The attraction is obvious. Instead of having to image ourselves as having powers which might destabilize our lives (à la Spider-Man), we simply become the hero we doodled on the back of a notebook. Anyone can do it, and you're allowed to ignore that decidedly un-super physique in the mirror. It's not just kids, it's adults too, but I stuck to minors in the list above because they best exemplify this idea. Because in addition to gaining powers above those of mortal ken, the very idea that it turns them into adults - or really, the IDEA of adults, since they'll have none of responsibilities beyond crime-fighting - increases their power in the world considerably. Captain Marvel can walk talk and get respect and admiration, he's strong, powerful and charismatic, but he'll never pay taxes, or get a job, or worry about his health.
And perhaps that's why modern writers have difficulty with the archetype. The Marvel Family has slid into corruption in all but the all-ages books they've appeared in, Dial H is about adults, and Ninjak has been divorced from that concept. Because if you apply your adult cynicism to the idea, there's no getting around the ickiness of a child in an adult's body. Basically: How do we address that being's sexuality? Answer: WE DON'T. It's a magical idea. Pure power fantasy. Trying to make it "realistic" or as a way for the child/teen to misbehave using that power is counter to the core of the archetype. It is the domain of alternate universe stories like Kingdom Come, and should not be applied to continuing characters lest they become distasteful or irritating.
What do you think? Are older readers unable to even enjoy this trope without looking at it cynically? Or since THIS older reader can manage just fine, is there an age window with which the archetype doesn't resonate?
Comments
Back in the day, Captain Marvel was big because of the tone of the stories -- action-packed yet lighthearted -- and it worked. Trying to fit him into a more "realistic" mold just takes away the original charm. Even then, on some occasions it's been done well, for example his appearances on the "Young Justice" cartoon. But those are the exceptions.
So I'm not sure that his switcharooniness is a problem, beyond wrtiers' temptation to do all the wrong things with it, say, have him start dating Stargirl. Oh yeah, that totally made things better.
Make that child want to use his adultness to go into bars and get drunk, well... you've lost what it means to be a child, haven't you?
I think this archetype appeals more to young kids and adults. The middle teenager phase doesn't seem to blend with this hero-type. A weird phase were you don't consider yourself a kid anymore, but people still treat you like one. You're also frustrated that you aren't considered as an adult either.
They worked because they were fun and told well. Captain Marvel didn't live in a world that hated and feared him, but he never knew when he'd get hit by a ray that replaces his knowledge of English with Venusian. SHAZOOGLE!
I'm trying to find it (in vain), but at some point many decades ago, Captain Marvel fought a villain who had every power you couldn't think of, something to that effect. So the battle largely consisted of Captain Marvel and the bad guy making lists of powers. A brilliant concept, brilliant enough that Grant Morrison later used it in "Doom Patrol" (knowingly or unknowingly, I assume the latter). Similar stories but with different tones -- lighthearted or trippy, in this case.
The choice doesn't have to be between only stupid, kids comics and dark, "mature" ones. A story can celebrate childhood without being juvenile itself.
It's been a while and I'm from a completely different generation obviously, but I'm pretty sure that, as a teen, I rejected things I later couldn't believe my younger self rejected. Then again, I collected Peter Porker the Spectacular Spider-Ham, so I don't know anymore.
The only teen-centric comic I remember liking as a teen was The Runaways, which came out when I was like 14 or something. Granted I really digged Spawn at that time too. I definitely liked transformation as a younger kid; Hulk was pretty awesome in my eyes
There's a charm to it that is sorely lacking in today's comic industry. All this 'adult', 'dark', 'realistic', 'jaded' stuff. Where's the fun? Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of modern comics, but nothing beats stuff like Captain Marvel and Mr. Monster for me... stuff that never took itself too seriously. For crying out loud, he was SOCK-ing dudes out of their shoes!
I honestly could write a novel why Captain Marvel is awesome and why they shouldn't mess with the formula, but I gotta go to work. I wish I could say SHAZAM and skip it right now. Wish fulfillment again.
I do admit I haven't read all that many classic Captain Marvel stories though. Is there a run I should definitely read? Point me in the right direction!
I do have the first Shazam Archives book, but it's clearly from before it got into its own tone. I never got past the first couple stories. Should look ahead.