Superman 2d?

I was just thinking about comics and superheroes. About how superhero films are now these huge budget money making machines based on characters that have been rolling along since the 1970s. The characters have huge complicated backstories amassed over that time. The films start from scratch. Aiming for where the character will head later on. Now what I was thinking is that originally some characters (I'm a bit short of examples, this is a thought not a reasearch paper, maybe Dick Tracey off the top of my head, although he's not really a superhero) started out as weekly strips about a person with 'special powers' saving the day at the end of each one. It's only after years they build up a backstory as things about them are explained eg. why can superman fly? Who is batman?
I was wondering if it was still possible to do that. To have 2d hero who saves the day for a while with no 'big reveal' planned. Eg. He can fly because he can.
I suppose a character needs a 'hook'. Not a literal hook, unless we're talking about the adventures of Captain Hook, but something special like the aformentioned ability to fly. But once you ask why, and start to explain it you get your backstory.
Let's take Superman.
Why can Superman fly? The answer was because he was from Krypton. My idea is that originally he wasn't. He just very a strong flying man who wore is underpants on the outside. It was only because people wanted to know why? that someone thought up all the Krypton backstory.
And the point of this? As I said above I wonder if you can do that anymore, have some 'special power' without explaining it. Okay, I don't know a lot about Superman and comic #1 might have had him coming down from Krypton on a flying whale, but I hope you see what I mean.
Anyway, sorry this post goes nowhere as usual. Just a thought.

It seems someone else had this thought too, albeit farrrr more thoughtfully :-)
http://fantasy-faction.com/forum/fantasy-book-discussion/do-we-need-the-origin-story-of-our-heroes/

Ian xxx

Fabulism

I've just been reading about the Orange prize winner Tea Obreht. Her work was described by the Guardian as a beginning in the 'return to fabulism'
I just looked it up.
lol, fabulism is about fables, here's me thinking it's about 'fabulous' tales *sigh* At least I worked it out before I told anyone... whoops.

Ian xxx

...and so...

...and so you're busily writing away with a fantastic idea and then you go to the pictures. Turns out the latest blockbuster is about exactly what you've been writing about. Okay so your idea is totally different, and possibly features a blancmange eating ocotpus, but the whole fascinating basis is the same thing. Do you continue? Do you worry you're ripping off a movie, even though you started months before you read about it? Do you finish and acknoledge the film as an inspiration? Seems whenever I find someting really interesting that hasn't been done the movies beat me to it. Maybe I could finish one of my works sooner I might beat them at this little game. Hmmm.

Ian xxx

Helping Hands?

Hello!
Completely forgotten what I was going to write to you about. However, if you've never read this it's extremely helpful! Thankfully I seem to have been on the right lines all along, it's just nice to have it cornfirmed (and of course make a few changes!!) :-)

http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com

Ian xxx