I grew up idolizing Spider-Man. Not only was he funny and dynamic, but as a child and teen, he felt relatable enough to compete within the game of actual life. He may have powers, but his 9-5 skills crippled his lifestyle and made his heroics anxiety-fueled.
(Todd McFarlane, Marvel Comics)
As I got older, I fully committed to Batman.
Batman by John Timms
Now hear me out; it wasn't the money or Bruce Wayne's double life ( that money funding heroics though...), It was the sense of competency that I admired more. This was probably due to not wanting to relate with someone in a struggle I was trying to get out of (looking at you Spidey) when it comes to crapping work/passion balance. I just felt like most geniuses could do better with Peter Parker's set-up ( and spoiler, The Superior Spider-Man featuring Doc Ock proved that point severely). There was also less optimism about society. Another Batman style of thinking or so it would seem.
I guess when it comes down to it, I enjoy exploring and relating to these characters based on how logically I see their approach as a reaction to their world and the situation within it ( mind you, these are still fictional characters).
Now how can I justify my no-care-given obsession with SuperBoy Prime?
He comes from a "leave it to beaver", 1940s feel for a World. Imagine having God-like powers with strict morals that rival the Bible. Toss in that angelic innocence/ignorance and a nice lil psychotic breakdown over "worthiness" and BOOM! SuperBoy Prime. That's not what I admire. It's the design of that perspective playing out for him that made me think, "These heroes kinda are not heroic in the 'right way'? and I was hooked. I was backseat to his justification, panic, and overreaction and this character development was a furious but engaging companion for its time.
This is HighTypeOfMedia, with that note, here's a deeper, organized look at each character's personality.
[I kinda thought "high' and "deeper" was pun-worthy, because some people get 'high' to go 'deep'. frankly im a little embarrassed this is even here. but, you read it so it happened. ]
A Psychological Breakdown of Superheroes
Let's delve into the psychological profiles of Spider-Man, Batman, and Superboy-Prime, aligning them with Freud's tripartite personality theory and exploring their moral alignments.
Spider-Man: The Balanced Ego
Id, Ego, and Superego:
Id: His impulsive nature, thrill-seeking tendencies, and desire for personal satisfaction.
Ego: His strong sense of responsibility, coupled with his ability to balance his personal desires with societal expectations, highlights a well-developed Ego.
Superego: His moral compass, derived from the lessons learned from Uncle Ben's death, embodies the Superego, guiding his actions towards the greater good.
Moral Alignment: Chaotic Good. Spider-Man often breaks the rules or takes unconventional approaches to achieve his goals, but his intentions are always pure.
Batman: The Disciplined Superego
Id, Ego, and Superego:
Id: His deep-seated anger and desire for vengeance, stemming from his parents' murder, represent the Id.
Ego: His meticulous planning, strategic thinking, and self-control demonstrate a highly developed Ego.
Superego: His unwavering commitment to justice and his relentless pursuit of criminals embody the Superego.
Moral Alignment: Lawful Neutral. Batman is a strict adherent to his own moral code, often operating outside the law to achieve his ends.
Superboy-Prime: The Unchecked Id
Id, Ego, and Superego:
Id: His unchecked rage, narcissism, and insatiable desire for power represent a dominant Id.
Ego: His lack of empathy and self-awareness suggests a weak or underdeveloped Ego.
Superego: His twisted sense of morality and his belief in his own superiority indicate a corrupted Superego.
Moral Alignment: Chaotic Evil. Superboy-Prime is driven by self-interest and acts without regard for the consequences of his actions.
In Conclusion
While Spider-Man and Batman, despite their contrasting approaches, both strive for justice and the betterment of society, Superboy-Prime embodies the destructive potential of unchecked power and a distorted sense of self. Their stories offer valuable insights into the complexities of human psychology and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Let us know in the comments here or under the related aurorarsoul socials for this post if you agree or disagree with the Id, Ego, and Superego breakdowns.
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