The Classical Hero is Dead by Chipka
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Description
With the advent of the next Marvel Films big-budget superhero flick Thor due to hit theaters this spring, I’ve been thinking about heroes: not too surprising a thing since I tend to find myself thinking about a lot of things. I can’t say that I’m inordinately fond of superheroes, but Thor is at least a real mythical figure, and according to the film trailers that I’ve seen, he’s a bit of a hottie, in that über-fashionable 5-O’Clock Shadow sort of way; he even speaks English like he's just off the plane from Valhalla. According to the movie trailers, there are at least a few glancing references to authentic mythology: sort of.
And so, all cute Nordic gods with hammers notwithstanding, I’ve been thinking of heroes and heroines, and what they tend to say about the cultures they’re intended to serve. In thinking about superheroes, I’m rather fascinated by the US-American fascination with guys in outrageous costumes (usually involving spandex and capes) and the modern American fascination with doing hero damage by revisiting guys like Spiderman, Superman, the whole X-Men gaggle (many of whom are women) and so on. I think in terms of super-hero damage, it’s most overt with the X-Men. (And X-Women.) In not only has the original theatrical trilogy done away with a number of major characters by the end of the third film, but it did so in some of the most non-heroic ways imaginable. Without delivering any spoilers for anyone vaguely interested in seeing the X-Men films for the first time, let’s just say that the whole mythos has been…um…well…tweaked, darkened, and turned into something other than what it was at the start. There are now “prequel” films for the X-Men in the works, the first involving the character Wolverine, and an upcoming feature focusing on the founding of the current “X-Men” cadre of good guys and bad guys who are ultimately good, only misunderstood, misrepresented, or just a bit miffed for good reason. John F. Kennedy has some role to play as well…
But anyway, I’m fascinated by the changes in US-American culture that the change in superheroes represents. No longer is it appropriate for uniformly white men in spandex to run around fighting crime. It’s no longer appropriate for women to be helpless—usually until a man in spandex and a cape shows up. The classical superhero, much like the Classical Hero—it seems—has gone the way of the dinosaur. Thank the gods and any fates for small miracles! This leaves a particular question. If one can see old and dead heroes as representatives of cultural ideals once embraced (for better or for worse) I wonder what modern heroes (super and otherwise) represent. It’s harder, I think, to pinpoint that, as such broad tropes seem mockingly self-referential, conflicted, and anti-heroic in rather humanistic ways. With the death of the classical hero (super and otherwise) are we at a point in human symbol-history when something more human has begun to move into the heroic domain? I think it’s ultimately a good thing, but it leaves me curious as to what it actually means.
I do have to say that I rather like the non-classical hero (super or otherwise) if it means that characters like Thor will speak English with the appropriate non-English accents. Oh, and did I mention the latest incarnation of Thor is something of a stubble-faced hottie? That never hurts.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting…and for those of you with a sharper eye, you might recognize a vague similarity between this shot and various onionskin shots earlier in my gallery. That’s because this is the head of a decapitated hero, placed on the same sheet of folded white paper and enhanced by LED flashlight/cigarette lighters, and a bit of GIMP produced postwork. I had fun making this and hopefully you have fun looking at it. Oh, and did I mention that Thor is kind of a hottie? Hmmm...mythology just got interesting again.
Comments (25)
lwperkins
I just want to know where you found a decapitated classical head to light like an onion? And Thor is a hottie, which may make the movie bearable.
jocko500
cool work
potrimpo
I have heard at times from purists that they turned their superheroes around, bent them over and did something very lewd with them. Know what I mean? Take Superman Returns for example how they say they totally fracked him up because they made him like this or that, or basically that he was so far out of character, he wasn't Superman. And yet when you look at Superman again, it feels like they are a complete embarrassment to Superman fans. Like are they sure they even know who Superman is? Heroes are seen in many different points of view, which I can understand. But I have found some of these points of view are so extreme that it's either how they, in this case, see Superman or it's not Superman at all. Not even in the slightest. Where he's not allowed to feel homesick when he hears that Krypton may still exist, not allowed to be lovesick when Lois moved on, and yet those are still doesn't violate Superman in the slightest. The problem is that is playing with the icons in the slightest, even if it keeps them true to who they are, are not allowed, no room to grow, doesn't that kill the superhero?
