4 Superheroes Who Embody Stoicism

Life’s unpredictability isn’t something we can plan for. It takes us by surprise. It blindsides us. It throws up everything we thought we understood about ourselves and smashes it to pieces, and it’s often in those moments where we come to see our true measure and develop the ability to endure. 

Endurance is at the heart of Stoicism, the philosophy popularised by men like Zeno and Seneca, a philosophy with many practical applications in the modern day, a concept channeled through superheroes who’ve inspired generations of comic fans and readers.

With that said, here are four superheroes that embody the Stoic principles of justice, courage, wisdom and temperance.

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Superhero Mentality: Daredevil

When it comes to mental health, comics are valuable tools for shedding light on topics such as depression and bipolar disorder. Superheroes are just as vulnerable as anyone else and their mental health struggles have been captured in vivid detail. Superhero Mentality reveals the positive mental health routines of characters who battle with their inner demons on a regular basis.

Daredevil is a prime example of a superhero who struggles to cope with depression. A long term sufferer of depression, Matt Murdock has found purpose by fighting crime. As a blind superhero, Daredevil has the potential to be a role model for people with visual impairments. It’s why I’ve put together a routine of how I think Daredevil would manage his condition and explain how it can be positive for people who suffer from similar disorders.

How Blindspot Helps To Shine A Light On The Lives Of Illegal Immigrants

When it comes to relatable characters, Daredevil immediately comes to mind. The Man Without Fear inhabits a world where everyday people struggle to get by. One of the most interesting characters to come out of the Daredevil mythos is Blindspot. Considered to be Daredevil’s apprentice, Samuel Chung shares a lot of similarities with his mentor. He also represents the plight of illegal immigrants who are forgotten by society. I’m taking a look into his history to show why you need to know more about him.

Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown Review: Putting Your Faith In The Right People

Daredevil is one of the most down to earth superheroes in the Marvel Universe. His powers and personality make him the kind of person you can root for. Recently, I’ve been delving into the Man Without Fear’s history and I came across the graphic novel Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown. Written by Charles Soule, the story revolves around Matt Murdock returning to New York with a new purpose. In the depths of Chinatown, Daredevil learns what it means to take on an apprentice for the first time.

Sympathy For The Daredevil: Matt Murdock And His War With Depression

Superheroes regularly face overwhelming odds to save the world. Sometimes, the greatest battles are fought within, and Daredevil is no stranger to dealing with personal issues. Matt Murdock has one of the most turbulent lives of any hero. From his earliest days, tragedy dogged The Man Without Fear. Over the years, Daredevil has faced a variety of enemies, but his greatest is surely depression.

Matt’s struggle with depression is a major part of the character. His mental health battles have featured in a lot of iconic stories, like Born Again and The Elektra Saga. Given everything he’s experienced, it’s little wonder Daredevil has suffered with depression. His journey makes him relatable, so I’m taking a look at how Matt has learned to handle his depression.

Comic Kitchen: Daredevil

The taste of food is a powerful source of emotion, providing happiness for anyone who eats a good meal. Comic Kitchen celebrates the joy of food through creating a three-course meal for a comic character. Taste plays an important role in the life of Daredevil, whose senses are all enhanced to superhuman levels. Being the defender of Hell’s Kitchen means Matt Murdock comes into regular contact with amazing dishes. After all, New York has some of the greatest food in the world.

In order to come up for a menu for The Man Without Fear, I’ve teamed up with the Manchester restaurant Eat New York. The Daredevil menu puts a strong emphasis on taste through hearty portions and American style goodness.

Exploring The Link Between Superpowers And Dissociative Identity Disorder With Typhoid Mary

Mental health issues can strike in anyone, with the problems happening for a variety of reasons. Someone might suffer from anxiety because of child abuse, while another person may suffer from depression because their parents had it. Comic characters can be a poignant reflection of mental health, with Typhoid Mary being one of the strongest examples. Suffering from dissociative identity disorder, Mary Walker has three different personalities. The cause of her mental health problems are attributed to Daredevil, which makes her a compelling villain for The Man Without Fear.

6 Mental Health Disorders That Superheroes Struggle With

When people read comics, they look to superheroes as role models, as representations of strength. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve thought about how awesome having superpowers could be. It’s easy to forget that superheroes struggle with their mental health like anyone else.

Even a hero as powerful as Superman has battled with imposter syndrome, being caught between two worlds, questioning his place on Earth. Mental health disorders make no distinction between a superpowered alien or an average person. Superheroes are prone to a host of mental health problems and The Comic Vault has come up with six of the most common.

Daredevil: Born Again Review: A Visceral Look Into The Mind Of The Man Without Fear

Daredevil is one of the most relatable heroes in comics because of his background and believable powers. There have been a number of memorable stories about The Man Without Fear, though perhaps the greatest is Born Again, written by Frank Miller. Born Again involves the complete destruction of Matt Murdock’s life at the hands of The Kingpin. Not only is Daredevil pushed to the brink of sanity, but his mental health issues are exposed in a respectful, tragic manner. With themes of religion, family and overcoming adversity, Born Again is a graphic novel that needs to be read by all comic fans.

4 Homeless Comic Characters Who Were Able To Make A Better Life For Themselves

One of the most common problems in the world today is homelessness. Millions of people all over the world are living on the streets, begging for money, trapped in an endless cycle of poverty. People can become homeless for a number of reasons and it can happen to anyone. It made me think about how superheroes can end up on the streets as well. For all their powers, they are unable to help themselves. Some homeless characters have started off with a rough life and managed to build a better one. The Comic Vault is looking into four comic characters who know what it’s like to be homeless.