美國人：為什么我們癡迷于超級英雄？

by Adam Hogue Maldives 譯

美國人：為什么我們癡迷于超級英雄？

Why Are We Obsessed with Superheroes?

by Adam Hogue Maldives 譯

長久以來，人們認為漫畫難登大雅之堂，但是超級英雄們的到來卻改變了這一固有觀念。超人、美隊、鋼鐵俠、綠巨人、銀河護衛隊、正義聯盟……誰也沒曾料到這些一度存在于紙上的漫畫人物有朝一日會搖身一變成為全球電影票房的王者，甚至美國人內心深處最堅定的信仰。

超級英雄們的崛起和風靡顯然與時代脫不了干系：20世紀30年代的第二次世界大戰造就了超人；21世紀初的“9 ·11”事件造就了美國隊長；2008年華爾街金融危機以及近幾年邪惡勢力和極端組織的猖獗造就了蝙蝠俠、鋼鐵俠、X戰警……也許對于部分美國人來說，他們早就成為了上帝一般的存在。然而，讓超級英雄長盛不衰的因素難道就只有動蕩不安的時代嗎？

For decades, we have found comfort, even hope, in superheroes. On the last day of planet Earth’s existence, people might think about Superman, blue tights and all. Superheroes over the years have1)morphed to ft our social needs of the time. Now they are the kings (and queens) of the box offce. Avengers: Age of Ultron made over 1 billion dollars in 24 days, So why are we so obsessed? What explains their enduring appeal?

幾十年來，我們在超級英雄身上找到安慰，甚至是希望。地球滅亡的那一天，人們也許會想到超人——那位身穿藍色緊身衣的大個子。最近幾年，為了跟隨這個時代的社會需求，超級英雄的變體層出不窮。現在，他們已變身成為電影票房的統治者?！稄统鹫呗撁耍簥W創紀元》上映僅24天就取得了超過10億美元的票房成績，為什么我們對超級英雄如此著迷？他們長盛不衰的魅力到底源自何處？

1) morph [m?f] v. 改變

Everything is changing and everything is dying. Every idea, every living thing, every culture, every language, every thought is in a continuous, nonstop march towards an inevitable change and an inevitable death.

Nothing gold can stay, but nothing bad can stay either. We just continue to grow, reshape and die as long as the Earth keeps spinning and, it too, eventually dies.

Depressing, I know.

But, it is through this process that we begin to create myths to keep something about us immortal and what better way to do that than through superheroes? Deep within the history of 20th century pop-culture, America has always had a fascination with our caped crusaders. Even if you do not call yourself a “comic book fan,” the influence of superheroes on our culture is undeniable. Just their names alone (Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Captain America and Iron Man to name a few) bring with them an instant image of who they are and what they stand for.

一切都在改變，一切都在消亡。創意、生物、文化、語言、思想，所有這些都在前仆后繼、馬不停蹄地朝著必然的變化和死亡進發。

美好抑或是邪惡，事物終將會消逝。只要地球還在繞著太陽轉，我們就會持續成長、成熟直至死亡。