In Your Face Jam - Dec 12, 2012

[Daybreak_st]

Personally I think the whole notion of "relatability" is dishonest at best. You can't relate to a blind lawyer who secretly fights crime, or a billionaire playboy who runs around in a bat themed costumed or a guy who gets angry and turns into a giant green monster. What you can do is have a since of wish fulfillment as you read their adventures. In this day and age it's much cooler to be the guy who talks trash and doesn't take crap from anyone, who dishes out violent justice without answering to anyone, who gives into his impulses without hesitation. Those are the things people are attracted to because it reflects something of themselves, how they currently are or how they wish they were. That's what people relate to.

I'd venture to wage there are still a lot of people out there who relate to a guy who simply is trying to do the right thing regardless of the temptation to abuse power and authority. Who sees the best in people and tries to believe in that despite the ease of assuming the worst. A guy who would rather inspire than intimidate. A guy who's father once told "If there's one thing I do know son and that is you are here for a reason...". Those are admirable qualities that are just as easy to relate to if you believe in those ideals. He's not that hard to relate to.

It boils down to what you believe in.

[Mr. Holmes]

I think your idea of "relateability" is way too oversimplified and literal. People don't relate to Batman because they are also billionaire orphans, but because they empathize with his "angry at the world" mentality, among other things.

[Daybreak_st]

I think your idea of "relateability" is way too oversimplified and literal. People don't relate to Batman because they are also billionaire orphans, but because they empathize with his "angry at the world" mentality, among other things.

I'm saying you don't relate to the superhero part b/c of their powers etc you relate to the personality and what the character represents. To say Superman is hard to relate to ignores that notion and focuses more on "he's too powerful" or "he's perfect". That's more about his powers and less about his personality or what he represents.

[Daybreak_st]

double post