It is true that in the world of comics, there is no shortage of heroes, but what happens when an event reminds the world that they are only fictional characters? In 2001, the attack on the World Trade Center shook the world and the world of comics has not escaped it…
A look back at an American disaster
Designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki, the Twin Towers were to be the two tallest buildings in the world at the time of their creation. Built between 1966 and 1977, they reached more than 415 meters high! 
From their inauguration until the day of their destruction, the Twin Towers embodied the strength of the United States and more specifically the economic power of New York City. Since their creation, their appearances in the cinema multiply (Ghostbuster, Armageddon, etc …). Like the Statue of Liberty, the two towers have become a universal symbol. 
That is why the events of 2001 affected not only the United States, but the entire world. The attacks killed approximately 2,970 people and injured 6,290. Even today, the event has repercussions on American politics and the health of many Americans. From traumatized witnesses to rescuers who still suffer from their exposure to toxic dust, the entire American society was branded on the morning of September 11, 2001. 
Heroes who cry
An industry in mourning
In the world of superheroes, this event also had an impact on many publications and the first reaction of the authors to the attacks was to pay tribute to the victims and the men and women who participated in rescuing those trapped under the rubble. 
The attacks lifted a veil separating fact and fiction, revealing the best and worst of the human species, so it seemed logical that DC comics and Marvel comics, which are among the largest publishers of comic books in the world, actively participate in this tribute. 
In December 2001 Marvel published the comic Heroes, a witness story and mainly consisting of illustrations and short texts paying tribute to the firefighters, police, paramedics and rescuers who were the first on the scene. The greatest authors of the world of comic books participated in the creation of this book, Alex Ross, Frank Miller or Alan Moore have contributed to make it an exceptional work realistically testifying to the events of September 11, 2001.
The amazing Spider-man n°36
The book that best embodies this transition from fictional hero to ordinary hero is The Amazing Spider-man No. 36 published once again by Marvel comics. Resulting from the collaboration of two of the greatest artists of the "house of ideas", J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr. 
Through these pages, the two authors recount in detail the events that followed the fall of the two towers and in particular the sacrifice of the passengers of the plane that was to hit the Pentagon. The reader here follows Spider-Man who arrives at the scene of the drama. 
The hero embodies the entire American people, traumatized and powerless in the face of events. In his speech, the spider-man praises the human values defended by America and the superheroes appear as the allegory of American idealism, defending its values and reminding the American people that behind all these deaths, there is hope for a better tomorrow.
Whatever happens, far from weakening us, this ordeal makes us stronger. […] In recent years, our people have been divided, infiltrated by individualism and selfishness. But today we are one. Flags bloom everywhere on a ground fertilized by our tears and determination. Misfortune has united us. We are united in response. United to heal. United to rebuild.
September 11 completely changed American society and comics testify to this by valuing ordinary heroes such as police officers and firefighters. For many people, the horror experienced in 2001 is constantly reactivated through post-traumatic stress disorder or physical sequelae. In June 2019, nearly 21,000 New Yorkers were diagnosed with cancer: despite the weight of the years, New York continues to pay the price of the attacks, so let's not forget!
