‘Turn Yourself Into The Hero’

This ‘Man of Steel’ film promotion reveals human nature.
on May 1, 2013 · 1 reply

For good or ill, we long not only to enjoy stories about heroes, but to become heroes ourselves.

Via the Superman: Man of Steel Facebook fan page.

Via the Superman: Man of Steel Facebook fan page.

… Even if hero is redefined as simply purchasing a candy product (and perhaps winning a promotional tie-in prize).

What is right about wanting to “turn yourself into the hero”? What are the risks of this impulse?

E. Stephen Burnett explores fantastical stories for God’s glory as publisher of Lorehaven.com and its weekly Fantastical Truth podcast. He coauthored The Pop Culture Parent and creates other resources for fans and families, serving with his wife, Lacy, in their central Texas church. Stephen's first novel, the sci-fi adventure Above the Circle of Earth, launches in March 2025 from Enclave Publishing.

Share your thoughts, faithful reader (and stay wholesome!)

  1. Melissa Ortega says:

    This ad doesn’t even make sense. Then again, most don’t. In America, at least in the 80’s when I briefly studied marketing in different countries, the product is always the hero.
    I’m assuming here there is supposed to a “turn of phrase” in that Twizzlers are spiral, and the city behind is “turned”/”spiraled” out of Twizzlers. So by eating turned Twizzlers, we “turn” in to heroes? It’s a bizarre wordplay stretch – so bizarre, I’m not even sure that’s where they’re going with this.
    Incidentally, this “I’m the hero” thing is exactly what I didn’t like about Carrie Underwood’s Dawn Treader song (among other things) and Alanis Morisette’s “Wunderkind” about Lucy. That is all.

What say you?