I was looking up DC movies and they soooooooo suck! Other then Batman. What else do they have going?

The last Superman tanked. Wonder Woman never got off the ground.

About the only main Marvel heroes not in a movie recently are:

-Thor, whose in the works.
-Captain America. It’s confirmed film one is a period only piece in WWII. Called Captain America: The First Avenger. Then weeks later the Avengers movie hits. That’s an ambitious plan. And I’m not sure an entire WWII piece can work.
-Doctor Strange
-Namor

Other then that I think the majority of the solo character books who can hold their own were given a chance.

If Marvel could get the Daredevil and start it over like they are with the Hulk, I think it could really go places.

Though I’ll be real and know the Spidey and X-men material are locked by the companies making them now and they won’t let Marvel own them again. Though to give it a fair due, they’ve done a good job with the property and if they can spin more good films, let them.

With DC:

Will the Flash be a big screen hit people want to see? He can run fast. I just summed him up and all he can do. And besides Superman can fly faster. Flash is not impressive and a one trick horse. Good for a team movie, but on his own no.

Green Lantern? The whole, he gets his ring from space aliens, makes the whole concept really wacky I think. If it’s to hold water, dump the alien concept. Make him get the ring from some inventor and make it a more human angle. Forget all the space alien angle, and it might get over. That’s my view on it.

Aquaman? Can this appeal to a mainstream paying audience? No I think not.

How about Green Arrow? Robin Hood light.

Again what does DC got outside the big 3 and at most 4?

The recent Iron Man and Hulk movies were Marvel produced and that helped Marvel keep more profits. With Spidey and X-men Marvel didn’t get most of the profits.

I just mentioned those four properties that took off.

Then we got characters like Wolverine, Daredevil, Thor if done right have a chance to hold their own.

You would think the owners of DC who own their own a movie studio, would make the better movies. And if anyone can cut through the legal red tape it should be them. But probably is the case, too much red tape holds them back.

Current mood: creative

When I first heard of the Red Hulk, I thought what a terrible unoriginal idea. Someone just made the Hulk, but he’s just colored red.

But having read issues 1 - 6 and first storyline of the character, I must admit I like him.

No one knows who the Red Hulk is yet. And I hope it’s not a let down. I heard a rumor it was Doc Sampson but thankfully it’s not him. I hope it’s someone who isn’t a hero already but rather someone whose been around but never a superhero before.

What makes Red Hulk interesting to me is his attitude. Like the Juggernaut the Red Hulk has power but also his same personality. It’s not like the Green Hulk where it’s a different person in control.

The attitude factor and his method of violence and use of guns, and calculating behavior make him an interesting character to read about.

I also got his Marvel Legends action figure and it is quite good.

So Red Hulk is cool, even if it’s essentially just a twist on an established concept.

With that being said, and if it’s a tend, I might as well makeup my own twist on an established concept. (And if it worked for Red Hulk creators Loeb and McGuiness.)

I nominate my idea for the: Sinister Spider.

A guy who got the same powers as Spider-Man but the only difference is he has night vision (so he can see in night), his webs are organic and shoot from his fingertips, and he has no spider sense.

His costume is black and his webbing is red. His eyes are black, framed by red eyelids.

And his attitude is where the difference is. He actually crosses the line Spider-Man never would and executes his opponents. Not a straight villain, and not like Venom. He won’t kill his opponents if he can avoid it. But if he has to he then crosses the line like Wolverine. Sinister Spider has a code of honor, but it’s own code. The guy underneath the costume served in the military and was a soldier. He knows the price of war and the cost.

His co-stars and friends are ex-military as well and know who he is under the costume. (So as to avoid the original Spider-Man concept of no one knowing his secret identity.)

The Sinister Spider not only fights Spider-Man villains, but his own as well. And his trail, and similar powers bring him into conflict with Spider-Man because he doesn’t like his style, or that he’s getting blamed for the Sinister Spider’s actions.

Now sure, SINISTER SPIDER might not sound so original I’ll give you that. But at the same time, I don’t think it’s sounds that bad either. And really is the Red Hulk any different?

