I recently watched Unbreakable (2000) and Glass (2019). Comics played an underlying role in these films. The main character, Elijah Price, (played by Samuel L. Jackson) finds ways to validate, play out, and test elements and theories of his comic book studies. He in essence views himself as a type of comic character and then creates and convinces others of their role and powers in this world.
In Unbreakable, he convincingly persuades David Dunn (played by Bruce Willis) that he is his comic opposite. He has code names for each, Mr. Glass and Overseer, which explain their relative characteristics.
In Glass, he creates another character in Kevin Crumb (played by James McAvoy) who takes on somewhat of a side kick role as The Beast.
These comic book thrillers shockingly twist the traditional morals and positives for comic books to an extreme level. Elijah Price, from childhood, struggled with health issues and found solace in comic books and super powers. Jones writes, "Becoming a warrior or a super hero able to beat any bad guy is a generic but thrilling 'new ending' to all the everyday stories of not being old enough or powerful enough to make things come out the way children want" (67). Elijah takes these comic escapes and masterminds murders in reality, creating comic character identities in people in order to prove his own power. He is the villain and creator in one.
Works Cited:
Jones, Gerard. Good fight. Killing Monsters: Why Children Need Fantasy, Super Heroes, and Make-Believe Violence. New York. Basic Books. 2002.
