Max's Media Studies Experience: Genre Research Activity

Conventions of the Superhero Genre

What is a superhero? A superhero is usually defined as a benevolent fictional character with superhuman powers. This genre of film has been extremely saturated within the past two decades, with companies like Marvel and Warner Brothers being the primary producers. Within this research blog, we will discuss genre conventions like content and production techniques, as well as institutional conventions like marketing. We will then discuss how these conventions are displayed within Spider-Man (2002) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), and list a few other movies that represent the superhero genre.

Content:

A common convention in the superhuman stereotype is plot armor. Plot armor is defined as the phenomenon in fiction whereby the main character is allowed to survive dangerous situations because they are needed for the plot to continue. Superheroes usually face seemingly impossible odds and really shouldn't survive them but in the end, the hero needs to win, so they survive things they shouldn't. They are usually put into dangerous situations because a superhero almost always fights evil with violence. Plot armor in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is pretty common, and it is pivotal to keep beloved characters alive for sequels.

Ex. In the film Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) when Steve Rogers somehow survived a plane crash in frozen waters by being frozen in suspended animation until the modern day.

Another common convention is the setting being in a large and dense city. This allows for the stakes to be much higher if a villain prevails. It also allows for a constantly dynamic and dense environment, perfect for action sequences. Most MCU movies are set in New York City. Batman is set in Gotham City, a fictional city based off of NYC. Whenever the villains are planning to do something, the city as a whole is usually in great danger. When the hero eventually wins, they are in turn saving many lives at once which makes their actions more heroic. If a superhero movie was set in rural North Dakota, it wouldn't be as interesting because the stakes wouldn't be as high.

Ex. In the film, The Avengers (2012) our heroes unite to defend New York City from an alien invasion.

Another convention commonly used is superheroes choosing to be nonlethal. A hero is meant to protect the innocent, and superheroes typically take it another step further by choosing to be non-lethal. A hero can still be a hero and kill people, but only villains. For many heroes, however, the fact that a hero doesn't even kill their enemies enhances their morality.

Production Techniques:

A common production technique in superhero films would be a high budget. Most of these films are action-based and to create these intense moments, a lot of money needs to be poured into them. Superhero films like Man of Steel (2013), cost hundreds of millions of dollars, this one specifically being $225 million. These high budgets are usually supported because these types of movies make a lot of money. Man of Steel made $670 million at the box office, which is about 3 times the amount it took to make it. The budget is usually poured into things like practical effects and especially set design and VFX, which we will soon talk about.

Ex. Tony Stark's ship in Avengers: Endgame (2019) is in space; these visuals most definitely cost a lot.

VFX (Visual Effects), or CGI, is definitely used heavily within superhero movies. This is because a lot of what is happening on screen cannot be done using practical effects. Actors cannot just take off and fly in the sky for the camera, so VFX usually gets that done. Cataclysmic events are often portrayed within superhero movies, but those obviously cannot happen in real life, so VFX is added to make it look just like it actually happened without them having to do it in production. Superhero movies often contain scenes that simply cannot be achieved through production, so VFX makes everything much easier for these moments.

Ex. Nuclear bomb scene in The Wolverine (2013). Obviously, they did not actually detonate a nuke for this movie, it is just visual effects.

Costuming is extremely important to superhero movies. The costume is what defines the superhero on screen. The use of color, as well as the texture and different elements of the outfit, are essential in portraying these heroes. Most heroes in movies nowadays are taken from their comic counterparts, so creating a costume that is comfortable for the actor/actress while also staying true to the comics is a difficult balance to maintain. The costume is the icon of the movie because the icon is the superhero portrayed. Without a good costume, the overall experience is cheapened.

Ex. The iconic outfit of Superman in Man of Steel (2013).

Marketing:

Marketing is extremely important when it comes to movies, and there are specific marketing techniques within the superhero genre that are used to promote their movies. Typically, superhero movies are catered towards kids, teens, and young adults. Superheroes are great role models for a younger audience to look up to, and this audience typically tends to like simple excitement more than deep complex themes. This is why superhero movies are usually marketed as action-packed and intense. However, some superhero movies are catered specifically to adults. These usually contain more gore and raunchy moments than your typical superhero movie, and adult superhero movies typically become iconic when they are more mature. Examples of this would be Deadpool (2016) and Blade (1998).

Ex. An adult superhero film Deadpool (2016).

Marvel and DC superhero movies usually take their characters straight from the comics. They usually contain the same plot moments and characters to stay true to the comics. This makes superhero films cater to comic book fans. If you love the characters from the comics, then why not go see them on the big screen? Superhero franchises that are especially successful and beloved are typically rebooted. This allows for our heroes to face off against a bigger variety of villains than last time but with new actors and better VFX. The biggest reason for these reboots, however, is for the money. Franchises like Spiderman and Batman have profited so much because the characters are so beloved that they will always make money.

Film Sample #1: Spider-Man (2002)

Spider-Man is a perfect example of these conventions. Plot armor is seen within Spiderman when he literally gets point-blank exploded by one of Green Goblin's hand grenades in the final battle. There is absolutely no reason he should have survived that other than to make the hero victorious and set up sequels. This movie is set in New York City, and Green Goblin usually acts as a terrorist on the public during important events like the festival where he attacks Mary Jane. This further ups the stakes for our hero. Spiderman also takes a vow of non-lethality after the death of Uncle Ben's killer near the beginning of the movie. This is a defining moment for him and a main characteristic of Spiderman as a hero. The budget for Spider-Man was extremely high, especially for that time. The budget was $139 million, but that paid off big time with it earning $825 million at the box office. There is extensive CGI seen throughout the movie. Most of the VFX in this movie is seen when Spiderman is swinging around the city or the Green Goblin is wreaking havoc on his glider. Spiderman's costume is extremely iconic in this movie and was done so well that it is typically a favorite among Spiderman fans. It perfectly translated the costume from the comics onto the big screen. This movie was definitely catered toward comic book fans, and also a younger audience with a PG-13 rating.

Film Sample #2: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

The Dark Knight Rises is another perfect example of superhero conventions. In this movie, Batman has extreme plot armor, specifically when he gets his back broken by Bane and somehow ends up recovering from it and climbing out of a steep pit. Another demonstration of plot armor is when Batman literally survives a nuclear explosion near the end of the movie. The film is set in Gotham, an NYC-style city. This setting significantly ups the stakes when Bane reveals a nuclear device that will destroy the entire city, and Batman's mission is to fly it out of the city before it levels it. Batman ends up saving an entire city, which elevates his role as a superhero. Batman also has a no-kill oath within this movie, further demonstrating his good morals. This movie had a gigantic budget of $250 million, which paid off when it earned over $1 billion worldwide at the box office. VFX is used heavily in this movie, especially when he is flying the bat and when the nuke detonates in the distance. Batman's costume is one of the most iconic superhero costumes of all time, and it is perfectly done in this movie. Its design is taken from the comics but elevated to a more realistic version which fits the overall mood of this movie. This movie is action-oriented and definitely catered towards comic book fans as well as a younger audience with a rating of PG-13.