Two can play that game Marvel.

I was thinking about comic book superheroes and it seems like it was so much easier then, in the Golden and Silver Ages, then it is now.

Think about it and especially in reference to recent superhero movies.

Batman = A guy who dresses like a bat and uses bat motifs in his weapons and gear.

Spider-Man = A guy with spider powers, crawling on walls and shooting webs.

Iron Man = A guy in an iron suit. And quite a cool name when you think about it, sounds powerful.

Wolverine = A small feral guy who is ferocious, like the animal he’s named after.

And just in comics:

The Watcher = A being who just watches and observes.

Iceman = A guy who is made of and manipulates ice.

I think those examples are good references of what I’m getting at. It seems tougher to get descriptive words, not already taken. Or to make a character with powers and the concept is not already taken. Because chances are that an existing hero or villain already was made that is similar. Don’t forget there are thousands of comic character made, because don’t forget to count the characters from companies who are now defunct. Those count as well.

Even the TV show HEROES on NBC, most of their characters powers are just concepts taken from popular Marvel comics characters. The recent episode even had a villain who had magnetic powers. Now who did that sound like?

Oh don’t get me wrong, it’s still possible to come up with a cool character and name. It’s just tougher now.

But imagine if you could time travel, you’d be rich is you took what you know and then made these same characters first.

I was thinking of Superhero Teams and the members with no powers. Such as Batman on Justice League, or Hawkeye on the Avengers.

It must really suck to be the one on a team and not to have powers, because let’s face it, without their gimmick tech weapons. They have nothing much to offer in terms of physical might.

Think about it: One guy runs super fast, another can fly, another is indestructible, and what does the last guy have? Well, he’s just athletic but really has no power.

I dream of a scenario where the non powered guy, gets killed by the super villain team. Cause let’s fact it, in terms of physical might, the guy with no powers has a huge disadvantage and would be the first casualty on the team.

Plus his team mates would probably snicker behind his back and go HA HA the guy with no powers. What’s he doing here again?

Having fancy weapons may help make up for the disadvantage, but any way you slice it not having powers on a super team sucks. And if that’s the case, I’d think a hero would rather go solo.

With Barack Obama in the Amazing Spider-Man #583 as well as future Image books. It made me thing of political figures and their uses in other works. Such as books, comic books, their image of posters and shirts. All this happens without a politicians permission, and they don’t get a cut of the profit on how they are marketed. Or who makes money off of their use.

This use of a political person is interesting, and to some degree I don’t thing it’s fair. I also wonder exactly what are the limits a political person can be used in other media? And what exactly is off limits?

For example I heard some guy is planning to use a Sarah Palin look alike in a porn video. Is that not crossing the line? Or is it anything goes?

But as the Palin video shows, their does not seem much that is off limits in how a politician can be portrayed. And that doesn’t seem quite right.

As for what this has to do with comic books? Well with Barack Obama in Spider-Man, as well as in the Savage Dragon book. Don’t be afraid to use him in your comics as well. I just hope he’ll be portrayed in a respectful manner.

You know, I hear how New Gods, and the Fourth World books were Kirby’s best work ever. As some fans say. And that it was Kirby at his greatest.

While art is a subjective subject and to each their own. That’s all well and good, if that’s what you think, and I’m cool with that.

For me, it was just an average Kirby series. It was good. But to me, it wasn’t his greatest work or concepts.

I think a core reason why Kirby fans say it’s his greatest work. Is cause the fans have tunnel vision and a Kirby obsession and don’t want to be honest with themselves, and to acknowledge Stan Lee. Cause some Kirby fans, seem to hate him.

Why is Fourth World and New Gods praised so much? I think a partial reason is because, Kirby’s Fourth World was made all by Kirby. Stan Lee and no one else can take credit for it. It was all Kirby.

And I think fans are loyal to this idea and want to think and defend it saying: Look without Lee, Kirby’s genius is unleashed and he is great. His work without Lee is superior, And Lee only hampered Kirby and his creative genius.

I think this secretly is a desire. And part of the reason why the Fourth World is still so praised.

