“America did not get Superman because it’s the greatest country on earth. It got Superman because a little boy lost his father.”
Business Standard, June 27 2012:
"At a time when pharmaceutical companies are investing billions of dollars to develop new and path-breaking medicines, it is the old and heritage brands that continue to dominate the market. Sales in 2011 show that the average age of the top 10 pharma brands is 19.3 years, and some of them are as old as 25 years.
For instance, Novartis’ painkiller Voveran, which was launched in 1986, ranks third, whereas Ranbaxy’s much popular health supplement Revital and Himalaya’s Liv-52, both 22-years old, rank sixth and 10th respectively.
According to a study conducted by IDFC Securities on pharmaceutical brands, out of the top-100 brands, 93 are pre-2005 vintage. Among the top 300 brands, it’s as many as 260.
While most of these brands are painkillers, vitamins and cough syrups, even drugs to treat diabetes and those treating gynaecology problems figure among the vintage brands..."
courtesy: Business Standard
I also read excellent essay 'In Marvel And DC's Battle Of The Superheroes, Can The Hulk Kick Batman's Butt?' Mark Harris in July/August 2012 issue of 'Fast Company'.
Artist: David Levinthal
It informed:
"
BIGGEST FRANCHISE:
MARVEL: X-Men (five movies and spin-offs since 2000, with two more pending)
DC: Batman (eight movies and spin-offs since 1989)
BEST-SELLING COMIC BOOK (APRIL 2012):
MARVEL (Avengers vs. X-Men #2) 158,650 copies
DC (Batman #8) 130,602 copies
MOST FERTILE CREATIVE PERIOD:
MARVEL: 1961 to 1964, which saw the creation of the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Iron Man, and X-Men.
DC: 1938 to 1941, which saw the creation of Superman, Batman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman."
1938-1964? It's almost from my mother's birth-year to my younger sister's.
So just like medicines, it's old and heritage superheroes that dominate.
Coming back to the starting question: Are Voveran's powers less miraculous than Superman's?
It depends who you ask!
My mother-in-law would vote Voveran, my son would go for Superman and I am making that transition from Superman to Voveran very fast.