"Big loud superhero movie, meh."

I’ve read several reviews like that. Some people just can’t see past the superhero thing. Including professional film critics.

See also Dana Stevens:

As a viewer, I might just qualify myself as tired of the chokehold the comic-book blockbuster has on our culture; as a critic, I’m starting to feel something akin to defeated by it. If guys in tights and capes must dominate our summer movie screens until we’re all pushing walkers into the multiplex, I guess I’ll resign myself to watching—but what on earth is there left to say about them?

I hate it when people are purposely culturally ignorant. There's a reason the superhero resonates with the public, and it's *not* just because things blow up.

[Insert here intelligent discussion of superhero as a kind of faith, or at least moral compass, as well as a source of hope and inspiration, which I'm too tired to write.]

Were superhero comics not touchstones of modern mythology to people brought up in the 50s and 60s? Because they were for my dad back in the 40s, and for me and my friends growing up in the 70s.

My dad grew up in the '40s and would not allow us to read comics. It confused me at the time but me must have been influenced by the Congressional investigation of comic books in the 50s.

edit of Dad's growing-up time....

Were superhero comics not touchstones of modern mythology to people brought up in the 50s and 60s? Because they were for my dad back in the 40s, and for me and my friends growing up in the 70s.

I think they were, absolutely. The difference is until ... the first Superman movie maybe?, they weren't as grand as they are now. And once you're putting big stars in them, people who wouldn't ordinarily watch a comic book movie will buy a ticket, too.

I was born in 1972 and never read comics. I knew the Adam West Batman (in reruns), watched Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter, saw Superman, and remember Superfriends on '80s Saturday cartoons (I liked the Wonder Twins). I had never heard of Iron Man until the recent movie, and had only the vaguest notions of Thor and Captain America. (Hulk, a little harder to miss.) And I'd consider myself comics-adjacent thanks to many of you.

I haven't seen Avengers.

Nothing appeals to everybody. I meant that the audience for comic book stories and superheroes is bigger than it used to be, thanks in part to movie franchises, and I don't think it's going to change anytime soon.

Trailer for the upcoming Ben Affleck film, Argo: [link]

I was too young to remember the Iran hostage crisis (also, living in Far East and not really caring what went on in US) when it happened. I don't think I've actually heard most of the details. Canadian-produced Sci-Fi action movie in the 70's! It would be too preposterous if it weren't (fake) real.

Gotta say, Ben Affleck looks good with 70's hair and a full beard. I... actually don't think I've ever found him this attractive. I didn't even recognize him at first, and went "... who is that guy Affleck cast as his lead actor in this movie?? I've never seen him before." HA!

I was born in 1973, and I am flea. Except I loved Wonder Woman EVEN MORE than the Wonder Twins.

Without all y'all my biggest exposure to comics would be Archie and Jughead.

ETA: Vonnie is younger than I thought. The Iran hostage crisis is amoung my first memories.