Through the ole’ social network grapevine I listened to this radio interview which is an exchange against Phoenix Jones and someone named Rex Velvet.

http://www.iheartradio.com/player/embed.html?autoStart=false&useAds=false&useFullScreen=true&mid=22100046&osu=null

As I get more into self publishing, I am learning that superhero comics are completely depending on what the market wants. The Batman and Superman of yesteryear is not the same today due to a changing market. “Superheroes” are fictional characters and will do and act differently depending on what a writer writes them to do. Superhero comics are works of fictions that cannot be used as a bible or guide for morality. Some stories are anecdotes of life truths. In certain cases, a comic story can serve as inspiration for a thought, action, or creativity like other artwork. However, comic stories should be taken with a grain of salt due to the improbability of the characters actually exhibiting extraordinary feats without extreme physical harm. Batman gets stab and shot up in every other comic. In real life, Batman would be dead or severely handicap. It is physically impossible that anyone can be a walking, breathing, superhero straight out of the comics.

When I did the Zetaman thing I wanted to try to help people find their inner strength, be creative and make a difference no matter who they are or what they look like. I figured that having an outfit would help broadcast whatever idea, message, or fundraiser I was working on. At the end of the day, though, I knew that Zetaman was my idea and was just a costume. In or out of the spandex, I was a human being that was flesh and blood. I, at no time, ever believed I was a literal superhero. I believe that if a person has a self belief of being something other than a human being then it is a sign of extreme mental instability. I guess it is why I don’t like the company of people who drink real blood as vampires or furries. Zetaman was the gimmick, Illya King was always the guy.

So I listen to this radio broadcast and I just have to shake my head. I am really sad, actually, for Mr. Jones because he is self deluded. Some of his self delusion come from people in the media (like Rainn Wilson or whoever is doing the Citizen Hero doc) who have reinforced the idea that Mr. Jones is a REAL superhero. It is sad that the more TV shows and Radio spots Mr. Jones gets, the less Mr. Jones retains his humanity. The Phoenix Jones train will crash because all things end. At first I was upset at this guy, but now I just feel really bad for him.

Rex Velvet was sort of funny though.

-Illya