The year 2008 is over and I hope 2009 brings brighter days for the heroes of the DC and Marvel Universes. DC has produced the most iconic figures in comics, Marvel, the outlaws you love. However, these heroes were placed through the proverbial wringer in 2008.
In DC Comics, Superman wrung in the New Year with Lois in a coma; Wonder Woman beat nearly to death, her lasso taken by a fellow god; Batman is crazy or dead, leaving a city and adopted family without the security of his watch. While the “trinity” was busy in their respective titles, the rest of the DC Universe was trying to stop complete domination by Darkseid.
Over at Marvel, the Skrull’s Secret Invasion touched every corner of the universe, sowing suspicion and doubt among heroes and humans. Marvel’s Ultimate line released ‘Ultimatum’, which has already resulted in more hero deaths in two issues than Civil War and Secret Invasion did in their entire runs.
The end result: one depressed, over-loaded readership. If comics hope to chronicle the bitter realities of our world (prejudice, injustice, war), let them also reflect the world’s hope and dreams. Can DC and Marvel’s heroes inspire hope? We are on the precipice of inaugurating a new president who ran on such a platform without superpowers. Who among these fictional heroes has the muscle to do the same? I am hopeful and waiting for the day in 2009 when a hero rises above the mega-events and stirs new emotions into the ‘comic-book nation’. I don’t just want to be shocked, I want to be awed.
I realize that I am late (ahem) in responding to this comment string, but since I have the time and the inclination, I figure its never too late.
I will restrict my response to ‘Tony’ who enjoys the ’shock’ but does not appreciate the ‘awe’. There is a fine line which you might not understand but perhaps this example will help:
“shock” is the expression on a girls face when she sees you naked for the first time,
“awe” is what she was waiting for, but never received, 5 minutes later.
So let’s keep things civil, shall we?
I think its healthy to ‘hate on’ comic creators when they flat out miss the ball but keep swinging for the fence. I think most people argue that Spidey’s revamp was lame. I was one of the generation when Spiderman (MacFarlane) was so exciting and intense, not just because of the art, but because the story crawled under your skin a bit and made you think, “Oh crap, what the hell is gonna happen next”? And most importantly, you wonder, “How will Spidey turn out after it all?” That is AWEsome, inspiring if you will. I’m not looking for religion or spirituality in comics (though ok if its there); I’m looking for the ray of hope that a character will hit bottom and somehow reach new heights, will persevere and maintain his integrity. Or at least that we, the readers, should stick around to see that crest develop.
Thanks for the comments.
I don’t get this whole wanting to be “Awed” thing. When were you awed last by the “bitter realities of our world?” You sound like a child that gets fascinated when he sees his first plane take off. Or a geek who is mystified when he first sees Darth Vader use the Force. Go watch a documentary on World War II or Schindler’s List.
There were great moments in 2008, that did “awe.” It probably flew over your head, and was to “shocking” to register with your brain.
Secret Invasion was great. Sure the series had some downtimes where it just became one big moshpit fight. This is the coming world though, there are going to be fights.
Grant Morrison is total shock as always. That’s his style.
DP get over yourself. I hate people who constantly want to talk about the Spider-Man marriage thing and just attack marvel. That’s not the only story that came out of the publisher. Quesada said he didn’t think Spider-Man should have been married so he erased it when he had power. Hey, more power to him.
Oscar you Suck. NUFF SAID!
String if you really need a comic to be inspired you’ve got problems. What do you want Superman to die every year? Then you’d complain that all they do is kill people. Maybe you need a nice dose of reality. Read a Susie Orman book or something. Read the some biblical parable. Watch a Bruce Lee flick. Anything. Just get your mind out of your little fantasy world.
Great commentary, especially the distinction you made between ’shock’ and ‘awe.’ While shock is not a bad thing, it’s easier to achieve than awe. Shock is being shaken up; awe is being taken to another level. And if I read you right, you’re not looking for a return to the Golden Age, but for creators to do something really ballsy by trying to inspire us.
THE ULTIMAT STORIES ROCK!!!!
Comics have sucked big time since the 90s. I remember buying 10 different covers for one issue in bags with holographic cards, pull out posters covered with a scratch n sniff cover. It would be ok if there was at least a little porn on those pages. BUT NOOOOOOOOO! COMICS CODE DIDN”T APPROVE
I thought Secret Invasion was very well thought out and was great for 2008. I really can’t wait to see what follows with Norman taking over.
Honestly, I enjoy shock. Who doesn’t enjoy that brief moment when you’re reading a comic and a light bulb goes off. Then the mad rush begins to flip back a couple of pages, or sift through your endless pile of back issues to search out the key to elucidating a Grant Morrison story arc.
I yearn for it. It makes all my reading worth it. When a comic doesn’t shock, it means that the writers were just too lazy to create a well thought out story. The type that screams “years in the making.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want a great Story arc followed by a loser hero named Spidey who wants to make a deal with the Devil to kick his wife to the curb. That’s what judges are for and marriage court. That’s not shock. That’s just being ludicrous.
We don’t need a return to the golden age of comics. The time of heroes making us ‘believe we can fly’ is over. Between advances in science and drug usage we been there done that.
I definitely think there was some awe factor last year. Especially on the Batman front. Grant Morrison did a great job with his arc on Batman RIP. It reminded me of the Infinite Crisis story when Batman yelled at Superman, “You haven’t inspired anyone since you died.”
Well now Batman is dead and i think the way he died was definitely awe inspiring. He dealt with a lot of psychological attacks and still was able to muster up the courage to keep fighting. Granted the story ended in somewhat of a blur, but there were some great moments in there.
Batman RIP aside, the Hush story in Detective was definitely awe inspiring. Yes, there was shock value when Catwoman lost her heart. But how can you be awed without some shock?