Comic Quote by Bernard Schaffer
““Bill Thompson edited ‘Whitechapel,’ and his first question to me was, “Why in God’s name do you want to bring down Superman?” And my answer was, and remains, by breaking down Holmes as this untouchable machine, it gives him the chance to become the hero we need him to be.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast with Bill Thompson, 2022
The speaker argues that deconstructing an infallible hero lets us reshape him into a relatable, needed savior.
In simple terms: Breaking a perfect hero makes him useful.
Key Takeaway
Reimagine heroes to fit our needs.
Themes
heroism
identity
redefinition
storytelling
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing comics
- film adaptation
- personal growth
- leadership development
Key Concepts
mythmaking
character analysis
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you humanize idealized figures?
- What does a “hero we need” look like?
A Different Perspective
A perfect hero may still be unrelatable; audiences need flaws.
