Comic Book Comparisons

8.1 Marvel

And now we have fully arrived at the world of comics, Sci-Fi and adventure. Where people take what's in the world and think outside the box. If not...beyond it. Starting out I guess I should start with the Avengers and Hank Pym. Which if you take a look at it could also have some comparisons to another high profile media case-Chris Brown and Rhianna.

In one of the issues of Avengers, which was reprinted for the Secret Invasion event as a requiem for the Janet Van Dyne/Wasp character, it had Henry Pym-then known as Yellowjacket on trial for attacking an enemy from behind. Captain America was serving as the prosecutor in the case. A job he did not want, but took anyway out of a sense of duty.

What sticks out to me the most here though is a speech Captain America gave at Hank Pym's hearing. It went something like this:

"It was a mistake. A misjudgement made on the spur of a tense, pressured moment. It could have triggered disaster. But it didn't. We were lucky. So the temptation is to forget it. Write it off. We tend to feel that way because each of us thinks that it'll happen to us someday.


WRONG! We can't let it happen! We're the Avengers. Not the Brooklyn Dodgers. One 'error' by one of us can cost thousands of lives. We don't dare allow ourselves to think it's EVER all right to make a mistake!


Our responsibility is overwhelming! We've got to judge ourselves harshly! I recommend for Yellowjacket, as I would for myself, the severest possible penalty."

What I find ironic about this is that Cap makes this speech knowing that he himself is capable of making similar mistakes. Maybe not to the level of Hank Pym, but similar. And I also have to ask, if there are those that recommend a similar penalty for Miley would they recommend it for themselves as well?

In the issue Cap remembers a story in which he was in World War II and instinctively threw his shield at a supposed target, only to find it was a little girl who ducked to collect some war trash for money. The shield missed, but Cap wondered what would have happened if the shield hit. Would he have been in any better a situation than Pym had been? It was only through dumb luck that Cap's shield did not hit.

However Hank Pym's troubles did not just stem from trouble on the battlefield. He was having a nervous breakdown which led to him hitting his wife Janet. In the hearing room Janet took off glasses she was wearing to reveal a black eye Pym had given her. Pym had become a wife beater, and even if it was only one time Pym would admit that it was one time too many. And his actions would haunt him for all his days.

Hank Pym took responsibility for his actions. He blamed nobody but himself. Just as Miley had done for her supposed 'mistakes' and just as Chris Brown did his for his actions against Rhianna. Neither Pym nor Brown decided to say that it was someone else's fault. Brown realizes the crosses he bears and carries them as best he can so he can be a better person. Just like Miley does. And on Larry King, it looks as if Chris Brown does the same.

But sometimes taking responsibility doesn't mean anything. Sometimes, even with a supposed mistake, people believe they deserve every bit of villification thrown at someone. Just as J. Jonah Jameson does with Spider Man.

8.2 Spider Man

If you've ever read Spider Man you know of the gruff and loud J. Jonah Jameson who splashes headlines of 'Spider Man:Menace' on the front page or editorial page of the Daily Bugle. In earlier issues of Spider Man Jonah had reporters appealing to senses of vanity by promising to get quotes from people into the paper. And he did, to get the desired result he wanted:the truth as HE saw it.

And as the power of the press grew so did Spidey's troubles with the law. As there is a belief among the people that if something is printed in a newspaper then it must be true. A belief that I think is common among today's media. I also remember an episode of Quantum Leap that had a girl being raped, and the media crucified the victim and seemed to side with the rapist as his family were respected members of the community. The rapist's family also donated a new pipe organ to a church, which seemed to increase their influence.

Looking at these examples I wonder if some in the media are actually printing the truth, or are they printing the truth through one's perceptions? And are those perceptions good for the individual and/or the public at large?

In his comic Spidey is written as a hero. He wants to do good in the world, mostly to make up for failing to stop the robber that murdered his Uncle Ben. But Jonah doesn't see it that way. He sees a masked thrill seeker that is a menace, and he goes out of his way to prove that image true. Perhaps to the point of....'adjusting' the truth as it fits with his vision. Adjustments that appeal to some of people's worst aspects:fear, vanity, hate, etc.

