Who Was That Masked Man?
Posted: Thursday 13 January, 2011
Erica Whiteman
I don’t know if it’s because my son is obsessed with superheroes in general, Wolverine is now his current favourite, but everywhere I turn masked men in capes are making an appearance. Marvel are gathering their Avengers, No Ordinary Family and The Cape are populating American television with their brand of every day superhero and coming to the cinema, is the ever popular masked crime fighter, The Green Hornet.
Originating as a radio programme in the 1930’s, The Green Hornet evolved to a comic book series in the 1940s, adapted into two movies in the 1940 and 1941 and then into a television programme in the 1960s. Since then various comic book publishers and television companies have re-invented the popular classic vigilante character and his sidekick, Kato.
Proving its timeless quality, a reinvention of The Green Hornet is being released in the cinemas this week in the US and has seamlessly integrated itself into today’s world of social media. Popular social game, Mafia Wars, has integrated The Green Hornet into its game with users needing to collect themed “loot items” such as Kato’s mask and The Green Hornet crest. Once the user has found and collected all seven items Black Beauty, The Green Hornet’s iconic vehicle, will be unlocked.
The Green Hornet is one of those stories that can span across several generations and still be relevant no matter what year it is. I know I am really looking forward to seeing the film when it hits cinemas in the UK.
