Superheroes and the Father Factor

Bruce Wayne and his butler/father.

It seems that all superhero movies have a very consistent theme. All of the superheroes portrayed in films have daddy issues. Their problems vary a bit in how they play out but they all seem to have been short changed with quality time spent with dear old dad.

One of the most common issues to befall a superhero is to witness their father's demise. This is most famously represented by Batman, who as a child saw his Mother and Father gunned down in the street. Daredevil and Green Lantern also saw their fathers die in front of their eyes at a young age. Superman has no real memory of his father as he died when he was just an infant. He did however, have the benefit of being able to have Q And A sessions with recorded images of his dad.

One problem plaguing some superheroes is when they have to live up to their fathers legacy. Both Batman, Iron Man and even Green Hornet inherited vast fortunes and business empires created by their fathers. All are constantly reminded of their father's greatness and they sometimes struggle to get out of that shadow. It is part of their motivation for donning a costume.

Many superheroes were raised by someone other than their original parents. Superman was raised by adoptive parents, only to have his human father die in his arms.  Spiderman was raised by his Aunt and Uncle, only to watch his Uncle die in his arms. Batman was raised by his butler, Alfred.

Still others seek out a male role model. This is the theme of all of the X-Men movies. The young mutants either go to Professor Xavier or Magneto for guidance and acceptance.  Robin did not seek out Batman, but Batman definitely played the role of surrogate father.

Odin and his bickering sons.

Some superheroes have direct confrontations with their fathers. Thor's father Odin banishes him from his home after he disobeyed him.  Eric Bana's Hulk even gets into a fight with his dad.

Let us not forget the villains. In The Dark Knight, Joker tells the horrible story of his father and how his scars are far more than just emotional. In the Spiderman movies, Harry learns that his father was Goblin and eventually follows in his footsteps.  Loki is jealous of Odin's love for his brother, Thor.  It motivates him to betray his father.

Sure superheroes battle the bad guy, save the day, fight for truth, justice and the American way, but there is more going on than just a sense of doing the right thing.  All of these guys seem motivated by a lack of fatherly bonding.  Every time they go to right a wrong, it is as if part of them is doing it for their fathers approval.  None of these guys get paid to put themselves in harm's way.  Perhaps deep inside they are all hoping to still hear those four little words that all men want to hear from the dads, "I'm proud of you, son."