I thnik in this regard Miley is much like Spider Man. In that no matter how much good she tries to do there will always be someone who thinks the same way Jonah does with Spider Man. And as the power of a man like Jonah grows, and his vision of the truth becomes the vision others see, it hampers the good Miley and Spidey can do. Which leads to hatred from the people they are trying to protect/serve and, in Miley's case, entertain.

8.3 Civil War

This media perception can be seen in other avenues as well. Like in the Marvel mega event 'Civil War'. And yes it was a 'mega event'. You had to buy so many issues to keep up with one story. But I digress.

In the first issue the New Warriors, a super team of kids that had a reality show, were staked out of a home in Stamford that had super villains holed up in it. One of them being a human bomb by the name of Nitro that was dosed up on a drug called Mutant Growth Hormone. The Warriors consider calling in the Avengers, but Speedball says "Think of the ratings if we bust these guys." Needless to say the Warriors were spotted and a battle busts out. In the battle Nitro explodes. Not far away from a playground with kids playing. The kids, and people of Stamford die. Some of the New Warriors even die. Speedball is the lone surivivor. And Nitro, who can reassemble himself after an explosion, escapes.

But does the media blame Nitro for the explosion? No. The Warriors are to blame. And focus turns to the Superhuman Registration Act which calls for people with super powers to register their identities with the U.S. Government. If they don't they would be placed under arrest and sent to a prison in the Negative Zone until they registered. No one thinks to blame Nitro. No one thinks to look for him, as it was his power that caused the explosion. The media in this story is so hot to put the blame on the Warriors and other heroes, not to mention the Registration Act that Nitro-more or less-gets a free pass as no one from the media goes after him. The only ones to go after Nitro are Wolverine of the X-Men and Avengers and Namor, as his cousin Namorita was one of the New Warriors who died in Nitro's explosion.

The trail then leads to Walter Declun who headed a Super Hero clean up operation called Damage Control. He sold Nitro the MGH that caused the big explosion figuring that such damage would be big for Damage Control's profit margin. Lives lost in the name of profit, and the attention is off of him. Until Wolverine showed up and showed why he is...the best he is at what he does.

8.4 Comparisons with reality

What does any of this have to do with Miley? Well again it's a matter of comparisons.

Just as everyone went after Miley for her scandals, no one in the media went after Annie Leibovitz for her role. She only received a few side mentions, Miley was the main target. In the alledged 'racist' pic the media singled out Miley, exclusively. With the possible exception of her then boyfriend Justin Gaston, and another of Asian descent looking wide eyed, no one else was singled out. The attention here was focused on a teenaged girl and something that could be considered, at best, a questionable action.

A questionable action that led to a first apology being called 'bratty', to haters becoming empowered to call her an actual "racist", and one shock jock commediane calling her "a disgrace". No one reported on what the intent was of the picture...if there was any at all. Whose idea it was, and what led to people thinking that this picture was a good idea.

But from what I've seen in the media, and from George Wu of the OCA, no one apparently thinks to ask that. They come off as 'Blame Miley. Ignore the cause.'. Just as they come off as 'Ignore Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair. Ignore Trainreq for hacking Miley's computer, and ignore the other people in the picture. They are of no importance as they don't provide a good enough story as 'good girl goes bad'. Just as the media came off as 'Blame the Warriors' in Civil War. Ignore Nitro. And ignore Walter Declun'. The Registration Act was what was considered 'newsworthy' as well as the bloodbath that happens with friends dying, beliefs challenged....

....and a legend in Captain America surrendering, being locked away like a common criminal, and then shot in the back. Assassinated on the court house steps as he sought to speak out on the Registration Act by agents of the Red Skull. A similar assassination, with a similar theme, took place in the DC Comics mini series event Infinite Crisis where the assassin Deathstroke shot Uncle Sam (the living embodiment of America) in the back and left him to die in a pool of oil.

The shooting of these characters, which are meant to represent the country and its ideals, really sent waves through me as I read them. And perhaps other readers too. For Captain America was being locked away before he was shot. And it got me wondering, and maybe others, if our ideals weren't being locked away as well. Then the shooting happened, and I think people wonder if that hasn't happened to our ideals as well. With Uncle Sam, he was immediately shot, and left to die in a pool of oil. Originally it was supposed to be blood. But writer Geoff Johns was asked to turn the liquid to oil, and soon a new meaning took effect. A meaning that leaves people most likely wondering if this actually happened. Ideals shot in the back for oil.

