Famous fiction characters who are very important in the world

   We live in a world which is full of symbols and icons. Many of them come from cinema, literature or animated cartoons, and they have become famous and unmistakable signs used in a comercial way but also with social objectives. Here, we have chosen two of them: Mafalda and Spider-Man. The two both became well-known thanks to their comics.

    Mafalda made her official debut as a comic strip in a magazine called "Primera Plana", on September the 29th 1964. However, her creator, the Argentinian draughtsman Quino, a very modest person, said that he wrote first time Mafalda the year before, to advertise a new line of electrical appliances, Mansfield , without any big intention. This publicity campaign wasn't done, and later, Quino decided to rescue this cartoons.

   This particular girl has been in different publications, like "El Mundo" and "Siete días ilustrados". Mafalda is a child who, although she is so little, is very clever. She is concerned about humanity, the world peace and justice, and she criticises and rebels against her parents world and society.

Here, we can see Mafalda's evolution across the time

   Mafalda also gave her opinion about important events like Vietnam war, the poverty in the Third World, the Moon arrival, Human Rights, Kennedy's murder, sex, discrimination, religion and her problems, psychoanalysis and, of course, feminism (in an epoque when it wasn't so supported) among many other topics. She turned early into the symbol of Argentinian people and the problems of their society.

   The last publication was in 1973. Nevertheless, Mafalda's fame and importance around the world have been increasing a lot since then, and she is still an example of some of the most beautiful ideals of justice, equality and common sense, with Quino's greatest humor. 

   We can appreciate the impact of this character and all she means in the different important moments she has taken part. For example, in 1977, UNICEF asked Quino to draw Mafalda because of the internacional campaign of the Declaration of the Rights of the Children. You have some pictures below.

   Also, after the failed coup d'etat against Alfonsín in Argentina (1987), Quino made another drawing with Mafalda in favour of justice, liberty and life. Mafalda will always be loved and remember as a friendly character and, most important, as an icon of the fight for the Human Rights.

Click here to watch a video about her importance and his 50 years celebration

   We are going to talk now about one of the most famous superheros ever: Spider-Man. He was born in 1962, created by the co-creator of many of Marvel Comics superheros: Stan Lee, and the draughtsman Steve Ditko. When this thing happened, the company didn't like him so much and Spider-Man made his debut in a minor line, Amazing fantasy.

This is the comic where Spider-Man made his debut

   Lee and Ditko created a very original character, because he was, at the beginning, a "loser": Peter Parker is a weak and an isolated who is orphaned and live with his uncles. He is bitten by a spider and, as a consequence, he gets superpowers, which means a big responsability for him. One of the purposes of the creators was to invent a character who young people could feel identified with. This peculiarities, his charisma and the wonderful villains like Green Goblin, Lizzard, Doctor Octopus or Venom, made him so popular, and now they still publish Spider-Man comics.

   We can see the popularity of this character on the big screen: there are five films starred by him, and this year he is one of he stars of the most box-office earner film of 2016: Captain America: Civil War. Also, Spidey is going to have another new movie next year, and lots of fans are looking forward to watch it. In addition, in the comics, there are more than one Spider-Man, so we guess we will have this superhero for a long time.

   Finally, there is an incredible merchandising about Spider-Man: T-shirts and clothes, school material, many different toys and a wide range of all products you can imagine. One of the most interesting things we have found is the advertising below, which we have already seen last term, about blood-donating and the fact that everyone who donate is a hero. And, of course, we must mention the amazing Spider-Man theme, whose best version is the one of The Ramones (1996).

 Spider-Man appearance in 2016 film: Captain America Civil War

Blood-donating advertisement, where we can see Spidey's arm like an example of superhero.

We have here the videocliop of "Spider-Man" (The Ramones). It is very catchy!



   That is all. If you liked this two characters and the importance and sense they have, you can search, read or watch anything you want about them. They are fantastic.




José Trashorras Martínez