Why does a hero need a mask?

Having returned recently from an academic Euro trip which was everything but academic (no wonder), I was inclined, almost compelled, to revamp the interiors of my dorm lodgings to suit my refined tastes. (This is what others think. Honestly, I was pretty jobless and the neighbours were quite vocal in what they thought of my guitar strumming.) Either which way, I ended up staring at superhero posters for what I now realise was a little too long. And this is what ensued...

Q. What is common between Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Wolverine and Phantom? (Sounds deep, I know!) 

A. Among other things, the immaculate guarding of their identity bordering on obsession.  

Superheroes, as the comics and movies might suggest, have day jobs that are essentially their defences against the prying eye and the eavesdropping ear. But the explanation that I believe does most justice is from Batman: 'Gotham doesn't need a saviour; It needs a hero.' A close second is from Superman: 'Give people an ideal to strive toward. They may stumble and fall, but you will help them, accomplish..'

Anecdotes abound that state in no unclear terms that heroes are not people that solve everybodys problems with their Kryptonite strength or Wayne Enterprises' billions and technology. Nor is it those who fly across NY high rises saving the day. What truly defines a superhero is the plain fact that they give people hope- to fight their own battles, day in and day out. To assure people that their battles are not impossible but just difficult, that their troubles are not insurmountable just convoluted. 

What makes the superhero remarkable is his(her) ability to let people make their mistakes and get into trouble, not least because that would make him(her) more 'needed' but because that would teach them lasting lessons. Ironically enough, the job of a superhero is to obviate his job, to render himself irrelevant and unnecessary. They fix the pressing problems, plant hope in the people, set high standards for them to emulate. And walk away.

(Of course there are rich, ostentatious engineers that designed the Iridium core arc reactor as life support and bask in paparazzi's flashbulbs, but we are talking serious superhero shizz here.)

This is where the mask serves it's purpose. It helps the superhero be one among us- fighting everyday battles, going through the same 'troubles' everyone else goes through, living the 'common man's life. The closer the person is to the masses, the greater is the hope instilled by his superhero alter-ego.

There is a hero in everyone of us. When we grow beyond personal ambitions, when our world expands to include others, when we find happiness in others' successes...

..well my friend, it's time to go design a kick-ass mask!!

PS. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the everyday superheroes that I draw vitality from- Steve Jobs, Michael Schumacher, Abraham Lincoln, Che Guevara and The Beatles, among others.