Superheroes and Frankenstein?

Just the other day I was watching the most recent Spiderman movie (which I absolutely hated by the way...) and reached a realization right as Peter Parker was bit by a radioactive spider. Superhero movies are actually commenting on the idea of nature versus nurture! Do we act the way we do because of how we are born or because of how life treats us? Which role plays a greater factor in defining a person and his existence?

In my opinion, Shelley uses creation as an unnatural act to emphasize the substantial role that parents, experiences, and one's environment play on an individual. For example, Victor's creature claims, "but where were my friends and relations? No father had watched my infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses..." (Shelley 108). The fact that the creature is elucidating his lack of guidance from his creation till this point in the story reflects Shelley's preference on the idea of nurture over nature. Correspondingly, after watching Batman Begins one time over, I noticed immediately that Batman was truly influenced by his environment. Think about it. Bruce Wayne, coming from an affluent family, is taught the lessons of benevolence, care, and sacrifice for the greater good of others from his parents. For example, Thomas Wayne, Bruce's father, claims "Your great grandfather built the first trains in Gotham. The city's been good to our family-it was time to give something back." Not only this, he witnesses the horrific murder of his two parents and is left to live as an orphan the rest of his life. Wayne did not have any innate instincts to become a hero who fights for and protects Gotham City from villains. He didn't have any radioactive bug bite him, or bathe himself in some sort of toxic bath. The experience and the lessons from his parents influenced his personal values against the villainous corruption of Gotham City and led to his creation as the Batman. Both the creature and Batman are seen as products of their environment.

After thinking about all the superheroes out there, I think a more relevant one to talk about is Superman. The most recent movie Man of Steel placed emphasis on the idea of nature versus nurture right from the beginning. For example, new infants of Krypton were created in vaults with predetermined roles on what their contribution would be to society (similar to a Brave New World type concept). Superman was the exception. His parents partook in the first natural birth on Krypton for over thousands of years, and sent their child to Earth to bridge the gap between Krypton and Earth. I believe that the contrasts of natural and artificial births are used to display the importance of nurture on one's existence. The idea that there is no predetermined role before one's birth that determines one's role in society. Superman's experiences to help those around him influence his role as a hero.