Some would say yes. Some would say no. But I think people on both sides may wonder what happened to the spirit of our country. Was it shot in the back for special interests? Like the Registration Act was for Marvel?

And as we get back into the Marvel swing of things for now, readers find that as the Registration Act takes effect the world takes on a darker turn with Norman Osborn taking over as security for the country. Even though Tony Stark/Iron Man leads the victory over Cap in Civil War in the mega story 'Secret Invasion', which was about a Skrull Invasion of Earth that had Super Skrulls hiding among the super hero community, Tony loses his position as head of security for the country.

And for those who read comics, yes Norman Osborn is the Green Goblin. The tormentor of Spider-Man, the murderer of Gwen Stacy, the 'father of the year' to Harry Osborn (I say with an eyeroll). However this is all glossed over by the media in the comics. The rationale is 'He's here to keep the country safe. We let him do his job.'

Even though he sees the job as more of a benefit for his own 'personal gain'. But hey, he got the kill shot against the Skrull Queen while Tony Stark let the Skrull Invaders land. Let the villain be the 'hero' and let the 'old hero' be villified.

8.5 Civil War with the Amazing Spider Man

As I write this I found myself thinking of J.Michael Straczynski's issues of 'Amazing Spider Man', part of his contribution to the Civil War storyline. Issues 533 to 537 to be precise. In these issues Peter Parker learns about Tony Stark's Negative Zone prison where those that do not sign the Superhuman Registration Act are held indefinitely. An act that while considered morally wrong by the opposing side is considered legal by the government. As the story continues Peter asks Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, the only supporter of the Registration Act during the Civil War, one question. 'Why?' Reed Richards gives his answer as he thinks back to a story of his favorite uncle, his Uncle Ted.

"Uncle Ted was funny, accepting, and he used to take me up the street twice a week for ice cream and talks about the world. Unlike the rest of the family he wasn't a scientist. He was a writer. He found everyone interesting. He'd talk to strangers, wear the wrong colored socks, ate at strange little restaurants. My Uncle Ted was an eccentric. He was funny and colorful and I loved him. But he was also stubborn, and didn't care for rules. And if you pushed him he pushed back just as hard.

Unfortunately, this was a time when Joe McCarthy and the House of Un-American Activities committee was in full bloom. Looking for communists among the military, the government...and the arts. If you stood out. If you didn't conform, you had a better than even chance of being called before the committee. And my Uncle Ted was all of those things, so he was subpoenaed to appear before the HUAC and explain himself. To testify. To tell them he wasn't a communist, and to name the names of those he thought might be communists.

I've never read the actual transcripts of what he told the committee, but my mother used to say she was surprised the stenography machines didn't burst into flames. But he summed it up really well in his concluding sentence.


'Go to Hell', he told them.

They held him on contempt of congress for six months. And when he got out his career was over. Nobody would hire him, buy his stories, or answer his phone calls. Even my father refused to let him come around. He lost his life savings, his home, and in the end--


--in the end. It killed him."

You would think that one would come to the conclusion that Ted Richards stood up for what he believed in against individuals that were using the policies of fear to enforce an ideal, despite the legality of the actions. But that was not the conclusion Reed Richards had come to. He decided that his Uncle Ted was wrong. Reed thought Uncle Ted picked a fight he could not win. Reed Richards decided that whether the HUAC was right or wrong in their actions or not was not the issue. He decided their actions were the law, and until the law is changed in an orderly way the law is obeyed.

But what Richards didn't ask was 'What if those in charge didn't want the law to be changed? What if they were fine with it as it was? And the fear of the law would make it an effective deterrent?' And while the actions of these outraged parents, groups, media and haters are not government sanctioned they come off still playing to the same policies of fear and intimidation that McCarthy and the HUAC played. And it's rationalized by saying that it's for a greater good. But what happens when we go against that greater good and become the monsters we accuse others of being?

Peter answers this question in the following issue.

"We all want to be safe. We all want to know we can go to bed at night and have a good chance of waking up without somebody in a costume blowing up a building."

Or something else.

"But there's a point where the end doesn't justify the means. If the means require us to give up not just our identities, but who we are as a country."

Or as people.

