Anyone who passionately loves comics has had their life deeply impacted in some way, shape or form, by a specific character or story that slammed into the cardiovascular region of their upper torso.
Perhaps for you, dear reader, it was the first time you read Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns, when you found a kindred spirit in Batman, a brooding, deeply troubled loner who is sick of the filthy criminal elements in the world getting away with murder.
Maybe it was the first time you read about Peter Parker getting beat up after school by Flash Thompson, yet still aspiring to greatness by saving people on a daily basis, which gave you someone to relate to, but also inspired you to not become angry and bitter at your own tormentors.
For me it was Captain America.
Yes, a fictional character created in World War II era America dramatically altered the course of my destiny forever. While you’re likely thinking this seems a bit on the dramatic side, and you’re probably right, it’s true.
Before you roll your eyes and call me a pathetic loser with too much time on his hands, allow me to explain.
Origin Story
A few years back I was a down-on-his-luck professional writer who had pretty much hit rock bottom. I was barely making any money, was forced to accept government assistance, and had a family of four (including me) to support. My children and I were living in poverty.
The sad part is that it was all my fault.
Stringing words together in complete sentences has always been my greatest talent. Ever since I could remember, writing, whether stories, poetry, songs, or essays, was always my best form of communication. I won awards for my writing when I was young, being a fully published poet at 16-years-old.
A lack of talent was never the reason for my shortage of success. No, my failures were a result of not having a clear vision and direction in which to apply my talents, and the almost complete lack of a decent work ethic. I was a lazy schmuck who wanted to make butt loads of dough, while doing as little as possible. Yes, it’s true. I was THAT guy.
As my attempts to be successful with as little effort as humanly possible continued to fail miserably, I began to grow more frustrated with my life. Deep down I had a desire burning in the pits and valleys of my heart to use my flare for the written word to make the world a better place, but had no idea how the hell to do that or where the hell to even begin if I would’ve had an idea.
At my lowest point, when the bills weren’t getting paid and eviction seemed like a sure bet, I had a life-altering encounter that would propel me toward the purpose for which I was born, the destiny I always felt heavy on my shoulders.
This encounter was with the Sentinel of Liberty himself, Captain America, and he had a lot of stern words for my lazy ass.
Meeting the “Living Legend”
I’ve always been a huge comic book fan, and after Captain America: The First Avenger, Cap cemented his place as my favorite hero of all time, uprooting Superman and tossing him in the garbage like a soiled diaper.
Here was a guy, unlike Superman, who was vulnerable, who could be killed, yet still laid it all on the line to stand up for what he believed in. Steve Rogers wasn’t all that different from me. He was picked on as a kid, developed a strong moral center, and refused to compromise on his principles, yet all this was done without massive, mind-blowing superpowers.
That was the type of person I used to be in my glory days, which had passed me by like the wink in a young girl’s eye many moons ago. Somewhere along the way I lost that became another lazy loafer mooching off the system.
Rogers wasn’t superhuman. It was through positive displays of his humanity that he achieved status as a living legend. This character embodied everything I wanted to be, but fell dismally short of becoming.
I began to read a lot of the comics, and I suddenly felt the need and desire to reevaluate the direction my life was taking. I wanted to leave a legacy as rich as Cap’s, if for no one else, at least for my children. I wanted to be a good example for them to follow, so that one day, they too would have a positive impact on the world around them.
As all of this introspection was taking place, I started to consider using my talents as a journalist, particularly in the area of politics, as this is something I’ve always been passionate and knowledgeable about. Unfortunately, I didn’t live out the principles of my political ideology very well at the time, so I decided to not pursue the career.
Until Captain America shield slapped me in the back of the head, waking me up to reality.
Embracing My Destiny
One day it finally clicked. I woke up from the fog of hopelessness that clouded my brain and decision making for years, and decided it was time to get off my flabby butt and do something with my life.
I spent days rebuilding my writing portfolio (from scratch) and filling out applications for news websites and papers. I finally received a position with a well known paper and started working the political beat.
I was suddenly working 10-12 hours a day, building my portfolio with quality, published work, reaching millions of readers, and helping to keep government officials accountable for their actions. All while earning a paycheck.
Like Captain America, I’ve become dedicate to a set of ideals and principles I will not compromise on, regardless of the consequences. I do my best to boldly stand for truth, and currently make a pretty handsome salary working my fingers to the bone, almost literally, to help disseminate and share information with millions of readers to help them make better informed voting decisions.
I’ve also slowly come to realize that my calling on this burned out berg called Earth is to impact pop culture in a positive way, along with the political work I do on a daily basis. That’s why I’m here on this site, building a side business out of sharing my perspective on comic books, an art form that literally changed the direction of my life.
An art form that I’m actually participating in, since the creation of my first comic book series is due to be published this fall.
The success I’m experiencing now, which has come relatively quickly, is the result of being inspired by a fictional comic book character. The value that Captain America has added to my life is pretty damn near priceless. I wouldn’t be on the path I’m on right now if Jack Kirby hadn’t created this character.
So, anyway, that’s my strange tale. My goal wasn’t to make myself out to be a big deal, because I’m not. It was to demonstrate the power that the medium of comics can have to change the world, one life at a time.
What superhero or comic book story has had a major impact on your life? Share your stories down below!