Heroes don’t always wear capes
Writer’s journey began with abusive childhood
The story of Superman is one of the best- known myths of the modern era. Although Clark Kent is actually an alien with great power, it is the values instilled in him by his Midwestern family that is his greatest gift. What makes him a hero is his strength of character and human decency, not his super strength and ability to fly. The lesson Superman teaches is not that might makes right, but that it is possible for anyone to simply do the right thing. This is why his story endures and continues to speak to generations of children, some of whom carry these lessons into adulthood.
It was true for J. Michael Straczynski, one of the most successful writers of his generation. He created and wrote most of the scripts for the TV series “Babylon 5.” He worked on television shows such as “Murder, She Wrote” and “Jake and the Fatman” and wrote the screenplay for the Oscar- nominated movie “Changeling.” He created the Netflix show “Sense8.” He has written novels, comic books and graphic novels, decades of family secrets and lies, exposing terrible truths and personal pain through a gifted sense of narrative and a surprisingly playful sense of humor given what he experienced.
While the story of his family threads through the book, it is also the story of his life as a writer and the success he has achieved. It is an insightful look into the business of Hollywood and the insanity of working in that world, written by someone who has lived it. Mr. Straczynski overcame overwhelming obstacles and succeeded due to persistence and belief in himself. He worked incredibly hard, writing and writing and writing, suffering rejections and failure. He continued to hone his craft and still does, as is evident in the beautiful prose with which he tells this sometimes ugly story.
There were many things that sustained him throughout his life, the image of Superman being one of them. He believes that watching Superman do impossible things allows us to believe that we can also achieve the impossible. If anyone’s actual life is an example of this, it is J. Michael Straczynski’s.
“BECOMING SUPERMAN: MY JOURNEY FROM POVERTY TO HOLLYWOOD” By J. Michael Straczynski Harper Voyager ($ 28.99)