Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Superman = Springsteen, Batman = Bon Jovi?


Bruce Springsteen’s kids went there. Bon Jovi’s kids, too.

And now that I've spoken at Rumson Country Day School in Rumson, NJ, the students there have been exposed to two other pop culture legends (albeit from a different field): the creators of Superman and Batman.

In a way, Superman = Springsteen and Batman = Bon Jovi. And I’m not just talking about the first letters. Springsteen is the square-jawed, broad-chested champion of the everyday person. Bon Jovi is a bit “edgier”—or he was in the 1980s, at least in comparison to Springsteen.

Even though the lyrics are darker than many realize, the title of “Born in the U.S.A.” feels more Superman. (Even though he was born on Krypton, he seems more American than Batman.) And it seems that you’d sooner catch Batman singing “Bad Medicine” or “Wanted Dead or Alive.”

Then again, Springsteen seems more taciturn, more mysterious—that’s Batman. And the Bon Jovi of today is more smiley—that’s Superman.

While we're on the subject, some postulate that Batman's Gotham City is in New Jersey...

Okay, back to Rumson!

They welcomed me with a dynamic display and one unlike any other I’ve seen: Superman smashing through a wall made of student-decorated Superman bookmarks.



It seemed like half the books I signed were to a "Caroline" or "Jack":


RCDS is an example of how referrals are worthwhile. In January, I spoke at Stonehouse Elementary in Williamsburg, VA.

The librarian formerly worked at RCDS and said they bring in authors, which prompted me to contact RCDS, and one kind word led to another, and a booking. Thank you all!

After, to complete the comic-book-themed day, I went to what might be one of the most famous comic book shops in America, Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, owned by maverick filmmaker and comic book writer Kevin Smith:


Student question of the visit: “Did any of your childhood friends also become authors?”

2 comments:

The League said...

I sort of think Superman is more Spingsteen, too. But then: http://www.mainstreetmallonline.com/fanstuff/members/buhhoe5/listings/bonjovi3242009.JPG

Marc Tyler Nobleman said...

The League: thanks and oops - I should have thought of that, especially because of this: http://noblemania.blogspot.com/2008/07/superman-and-superstars_17.html.