Hero's values still admirable

The London Free Press (Canada) ^ | April 5, 2003 | Sean Twist

[freeforall]

Hero's values still admirable

By Sean Twist -- For the London Free Press

Sometimes you have to ask yourself the big questions. It's all too seductive to avoid them, anesthetizing your mind by watching such televisual gems as Who Wants to Survive with a Bachelor Millionaire? or even appearing on them.

As conscious beings, we are obligated to perform the occasional cerebral bench press. Which is why I've been pondering this question for many hours, staring at the stars, taking long walks, trying to find the answer:

Who would win in a fight, Captain America or Batman?

Now, being a fan of Captain America these days is a dangerous job. First of all, I'm Canadian. If I can avoid being pilloried with decaf lattes from the CanCon Culture Club for not supporting Canadian heroes, I'm currently represented by a government that seems to hate Americans. (They don't really say it, of course, preferring to adhere to a Dixie Chicks style of political resolve: Make statement. Soil underpants when anyone disagrees. Offer retraction. Put backbone in recycling bin.)

Even today, fighting terrorists instead of Nazis, Cap admits mistakes were made. His role now seems to be a reminder of what America should be and not necessarily what it is.

Secondly, among some comic book fans, expressing a fondness for the good captain -- who proudly stands for the values of the U.S. of A. -- means you also have a warm spot in your heart for napalming in Vietnam, the Iraq war and Billy Ray Cyrus.

I discovered this firsthand a few weeks ago. I was discussing comics with a British friend via email.

We do this regularly, because we have no real lives to speak of. I mentioned I was enjoying the current run of Captain America. My friend said he'd go pick up a copy. Since we have similar tastes, I was sure he'd love it.

He didn't.

"Typical Bush propaganda," he wrote back, the acid blackening my computer screen.(He went on, but this is a family newspaper.) I was a little mystified. How had something I had perceived as a solid adventure story suddenly become a Republican Party leaflet? Even more worryingly, how did my enjoying it transform me? Had I become a patsy for the American military industrial complex?

Checking the mirror, I was relieved to still see long hair, a torn T-shirt and jeans. Yet now I felt somewhat embarrassed. How had a character I've loved since childhood now become a political faux pas?

For those who don't know Captain America -- or Cap, to his fans -- here's a quick rundown. Back in the Second World War, he was a scrawny geek called Steve Rogers. Eager to serve his country, Rogers agreed to let the army test something called the Super Soldier Serum on him. This being comics, Rogers quickly became the best a man could be -- literally. Top strength, reflexes, a winning smile. Conveniently, the Nazis chose that moment to murder the inventor of the serum, who apparently never wrote his equations down. Thus Captain America was born. Clad in a costume and wielding a shield inspired by the American flag, Cap was ready to battle evil -- because it was the right thing to do.

As cynical as I am, I still adore that story. It's one of the reasons I love Cap -- he's just a decent guy.

He's not driven by vengeance (Batman) or guilt (Spider-Man), but duty. American values aren't an abstract to him -- they are the driving force of his life.

Propaganda? Sure, and maybe Cap should have faded away after the Second World War. But he persisted, the way ideals do. America changed, governments became darker -- but Cap didn't. He still believed. In fact, he became so disillusioned with the U.S. government at one point, he gave up the costume.

Even today, fighting terrorists instead of Nazis, Cap admits mistakes were made. His role now seems to be a reminder of what America should be and not necessarily what it is.

For me, Captain America is not about politics and never was. It's about being decent. Doing what's right. Oh, and taking out 15 guys with a spinning shield. That's important, too.

So who would win a fight between Captain America and Batman?

Easy. Batman -- because Batman would fight dirty. He'd kick Cap in the crotch. Captain America would never dream of doing that.

Sadly, I would.

Sorry, Cap. Maybe I'm a Republican after all.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sean Twist is a London freelance writer. His column appears every other Saturday.