| Comic book characters are enjoying renewed | | | | Comic book publisher DC has on several occasions |
| popularity. Many leaped to film successfully, such as | | | | retconned it entire universe of characters and |
| Batman, Spider-Man and the X-Men, and attracted | | | | settings. |
| audiences that don't read comics. Good stories can | | | | Of course, real people can't simply rewrite the |
| be adapted to many media. | | | | events of their lives to make them more convenient. |
| Good stories also draw us into the characters and | | | | However, like our origin story, we can make choices |
| their situations. We can relate to them. We can learn | | | | about how we view and respond to our experiences. |
| from the ways characters fail or succeed in dealing | | | | We can't erase hurtful events, but we can forgive |
| with their circumstances. Here are three techniques | | | | those that hurt us and apologize to those we've |
| from comics that may give you a new perspective | | | | harmed. Failures and losses can sometimes be |
| on your own life. | | | | reframed as victories when we consider the lessons |
| -Origin Stories | | | | we learned and the better choices we've made since. |
| Comic book superheroes have origin stories that | | | | We can actively recall our joyful experiences and less |
| explain how they came to be superheroes. In early | | | | often choose painful memories. |
| comic books, this was often little more than an | | | | Retconning can be difficult and we're likely to need |
| explanation of how a character gained his powers. As | | | | help from our friends, family and possibly |
| the medium matured, origin stories increasingly dealt | | | | professionals. This leads to the final lesson. |
| with why the heroes chose the lives they lead. Origin | | | | -Supporting Cast |
| stories motivate their heroes; they are always on the | | | | Superheroes can appear aloof. They are powerful |
| characters' minds. If you read just a few issues, you'll | | | | and seem to overcome obstacles single-handedly. |
| come across a reminder or summary of the origin. | | | | However, most have huge supporting casts. |
| Spider-Man is a classic example. Peter Parker, high | | | | Superman is one of the most powerful comic book |
| school science geek, is bitten by an irradiated spider | | | | characters, with near invulnerability and strengths and |
| on a school outing. He is miraculously transformed and | | | | abilities to overcome every foe. He is alone, too, as |
| gains spider-like abilities. That is the how part of the | | | | the only survivor of a lost race and destroyed planet. |
| story, the why comes later. | | | | In contrast, Superman learned his values from the |
| Peter does what any boy would do with such a | | | | Kents, his adopted parents, and still goes to them for |
| stroke of fortune. He tries to make some money. He | | | | advice and support. He finally married Lois Lane and |
| has such hubris that he won't even lift a finger to | | | | she keeps him grounded. He is a member of the |
| stop a robber. Soon after, that same robber kills | | | | Justice League, where he not only works alongside |
| Peter's guardian, Uncle Ben. Driven by the memory of | | | | other superheroes, but also has trusted confidantes. |
| his uncle's care and lessons, and guilt over a tragedy | | | | Batman comes across as the ultimate loner. He's a |
| he could have prevented, Peter gives up dreams of | | | | vigilante who spends his nights fighting the worst |
| high living and easy money and commits himself, as | | | | criminals in Gotham. His single-mindedness, obsession |
| Spider-Man, to protect people and oppose crime. | | | | and extraordinary discipline keep people at bay. Even |
| We have also experienced events that shaped our | | | | so, his trusted family servant, Alfred, patches up his |
| worldview and approach to life. Like the story of | | | | wounds. He is a guardian to Robin, who fights |
| Peter Parker, it's a mixed bag of things that help and | | | | alongside him. Batman has brought several heroes |
| hurt. We don't always have a choice about what | | | | under his dark wings: Batgirl, Catwoman, Nightwing |
| happens to us, but we do have some choice about | | | | (the original Robin), Oracle (the original Batgirl), and |
| how we respond to them. We can be like the heroes | | | | others. With Superman, he is a member of the |
| and use our origins to motivate us to be our best. | | | | Justice League. He is a backer of the Outsiders. On |
| -Retconning | | | | the surface, he is a solitary character, but behind the |
| Sometimes a character's history can be come so | | | | scenes, he is highly connected with many associates |
| muddled through years of variations, the viewpoints | | | | and a few deeply trusted friends. |
| of different writers and editors, or being badly | | | | We can't function without relationships either. We |
| conceived from the start that it has to be fixed for | | | | need help and guidance and to be a helper and |
| the storyline to continue. The fixed past is referred | | | | mentor to others. The most satisfying things in life, |
| to as "retroactive continuity" and the rewriting is | | | | both personally and professionally, generally arise for |
| informally called "retconning." | | | | our relationships with others. |
| Spider-Man provides an example. Originally created in | | | | None of this advice will give you superpowers. |
| the atomic age, his powers came from the bite of a | | | | However, if your goal is to live as a happier and more |
| radioactive spider. When the story was retold in | | | | fulfilled ordinary person, you might find value in these |
| recent movies, the spider was genetically modified. | | | | tips from the superheroes of comic books. |