HEROES – COMIC STRIP CHARACTERS
Most children want to be superheroes. During my childhood, we had Superman, Batman, Underdog, and Wonder Woman. Young boys were tying a towel around their neck jumping off of chairs or out of windows to immolate flying. For Batman, it was making the sound “Dudududududududu Batman!” with their sidekick Robin. And of course, Underdog! He was similar to Superman but a dog. Of course, the girls had Wonder Woman. Being from Texas, the Lasso was cool.
Superman came to the earth in a capsule as a baby. As a teenager, he learned of his strength and worked most of his life trying to keep his identity a secret has he saved the city. Batman was a business rich man who had strength and wisdom. He worked hard to hide his identity as he saved the city. Underdog was a super dog who saved the city. Moreover, Wonder woman was a beautiful woman from an exclusive island with powerful tools.
Author Yang in a creative way told the story in a comic strip, similar to how we learned about Superman and Batman. Young Bao had dreams and at time dream of a hero. During a time when his father and village were attached, his brothers took up Kung Fu with Red Lantern. His brothers teased him and pushed him around, so Red Lantern gave him private lessons. Yang wrote a story rendition of the Boxer Rebellion. The rebellion was led by The Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fist who were a group of peasants seeking to restore China’s honor and to get rid of the foreign influencers. They believed if they learned martial arts, become disciplined, and pray, they would have possessed extraordinary power to fight.
Bao was sent on a quest and ran into Master Big Belly, whom he received additional training and utilized methods of incantations to transform himself into an opera god of early Chinese history. His brothers were imprisoned by the evil leaders, and he transformed himself into the gods and rescued them. This reminded me of the Kung Fu Panda, a cartoon character. His name was Pu, and he aspired to be a martial arts expert. He was selected as the Chosen One to tackle the evil Kung Fu warrior Tai Lung.
In the Saints, the story is of a young child who was called ‘devil face’ because her grandfather thought she was the devil. She experienced a vision of Joan of Arc. She began to explore whom Jesus was after visiting an acupuncturist who was of the Christian faith. She converted to the Christian faith and chose the name Vibiana. She along with that doctor struggled with violence by the Boxers as well as issues with opium, human rights, faith, etc.
His storytelling by cartoon strip provides a story as well as a visual of the story. As a child, I learned about the superheroes through a comic strip. Later in my youth, they were presented as cartoon characters in a television series.
As children, we were taught that God is our provider and protector. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. God incarnated as the human Jesus to sacrifice his life and save those who believe in him. John 3:16, “For God so Loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son for whosoever believeth on him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.” With faith, we believe that he hears us when we pray to him. He will fight our battles. Defeat our enemies and place them as our footstool. He gives us special gifts no as HIS favor. What a mighty God we serve!
wonder woman strip – The Comics Journal http://www.tcj.com/reviews/wonder-woman-the-complete-newspaper-strip-1944-1945/
boxer and saints picture – http://cbldf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/05.jpg
About the Author
Lynda Gittens
6 responses to “HEROES – COMIC STRIP CHARACTERS”
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Ah Lynda-My favorite superhero of course, Wonder Woman! Like you, I poured over my comic books. I so wish I still had them!
Comics is a great way to read about history and to learn. I sure wish we had more reads like this. I’m thinking we need a comic book series that tells the gospel story. Thanks for your post.
Yes, Lynda. Comics convey a story in a very effective way. I loved this story, even though it was shocking.
I never read comics growing up, but certainly follow along with the Marvel Universe movies to keep up with my boys. What is it about super heroes (or opera gods) that draw us so much? Is it that they inhabit characteristics we so long for? Perhaps. Yet they all have an Achilles heel, a weakness. What do you suppose is the weakness of the opera gods who inspired the Boxers?
Lynda, I didn’t really grow up with comic books but we did watch cartoons on TV. Bugs bunny was my favorite.
Young people today are so visual and I think that comics may be a good tool for reaching them. Was this book for kids or adults though?
Thank you for all of your insightful posts. Looking forward to seeing you in Hong Kong!
Thanks for a great post, Lynda. See you in Hong Kong! I liked the picture of Underdog!
That’s one of the things I loved about these books, Lynda – the graphic novel aspect. I grew up with comic books and, later, graphic novels. This reminded me why I have always enjoyed them. The subtleties that graphic novels provide tell a story all their own.