city?
In the 1960s, the heroes of Marvel were born. Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko create Spider-Man, Avengers, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Doctor Strange. But this time, “instead of living in a fictional city like Gotham City, I put them right in the middle of New York“Stan Lee says in the documentary.”I knew New York City, I could talk about it.“So Marvel is making New York the center of history, the cradle of the world for generations.
Are the comics inspired by reality?
Yes. At the end of the 1960s, Marvel dared to talk about the upheavals in society. Life changes, and art changes. The comics take a more social turn, talking about the real world. The X-Men talk about civil rights; in the years 1970-80, some comics are aimed particularly at adults, dealing with drugs and fascism; in 1986, Frank Miller brings an unprecedented level of realism with The Dark Knight or Daredevil. Gangs, violence… political subjects are discussed.
How did September 11, 2001 influence comics?
September 11, 2001 was a huge shock to the whole world. The Twin Towers were the symbol of American triumphalism, which can be found in the comics. How do you represent what happened without it sounding like entertainment? The comics react immediately. Marvel is the first, creating as early as October Heroes, a collection of illustrations bringing together the best artists. Comics, despised for twenty years, then find their place, having been able to tell readers what they needed to hear. Comics take advantage of the surge in American patriotism. In 2002, the first feature film Spider-Man, by Sam Raimi, with Tobey Maguire, is a historic success.
What impact has the war in Iraq had on comics?
National union after September 11 is short-lived … At the end of 2002, the war in Iraq, decided by President George W. Bush, looms. The country is divided: the pros, the cons. A crack that we soon find in the comics Civil War : Superheroes do not face villains, but oppose each other! Captain America and Iron-Man face off. The first represents the Democrats, the second the Republicans. In the center, Spider-Man is seen as an average, moderate American who must choose sides.
Why is the Joker version Christopher Nolan revolutionary?
A new step was taken in 2007-2008 with the film The Dark Knight: The Dark Knight from Chistopher Nolan: as the (real) world fights against Daesh terrorism, the Joker played by Heath Ledger returns the image of a nihilist terrorist who wants to raze New York and create organized disorder. The parallel with Daesh is desired. Faced with the threat, the hero becomes anti-hero, ready to win by leaving aside his moral values and putting himself at the level of the enemy. An unprecedented discourse for comics for thirty years: with the films of Christopher Nolan, the border between good and bad is blurred.
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