Is Popeye a superhero?
Well, he did have supernatural powers. I mean, I've been eating spinach for years and have yet to kick the ass of a bearded brute. He kept peace and order in his little universe, AND he had a uniform (navy issued).
Why does Marvel and DC get to decide superhero status? Isn't it time Popeye gets his due?
Maybe the great Birdy can chime in. Also, and I don't know a lot about comics, but how does Thor end up a superhero? Isn't he an actual Norse God? Are there other comics that use historical or religous characters as the hero. Is Jesus marketable?
4 comments:
I think superhero is like supermodel. It only counts if you can demand 6 figures for a job. Using that model I'd have to say that Popeye is not a superhero, but is a hero.
Actually I would argue that Popeye might have SuperHUMAN powers and not superNATURAL powers, as supernatural tends to describe powers outside the realm of nature - you know, like magic or something like that. And technically, his powers only manifest as the result of a specific stimulant and not a part of his normal biology. Its possible that they are not unique to him and that anyone in his universe eating that spinich would gain similar powers. I don't know. I'd have to research this. Plus, he only uses his powers selfishly and not for situations that don't directly affect himself. So I don't know if he counts as a "hero". And superhero™ is a trademarked term anyway.
I see where you are coming from, but then aren't Underdog, the Hulk, and Spiderman classified with Popeye? Didn't their powers,too, dervive from an outside source. And what about Batman, I mean, he was just a guy with cool gadgets.
The "hero" thing gives me something to think about. From what I remember, Popeye was a pretty chivalrous dude, saving Olive Oyl and all, I think there were some WWII propagnada films when he took on the Germans and Japs, as well.
While he certainly wasn't as selfless as superman, he seemed to be on the side of good.
Thanks for your input.
Yeah, but Spider-Man and the Hulk have permanent alternations. It would take some outside force to cause them to NOT have powers. For example, Peter Parker can still crawl on walls even if he's not dressed in the tights.
And yes, Batman and Iron Man don't have any super powers. They have technology, skill and ability - but nothing that is not theoretically attainable by someone with the same dedication, circumstances, or whatever. They are not superhuman or supernatural.
However, all are heroes. I think Popeye would have to save someone other than the girl he's hot for. I mean, thats like Superman only even saving Lois Lane and never using any of his powers for anything else.
Damn, I'm such a fucking nerd.
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