Since the 1930s and the 1940s, superheroes have provided comic book aficionados with a prototype of the all-American hero, who, via superhuman powers, protects the public from all danger and harm. These same comic book readers are all grown up today, when events occurring around the world make all of us wish for real-life superheroes to come along and save the day, making everything safe again for all those that live here.
One of the most popular reasons the appeal of superheroes remains a constant in our society is simply because everyone can identify with them. From the bespectacled cubicle worker who sees himself as Clark Kent, who, at any moment, becomes the strong and suave Superman, to the inept college student who sees himself as Peter Parker by day, and Spiderman at night, even to the socially awkward teenage girl who dreams of becoming the calm and cool Wonder Woman when she grows up. It's just this appeal that is the stuff of daydreams, evidenced by every little boy who has tied a towel around his neck and pretended it was a cape.
Hollywood filmmakers realize the appeal of superheroes to the public, and capitalized on this fascination with the introduction of Superman in 1978, with the man of steel perfectly cast with blue-eyed Christopher Reeve in the title role. This franchise, along with subsequent superhero movies, opened the merchandising door to millions of dollars generated in every conceivable novelty item - from t-shirts to bed sheets, and posters to lunchboxes. In addition, thousands of dollars change hands in high-end auctions of actual movie props. Children who owned five dollar action figurines now have a chance to spend five thousand dollars on just a piece of a costume their favorite character wore during the filming of a movie.
Aside from the movie industry, the appeal of superheroes continues to be a huge part of mainstream society with numerous animation conferences taking place all over the country. The Florida Supercon 2011, being held in July in Miami, is expected to draw thousands of comic book and superhero fans. Along with well-known celebrities, there will also be comic book artists on-site, along with the inaugural Geek Film Festival for self-described geeks and lovers of all things animated. So as a heads-up for any as-yet-unknown superheroes looking to help save the world, this just might be your big chance to get discovered.
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