"The question isn't what does a country stand for when things are easy. The question is what does a country stand for when standing is the hardest? When does the country we're living in stop being the country we're born in? Some people say the most important thing in the world is that we should be safe. But I was brought up to believe there are some things worth dying for. If the cost of silence is the soul of the country...if the cost of tacit support is that we lose the very things that make this nation the greatest in human history--


--then the price is too high."

And this quote above is why I cannot think these individuals that think going after a teenage girl for her mistakes is the right thing to do. We can't bring about the best of people if we go against what makes the best of people just that-the best of people.

Compassion and understanding are what's called for with Miley I believe. And any grievances the parents have take them up with Billy Ray and Tish. They are the ones raising Miley. Sadly there are people that haven't done that. They went for the kid, and bypassed the parents. The worst case scenario promoted. Who's right? Who's wrong?

Maybe these next quotes will answer that. The first series are from Mark Twain, which appeared in ASM 538.

"In a republic, who is 'the country?'


Is it the government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the government is merely a temporary servant: It cannot be its perogative to determine what is right and what is wrong. And decide who is a patriot and who isn't. It's function is to obey orders, not originate them.


Who, then is 'the country'? Is it the newspaper? Is it the pulpit? Why these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it. They have not command, they have only their little share in the command,


In a monarchy, the king and his family are the country. In a republic, it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself, and on his own responsibility, must speak.


It is a solumn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catchphrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man."

Or young woman as the case may be.

"To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcuseable traitor. Both to yourself and to your country. Let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and your country. Hold up your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

And maybe this is what Miley and the Cyrus' are doing. They are deciding for themselves what is 'right' and what isn't. They seek not to hurt anyone, but they will not be pressured to be something they are not either. Especially not Miley. And I think this last quote from Captain America reflects Miley's position. If it doesn't she can say I'm wrong.

"Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else:the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences.


When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move. our job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world--


--'No, YOU move.'"

And I think that's what Miley did in her recent articles in Harper's Bazzar, Parade, and others.

8.6 Definition of 'Art' in comics

I also want to cover the definition of 'art' as even in comics the definition can be considered 'broad'. Case in point:Phillip Masters. Aka the 'Puppet Master'. A villain mostly seen in the pages of 'Fantastic Four'.

In three issues of Ms. Marvel Phillip Masters decided he was going to go into an 'art trade'. Interactive art. He was going to use his atomic clay to carve statues of living people to sell to prospective buyers. Clay sculptures that allowed the 'buyer' to control the subject it was made to resemble. If the sculpture was made to resemble a beautiful woman then it would control said woman.

Masters had many women in his 'showroom'. He did have some male stock as not to sound sexist, but he found it moved slower and was best used for menial labor. But once the buyer had his 'art' then it could be used to sate their every.....desire. However questionable it may have been. Masters was also not limited by age in the pursuit of his 'art'. He even had 15 year old Cassie Lang-the Young Avenger known as Stature-in his showroom. He even acquired young Arana to be sold.

After reading those issues it made me wonder what definition people have towards 'art'.

8.7 From Marvel to DC:Tora and Mary

Shifting gears from Marvel I want to get a look at DC Comics. Most notably two characters in particular. Tora 'Ice' Olafstodder and Mary 'Mary Marvel' Batson.

Both of these characters were considered 'wholesome good girls'. Nice, polite, wanted to save the world. But in their respective comics both get corrupted by dark powers and it costs them. For Ice it costs her her life in the JLI Comic (until her 'resurrection' in Birds of Prey). For Mary, it costs her her soul in Countdown, and then in Final Crisis, until finally she has no more chances as the power of Shazam is taken from her and her brother Billy, who is corrupted by Mary and her first corruptor Black Adam.

I think when people see these 'wholesome good' characters people seem to be sickened by them. They seem to believe 'No one is that nice. How 'fake' are they?' They tend to believe that in order to be 'real' you have to have something 'bad' happen to you. Well in both their cases it did. For Mary, it was multiple times.

At heart Mary Marvel was a good character, who wanted to do good. But she fell under the temptation of Black Adam first who gave her a dark power that corrupted her soul. A part of her realized the dark path she had taken and turned away. She was given another chance with a new set of powers, but fell under the path of Darkseid when she realized how 'strong' the darkness made her. A strength that led to Darkseid taking over the world and saping all the free will from it leaving them all as mindless slaves to him in Final Crisis.

