Their origin
This document is a comic book entitled “Superman” and created/designed by Carmine & Stan, as we can read at the bottom of the page.
The first page is a splash page, used to introduce the story. The title is written in bold letters at the top, on the right. From the naratory blocks on the left, we find out that the action takes place in Metropolis, in winter. Although winter is a time for holidays, Superman stays in town to fight the villains.
This time he faces a mechanical villain as we find out from the thought bubbles. (“chrome-plated sleeve”)
On this first page we can see Superman flying above the rubble of destroyed buildings, in search of the robot.
On the second page we discover the villain, a gigantic robot which is walking through the buildings, destroying everything on his way. We can see pieces of concrete flying in every direction and passers-by running away, terrified/frightened by the monster. The traffic is blocked, and cars are abandoned on the street.
From the speech bubbles/balloons we find out that the robot is glad/delighted to see Superman. He was actually expecting him, to show off his dreadful/terrible powers.
Indeed, it seems that it won’t be a piece of cake/easy to defeat this monster since he is equipped with a lead shield which protects him from S’s x-ray vision.
On the third page we see the robot shooting laser at S and blowing up part of a sky-scraper. The concrete chunk is falling down and is about to crush the passers-by. But S is there to protect them, so he flies and manages to catch the concrete and save those people.
There are two onomatopoeia displayed on the page to dramatize the story.
On the fourth page there are 4 frames, more than on the other ones so/therefore we expect to see more events. In the first frame S is using his infra-red vision to short-circuit the robot but it doesn’t work/it’s no good. The robot defends himself/strikes back with his inertia ray and blasts S down. While S is falling, the robot removes/tears up the roof of a building as if it were a simple carton top.
From the naratory blocks we find out the building houses/contains the S.T.A.R. Laboratories so we may suppose the villain wants to steal some deadly virus and contaminate the population or help his villain friends escape from their cells, or again steal a gene which would transform people into mutants.
But we know for sure that Superman, “The Man of Steel” will manage to defeat him and protect/save the inhabitants.
From the four pages we’ve seen the ingredients of comic strips: a hero and a villain, a terrible threat to innocent people, a battle/fight involving amazing superpowers. All these elements form the plot of the comic book.
The layout is also very important: the drawings illustrate the action, the text in the speech or thought bubbles the character’s words or thoughts and finally, the naratory blocks give details about/specify the plot.
Onomatopoeia are used to dramatize the action and render the events more vivid/lively.
Comic strips are very rich/complex works of art, mixing drawings with text and onomatopoeia.
Let's practise
Onomatopoeia (/ˌɒnəmætəˈpiːə/)
1) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate onomatopoeia words:
Crackle = crépiter / chirp = gazouiller ah choooo! = atchoum ! / snap= claquer / splash = éclabousser / ding = ding /go tick tock = faire tic-tac / pitter-patter = s’abattre / swish = siffler – bruisser / creak = craquer / boom = faire boom – exploser / pop = éclater – péter / bang = claquer – éclater / snap = claquer
- The clock went ‘tick tock‘ on the wall.
- The oven timer went ding when the cookies were done.
- While out camping in the deep, dark woods, we lit a fire that crackled while it burned.
- I like the sound of the popcorn. When I cook it, it makes a popping sound.
- In the morning, I can hear the birds chirp outside of my bedroom.
- The elastic band snapped when he let go.
- Ah Choooo!! went my nose. Having a cold, I sneezed all day.
- The rain went pitter–patter on the window.
- I snapped my fingers in class today.
- The door creaked when I opened it.
- The wind swished by.
- Waves splash against the shore.
- The bomb went boom!
- She walked in, and bang went the gun.
2) punch = frapper / grope=tâtonner / grab = attraper / stretch = étirer / pat = tapoter / slap = gifler / squeeze = presser / nudge = pousser / beckon = faire signe / pet = caresser
After driving a long distance, I like to get out and stretch my arms and legs.
If he says that again, I’ll punch him in the nose.
When Katherine was small, I often patted her on the head when she smiled at me.
She loved dogs, and always used to stop and pet any dog that would let her.
Hurry up! Grab your things and let’s get out of here!
