CliqueClackThere’s an author somewhere who doesn’t know what “most popular” means
I call horse pucky with regard to the popularity of at least three of the four superheroes noted in the conjoined Disney’s Marvel / Netflix effort.
Class? We’re now in session so please settle down.
You’re going to want to pay attention because what I’m about to discuss will account for 50% of your grade.
Are you ready? Good … let’s begin.
We’re going to take a look at two different words today. Both are adjectives:
MOST [mohst]
adjective, superlative of much or many with more as comparison
1. in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number: to win the most votes.
2. in the majority of instances: Most operations are successful.
3. greatest, as in size or extent: the most talent.
POP·U·LAR [pop-yuh-ler]
adjective
1. regarded with favor, approval, or affection by people in general: a popular preacher.
2. regarded with favor, approval, or affection by an acquaintance or acquaintances: He’s not very popular with me just now.
3. of, pertaining to, or representing the people, especially the common people: popular discontent.
4. of the people as a whole, especially of all citizens of a nation or state qualified to participate in an election: popular suffrage; the popular vote; popular representation.
5. prevailing among the people generally: a popular superstition.
Now … let’s put the two words together and look at them:
MOST POPULAR
For comparison’s sake and for the sake of this example, we’ll use the second definition of “most” (in the majority of instances) and the first definition of “popular” (regarded with favor, approval, or affection by people in general) to illustrate and launch further discussion.
In this context of their conjoinment, something noted as “most popular” could be surmised as “regarded with favor in the majority of instances.” That makes perfect sense …
That is, except in the case of the piece Disney’s Marvel and Netflix Join Forces to Develop Historic Four Series Epic plus a Mini-Series Event in which the characters Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist are mentioned.
You see … the author’s (whoever s/he is) choice of characters is hardly indicative of the “most popular” in the pantheon of Marvel superheroes. One could successfully argue the only real popular standout of the group is Daredevil who many of you may or may not be acquainted with. Still, if the article caught your eye — and you’re at least a passing fan of the comic arts — you’d probably recognize Daredevil at the very least. Both Luke Cage (also known as Power Man) and Iron Fist might jog your memory; they were products of the 1970s, specifically of the then-popular genres of Blacksploitation film and the Kung Fu craze. And unless you actually read comics, it’s highly doubtful you’d know who Jessica Jones is.
So, with the (still iffy) exception of Daredevil, I submit to you the quartet in question doesn’t come close to being “most popular” in a line-up of superheroes.
There has been a bevy of characters created — and who have had (or continue to have) their own books — tons more popular than most of that quartet. The Fantastic Four. Spider-Man. The Avengers. The Incredible Hulk. Thor. Iron Man. The X-Men. Ghost Rider. Green Lantern. Green Arrow. Conan The Barbarian. Werewolf By Night. Howard The Duck. Dr. Strange. Man-Thing. Captain America. Deathlok. The Sub-Mariner. The Silver Surfer. Ka-Zar, Lord Of The Jungle.
That being said, let’s get something straight: In no way am I trying to diminish the importance or popularity these characters possess. Each and every one of them are cemented in the Marvel Universe, complete with their own histories, their own attractions. With regard to nothing more than the statement made in the article above, I simply state (with the exception of Daredevil) Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist are not, and never were, the “most popular” in Marvel’s history.
So class … I bet you’re wondering what the assignment is … right?
Today’s assignment is to discuss why (or why not) the noted characters are the “most popular.” Or, if you’re daring, why they’re popular at all. They’re obviously popular enough in the eyes of Disney’s Marvel and Netflix “to bring multiple original series of live-action adventures” to the characters. Correct?
You have 30 minutes. Get cracking …
3 Comments on “There’s an author somewhere who doesn’t know what “most popular” means”
Proving that I make mistakes — and am more than willing to admit them — I did two things wrong in the post above:
I called out a couple DC characters accidentally, Green Lantern and Green Arrow, who are not part of the Marvel cast.
Additionally, I referred to The X-Men, The Avengers and The Fantastic Four as “a character” when they are indeed and in fact “teams” not characters.
And … it would seem Disney would agree with my “most popular” sentiments (click that link):
“While these characters are attractive characters they are not among the most popular…” …
“Most popular” means that they have little to no visible superpowers and will be eminently filmable on the cheap (Agents of SHIELD apparently being an expensive show despite not looking like one on screen). I have no idea why they would do both a Power Man and an Alias/Jewel series concurrently when the characters are inseparable. I’d rather they just do a TVMA Punisher, since at least that had 3 failed movies behind it.