Comic Books Have Lost a Major Piece of Superhero Lore They Need to Bring Back

by

Superhero comics have evolved significantly over the decades, which is natural. Early Marvel and DC stories often featured heroes battling gangsters and isolated villains who symbolized societal problems. The ‘Silver Age’ was known for its complex, over-the-top storylines that prioritized entertainment over logic. While secret identities were once central to a hero’s story, they’re now often overlooked. These shifts reflect the tastes and times in which the comics are published, and that’s perfectly fine. However, one important aspect of superhero history has been largely forgotten, and it deserves to be remembered.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how superhero comics have changed, and something really strikes me. It used to be that these stories were about the hero and the people around them – their neighbors, coworkers, the folks they knew as both a hero and a regular person. Those everyday characters were crucial; they gave the heroes a human connection and kept things relatable. They stopped our heroes from feeling too distant, too god-like. But lately? It feels like those grounded characters are disappearing. Now it’s mostly just other super-powered beings interacting, and honestly, I think that’s a real weakness in a lot of modern comics. We’re losing that essential human element.

Civilians Bring Out the Hero’s Humanity

I’ve always loved how superhero comics used to ground their heroes with normal people. Think about Superman – Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White… they weren’t just sidekicks, they were people Clark Kent knew as Clark. The same with Spider-Man and Aunt May or Mary Jane. These characters weren’t about helping with superhero stuff, they were about the hero’s life outside the mask. They gave the hero a reason to have a secret identity, to go to work, to try and live a normal life. Lately, it feels like we’ve lost that. We don’t see heroes balancing their personal lives with their superhero duties as much anymore, and it makes them feel less relatable, honestly.

As a film fan, I’ve always appreciated when stories take the time to show things from the perspective of regular people. It’s not just about making the heroes more relatable; it’s about building a richer world. We, as the audience, often experience events differently than the heroes and villains do, and seeing those perspectives adds so much depth. It stops the world from feeling like a simple playground for superpowers and makes it feel truly lived-in. Plus, these ‘normal’ characters are fantastic for kicking off storylines! Think about it – so many great plots start with an everyday person stumbling into trouble or starting a new venture that then attracts the attention of a villain. They’re perfect story starters.

The Fall of Civilians, the Rise of Superhero Families

I’m a big fan of superhero families like the Batman, Superman, and Flash groups – they’re some of the best! They highlight how a hero’s actions affect the world around them and create great opportunities for larger, interconnected stories. Because these family members truly understand the hero and their life, they’re ideal for these narratives. Lately, though, these families have largely replaced traditional sidekicks and supporting characters. It’s simply easier for writers to focus on a smaller, more established group of characters who are already closely tied to the main hero.

Characters who are family members of established heroes often feel more connected to the main story because they usually begin as supporting characters or ordinary people. Lois Lane is a great example – for years she was a journalist reporting on Superman, but now she frequently fights alongside him as a hero herself. Many characters from Spider-Man’s world have also become superheroes. This approach works well because audiences already care about these supporting characters, making it natural to give them their own adventures. Plus, it’s easier for a superhero to team up with another hero than with someone who doesn’t have powers.

It’s become less common to see regular, non-powered characters in comics. Over time, stories have focused more on heroes interacting with other heroes. Many well-known civilian characters have been turned into superheroes, likely to keep them involved in the action and provide new storylines after years of existing plots. While it’s simpler to avoid civilian characters and concentrate on superhero conflicts, this has unfortunately made comics less relatable and limited storytelling possibilities. Bringing back ordinary people would be a valuable improvement.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/10-best-batman-characters-who-arent-superheroes/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-19 04:41