Did you know that Bananaman is actually English? He lives at 29 Acacia Road and his real name is Eric. He is an ordinary schoolboy until he eats a banana – and wow, he converts into a superhero with superpowers. He leads a really fantastic double life with lots of exciting adventures to live through.
This character is actually a play-off or spoof of the American Captain Marvel and Superman combinedwhen Eric, who really is just a very ordinary and sadly weak boy transforms into Bananaman and saves the world from all evil tyrants. He is even more dumb that his schoolboy oounterpart but luckily for him the villians he has to fight off are even more stupid than he is. So happily he is usually able to ward them off and save the world. However, he can be thankful that he has a side-kick just like Batman, but this time it is in the shape of a black crow…..and his name? Well, Crow. Crow is very intelligent and is always there to give Bananaman a good helping of sensible advice when they run into trouble.
The comic strip was written and produced by Steve Bright and based perhaps also with a smattering of the British Marvelman too. A somewhat convincing trio. Bananaman’s suit is a very distinctive bright blue and yellow with a very unusual comic-looking yellow cape that actually is meant to resemble an open banana skin. After consuming his banana he is able to fly, take on the strength of twenty men and defend the world from its enemies.
At any time Bananaman needs extra power he just needs to eat a few bananas – but he has to be careful because if he eats too many of them provided by ever-present friend Crow he can become just huge or even just grow in one particular part of his body.
Apparently the story of where Bananaman comes from is that he rocketed to Earth from the moon when he was only a tiny baby. This is very similar to the story of Superman who was rocketed to Earth as a child when his planet of Kryton disintegrated. Superman gets weak when he sees kryptonite and likewise so does Bananaman when he sees mouldy bananas.
Margaret, who is Eric’s sister, sometimes is brought into the series as Bananagirl so she also sometimes help him fight for justice.
Bananaman is not nearly as famous as Superman or Batman although he is nevertheless popular with kids all over the world because he does remind them of their famous flying heroes.
If you the idea of being a bit of a silly buffant that people can laugh at and laugh with this costume is just perfect for the party you are going to. It is good to come as something different instead of the same old ones like Superman or Batman. Be brave and be slightly different so that people will notice you.
