Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) PostsHere is a video of Grant Morrison interviewed by Wired Magazine’s Adam Rogers. Grant discusses the story behind All Star Superman and other interesting tales. Grant also talks about Superman’s changes over the decades and his writing process.
http://www.wired.com/video/latest-videos/latest/1815816633/comic-legend-grant-morrison-talks-superman-and-more/490934997001
Today I gave a speech at Toastmasters about investing in comic books. It went over really well! People loved the part about being able to make a billion per cent return on investment. 
My good friend was kind enough to video the speech, so here it is in all of its raw glory:
Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Superman!
As co-owner of Comic Zone, the only comic book store in Scottsdale, I can tell you with utmost confidence that comic books are not just for kids anymore. Today, I am going to tell you about the value of comic book characters. By exploring the archetypes of three popular comic book heroes, I will show you how they have made a difference in the values and morality of our society.
Carl Jung, a pioneer in the field of psychology, focused on the psychoanalytic features of the archetype. He defined an archetype as “a universal and recurring image, pattern, or motif representing a typical human experience.” Archetypes are patterns and behaviors; primordial images which are part of our psyche and social systems.
Today, I will be talking about Superman, Wonder-Woman, and The Joker
Superman is one of the most popular, and longest-known comic book superheroes of our time. Superman was introduced in 1938, and has retained his popularity all of these 72 years. I would say that Superman represents the consummate HERO archetype.
Christopher Vogler, a protégée of Joseph Campbell describes the Hero Archetype as the protagonist or central character, whose primary purpose is to separate from the ordinary world and sacrifice himself for the service of the Journey at hand – which is to answer the challenge, complete the quest and restore the Ordinary World’s balance.
Superman most certainly does that. He came from another planet – Krypton – and realizing his extraordinary strengths, he uses them to fight for truth, justice, and the American Way. Superman reminds us to value our fight for freedom, to be the hero fighting for the causes we believe in, and to serve the good by our actions.
So remember, when you see a wrong to be righted, just tap into the Superman inside of you and fly to the rescue!
Next we have Wonder Woman.
Wonder Woman was created in 1941 by Moulton Marston, who set out to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman. Wonder Woman didn’t just stop criminals – she reformed them! Wonder Woman represents the strong woman archetype, a prevalent archetype known in ancient Irish history as the sovereignty goddess of the land. Wonder Woman teaches us that women can be strong in a different way from men. She, in part, gave rise to the feminist movement that swept our country in the 1970’s. To this day, Wonder Woman is an icon for the strong woman – who is simultaneously a champion and a warrior, as well as compassionate and beautiful. Wonder Woman teaches people, especially women, to believe in themselves.
All women are Wonder Women!
And finally, we have the Joker.
The Joker is a perfect example of the Trickster archetype – a being who, by using chaos and mischief, breaks all of society’s rules to challenge the Hero.
If you saw the recent box office hit, The Dark Knight, you know that in the movie, the Joker was the typical trickster, causing chaos left and right as he even had the hero, Batman, questioning himself and his motives.
The trickster exists to break down old forms and to make us question the structures within which we live so that we can arrive at a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Tricksters are unpredictable and often unassuming. They trick us into thinking!
Have you learned something today about what comic books can show us about ourselves and the world?
See? Trickster energy at work!
In conclusion, comic books have intrinsic values that help shape our view of the world. Superman reminds us that we all have a hero in us. Wonder Woman reminds us that we all have a strong and beautiful self if we but believe in it. The Joker reminds us to question the world and our structures so that we can keep on growing.
Why So Serious??? Why So Serious??? Let’s put a smile on that face!
When I was a young girl, I used to love watching the Superman shows on TV that starred George Reeves. I would tune in to every show, and watch them avidly. I think I even had a bit of a crush on Clark Kent. I was so thrilled when a friend of mine taught me how to draw Superman flying, and I would draw this icon everywhere, doodling on school papers, on the back of envelopes, anything to keep that spirit alive in me. I had no idea that someday I would own a comic book store!
Tonight I was reading through some master’s degree theses on comic books (http://www.comicsresearch.org/ComicsDissertations-masters.html) and I was particularly struck with a thesis done by Joseph James Darowski entitled The American Way: What Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and the X-Men Reveal about America. Right away, Darowski talks about how Superman burst on the scene as early as 1938, making an impact that over 70 years later, is still going strong.
He goes on to reveal all of the ways that Superman has pervaded our culture in a myriad of media forms. He has an iconic stature that has woven its way into the hearts of Americans. The S Shield is well-known and instantly recognized. In fact, if you haven’t seen it yet, we have a new Superman sign at our store, which broadcasts to the world that we are a comic book store. What says it better?
Our new Superman Sign
Darowski goes on to talk about the fact that Superman represents America’s new mythology, a theme I highly support, and with which I agree. Superman exhibits the characteristics that have made our country great – he arrives from another planet to live a better life, he upholds the American ideals of truth and justice, maintains a balance between civilization and freedom, and even his suit reflects the patriotism of the United States in its red and blue color.
To this day, Superman comics reflect the struggles of the American people. The present story line has him living on another planet, trying to adjust to a lifestyle that is decidedly NOT American, and this powerful icon has been arrested for treason. Meanwhile, America struggles with its own problems. Oh bring him back to help us in these times. America needs Superman more than New Krypton does!
Comic Zone, Superman | Linda | 
January 22, 2010 8:59 pm | 
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