Let’s consider for a few moments four fictional, iconic heroes: Zorro (Born 1919), the Lone Ranger (Born 1933), Batman (Born 1939), and Spider-Man (Born 1962). No dates for death are mentioned herein because as long as people can read and write and watch and listen, these guys will never die. But in addition to their immortality and the fact that they are dedicated to ridding the earth of human scum, they all share another important trait that we will come to in a moment. First, we need to take a closer look at each of them.
Don Diego de la Vega was born into a noble family in Los Angeles in the early part of the 19th century. Spain still ruled that area at the time, and as Don Diego grew up, he was increasingly appalled by the treatment leveled on the common citizens by the Spanish. As he matured into manhood, he vowed to become the protector of his people, and to this end he became an accomplished swordsman and horseman. And Zorro (Spanish translation “fox”) was born. In no time the people of Los Angeles quickly elevated him to heroic status. With sword flashing and astride his magnificent black Andalusian horse (aptly named Tornado), Zorro galloped hither and yon across the countryside to defend them against Spanish oppression. And everywhere he went, he left his mark by carving a Z with three quick slashes of his sword on clothes and sometimes even on the bodies of various villains he conquered. Z
From the time he first galloped into the radio airwaves in 1933 all the way to the present time, the Lone Ranger has become one of our most beloved heroes. The Lone Ranger was on the radio until 1954, and he was on television from 1949 to 1957, but it’s still easy to find his shows on the Internet. According to legend, Captain Dan Reid was the leader of a posse comprising six Texas Rangers hunting for the notorious Butch Cavendish and his gang. Unfortunately the Rangers rode into an ambush led by Cavendish, who left all six rangers for dead. An Indian named Tonto discovered the massacre and found that Reid was the only survivor. Tonto nursed the young Texas Ranger back to health, and when he was strong enough, Reid vowed to bring Cavendish and his thugs to justice. He adopted a disguise and riding his stunningly beautiful white stallion named Silver, he policed the plains in the early West with Tonto as his faithful companion. And after every episode he rode out of town crying, “Hi Yo, Silver! Away!”
Batman first appeared in a 1939 issue of Detective Comics, and as they say, “The rest is history.” From that time to the present the Caped Crusader appeared in comic books, on television, and in the movies as he and his sidekick Robin battled such formidable foes as the Joker, the Riddler, and the Penguin in Gotham City. Batman’s Secret identity is Bruce Wayne, a very wealthy man whose parents were slain when he was young, and at that time he swore that he would avenge their deaths and take on all other evildoers in Gotham. He trains his body and his mind, and underneath Wayne Manor, his palatial mansion, there is a cave where he stores his costume, his weapons, and his car, the famous batmobile. He is always on call for Gotham Police Commissioner Jim Gordon, who summons Batman by shining the bat symbol into the sky. Although he doesn’t possess any super powers, Batman uses his keen intellect, his martial arts skills, and some unique weapons to subdue his foes.
Spider-Man’s incipient appearance was in a 1962 issue of Amazing Fantasy from Marvel Comics, and he ultimately became a huge hit with the younger set because his secret identity is teenager Peter Parker, a nerdish orphan who is the kind of kid bullies prey on. But when a radioactive spider bites him (Anything is possible in the world of comics.), he gains some amazing abilities. Suddenly he is incredibly strong, and he finds that he can walk up and down walls and across ceilings. Best of all, he can shoot webs from his hands that enable him to swing among skyscrapers. Spider-Man’s popularity exploded to the point that in addition to the comics, he’s appeared on television, in several full-length movies, and even a Broadway musical.
Now all four of these heroes fight for law and order and to help those who can’t help themselves, but they also all have something else in common. They all wear a mask.
Because of COVID-19 we are living a horror show. Despite what Trump says, the death rate continues to rise at an alarming rate, and the medical experts keep pleading with all of us to wear masks in public. They also say that if more people wore masks, more lives would be saved.
Put on a mask.
Save a life.
Be a hero!