danapommet
Super lighting and narrative. Dana
Orinoor
I admit to never really following super heroes that much when I was young. I was too poor for comic books and I loved Wiley Coyote and the Road Runner, didn't matter how many times I saw it, it was still funny. Anyway, so I really love getting to know these super heroes, even the more classical ones like Thor. Kind of like a second childhood. I love your photo, it has a very tragic feel to it.
zoren
I think we like heroes that first, scare us, then help us....great ab's and a hammer can't hurt..
bimm3d
i agree with the title!! it's so true. very beautiful capture!!
MrsRatbag
I'm afraid the classical heroes aren't flash enough for today's folks; we apparently need an overload of everything, gluttonous input of fast-talking dialog, flashing lights, explosions, loud music, and action action action!!! Kind of leaves the classical hero in the dust. But I'm not at all averse to some sexy stubble and hot abs on a super-powered being... Great work here, Chip!
beachzz
Oh my, he seems to have lost his head over all this. I never thought of super heroes as such when I was growing up; I just wanted to fly like Superman and never could find the towel that worked. As far as Thor goes, the one I remember is the cute guy from "Adventures In Babysitting", one my most favorite movies ever. "No one gets out without singin the blues"!!!
evielouise
like beach say's don;t lose your head over small things it's not worth it I know nothing about this not in my taste: great photo however
faroutsider
I think the best take on superheroes in the past 20 years has to be "The Incredibles", which not only explores some of the themes you discuss here, but also has some outstanding animation, humour and general story telling. Excellent photograph and meditations. Oh, and you need to mention that Thor is (apparently) quite a hottie...
kgb224
Outstanding work my friend.
durleybeachbum
Fascinating ramblings...A current series on BBC TV has been discussing the English novel, and it started with a look at heros. This week it was snobs, and next time baddies.
Ilona-Krijgsman
wonderful lighting....even this stone head has expression...well taken
helanker
Awesome shot, Chip and I like the thoughts around hero´s, although I didnt understand all of it perfectly.
GARAGELAND
One of the things I love about America, SUPERHEROS!
flavia49
wonderful image and thoughts
Meisiekind
Hmmm - I think I saw his body in Vegas... I photographed a statue that lost its head... It did have sort of wings so I'm not sure if Thor will be ok with that! :):) Like this a whole lot Chip!
makron
Wonderful image...
sandra46
amazing, very suggestive image! i love the postwork!
KatesFriend
I'm sorry to say I've never followed the pantheon (nice choice of words eh?) of American superheroes. Batman at least was plausible, though Kwai Chang Caine (of Kung Fu legend) was definitely more believable. Though Caine would never have called himself a hero (super or otherwise). He was, 'just a man', which was perhaps the most compelling thing about the character. Of coarse, my hero has always been The Doctor. To look at him (or hims) a very unlikely super hero. Seeming a fool rather than a genius, the Doctor out foxes his enemies through cleverness and guile. Not with laser beams coming out of his eyes. "The Time Lords are a most perfidious species", once quiffed Seutek, Egyptian god of Destruction. But in truth, this so called treachery by the minds of ill will, or the powerful (often hand in hand in the Doctor's universe) was knowledge, wisdom and wit overcoming brute force. There are still clear parallels of such battles even today. And there is much political to say of the invention of super heroes. Do you have to have all the pyrotechnic might of a Thor or an X-Man to overcome injustice or tyranny? No, but most power brokers in this world would want you to believe that you do.
MagikUnicorn
FASCINATING IMAGE!!
mgtcs
Wonderful image my friend, the lighting is gorgeous!
Crudelitas
It happened not just the heroes, the political gods were torn from their pedestals ... It was certainly after the Wall in Germany ... Somehow touched me the picture.
makistsi
:)) Beware friends 'cause the Time that the rats will be separated from Heroes is very close ;)