And then the third time in JSA which had the wizard Shazam return from the grave and find her unworthy because she couldn't say 'no' to the dark power. No longer can she be Mary Marvel. She has been corrupted. She is considered unworthy. She apparently cannot say 'no' to darkness. She is no longer 'wholesome' and 'good'.

You know, I find myself reading these words, and I think about the concepts of 'wholesome' and 'good'. And I think the problem here is that Mary didn't expect the ideals she was supposed to represent to be challenged. She may have thought being 'wholesome' and 'good' would get her a free pass because that was the heroic standard people were supposed to set. Apparently that was not the case as Black Adam and Darkseid wanted to corrupt Mary and bring them to a darker level.

They saw a light she represented and wanted to dim, if not extinguish, it. Of course it was probably made easier when others don't find the light 'cool' anymore. That being 'dark' and 'gritty' is much cooler. Yet they do not consider the price of such darkness.

Mary had been given two other chances not to give into temptation, and she gave in both times. Each time she lost herself and got corrupted by the darkness until she was left with nothing but her brother, who was also corrupted by dark power. All for the feeling of 'strength' it provided.

How long it will take for Mary to realize her mistake remains to be seen. As for Ice, her journey is still ongoing.

8.8 Infinite Crisis

I also find myself thinking of Infinite Crisis as I think of DC. In that Superman of Earth-2, Lois Lane of Earth-2, Superboy-Prime, and Alexander Luthor watch the world and see it all going 'bad'. That the heroes are becoming worse than the villains. To that end they seek to eliminate all that is 'bad' and replace it with a 'good' Earth. A 'perfect' Earth.

Some could take a look at Infinite Crisis, and the events leading up to it as 'real':The Justice League lobotomizing Arthur Light because he raped someone and threatened to go after the League's families, Zatanna lobotomizing Batman which he saw as a violation leading him to create Brother Eye-leading to Maxwell Lord taking it and creating the OMAC Project, and Wonder Woman killing Maxwell Lord because he had Superman under control and threatened to use him to kill anything in his way. They believed they had no choice, but when the time came to set themselves to a higher standard they could not, or would not, do it. Which led to the decision to 'erase' Earth and replace it.

Superman of Earth-2 actually did confront Wonder Woman and Superman for their sins. And Superman of Earth-2 said that Superman "Could have stopped this from happening. You should have. You should have led them to a better tomorrow. And when this world needed it's greatest heroes they refused to stand together. You had the chance to make this world the perfect place it had the potential to be and you wasted it."

I think a similar argument could be made from the 'outraged parents' to Miley's parents. Those parents believing that the Cyrus's could have stopped her from doing the things she had done, and should have. That they should have kept her on the straight and narrow and showed other kids how to be a 'better person'. And anything 'bad' they should have kept her from at all costs.

If members of the morality police read Infinite Crisis what they would have to say would probably come out like this paraphrased version of Superman's argument:

"The truth is you allowed your daughter to be exploited. You allowed her to go in directions without regard for the audience of young people she is supposed to provide for. You didn't inform her how some gestures can be offensive. And you, you could have stopped all of this! You should have! You should have kept her on the straight and narrow and promote the better ideals! And when people told her what she needed to do she refused to listen to them saying that she couldn't go back! You had the chance to make her the perfect role model she had the potential to be and you wasted it! So that's why we're getting involved, to do what you failed to do!"

Bear in mind this is a speculative paraphrasing not an actual accusation. I'm sure the Cyrus's would have their own paraphrased response if they read this and choose to respond. But in the actual comic Superman responded to his counterpart's argument with "If this is your world it can't be perfect. Because a perfect world doesn't need a Superman."

Perhaps Billy Ray and Tish's response would be "If this is your ideal it can't be perfect. Because a perfect ideal doesn't allow any room for growth or to be anything else." Miley can also say that she's being 'real'. But I'm wondering if the attitudes of those parents are like those of Superman of Earth 2 and Alexander Luthor. That all 'real' is is different levels of 'bad'. Nothing more. Nothing less. And all being 'real' does is create a world full of villains.

