Comic book movies are incredibly confusing, but incredibly impactful.

It would be completely understandable if one were to question my credibility in filling in this blank. I have multiple friends who worship the massive universe that is comic book films, but my own education of the movies is sadly depleted.

As a point of reference, there was a time during my childhood I spent believing Spider-Man shoots webs out of his backside, like a real spider. I have been fully reprimanded by Peter Parker fans for this belief and thankfully no longer maintain it. 

Of the DC Comics, I have seen a happy sum of two movies. While I have seen most of the Marvel films, (I think) they were almost all binged in one summer, more for the sake of being able to understand the many references my classmates would make than for enjoying the series itself. 

As a result, I remember very little about most of the films unless I have recently seen them in theaters. What I do maintain an understanding of is that those who love comic book movies treat them as if they were the greatest works of art ever created. This is mostly where my appreciation for comic book movies arises.  

I have found that there is little in life more adorable than watching a friend writhe in excitement at the sight of some character they remember from childhood comics. While I generally have absolutely no idea what is going on, I nod my head and smile in agreement as they scream and point at the screen. 

Surely anything which brings that level of ecstasy must be considered a cultural phenomena. 

Of course, this isn’t to say that there is nothing problematic in the industry. It took far too long for either DC or Marvel to create a film with a female lead, with DC’s first being “Wonder Woman” in 2017 and Marvel’s being “Captain Marvel” in 2019.

One of the few films I can recall in detail was “Black Widow,” which I watched in theaters with my older sister. We loved the movie for its hilariously accurate portrayal of a sisterly relationship, but were annoyed to think it took the world until 2021 to bring the only woman Avenger her own adventure.

Thankfully, the films are gradually becoming more and more progressive and because they remain such a wonder to many children today, this influence will gain importance. 

I will gladly cheer this process on alongside its excited fans, completely clueless but completely supportive.