Pow! Zap! Bang! When a reader sees words like these, it can mean only one thing. Comic books have been a part of American culture for decades. Many a child will spend his entire allowance on the colorful magazine; not every adult is immune to the books' charms. Almost everyone has an inexplicable attraction to the heroes of the comics, and no heroes are more popular than Superman and Batman.

The popularity of Superman or Batman is easy to understand, if one reads The Thematic Paradigm, by Robert B. Ray. Ray defines exactly the characteristics Americans look for in their heroes. Briefly, the American hero has a dual nature. He is strong but compassionate, brilliant but absent-minded. Ultimately, there are two kinds of these dual-natured heroes. The "good cop" and the "bad cop." Ray calls the good cop the "official hero." The official hero is the one who operates within the law. He is the one who follows the letter of the law as far as it can take him, and then helps to form new laws for the future. The bad cop is called the "outlaw hero." The outlaw hero is the vigilante, the man who has taken justice into his own hands; justice is far more important to the vig

Bruce Wayne grew up to become Batman, "The Caped Crusader." While he lost some of his impetuosity as he aged, Batman still retains the spirit of the impulsive boy. Batman also took on a partner of a similar background. Dick Grayson, also known as Robin, The Boy Wonder, lost his parents to violence at an early age. Bruce Wayne took him in, and taught him how to be a vigilante superhero.

Sonia Maasik, Jack Solomon. Signs of Life in the USA. Copyright 2000 by Bedford/ St. Martins

The Thematic Paradigm is primarily concerned with the portrayal of the American hero in film. However, the principle can be applied to any aspect of life, be it literature, history or even everyday life. As Ray points out, many of our own historical heroes fall into the two categories he defines. Superman and Batman are no different. These almost mythical characters occupy a definite place in the hearts and minds of the American people.

The two greatest comic book heroes of all time are easily placed into their roles as official hero and outlaw hero. Superman, the official hero, was raised from birth to defend those weaker than himself, and to uphold the American laws. "Truth, justice and the American Way." Batman, on the other hand, saw his parents gunned down when he was a small boy. He became a crime-fighter to avenge his parents' death. Superman is the official hero, Batman is the outlaw hero.

As part of his traditional role, Superman craves acceptance by society. Specifically, he craves acceptance by Lois Lane, his beautiful coworker. Until recently, Lois did not even know that Superman, and

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