Superheroes & the Great Depression “The difference between a hero and a coward is one step sideways.” ~ Gene Hackman

Superheroes & the Depression

Stock Market Crash of /24/1929 = Crash begins…banks do nothing 10/24/1929 = Crash begins…banks do nothing 10/28/1929 = Fallout continues as prices continue to drop 10/28/1929 = Fallout continues as prices continue to drop 10/29/1929 = The market fell 43%...it is known as BLACK TUESDAY 10/29/1929 = The market fell 43%...it is known as BLACK TUESDAY

Four Factors of the Great Depression 1) OVER-EXPANSION…farmers produced too much…farmers would use the new equipment to grow better and more food without thinking of what over-production would do overall 2) DECLINING FOREIGN TRADE…America had high tariffs because they were trying to protect farmers and give them a market overseas for their goods

Four Factors of the Great Depression 1) OVER-EXPANSION 2) DECLINING FOREIGN TRADE 3) AUTOMATION…America was becoming more and more efficient…business turned from people to machines…they could produce more goods more cheaply with a machine 4) MALDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH…1% of the country had 90% of the wealth…there was a small group of wealthy people, a larger middle class, and a vast majority were pitifully poor

Creating the First Heroes

Superman An influence on early Superman stories is the context of the Great Depression An influence on early Superman stories is the context of the Great Depression The liberal perspective of creators Shuster and Siegel is reflected in early storylines The liberal perspective of creators Shuster and Siegel is reflected in early storylines Superman took on the role of social activist, fighting crooked businessmen and politicians and demolishing run-down tenements Superman took on the role of social activist, fighting crooked businessmen and politicians and demolishing run-down tenements

Batman The first Batman story, “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate,” was originally written in the style of the pulps The first Batman story, “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate,” was originally written in the style of the pulps This influence was evident with Batman showing little remorse over killing or maiming criminals This influence was evident with Batman showing little remorse over killing or maiming criminals

Black Widow Madame Claire Voyant is a spirit medium who communicates with the dead through supernatural means Madame Claire Voyant is a spirit medium who communicates with the dead through supernatural means Satan gives her power to kill with a single touch of her fingers to the head Satan gives her power to kill with a single touch of her fingers to the head She later kills corrupt arms manufacturers and aids governments against the Nazis She later kills corrupt arms manufacturers and aids governments against the Nazis

Captain America Captain America was the alter ego of Steve Rogers Captain America was the alter ego of Steve Rogers An intentionally patriotic creation who was often depicted fighting the Axis powers An intentionally patriotic creation who was often depicted fighting the Axis powers Captain America was Timely Comics' most popular character during World War II Captain America was Timely Comics' most popular character during World War II

Green Arrow His secret identity is Oliver "Ollie" Queen, billionaire His secret identity is Oliver "Ollie" Queen, billionaire In the late 1960s, however, writers chose to have him lose his fortune, giving him the then-unique role of streetwise crusader In the late 1960s, however, writers chose to have him lose his fortune, giving him the then-unique role of streetwise crusader Friends with the enigmatic female Japanese archer, Shado Friends with the enigmatic female Japanese archer, Shado

Wonder Woman Created during World War II, the character was initially depicted fighting the Axis military forces Created during World War II, the character was initially depicted fighting the Axis military forces Some writers updated the series to reflect an ongoing "present day“ Some writers updated the series to reflect an ongoing "present day“ Steve Trevor is re- introduced as a Vietnam War veteran Steve Trevor is re- introduced as a Vietnam War veteran

Spiderman The Spider-Man series broke ground by featuring Peter Parker, a teenage high school student The Spider-Man series broke ground by featuring Peter Parker, a teenage high school student His "self-obsessions with rejection, inadequacy, and loneliness" young readers could relate His "self-obsessions with rejection, inadequacy, and loneliness" young readers could relate Marvel used Spiderman to issue a story dealing with the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 attacks Marvel used Spiderman to issue a story dealing with the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 attacks

Iron Man Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark is a wealthy industrialist and genius inventor who created military weapons Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark is a wealthy industrialist and genius inventor who created military weapons His metal suit is laden with technological devices that enable him to fight crime His metal suit is laden with technological devices that enable him to fight crime Iron Man was a vehicle for Stan Lee to explore Cold War themes Iron Man was a vehicle for Stan Lee to explore Cold War themes

White Tiger Created as a kung-fu master, White Tiger is the first Puerto Rican superhero in the history of comics Created as a kung-fu master, White Tiger is the first Puerto Rican superhero in the history of comics Discovered the tiger amulets that were formerly worn by the Sons of the Tiger Discovered the tiger amulets that were formerly worn by the Sons of the Tiger In his alter-ego, Ayala fought foes such as the Corporation crime cartel In his alter-ego, Ayala fought foes such as the Corporation crime cartel

Gravedigger Ulysses Hazard suffered from polio as a child, but was able to condition his body to an optimum with a regimen of exercise Ulysses Hazard suffered from polio as a child, but was able to condition his body to an optimum with a regimen of exercise Ulysses joined the army but found himself in a segregated military, in which all Black soldiers were put to work in menial units: burying bodies, supply delivery, or kitchen work Ulysses joined the army but found himself in a segregated military, in which all Black soldiers were put to work in menial units: burying bodies, supply delivery, or kitchen work

After the White House… 25 years of service to the Boys’ Club 25 years of service to the Boys’ Club Fed 300,000 children through the Polish Relief Commission Fed 300,000 children through the Polish Relief Commission Traveled 35,000 miles through 38 countries in 57 days for Truman Traveled 35,000 miles through 38 countries in 57 days for Truman Gave over 50 years of his life to public service Gave over 50 years of his life to public service