Why Comic Books Are Good For The Soul

I just got back fom New York Comic Con and felt compelled to post this Blog.

This past High Holiday season, I volunteered to help out again at my local East Meadow Temple and saw some things that triggered a huge moment of reflection back to my youth in Brooklyn, where I would stop on the way home from Hebrew lessons to buy comic books. My mother spent years and years calling them “Joke Books”, but the only joke in the monthly champion chronicles and pulp fiction that I read reverently was, ”Why did the Joker cross the road? Answer-to rob another bank!” (heehee)

From the genetic altering Erskine experiment of a skinny patriot into the star spangled super soldier symbol of America that fought in each of our World Wars and beyond, to the birth of a super humanoid like alien from the distant planet Krypton landing in Smallville USA,  to an all knowing Shadow, to a man known as the Spirit or the Phantom, to the Caped Crusading Dark Knight, to the man without fear- Daredevil, the Amazing Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four, the Uncanny X-Men, and beyond, I realize now that there is a common thread that interconnects the origins of the planet's most famous superheroes. And that would be religious values.

The Jewish Shakespeares, Dickens and Hemingways of my Hebrew school/bar mitzvah lesson attending youth, were named Stan “Stanley Lieber” Lee and Jack “Jacob Kurtzberg” Kirby.  Also Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster- two Jewish paladin creators from Cleveland and two Jews from the Bronx, Bill Finger and Robert ”Bob Kane“ Kahn; as well as Joe Simon, Mort Weisinger, Will Eisner and more. And for ten or twelve cents you had updated stories of costumed Golems infused with the wisdom of King David and the angst of Moses.

The writers and artists created mythic characters who reflected their own religious values. Golden Age Superheroes and Justice Society All Stars obey the Talmudic injunction and other religious biblical teachings, to do good for its own sake and heal the world where they can. Given the adversity that they were dealt with (losing their parents or home, huge physical differences, losing their sight or another ability, mental flaws, unrequited love, etc) these characters were inherently good and defeated evil doers at every turn.

Back then, there was more black and white issues in color than ones in shades of grey. These creatures would seek out wrongs to right, even though they themselves were displaced, discriminated against, harassed, or hunted. (Much like my father’s Jewish history lessons around the holiday family dining table, where he’d summarize with,” They tried to kill our ancestors, we fought back bravely and ran away, we prayed and persevered, let’s eat!)

While many of these individuals had personal issues in their monthly issues, they always followed the teachings of the 10 commandments and were role models for “Truth, Justice and the American Way.” Whether they were alien or natives; whether they lived on land, in the air or under the sea; and whether they had powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men or just wore tights and costumes in vibrant colors, these males and females would follow the basic core teachings of most popular religions, such as protecting the weak.

I know that some of you are thinking that comic books promoted violence and stereotypes, but that is not the case. Many times there was a peaceful solution. And one that caused food for thought. And thoughts of personal reflection as well, which is probably why I still read and collect these great works of art and literature  even though the price now is about three to four dollars each.

Seems that the inflated price is worth the level headed values. And comics are also great for teaching ESL students from all over the world, our language as well.