But in the process Superboy Prime and Alexander Luthor become 'real', as Superboy Prime seeks to convince others about how 'good' he is by letting his fists do the talking. Which leads to him killing, or dismembering, some Teen Titans, beating up Wonder Girl while saying they are going to have, "'Good' heroes again", and seeking to erase the universe so it can start anew. The definition of 'good' being those heroes that are "polite, brave and honest."

Alexander Luthor also believes that he knows what is best, and that others views have become corrupted by darkness leading him to think he has the divine right to do whatever he wants to ensure that the world becomes 'perfect' or 'good' as he believes it to be. No matter who has to be sacrificed. And yet Alexander Luthor also swerved events to go an even darker tone with giving Max Lord the Brother Eye, starting a war between Rann and Thanagar, and unifying a super society of villains.

So they believe that in order to enforce those 'good' views it is necessary to compromise them. The ends justify the means, as long as the greater good is being served. This way of thinking led to Superboy Prime getting imprisoned multiple times and Alexander Luthor getting shot in a Gotham alley by Lex Luthor and the Joker. Perhaps somewhere along the line what they were doing stopped being about the 'greater good' and started to be about themselves.

And the world was not completely dark, as Batman pointed out. He asked Superman of Earth-2 if Dick Grayson/Robin 1/Nightwing was a better version on Earth-2. Superman-2 could not answer that as he saw that Dick Grayson was one that was not corruptedby darkness. Even when he had reason to be. His parents killed, a city full of darkness, surrounding himself with the worst of humanity. But Dick Grayson still tried to remain optimistic. Even with the super hero trinity of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman Dick Grayson was considered the heart of the DCU by those that worked on Infinite Crisis. Perhaps by even more.

Through it all Dick Grayson holds on to what it means to be a hero, even under the darkest of circumstances. And Wonder Woman reminds Superman of Earth-2 that if he, Alex Luthor and Superboy Prime replace their world they throw out the 'good' with the 'bad'.

The 'good' is also evident in Connor Kent/Superboy, who sacrifices his life to save the Earth from Alex Luthor and Superboy Prime.

8.9 Supergirl and Cat Grant

I guess there is another DC Comics example I can use to describe Miley and the media. The relationship between Supergirl and Cat Grant of the Daily Planet.

In the event 'Amazons Attack' the Amazons of Themyscaria attack Washington DC as retribution for the OMAC attack directed by Maxwell Lord. Supergirl decides to go with the Amazons as her friend Wonder Girl gets her powers from the Greek Gods, which the Amazons worship. In one skirmish Air Force One is brought down by Supergirl and Wonder Girl. An accident, but irrelevant. Supergirl is seen as an enemy combatant as a result of her mistake and things go worse from there. Even after the Amazon Invasion, thanks to Cat Grant.

Cat Grant looks at bad mouthing Supergirl for her mistakes as a means to get to the top. Any piece of damaging information, whether it be true or not, she'll use and print. Recently she blamed Supergirl and her friends Nightwing and Flamebird for a terrorist action that left Metropolis without water. In actuality it was a witch Mirabai and two villains named Metallo and Reactron, on orders from General Sam Lane. However since it was Supergirl seen, Cat Grant sees an opportunity to continue her expose, the 'fall of Supergirl'.

When you take a look at Cat Grant, and read about her, she comes off as 'fake'. She looks like she's had plastic surgery, is trying to hide wrinkles, and Lois Lane even mentions when wanting to punch Cat's teeth out that she's get fake teeth to go with her fake....well you get the picture. The mata hari haircut doesn't help either. Yes she has one.

In retrospect, Cat Grant tries to maintain an image of perfection. An image that seems to be maintained by plastic surgery, and the belittlement of others for their supposed 'mistakes'. Especially Supergirl, who is constantly crucified by the maliciousness of Cat Grant. Maliciousness that seems to spread to others as one takes a look at message boards, commentaries, and blogs-hate seems to spread. And if push comes to shove, Cat makes sure she wears her shirts buttoned low so people can see her supposedly fake boobs.

Years ago, when there wasn't any internet, hate mail was sent through the post office. Mail that was reportedly filtered out so as the celebrity was not hurt by any negative, or nasty words. But nowadays celebrities, and other famous people, have no such protection. If someone wants to tear someone down maliciously without regards for consequence, they can. Whether the words are true, right, or not. And you don't have to be part of the press to do it either. Just start up a YouTube blog and bad mouth to your heart's content I guess.

