I am frustrated by the idea that Batman, who is considered “The World’s Greatest Detective,” would go on some unsophisticated, ideologically-driven quest against a one-dimensional enemy, without truly reflecting upon the underlying origins of terrorist activities.  Many Middle Easterners are angry that the United States supports their country’s autocratic regimes.  As evidenced by the biographies of several 9-11 hijackers, our self-centered international policies have driven even highly educated, middle class men to take up the cause of grievance against Western intervention.  And let’s not forget that one of the main reasons for our presence in Iraq and Saudi Arabia is to feed our unsustainable thirst for Hummer and SUV fuel.  These and other serious issues provoke so-called insurgents to stand up and fight against what they perceive as the United States’ goals of cultural, religious, and political domination.  I would think that Batman, a multi-billionaire, selfless public champion—who risks his mortal life, night after night, while pouring millions of dollars into philanthropic activities as his alter ego Bruce Wayne—would go after the actual causes, as opposed to the superficial symptoms of international terrorism.  In a perfect world, Batman would neutralize the perpetrators of the greatest evil facing humankind at this time: greed-driven, power-drunk imperialists in our government who masquerade as Christians.  As I struggle with the idea of being complicit in a culture that enables such injustices to continuously occur, my thoughts drift towards another question: how many miles per gallon does the Batmobile get?

But, there is a flip side.

Recently, I learned through various comic book and film geek websites (Aintitcool.com; Chud.com) about a massive crossover miniseries project coming from Marvel Comics entitled “Civil War.”  Apparently, it promises to be about a dystopian present where George W. Bush is president, the Patriot Act erodes civil liberties, and our country shifts steadily toward authoritarian rule. In the comic story, the American government enacts a “super-powered being” registration act in response to multiple hero-related incidents, including one where several team members of the Avengers are killed or severely injured by a crazed, post-partum depressed Scarlet Witch (how sexist is that, but that is another essay).  In this post 9-11 comic book world, the U.S. government and the general public feel that it is necessary to keep tabs on anyone who poses a potential domestic terrorism threat.  Some heroes, such as Iron Man, believe that it is their civic responsibility to submit to the surveillance system.  On the other hand, other characters question this draconian measure and eventually refuse to partake in the identification program. 

Interestingly, of all the characters that I thought would go along unquestioningly with Bush’s oppressive legislation, it appears that Captain America outright refuses to register.  I am impressed by the premise of this storyline.  I always thought of “Cap” as the epitome of a knee-jerk loyalist.  He looks like some kind of “Super-Fascist” with his red, white, and blue costume and that ridiculous “A” stamped upon his forehead.  Yet, in the storyline, Captain America spearheads the effort to rally as many heroes as possible in order to oppose this unfair scrutiny.  This Übermensch, who was created by the U.S. government as a living, breathing propaganda tool during World War II, actually revolts against his chain of command.  Steve Rogers (the Captain’s real name) sees through the manipulative, nationalistic rhetoric.  He resents how authorities have exploited 9-11 and the Scarlet Witch incident in order to consolidate power and tighten control over frightened American citizens.  He questions the validity of an invasive surveillance project that is antithetical to the tenets of the U.S. Constitution.  As a result of their disobedience, the Captain and several other Marvel heroes are hunted by Iron Man and company as traitorous insurgents within a once democratic nation.  The writers parallel the superheroes’ experiences with our own current life under the dark cloud of the War on Terror, phone and internet wiretapping, the circumvention of the Geneva Convention, and the Patriot Act.  Now, who says comic books are irrelevant, throwaway pieces of pop culture? 

Perhaps, I’ve become increasingly jaded by pessimistic current event blogs. But, I do know that superheroes once meant something to me, especially the characters that I could personally relate to. Despite being let down by a few on film and in print, my inner child still weeps with joy when seeing the actions of patriotic, dissenting comic characters like Captain America.  His recent activities point toward his sense of duty to the greater good of humanity as well as his awareness of what actual American patriotism encompasses.  A true patriot questions authority, especially when his or her government commits civil rights violations at home and perpetrates atrocities across the globe.  As espoused by poets and philosophers such as Aristotle, Horace, and Matthew Arnold, the notion that art does not exist within a vacuum applies, to me, to comic books: they should entertain, delight, reflect reality as closely as possible, and maybe teach us a lesson or two about ethics and morality based upon an all-inclusive, humanist perspective. I’m not saying that comic books are high art.  However, I do know that comics are an enduring pop cultural art form that is paradoxically didactic and irreverent. 

So, keep on fighting that good fight, Captain America, and continue to put Super-Narcissist and Bat-Neocon to shame.  I probably won’t be able to watch your back physically, considering your contemporary enemies can shoot lasers out of their cybergenetically-enhanced hands. Yet, I know that your Vibranium and Adamantium-alloy throwing shield will protect you well.  But, as a card-carrying comic geek who is somewhat politically and socially conscious, I will do my best, with my own mortal abilities, to enact truth, justice, and domestic regime change—for the greater good of all of humanity.  And, to the relief of my friends and loved ones, I’ll leave the tights and cape at home.