An Argument for Super Hero Families

Recently DC comics have killed off Pa Kent. For those of you who don't read comics or watch any of the superman movies Pa Kent or Jonathan is Superman's adoptive father.

It wouldn't be the first time that Pa Kent has eaten fictional dirt. Golden age comics he bit the dust in the first origin telling. He would die again during the first superman movie, then again after having a longer life span after the reboot of the DC universe; He got bumped off a few seasons ago in smallville. Back when that show was watchable, and once again just this month... well twice if you count the non canon all-star book

Truth is, Death is not that big a deal in comics if a character passes away, They will come back one way or another be it a month or a year latter, however long it takes for the writers to run out of fresh Ideas there's always the grave yard to dig up the back from the dead gimmick.
From Jean Gray to Aunt May death is just a break from the public eye in the comic book world.

But this does bring up the question of the usefulness of parental figures in super hero comics.
I've read a few writers make comments that Superman doesn't need a father figure or that the death of Jonathan is a rite of passage. As if in order for a son to be a man his father has to kick the bucket.

I hope not. Wile I don't always see Eye to Eye with my dad I don't know what Id do without him.
As for superman lets look at what having his parents still alive brings to his character, the mythos and the over all story.

First it makes him more approachable. The charm of Superman isn't what he can do. It's not about flying or moving mountains. It isn't about x ray vision or heat vision or even the tacky red and blue costume. It's about a simple farm boy with amazing powers.

Its about this powerful person with the heart of an average Joe dealing with being an Icon and a symbol and the responsibilities it comes with.

What does this have to do with Ma and Pa Kent? Having two parents to come too visit with gives him the opportunity to relate his feelings and thoughts to the reader via his parents. It also makes him more rooted in reality. We all have loved ones to come back too. And knowing that our heroes do as well makes them easer to relate to.

One of the top characters on the fan boy kill list is Aunt May. She has been on deaths door since the 60's. There was a short spurt were she new that Peter was Spiderman and really became a strong vibrant character. Even helping Peter out with his alter ego.

But this wasn't to last. She soon was shot and sent in too a coma. Only to be revived by a story line so lame it could rival the clone saga from the 90's, A deal with the devil and the Peter Mary Jane wedding was no more and Aunt May was completely clueless and feeble once again.

The editors at marvel felt that the wedding should be broke up so that Peter should be single again and not have a ball and chain back home. And a divorce would some how sour the character and a death.. Another death for Mary Jane would tick off the fans so they took the lazy deal with the devil way out.

So other than my obvious displeasure with the crappy story line masquerading as Spiderman at the moment what is my point?

The point is they didn't have to change any thing. I'll say it again having a some one for the hero's to go home too and to fight for isn't a bad thing. Mary Jane gave Peter not just some one to confide in but also gave the reader the opportunity to see how being married to some one like Spiderman would affect loved ones.

Not to mention there were occasionally good stories involving interaction between Mary Jane and different side characters. She even once beat up the chameleon with a bat. What's not to like?
Now sure you can bring up characters without family and how cool they are. And that is true. So what does that say? Repetition makes good stories?

One that often gets brought up is Batman. His folks died before he put on the cape.

But again what makes him interesting isn't just the neat gadgets. That is part of it. But it's also his supporting cast.

Alfred serves as a confidant and Father figure.

Robin/ Nightwing/Dick Grayson. He serves two purposes adopted son and bother.

Robin/ Tim Drake, Son.

Even his villains as vile as they are still play a almost family roll in his stories. Its mentioned a few times that he visits Arkham Asylum often.

In the Killing Joke he visits the Joker in Arkham just to try and talk things out. In the graphic novel called Arkham Asylum its made pretty clear that he belongs there as much as his rogues gallery.

All these relationships even the weird hero villain kinship makes Batman more human. Not just a nut case running around in a Halloween costume throwing bat themed weapons at bad guys.
Iron Man has Jarvis. Dare Devil has Foggy nelson. Dead Pool has Weasel. And Wolverine has what ever preteen mutant girl he is hanging out with that week.

My point is a super hero with a family is not a bad thing at all. It ads depth to what is always teetering on the point of being silly. That's why Aunt May will always been serving up wheat cakes, Alfred will forever be striating up the bat cave, and Pa Kent will be resurrected over and over again.

Thanks for your time.