She wasn’t slim enough to squeeze between the two tables.
The lights went out and I had to grope in front of me to find the matches to light a candle.
Tom went to sleep during the meeting and I had to nudge him with my elbow to wake him.
When it’s your turn to have your passport checked, the customs officer will beckon you to come forward.
3) Match the following phrases to the verbs of bodily movement.
1. She shook her head violently. 2. She snapped her fingers to get attention. 3. She held her breath under water 4. She wiped her forehead with a hanky. 5. She clenched her fists angrily. 6. She folded her arms and relaxed 7. She tapped her foot in time to the music. 8. She scratched her head thoughtfully. | |
1. He shivered with cold.
2. He sweated in the sauna.
3. He blushed with embarrassment.
4. He fainted after not having eaten all day.
5. He trembled with fear.
6. He dozed in his armchair after a hard day’s work
7. He started in surprise at the gun shot.
What were the first comic superheroes fighting for?
Sparks Terminales p150
Times are a-changin’ (Sparks p 153)
Objective : Are comics reflecting a more complex and inclusive society ?
Read the text p153
Pick out words/expressions related to:
Events in American history | Social attitudes | Real and fictional characters |
Nationalist rally in Charlottesville (2018) Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated (1968) The Civil Rights Movement took place (50s and 60s) | Bigotry – racism – oppression – inequality – fight for a better society | MLK Jr – Malcom X – Fantastic Four – X-Men – Professor Xavier – Magneto – Black Panther |
Make links between past and present social ills.
The social ills that plagued America in the 1950s and 60s, like bigotry, racism, and social inequality have not completely disappeared. Although segregation has been abolished, nowadays African American citizens still face much discrimination, from racist slurs to police brutality. Social activists are still out there fighting for equal rights, just as Martin Luther King Jr did in the 60s.
Explain what role superheroes have played over the years.
Over the years, superheroes have played various roles. But perhaps the most important and frequent one is acting as outsiders fighting for a better society. For example, the X-Men represent a group of outsiders who aren’t accepted by society for the simple fact of who they are. This mirrors the way that ethnic minorities, women or LGBTQ+ people might feel. Through demonstrating the injustice of such discrimination, characters like the X-Men make a strong political statement and push society to be more inclusive. Just two years ago, the movie adaptation of Black Panther was praised for delivering audiences with the representation they had been waiting for and was a huge step in terms of diversity in Hollywood.
Listen to the interview
When was Black Panther created? Do you think it was a coincidence?
Black Panther was created in 1966. Stan Lee, who co-created this character, always tried to reflect the evolution of the American society, and in the 1960s, segregation had ben outlawed but racial inequality was ever-present. Prominent civil rights activists like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr were campaigning against the racial discrimination experienced by black Americans at this time. Indeed, Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, and so this may have been the inspiration behind Lee’s strong black superhero that he introduced to the world just one year later.
Why is he popular today?
Black Panther was reintroduced to the public in 2018 thanks to the modern film adaptation. African American audiences can identify with him and the movie cast. He is a breath of fresh air in Hollywood as Black Panther was the first superhero film led by a black cast and many people had been waiting a long time for this moment. People like the positive portrayal of black characters as independent and powerful, and feel the movie and its characters break down social barriers as well as stereotypes.
What does it reveal about the evolution of the movie industry and of society?
The release, but also the success of Black Panther goes to show just how far we have come regarding inclusivity in Hollywood and society in general. For too many years, films have been dominated by all-white casts; indeed, many representations of ethnic minorities on film have been rather negative or problematic. Although, it should have been made sooner, and there is still a long way to go, Black Panther is a hopeful sign of things to come for society.
Look at the two posters
What strikes you?
The main characters in the movie, apart from Black Panther, are women who look determined and relentless. Rather than being depicted as dependent or sexualized, they are given powerful, independent and important roles, like scientist and spy. They are wearing traditional African outfits and make up, but also pieces of advanced technology, like the Kimoyo beads, making their appearance a mixture of modernity and tradition.
How do the posters relate to the interview?
