26 August 2013

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What Will the Next Superhero Look Like?

The concept of superheroes was born in a highly unstable time of crisis and social uproar. As uncertainty spread rampantly across the population, people needed somebody to protect them, to fight crime, to stand up for “the little guy”. Hence superheroes were born. The possibly most famous and prototypical superhero is Superman, born in 1933, in the times of the Great Depression. 80 years later, the situation hasn't changed too much. Civil unrest and financial uncertainty have become an inseparable part of our everyday lives once again, and this is a growing tendency. A new generation of superheroes is needed more than ever as the old symbols are slowly losing their power. But what would this new generation of superheroes look like? [...]

The concept of superheroes was born in a highly unstable time of crisis and social uproar. As uncertainty spread rampantly across the population, people needed somebody to protect them, to fight crime, to stand up for “the little guy”. Hence superheroes were born. The possibly most famous and prototypical superhero is Superman, born in 1933, in the times of the Great Depression. 80 years later, the situation hasn't changed too much. Civil unrest and financial uncertainty have become an inseparable part of our everyday lives once again, and this is a growing tendency. A new generation of superheroes is needed more than ever as the old symbols are slowly losing their power. But what would this new generation of superheroes look like?

Symbols
Once again the next superhero prototype has to be an inspiring symbol fighting for the common people. However, this time around it doesn't have to be in fancy costumes. The gear they use has to be more pragmatic and and has to instill fear in the hearts of all those who pray on the weak. Unlike superheroes like Batman, it shouldn't be categorized but more “open to interpretation”. The symbolism will hide in the fact that criminals and city bands, violent people and all those who deserve to be punished, won't know what to expect. Not knowing will terrify them. Fearing a giant bat is one thing; fearing something that can't be explained, that can't be qualified or otherwise described, is another thing altogether.

Weapons
Tear gas and electricity generating batons would be a great start, combined with an armored suit. This way both superheroes and criminals would safe from permanent harm but it certainly wouldn't be a pleasant experience for a street gang to meet a superhero in a dark alley.

Various types of stun guns and tranquilizer darts will also be employed in order to fight everyday crime. Flash bangs will also be a useful tool against multiple opponents.

Superpowers
The superhero of the next generation doesn't need superpowers but years of training and preparation to become a force for good. People need to be able to relate to him much more easily. That's the reason Batman is one of the most popular superheroes (that and the fact that he is Batman). It's all about sending a message – you can't be a bad person and get away with it.

Crime fighting style and service to society
These superheroes will be much more focused on fighting everyday crimes like robberies and street gangs, than they will spend saving the world from aliens. Day to day crime is getting much more common and the police don't always have the resources to fight it. That's the reason for the focus being shifted toward that particular field.

These superheroes will provide a service to society in other ways, as well. They will also feed the poor and fight poverty by doing everything they can to provide help to those who need it the most, using their own resources.

Controversy
Just like masked vigilantes today, the next superhero will work outside the law which is why they will spike controversy. Most people will support them, however, because of the undeniable service they will be doing to society. Even though they will generally be hunted by the representatives of the law, these heroes will do everything in their power to assist law enforcement officers and will do their best not to intervene in police investigations.

The quest
The ultimate goal is to make the lives of the common people easier and to take down the raging gangs and threats to public safety. Poverty is another major enemy to these superheroes and they will pursue its abolishment to the very end.



About Today's Contributor
Paula Sheamus is a passionate freelancer blogger and writer. She is keen on Sci-Fi topics and loves to write about that. She currently works at Shiny Domestic Cleaners and she is really happy with that because she has more free time to write.

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