In Supergods, a recently published treatise on superheroes that brilliantly incorporates a myriad of mythological, scientific, philosophical, psychological and historical concepts to make its points, famed comic book writer Grant Morrison perfectly sums up the lasting appeal of his art form of choice:

"The low production costs (pen and ink can conjure scenes that would cost millions of dollars of computer time to re-create onscreen) and rapid publication frequency mean that in comic books, almost anything goes. No idea is too bizarre, no twist too fanciful, no storytelling technique too experimental. I’ve been aware of comic books’ range, and of the big ideas and emotions they can communicate, for a long time now, so it’s with amazement and a little pride that I’ve watched the ongoing, bloodless surrender of mainstream culture to relentless colonization from the geek hinterlands."

Supergods begins, as it should, by comparing and contrasting the beacon of light that is Superman with the dark and mysterious Batman, a pair of characters who, in 1938-39, established the two basic templates by which all other superheroes would forever be defined. "Superman’s brand of essentially optimistic problem solving," Morrison writes, "found its cynical counterpart in Batman’s obsessive, impossible quest to punch crime into extinction, one bastard at a time."

Then comes the quasi-propaganda of Captain America and other World War II-era comics; the silly campaign against the still-nascent industry prompted by psychiatrist Fredric Wertham and his 1954 book Seduction of the Innocent, which painted all superheroes as negative influences on young and impressionable minds; followed by the dawn of the silver age via the 1960s Marvel Comics roster, which included characters like the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man and the X-Men, who were all co-created by a certain Stanley Martin Lieber…

…better known as Stan Lee, the guest of honour at this weekend’s Montreal ComicCon (at Place Bonaventure, September 17-18). In Supergods, Grant Morrison neatly encapsulates the novel idea Lee brought to comics: "From now on, having superpowers would come at the very least with great responsibility and, at worst, would be regarded as a horrific curse." Furthermore, Marvel superheroes "tussled not only with monsters and mad scientists but also with relatable personal issues."

Morrison goes on to write about the ups and downs comic books have gone through in the 70s, 80s, 90s and the first decade of the 21st century, reaching the conclusion that "we love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be. [...] The superheroes, who were champions of the oppressed when we needed them to be, patriots when we needed them to be, pioneers, rebels, conformists, or rock stars when we needed them to be, are now obligingly battering down the walls between reality and fiction before our very eyes."

Are there still people who believe that comics are just for kids?

SOUNDCENTRAL’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Indie record store Soundcentral, which is located at 4486 Colonial, is celebrating ten years in business, not a small feat in the present climate of the music industry. Hence they’re throwing themselves a party this Friday, September 16, at Club Lambi, with performances by local bands Metalian, Squalor, Power Cup, Trung Hoa, Tuff Cookie and Rock Hard. www.soundcentralstore.com

M60 2011

The fourth annual Montreal 60 Second Film Festival is happening this weekend in the heart of Mile End. More than 70 (very) short movies will be presented, spanning a wide array of styles and genres, with only a theme ("Chance") and that one-minute length in common. At Théâtre Rialto (5723 Parc), September 16-17. www.m60.ca

RIMM 5

The fifth annual Rencontres Internationales du Mime de Montréal, an event that only happens once every three years, is about to begin. Seven mime companies originating from France, Belgium and Canada will perform during the festival, and some conferences, master classes and projections are also scheduled. At Espace Libre (1945 Fullum), September 19 to October 1. www.mimeomnibus.qc.ca