"What I want to bring back to superheroes with this project is a sense of play. Things have gotten so dreary. The heroes have gotten so ugly that even their muscles have muscles"

Frank Miller’s reflection highlights a growing trend he observed in superhero stories: a profound shift from the playful, imaginative origins of the genre toward something far more serious and severe. Millennials and Gen Z audiences have grown up in an era where superhero narratives often prioritize gritty realism and emotional trauma, with movies and comics filled with brooding heroes, apocalyptic stakes, and moral ambiguity. What Miller expresses, however, is a longing for the return of joyous adventure and whimsy, qualities he views as integral to the superhero mythos.

The phrase, “a sense of play,” refers not just to lightheartedness or humor, but to an overall spirit of creativity, inventiveness, and freedom from the constraints of realism that originally defined comic books. Superheroes once existed in worlds where the bounds of possibility stretched infinitely, where colorful costumes and outlandish powers invited readers to imagine and dream. This sense of wonder fostered a connection between the audience and the fantastical elements at the heart of the stories.

Miller contrasts this with the current state of superhero media, which he describes as “dreary.” He notes that the visual representation of heroes has grown overwhelmingly intense, so much so that “even their muscles have muscles.” This exaggeration underscores a loss of subtlety and a move toward hyper-masculinity and aggressive aesthetics. Superheroes are depicted less as relatable icons of hope, and more as grim, larger-than-life warriors burdened by existential themes and physical enormity. Such portrayals can alienate fans seeking escapism and emotional uplift.

Ultimately, Miller advocates for reviving the fun, playful spirit that can coexist with mature storytelling. He urges creators not to forget the joy, the spectacle, and the imaginative spark that first made superheroes, and their colorful worlds, so compelling to generations of readers and viewers.