I look at this and I find myself wondering if a new form of bullying has not been born. Taking some back to the school days they would rather not relive. Where the bully was in charge and made life hell for the good kids in school. Supergirl may have the powers of Superman, and want to do as much good as him. But she's not seen in the same light as he is. She's crucified for her mistakes, much like Miley is. She's not seen as a teenaged girl, which she is. But she's seen as wearing the symbol of her cousin, and disgracing it.

I look at Cat Grant and I see her as someone who is not seeing the truth, but rather an opportunity to advance her career. She sees things from, at best, a skewed perspective. For her it's all about spectacle and headlines to advance herself and her career. Sounds a little like Margaret Cho, but Ms. Cho doesn't seem as plastic as Cat Grant. Ms. Cho may sound as mean as Cat Grant, but not as plastic.

Is the rest of the media like Cat, fake and goes for sensationalism for their own gain? Or are there still some Lois Lane's out there that go for the truth? Good question.

But also we must ask ourselves 'Who do we hold accountable?'

8.10 Supergirl, Star Wars, and the hero's journey

Recently in Supergirl #50 Helen Slater (the Supergirl from the Supergirl movie) wrote a story that had a discussion on Supergirl. Cat Grant was on the opposing side trying to paint her as 'bad' while Ron Troupe was doing what he could to sound impartial. Cat Grant tore into Supergirl saying how she "Causes more problems than she fixes. She doesn't even think about the costs of her actions." citing fights with Major Lucy 'Superwoman' Lane and Reactron-the killer of Supergirl's father, and promising to cure a kid's cancer, and failing. Cat also compared her more to "a teen starlet who's known more for going to rehab than doing what she's supposed to do.'" Also that "She shouldn't even try to be a 'hero' until she grows up."

I guess is people want to punish Supergirl for her mistakes Cat Grant would be happy to hold the Kryptonite paddle I guess. But Cat wasn't the only voice here. In this story there was a character named Dr. Joseph Cartwright who was referring to Supergirl's story as 'the hero's journey'. A theory based on Joseph Campbell's theory of the monomyth. A literary term used in mythological stories. An approach that carried over to George Lucas's 'Star Wars.'

Both Anakin Skywalker, and his son Luke, set off on 'Hero's Journies.' Yet each taking different paths and arriving at different destinations. In fact Luke was part of Anakin's 'Hero's Journey' The part that stems from 'Rescue from Without'. As Luke is being blasted by the Emperor's lightning in Return of the Jedi. Anakin, who was tempted to become Darth Vader, turns away from the darkness and sacrifices himself to save his son. Bringing an end to Anakin's quest-to bring balance to the Force.

Before I go any further with this analysis I want to explore the theory of 'the call to adventure. Campbell breaks down the theory into seventeen steps. But some don't use all seventeen. Some narrow the steps down to eight. Wikipedia however listed the seventeen, divided into three subsections, and I will list them below.Also I will see how these steps could apply to Miley.

Departure

1. The call to adventure-the auditions for Hannah Montana. Or perhaps when she did work for Billy Ray's series 'Doc'.

2. Refusal of the call-I think it's safe to say that this didn't happen. Her life of normality had been one of being bullied with cheerleading being an outlet. I think it's safe to say that with the 'call to adventure' Miley would not have refused it.

3. Supernatural aid-Where a guide, or magic helper, appears. So far the only known one has been Billy Ray, who accompanied Miley on her journey as she took the role of Hannah.

4. The crossing of the first threshold-Where she leaves Tennessee behind and enters the world of Hollywood. 'An unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known.' Ha ha!

5. Belly of the whale-The final separation from the hero's known world and self. The hero undergoes a metamorphosis. Miley goes from girl to superstar.

Initiation

6. The road of trials-Series of tests, tasks and ordeals, to begin the transformation. Often the person fails one or more of these tests. Which often occur in threes. Some would say that the audition process is the road of trials, but lets look at this from a different way.

What if Miley's scandals are the road of trials? What is the Annie Leibovitz picture, the 'racially offensive' picture, and 'the pole' among others, are her road of trials. According to some they would believe she failed those trials. But yet she's still here right? Something to consider.

7. The meeting with the goddess-Where a person finds love that is all powerful, and all consuming. Some would say this is Nick Jonas, as she was his first love. Some might disagree and say it's Liam Hemsworth-her new boyfriend right now.

