Superheroes: The Ultimate brands

What is one type of brand that has never changed has no need to change, and will forever remain timeless? Superheroes! Only recently have I begun to truly appreciate them with regards to branding solutions. First and foremost, the superhero’s identity must be addressed, as to how they are to appear to the general public. This includes their powers, their location, and even their personal philosophies. Two of the greatest examples are Superman and Batman, both appearing around 1938 -1939 respectively. How drastically have their logos changed? A few added bevels here and there, a solar flare, and the occasional gradient. The familiar black bat symbol and the encased S of Superman have remained the same. Why are they never re-addressed? Is it because of the audience and their need to see a familiar design for a timeless character, or is it the timeless character being associated with a time period? I personally feel it’s one of the few situations where the power of the brand prevents it from changing. It’s a weird instance where the brand itself is an expression of timelessness, as our children, grand children, and even great grandchildren will always be able to look at these characters and express the exact same opinions as us and our forefathers: They rock, even in their spandex.