What child hasn't dreamed of flying, battling bad guys, and saving the world? Role-playing as superheroes is part of the fabric of American childhood. Generations of kids have grown up hoping to one day leap tall buildings in a single bound, save the day, and kick large quantities of bad-guy butt in the process. The superhero may have evolved from radio to paper to video games and movies, but these heroes still reign supreme no matter the medium in which they reach us.

Humans have long imagined individuals with powers greater than our mortal selves. The Greeks had their gods; we Americans have Superman and Magneto. The formula in all these myths is as old as time: bad guy does something bad, good guy perseveres through hardship to save the day, and a lesson is learned. Within this simple equation, the struggle between good and evil can safely be explored without personal threat. With superheroes as their playmates, endless possibilities in the realm of fantasy and imagination are opened up for children's imaginative play and learning. And that is why the latest exhibit at the Strong National Museum of Play may prove to be one of the best things to come to Rochester.

"American Comic Book Heroes: The Battle of Good vs. Evil," which opens this weekend as a permanent addition to the museum, explores the timeline of American comic-book heroes from their invention to present. The exhibit takes an evolutionary look at the overall genre and its characters while incorporating plenty of hands-on components that encourage play, allowing visitors to become the heroes they admire.

"The main idea is how comic book superheroes have leapt off the page into kids' imaginations, and how they have become part of American play," says Susan Trien, director of public relations and advertising at Strong. "Kids read about it and incorporate it into their imagination."

This latest festival of geek happiness comes courtesy of curator Jon-Paul Dyson, who also brought the arcade-game exhibit "Videotopia" to Rochester earlier this year, and thus is quickly becoming one of my favorite people. The exhibit is completely original, developed from the museum's standing collection of comic-related materials, newly acquired pieces, and plenty of imagination and ingenuity. It was developed, Dyson explained, in concert with the museum's ongoing exploration of play and its role in everyday life.

"Comic books are such an important and growing part of pop culture, and a growing part of how kids play, so we felt it was an important thing for us to do," Dyson says. "It's a great way for kids to use their imaginations as they play - kids integrate the heroes into play, and in the process of playing then learn how to overcome their fears, gain motor abilities, develop their language skills, and more."

And play they will. Interactive components are everywhere in the exhibit, and hands-on activity is emphasized and encouraged. Kids (and their nerdy parents) can step into the role of the hero in various ways, including costumes, video postcards, virtual reality experiences, and games of coordination.

One highlight is the "gamma ray" station where, through the miracles of modern technology, one can undergo the transformation into The Hulk. I won't spoil the surprise, but suffice it to say I ended up lifting 50 times my weight. However, I did get a bit motion sick from a virtual-reality flying game. Apparently flying on a Green Goblin-esque glider is not my superpower - guess I'll have to rely on my keen detection skills, or my ability to banter with super villains instead. Kids who play Wii, however, will likely do just fine.

This playful exploration of what makes a hero - is it the mask, the powers, or something else? - allows a deeper look into the mythos of the superhero, and how it relates to us all. Lessons of perseverance, motivation, and human limitation are illuminated, and, of course, that triumph never comes easy, which is both a relatable and motivational touch point for kids as they face the trials and tribulations of growing up. See? They're learning and they don't even realize it.

As a comic book fan, I entered "American Comic Book Heroes" with slight skepticism. It's true that no one messes with our imagined universes without incurring the scorn and wrath of our legions. (Ask any diehard X-Men fan how he feels about Brett Ratner and stand back.) With that said, this exhibit will satisfy the most stringent of comic-book purists. Aficionados will be thrilled with the amount of rare collectibles present, as well as with the care, concern, and respect Dyson and his team took in assembling an accurate and precise timeline of comic books, especially as they relate to our shared history.

"Comic books are truly an American art form, and they tie into so many [larger] themes," Dyson says. "For example, Superman comes out in 1938 as the world was on verge of war. Here's a character who is willing to do the fighting that United States is not yet ready to do."

Visitors may be surprised to learn just how much comic books - similar to their higher-brow cousins in literature and modern art-- tend to reflect the period in which they were created. For example, in the 1930's and 1940's, comic-book heroes were invincible, and the enemies they battled were usually common to real life. (Captain America punched out Nazis, for example.) In the 1960's, formerly flawless heroes were replaced by complex characters such as Spider-Man, who was plagued by self-doubt, or The Hulk, who struggled terribly with anger management. McCarthyism even got in on the act with the installation of the Comic Code of 1954, in reaction to fears that comics were corrupting our nation's youth. It laid out governance and censorship rules that banned zombies and vampires and issued the decree that "females shall be drawn realistically without exaggeration of physical qualities." Check out the full list of rules on display and laugh.

History buffs will also enjoy all of the memorabilia, and hearing an original radio broadcast of "The Adventures of Superman." Look for the November 1945 letter to members of the Captain Marvel Fan Club thanking them for their hard work during war time purchasing war bonds and stamps. The rarities are too numerous to mention: graded comic volumes, action figures, and even ads for Underoos, sea monkeys, and x-ray glasses.

On a super-geeky and awesome local note, Joe Simon, who along with Jack Kirby created Captain America, is from Rochester. In honor of the exhibit, he created a special piece of artwork with Rochester as the background for Cap. Everyone should appreciate this, but for true believers, this is something really special. Excelsior, indeed.

"American Comic Book Heroes" is included with regular museum admission fees. On opening weekend, Spider-Man himself will make an appearance for photos and autographs. Comic book artists Ken Wheaton (Bart Simpson comics, Radioactive Man) and Will Perkins will also do several demonstrations throughout the weekend. See museumofplay.org for details.

American Comic Book Heroes: The Battle of Good vs. Evil

Opens Saturday, October 17

Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Sq

$8-$10 | 263-2700, museumofplay.org

Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m.