8. Woman as temptress-Not necessarily limited to women, as man can fulfill this role as well. The Emperor did with Anakin in Star Wars, and tried with Luke. This more or less represents the physical, or material, temptations, of life that lead the hero to abandon or stray from his or her quest.

In Miley's case, some might say this person is Annie Leibovitz, and others that convinced Miley her more 'controversial moments' were good ideas. But does this mean that Billy Ray and Tish fall into this category as well? For that question I have no answer.

9. Atonement with the father-The hero must confront the individual that holds life and death power, or the ultimate power in the hero's life. And be initiated by them. All steps move to this place. All others move out from it.

It does not necesarily have to be a 'father figure' that does this. Just a being of power. In a twisted sense of irony I wonder if the paparazzi, haters, outraged, maybe even Perez Hilton and Margaret Cho even are the ones who fill this role. Even though they are regarded as part of the problem at best...maybe this is the role they fill. Just as the Emperor Palpatine initiated Anakin into the Sith and becoming Darth Vader.

Their maliciousness and hate serve as Miley's initiation process. What will happen next to her stems from these moments. Moments that may or may not be finished. Sadly this bit may lead to haters thinking they have some sort of significance in things. I apologize in advance if anyone comes to this conclusion and causes anyone grief. But also take comfort that there are others of relevance as well. Their moment will come as the theory is explained.

As a matter of fact, their part is number 14. But read on before you get to there please.

10. Apotheosis-Dying the physical, or spiritual, death to move on to the next plane. Attaining the state of knowledge, love, compassion and bliss. This is usually a grace period before the hero begins their return.

11. The ultimate boon-The prize they sought. The goal of the quest. Has Miley achieved her goal?

Return

12. Refusal of the return-Where the hero chooses not to return to his home to bestow their boon to his/her people for reasons of their own. Has Miley achieved her goal? If she has does she seek to return? The actions in the 'Atonement of the father' stage may indicate reasons to return. Or maybe the actions in the 'Atonement' stage are reasons for her to stay? To show them that she has not been vanquished by their 'initiations'?

13. The magic flight-Where the hero must escape with the boon. Beginning a journey that can be as hazardous as the initial journey itself. So far, I don't think this has happened yet.

14. Rescue from without-This is the role Miley's fans fill. The guides and rescuers that bring the hero back to every day life. Especially if the hero is wounded and weakened by the experience, with the 'initiation being among them. These are the people that help Miley back together. Just as her friends and family do as well.

15. The crossing of the return threshold-To retain the wisdom of the quest, and share it with the rest of the world. It is regarded as difficult, especially if the wisdom Miley sees may not be the wisdom others see. Or want to see.

16. Master of two worlds.-Achieving a balance between the material and spiritual. The hero is comfortable and competent in both the inner and outer worlds.

17. Freedom to live.-Freedom from the fear of death, or rather freedom to live. Living in the moment, never anticipating the future, nor regretting the past. Even if Miley's journey is not yet over, could she have attained this step already?

But getting back to the Supergirl analysis, like Miley, Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, and maybe many of us, Supergirl heeds the 'call to adventure'. And the character of Dr. Joseph Cartwright says this in his analysis.

"I would say she is perhaps too young to be so exposed to the scrutiny of society. Clearly she has the 'call to adventure'. And from the 'Hero's Journey' perspective,now may be the time for a teacher. Someone who can provide discipline, guidance, and training." Ron Troupe asks if that person should be Superman. And maybe some even ask if that should be Billy Ray and Tish for Miley. Here's Dr. Cartwright's answer.

"It's possible. However, many times the people who light our path are not the ones we are related to. Just because she wears his costume, that doesn't automatically make him her guide."

Of course Cat Grant rolls her eyes at this. After some 'Man on the street' quotes that paint Supergirl positive Ron Troupe gives his own views.

"She is, after all, an inexperienced and perhaps undisciplined Kryptonian girl. But she has great value to Metropolis and to the world. Supergirl is a hero and a role model. Above all, she is a girl trying to find her way in the world. She makes mistakes, but she is growing and developing positively."

Based on reading this, maybe Miley really is 'Supergirl' like in her Hannah Montana song 'Supergirl', only without the powers.