Oh my god, the P is awesome!

This super power chart is kinda awesome.

Chatty and I were talking about Ayn Rand, since that movie opens tomorrow, and he mentioned that Steve Ditko was big into objectivism, and was moving Spider-Man in that direction.

I have no idea if that's true, nor do I actually care if it's factual, because it led me to this thought: is there any way that superhero-ing is remotely tenable within an objectivist philosophy? I say no, not looking at traditional superheroes like Supes and Spidey and Batman, etc. I just don't think that constantly putting oneself in mortal danger meshes with looking out for one's best interest.

I could maybe see it with the more shades-of-grey superheroes like Peacemaker or The Comedian. (Yes, I know The Comedian was based on Peacemaker, so listing them both is a tad redundant. Don't care.)

Thoughts?

I feel like I need to read me some Ayn Rand before I qualify for this discussion but I'm afraid.

It's funny you bring that up Steph! I was just mentioning to a friend of mine yesterday that I know a lot of guy comic book fans who consider themselves Randians.

I think it comes from a place of not really thinking through the whole philosophy, but I can see where Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark play toward those fantasies.

The Peacemaker was also created by Dikto.

I can see where Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark play toward those fantasies.

Right, if someone doesn't think it all the way through, that makes sense. But, really, those two are the furthest away I can think of from objectivism. Because they don't have super-powers; if you don't have super-powers, you *really* don't want to put yourself in situations where you could die. You go the other way. You actually embrace your alter egos' personnae and hit the beach with supermodels and booze.

Chatty's right in that Ditko was a total whackaloon on the liberterian front. Rorschach is based on his character The Question.

It's one reason why Ditko left Marvel, and Spider-Man became much more popular when John Romita took over the art.

Objectivism isn't hedonism. It's about doing what you rationally decide is in your best interest. If having supervillains running around is counter to your interests, and you have the means to do something about it, you certainly should.

Also:

In Atlas Shrugged, Rearden is hauled into court for breaking government regulations relating to his steel company. He gives a wildly popular speech in court about his property rights, telling his accusers: "I am fighting for my property!" He humiliates his opponents by winning over the crowd and concludes by telling them: "I work for nothing but my own profit."

In Iron Man 2, Stark is hauled into a Senate hearing, during which a senator demands he hand over his designs. Stark responds by giving a wildly popular speech about his property rights, telling his accusers: "You want my property? You can't have it!" He humiliates his opponents by winning over the crowd and concludes by telling them: "I will serve this great nation at the pleasure of myself."

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Whoops, I was wrong. Ditko did NOT create the Peacemaker.

He did, however, create Squirrel Girl.