1. John Carter Subconsciously Reminds Marvel Fans Of Superman
Yep. Nuff said. No? More explanation needed? Okay. This point is better read keeping in mind that John Williamss score is playing in the background. Although John Carter has influenced many things, one of the first properties he helped significantly inspire was Superman, the greatest superhero of all timemake no mistake, even if he isnt one of your favorite superheroes, he is nevertheless the greatest. John Carter is very much a proto-Superman, a Willow of sorts to Supermans Star Wars. Like Superman, John Carter has great powers. Like Superman, John Carter is an alien outsider. Like Superman, John Carter solves problems based on his intelligence and bravery, which are in turn based on his origins. Like Superman, John Carter is a beacon of hope for his adopted homeworld. And also, like Superman, despite his longevity, John Carter is widely, whether ignorantly, obstinately, or sensationally, misunderstood. Although a fan of one comic book character cannot with good conscience dismiss another without first reading every book about the latter, this is a huge norm when it comes to Superman. There seems to be something in comic book fans, especially nonfans of DC Comics, which is threatened by Superman, something which makes Kal-El the brunt of vicious comments, something that passionately stamps over his heartfelt, inspiring story. Not realistic? No. Not identifiable? No. An uncracked story code? Arguable. DCs marketing? Possibly. Mostly, its pessimism and the steady, pressuring call of the all-knowing status quo, wrought from our especially darker moments. The same sensibility which can get us thinking, yet also led past scientists to say that humanity would never fly. Marvel is lauded for its identifiable characters with real-world problems. Superman has them too. Theyre just of a different kind and a different scope, one that requires a different sort of effort, or fortitude, which isnt always easy to lift yourself into. Where most of the pantheon of superheroes is Ray Bradbury, Superman is Isaac Asimov. In short, Superman, like John Carter, is not easy. Some of Marvel Studioss films, like the Iron Man Trilogy, have pioneering souls, but they are packaged in a way where you can gloss over their underlying ideas if you so choose. John Carter, on the other hand, puts a theme of the futility of war at the forefront, which doesnt go down easy for anyone. Hopefully the upcoming Man of Steel will help more of us rethink things, and more movies, science fiction, fantasy, or otherwise, can build on what John Carter tried to stir.
Click next" to read my conclusion...