Hollywood has often been accused of having a diversity problem. Today, female-led superhero movies are more common. Hollywood is trying to diversify, with less stereotypical roles for minorities and more inclusivity in casting. The posters demonstrate this: here, we see two strong black women leading the marketing campaign for a Hollywood blockbuster, proving that Hollywood has made an effort to improve representation on screen.
Create an elevator pitch and deliver it (= Créez un argumentaire et présentez-le)
Stage 1: Create your characters
- Write short notes about your superhero. Think about their:
- Name/ alter ego
- Superpowers: breathing under water, flying, seeing through walls, altering time, make fire…
- Personality traits:
Positive: brave, adaptable, alert, ambitious, amusing, bright, calm, coherent, confident, determined, eager, efficient, fair, faithful, funny, kind, placid, thoughtful…
Negative: ambiguous, anxious, arrogant, boring, careless, confused, cowardly, crazy, creepy, cynical, forgetful, frightened, grumpy, jealous, mysterious, naive, noisy, obnoxious, selfish, threatening, uptight.
- Backstory/ origin story. Remember to use the preterit
- Costume/ gadgets
- Follow the same process for the superhero’s sidekick and arch-enemy.
Stage 2: Create a plot summary
- The setting: decide where and when your story will take place. Ex: in the future, in the past, in the future but it looks like the Middle Ages, in a city, in a hostile natural environment…
- The conflict: what is driving the story? Think of a social/ political/ environmental issue. It could be an alien invasion. It could be a massive nuclear explosion. It could be an extra-terrestrial object hitting the earth.
- Then define your superhero’s He may have to save people who are stuck somewhere. He might have to reunite families who have been separated. He might have to defend people from horrible mutants that are threatening the population.
- The plot: outline the series of events that will bring your hero closer to their goal. Each scene should logically lead to the next. There can be successes or failures.
- Determine whether the hero’s goal will be reached. The story’s
- Consider the moral aspect: has the hero changed? Have people changed?
- When the plot is ready, imagine the opening scene of your film. Remember: it must be striking.
Stage 3:Generate your superhero
Choose one of the following AI generator to create your superhero:
Notation Superhero
- Le/la superhero: /8
- Personnage complexe : traits positifs et négatifs : 0 – 1 – 2
- Origine claire : 0 – 1 – 2
- Superpouvoir détaillé: 0 – 1 – 2
- Costume/ habits : 0 – 1 – 2
- Le/ la vilain-e : /10
- Personnage complexe : traits positifs et négatifs : 0 – 1 – 2
- Origine claire : 0 – 1 – 2
- Superpouvoir : 0 – 1 – 2
- Costume/ habits : 0 – 1 – 2
- Objectif identifé : 0 – 1 – 2
- L’intrigue : /12
- La scène se passe dans un endroit bien défini et détaillé; la période est également claire : 0 – 1 – 2
- Le conflit est bien exposé : 0 – 1 – 2
- Les tâches/buts du personnage sont claires : 0 – 1 – 2
- Les actions se déroulent dans un ordre logique : 0 – 1 – 2
- Le point culminant est bien identifié : 0 – 1
- La première scène est marquante et donne envie de connaitre la suite : 0 – 1 – 2 – 3
- La présentation orale : /22
- Le support visuel est adapté. (on voit le superhero, le lieu, et la première scène) : 0 – 1 – 2 – 3
- L’élève se présente de façon claire et expose son but (faire produire son histoire) : 0 – 1 – 2
- Enchainement cohérent et logique. Emploi approprié des mots de liaison : 0 – 1 – 2 – 3
- Aisance : interventions assez longues, débit régulier, peu de pauses : 0 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4
- Phonologie : accentuation correcte, groupes de souffle correctement articulés : 0 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4
- Grammaire : erreurs non systématiques, structures complexes, auto correction : 0 – 1 – 2 – 3
- Lexique : approprié, emploi de gap fillers, sait reformuler : 0 – 1 – 2 – 3
- Bonus : /7
- Les images sont particulièrement soignées : 0 – 1 – 2
- Originalité du superhero : 0 – 1 – 2
- Originalité de l’intrigue : 0 – 1 – 2
- Autre : 0 – 1