Superheo_Analysis

Aimee Janz Mrs. Hackett-3rd hour March 2, 2010 Superman vs. Spider-Man Everyone needs a hero. Sometimes that hero is someone that you know and sometimes it is someone made up. Superman and Spider-Man are some of America’s best loved heroes. Little boys wear their costumes on Halloween and carry lunch boxes bearing their favorite hero. Superman and Spider-Man are quite different but they share a few common traits other then being loved by many. In 1938, DC Comics created one of the world’s most popular superheroes. He is described as "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound". People know him as Superman. Superman was born on the planet Krypton and was rocketed to Earth by his scientist father just before Krypton’s destruction. He was found and adopted by a farmer and his wife who raised him, Clark Kent, with strong moral values. He began displaying superhuman abilities such as flight, super-speed, super strength and many more at a young age. Superman’s personality is somewhat rough and aggressive. He is very protective of Earth and Clark Kent’s family and friends. Then in 1962, Marvel Comics introduced the world to a new hero. Spider-Man. But Spider-Man did not start out as a hero. He started out as Peter Parker, an orphaned, science loving teenager living with his aunt and uncle in NYC. He was often made fun if by his peers and struggled with rejection, inadequacy and loneliness which made him relatable to Marvel’s teenage readers. One day, during a science experiment, Peter was bitten by a radioactive spider. As a result, Peter gained spider-like powers such as super strength, super-speed, the ability to climb walls and an incredible jumping skill. Although the two heroes have many differences, they also have many similarities. Spider-Man and Superman both use their powers for good. When disaster strikes the heroes are there to save the day. They protected the innocent people of society from bullies, abusive spouses, even super villains. They also share similar powers such as super-speed and super strength. Superman and Spider-man each have an alter ego (Peter Parker and Clark Kent). To their family, friends and people they see on the street Peter and Clark look like your average guy living an average life. Superheroes like Superman, Spider-Man and many others saved the lives of many innocent people and saved the world from villains. People admire them for what they do and many people worldwide can relate and look up to them.