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I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most."
--Spider-Man 2
The classic and beloved web-shooter many recognize as Spider-Man has -- from his roots dating back to his first appearance in the early 60s -- always stood as a symbol of responsibility, sacrifice, and goodness. In 1962, as the comic industry was gaining more momentum, Marvel editor and head writer Stan Lee was searching for a new type of superhero, one who teens could identify with and relate to. Thus, the concept of a shy and timid teenage boy prone to bullying and torment who later gained liberation and confidence after acquiring superpowers was born.
Peter Parker's origin story is one which expresses the development of a flawed character who learns from his mistakes and that his powers were given to him not merely for his personal gain but for a higher purpose -- that of helping those in need. Initially unconcerned with the rest of the world, Peter Parker decided to use his powers only for making money as a professional wrestler. After his first TV
special, he allowed a burglar that he could have easily taken down to run past him and escape. A few days later, Peter returned home to
find his beloved Uncle Ben had been shot and killed, discovering that he'd been murdered by the same burglar he let go. Consumed with guilt, he realized the truth in the words his Uncle Ben had once preached to him, that with great power comes great responsibility.
Peter Parker's character development is one that acknowledges the flaws in the average human, and how we are inclined to only think about ourselves when it's the easier thing to do. However, Spider-Man was able to rise above that and dedicate himself towards the improvement of his community and thus earns his spot as our favorite fictional hero.
Cheers to our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and happy holidays to everyone!
My favorite hero and character is Avatar Aang from the series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Aang's character inspires me because despite all the loss and burdens he was faced with, he never lost hope and when faced with difficult challenges, never gave up. He learned from his mistakes and did everything he could to save the world and protect the people he loved.
My favorite modern day hero is Emma Watson who starred in eight Harry Potter movies, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, and many more. Emma has a positive influence on society and has developed many charitable causes. She is a strong dedicated woman who had reached her goals in life. Her roles in numerous movie brought her an abundant amount of fame making her a successful actress. What really endures me about her is that she doesn't use her fame in a selfish way, she uses it in a positive way to support charities. She actively supports charities such as UNICEF, Blue Peter's Mission Nutrition, and Wild Trout Trust which also makes her a great role model and modern day hero.
