Heroes and superheroes : from myth to the American comic book

Abstract

This article demonstrates that the mythological hero who appears in myth, legend and folklore has resurfaced in the twentieth century as the American comic book superhero. First, the differences between the hero and the superhero are explained. Then the characteristics of the archaic hero are discussed to show its parallels with the modern superhero. The argument is based on Joseph Campbell’s formulation of the complex pattern in the stages of the adventure of the hero. An analysis of a superhero comic book, Daredevil: Born Again, serves to show how these different stages, as distinguished by Campbell, form the basis for both the archaic and the American comic book superhero.HELDE EN SUPERHELDE: VAN MITE TOT DIE AMERIKAANSE STROKIESPRENT: Hierdie artikel demonstreer dat die mitologiese held wat in mites, legendes en volksverhale verskyn, sy herverskyning maak in die twintigste eeu in die vorm van die Amerikaanse strokiesprent superheld. Die verskille tussen die held en die superheld word eerstens bespreek. Vervolgens word die eienskappe van die argaïese held bespreek om die ooreenkomste met die moderne superheld aan te toon. Die argument is gebaseer op Joseph Campbell se formulering van die komplekse patroon in die fases van die held se avontuur. 'n Analise van 'n superheld strokiesprent (Daredevil: Born Again) toon hoe hierdie verskillende fases, soos deur Campbell onderskei, die basis vir sowel die argaïese held as vir die Amerikaanse strokiesprent vorm.