Marvel comic book storylines that teach us important life lessons
By Mark Lynch
Comic book stories don’t shy away from teaching us important life lessons, and these recent examples highlight how acceptance is a major key to happiness.
The world is in a state of unrest right now. With everything going on, it’s safe to say that there are a lot of people out there who feel lonely and helpless. And, perhaps even more so, in need of some good old-fashioned escapism. Thankfully, there are outlets that can provide us with just that – something that can remind us that there is good in the world. For me, it’s comic book storylines and, more specifically, writers Saladin Ahmed and Kelly Thompson.
Comic books are no stranger to inspiring us with positive messages and important life lessons, and that’s exactly what the world needs right now.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at two recent comic book examples from Marvel that have messages of hope and acceptance.
Acceptance and helping
Comic book: Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 17
By: Saladin Ahmed
Saladin Ahmed’s run of Miles Morales: Spider-Man is even better than we hoped it would be. It isn’t just a comic book detailing Spider-Man’s run-ins with his villains and the personal problems that arise from living a double life, the run has been delving into deeper themes as well.
In the first issue, we see Miles confused about how he could help the people who aren’t just in danger from villains.
He was swinging past a place giving out warm meals for those in need. He said, “I’m Miles Morales, Spider-Man. And I’ve never been more sure of my power.” He then saw a little girl in line and thought, “But I’ve never been more confused about my responsibility.” It showcased a compassionate side of Miles – one that we always knew that was there. This is something that became apparent again in issue No. 17.
Despite the ban on teenage heroes (see Outlawed No. 1), Miles Morales was still swinging around on patrol. He heard someone crying and felt the need to stop. That’s where he meant Kenneth: A kid who was beat up by three other kids because of the way Kenneth dressed, walked, and talked. Miles may not understand what Kenneth is going through, but he understands pain and sadness. Instead of continuing to patrol, Miles took the time to let Kenneth know that he was there. He even took Kenneth swinging to show the world that Kenneth was under his protection.
This made for cool comic book visual, but it also solidified the other important aspects of being a hero in life. No matter what was going on, Miles knew that this was part of his job. It’s not all about kicking and punching. His job is to help everyone that he possibly can. And at that time, Kenneth was the one in need.
The storyline executed its point very well, highlighting the importance of its own message. This is a message that we can all learn from. That’s right, everyone can help out just by letting people know you stand with them. It can look and even feel like a small gesture, but it goes a long way to the person who needs the assistance.
Credit to Spider-Man: Miles Morales for highlighting this.
Coming to terms with your past
Comic book: Deadpool No. 5
By: Kelly Thompson
Kelly Thompson has become one of this writer’s favorite comic book authors. She has a way of bringing out the best in characters by diving deep into their personalities, showing the readers that there’s much more to them than their costumes and fighting prowess. With that in mind, she was the perfect person to write a Deadpool comic book.
There’s more to Wade Wilson than what we see on the surface. He’s more than just the jokes, guns, and swords. A lot of his actions come from feeling like a monster. So, making Deadpool king of the monsters was a very smart move. He became king of the beings that just wanted to live out their lives in peace.
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At first, Elsa Bloodstone was focused on killing the monsters and taking out Deadpool, but this most recent issue showed that Elsa has realized her lifelong crusade may have been wrong.
Deadpool and Elsa Bloodstone were attempting to stop a Kaiju named Smash Smash from killing civilians and destroying property. Wade did everything he could to talk it down. Unfortunately, Wade ended up killing Smash Smash. While Deadpool assumed Elsa would be happy, she wasn’t. She admitted that her opinion on monsters may have been skewed due to years of hunting them.
We all make mistakes in our lives. Admitting them and moving forward is a big step for anyone, but what we can do is to learn from them. This writer isn’t afraid to admit to making mistakes, being haunted by the past or even his own thoughts. However, I can proudly say that I’ve defeated that programming with a lot of help from friends, family, and even strangers. Having the ability to listen, ask questions, and change has opened my eyes to a new world of joy and happiness.
We all deserve to be respected, loved, and treated equally. It’s difficult to break out of the way we think if it’s been ingrained into our minds for years. Nevertheless, it’s worth it. Being closed-minded means we miss out on a plethora of opportunities that life has to offer. Kelly Thompson showed how it’s never too late to become a better person and Saladin Ahmed illustrated that you don’t need to be a superhero to make a difference. Lessons perfect for living in today’s world.
What important life lessons have you learned from comic book stories? Let us know in the comments below.