Comic-Con International and Financial Super Heroes

This weekend the biggest nerdfest this side of the Cern Super Collider occurs when Comic-Con International 2014 happens. I am a big enough nerd to know that this is only for poser nerds, but let’s delve into the world of comics and see what we might learn from various comic book characters.

Bruce Wayne, “The Bat Manâ„¢,” has taught us the importance of saving and getting filthy stinking rich so that you can then avenge your parents’ death and any other crimes you wish to avenge in your spare time. It’s essential to save. However, Mr. Wayne got his money from his parents’ trust funds, so maybe it is more a story of risk protecting your family so that your kids can then avenge your death?

Brit Reed, “Mr. Fantasticâ„¢,” is the ultimate geek in that he becomes super-rich by his inventions and breakthroughs. Work hard, and you might end up being able to stretch yourself around corners and such, and maybe imitate a Credit Card in a pinch?

Peter Parker, “Spidermanâ„¢,” has shown that sometimes dumb luck is the best way to get ahead. Wander around a lab and get bit by a radioactive spider (depending on the storyline you are following (there are like six different Spiderman universes)) and then never quite figure out how to make big money with your new-found talents and capabilities. Can anyone make a living as a photographer for a newspaper anymore?

Matt Murdock “Daredevilâ„¢,” one of my favourite characters (I read that story when I was in University), forget about the movie. The storyline is again that of revenge. It shows that disabled folks can still become Crime-Fighting and Avenging forces in society. Another story where a poor, disabled kid makes good, becomes a lawyer by day, and a Devil suit-wearing crime-fighting nut bag at night. Work hard, kids. This is something you can aspire to.

All those characters are Trademarked by either Marvel or DC Comics (FYI).

Come to think of it, the world of Financial Writing has a few Superheroes of our own.

The Money Media Maven, who you see on every media outlet simultaneously some days. By day, I think a regular guy, who has a job, but he writes books, but by night you find him on the National, most local Toronto Radio shows and driving race cars.

The Voice of Money, another author who has a radio show in Toronto and speaks the truth in common plane English. Rumour has it that she has a more edgy side (which is hard to believe given how many Princesses she has told off over the years). Her TV shows are in an infinite loop on the “W” channel and various other media outlets.

Judge Financial, by day, is a normal High Tech Engineer, making sure your toaster is running the correct operating system, but by night he is a myth-busting superhero. He makes sure that we all understand all the Rules involved in the financial world (and everywhere else in the world) and helps unsuspecting rule-breakers get back on the straight and narrow (or ridicules their efforts to claim they are following the rules).

Mrs. Financial Transmographier is a mild-mannered Mom by day, but at night she writes about the importance of making things last and how you don’t need an $800 goose down coat, but you should buy a $3 HD antenna! She does have her saucy moments posting odd lingerie-induced citrus photos on Twitter as well. Give this Superhero anything, and she’ll tell you whether you should have bought it and how (with a bit of work) you might be able to turn it into a thrifty Casserole.

Can you guess whom I might be writing about here? Leave a comment with your guesses. I will unmask these Financial Do-Gooders’ secret identities tomorrow.