A Marvelous Society
The culture on break
In modern comic book based entertainment, a recurring theme emerges where only a select few wield power—real actual power or authority. These individuals hold sway over the lives of entire populations, as their decisions in the scheme of things are the only ones that matter. This stands in stark contrast to the origins of these characters, who were once allegories for the marginalized, the targeted, and oppressed. Originally they represented those sidelined by society—shunned by friends, family, or even their own communities. But along the way something happened.
Modern incarnations of these characters increasingly reflect the oppressor. There’s a quote by some mad man from years ago who said in order to defeat him, his enemies would have to Adopt as much of his ways as possible.
It’s not merely that these characters possess power; it’s that their power cannot be questioned. Their authority is self-justifying, intrinsic to their being, and any concerns raised about their actions by those affected by them are dismissed. These stories operate on the assumption that the powerful know what’s best everyone but fail to recognize that what’s “best” for everyone isn’t always right for everyone. Much like people with power today, it’s somehow inherent to them, part of who they are.
From Marginalized Heroes to Unquestionable Authority
This shift mirrors a transformation in society. Early superheroes, like the X-Men, were metaphors for real-world marginalized groups—such as Blacks or Jews fighting for equality and justice. Their stories resonated because they reflected the struggles of not just any select group but everyday people; the little guy.
Today, these characters often appear as godlike saviors, wielding unilateral power. Their decisions are rarely questioned, and dissenting voices are silenced under the guise of protecting the "greater good." This dynamic alienates those they claim to represent while reinforcing their top-down control. This reflects a broader societal trend: power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few. Whether in media, government, or corporations, authority often dismisses the voices of those it claims to serve. This authority then begins to exist to serve itself.
Suffering Is Not Understanding
One of the most dangerous conflations in both art and life is mistaking personal suffering for a universal understanding of suffering. Superheroes (and those they reflect in society) often assume that their past pain gives them the authority to dictate solutions. Yet this perspective overlooks the complexities of suffering itself. It reflects a common societal dynamic where individuals or groups with privilege or power impose solutions without engaging those affected, often exacerbating the problem. These individuals may be of an oppressed class but not born of or long ago distanced themselves from it themselves. That distance evolves into a general disconnect from the reality those within still face. A reality now maintained by those distant from it.
“What’s best” frequently creates new marginalized groups because it prioritizes broad, utilitarian goals over individual needs. True progress requires compromise, inclusion (of ideas), and the humility to admit that no single person or group can fully grasp the diverse experiences of others.
Suffering is not being heard by those with the power and duty to listen but refuse to.
The Marvelization of Society
This evolution in superhero media mirrors a societal shift where spectacle takes precedence over substance. Real-world issues are addressed with surface-level solutions—initiatives that prioritize visibility and “heroic” actions over real systemic change. When entertainment tries to shape society rather than reflect it, the result is a world that feels increasingly unlivable.
"Art imitates life, life imitates art. When life becomes art, it becomes unlivable."
When real life adopts the simplified, dramatic, and authoritarian dynamics of blockbuster storytelling, it loses the complexity, equity, and humanity needed to thrive and survive.
Change
Both in art and in life, the solution lies in prioritizing listening, collaboration, and inclusion of ideas.
In media, this means returning to stories that elevate marginalized voices and explore the nuances of power and oppression. It means rejecting the dominance of spectacle for substance—highlighting characters who reflect the complexity of human experience rather than dictatorial and surface level archetypes.
In society this means dismantling hierarchies that concentrate power in the hands of a few and embracing participatory models of governance and decision-making. True progress comes not from a handful of voices deciding for all but from engaging the voices of the many.
The Marvelization of society as both a cultural phenomenon and societal reflection, reveals a critical truth: power without listening is not empowerment. Often it is leads to suffering.
Real change—whether in government, media, or everyday life—requires elevating and engaging the voices of all, not just those at the top or aspire to be at the top. Otherwise we risk creating a false world no one can live in.