While, let me say I’m a a big Kirby fan, as well as Lee. I have to be honest and say to Kirby fans who think Fourth World is the best ever.

Step back from the obsession and be fair. And judge the work on it’s own merits. Regardless of who created it. I think that’s the only fair way to judge a series. To not attach feelings to it, but to judge the creative work by it’s own merit.

I think: If the Fourth World books were done by a creator you feel no allegiance to or know. Would fans who cite it as Jacks’ greatest work, would they really put it high up there still? Or is it cause you are a fan, you have a favoritism view and your view is skewered?

I think that can be a case. (And to be fair, I also do this with creators also. I guess it’s natural.)

And to be fair, Kirby worked so many years with Lee, the writing style of Lee had to play an
influence with how Kirby told a story.

—————–

I also hear the argument: Well, Fourth World was not complete. As if the series, was by right, a work that must be completed. And my answer is: No, it is not a right.

It is simple publishing, and while the numbers can be thrown either way, for or against. The bottom line was clear enough to see, that from the DC perspective, it wasn’t worth their time.

It also shows DC short term thinking. Cause if Fourth World was done at Marvel, the series would have kept going. If it was cancelled for low sales. Lee would have made sure to make it a backup feature in another book.

DC did not think this way. And now look at them? Had they thought better and let the series run to a complete whole. They would have tons of comic book issues to reprint and profit from.

But comic book series being allowed to run to completion is not a right. A publisher can do what they want. If a creator wants a series to run a set course, he has to own the work whole and hopefully have enough finances to get it all published.

Basically I’m saying, the publisher has a right to publish what they want, and when they want. It’s their cost in making the books, and they are the ones paying for them.

Besides, reading about Kirby, I don’t think he was the type who lulled around What If?! concepts. When the Fourth World books were done, he moved on to other series. He wasn’t the type to dwell on the past, imaging how he wanted to complete this series and make more stories. Only the fans hold onto it strongly.

Their was more of a pride in terms of sales numbers back then I think. A series was judged by how well it sold, and not about how creative it was.

Fourth World overall was enjoyable, but the main reason I don’t hold it close as a great series is because I could not relate or feel for the characters.

You had two alien species from different planets at war with each other.

Yet, I never felt the human emotion or involvement for these characters. I could not feel for the heroes situation much.

That was a Lee touch that he did well, in the Marvel books, you could feel for those characters and relate.

I guess when all is said and done, with Fourth World I could not relate.

My only concern with comics in general is: With high prices as it is, I wonder if the monthly comic is even a viable property anymore for anyone outside Marvel and DC comics? I’ve seen so many comic companies fold over the past few years.

And I think it’s cause the increased prices of books is a factor. I also think to get your dollars worth, the trade paperback market is the future of the industry in terms of being profitable.

Or if you want to be fancy, call it a Graphic Novel.

Either the monthly is made, just to cash in on the paperback sales. Which a publisher should rely on. Or just to produce a paperback instead. But as for a monthly book? I think for any new publisher, it’s not a viable business model anymore.

Want more proof? Just look at Virgin Comics, despite all the money behind them and the big names. NO ONE is interested in these books! There is no buzz about them. They DO NOT fly off the racks. And if they were profitable, then I really doubt they would have cut the Virgin Comics / SciFi channel comics type deal they did.

Face it, that comics line will fold and be canceled. Despite the big Hollywood names, and the big budget. These comics are not financially profitable. At least I don’t think they are, not being an expert. But it’s my impression from experience, what I see, and the lack of buzz about those books.

My main point is: For a future in comics, I really do wonder if for example, Virgin Comics the monthly format should be the way to go? Or it’s just destined to fail like many recent lines. Or might it be better to produce and market a book in the trade format.

Also I think with many creators now, only being capable of doing a few issues at a time. It’s better to have a paperback type format. Then a monthly book, where a new artist or writer jumps on every few issues. I don’t think we need a return to those days.

This is a topic, Ive been thinking on a while now.

It seems in recent years, and especially at Marvel now, that almost all
the books seem to be having art that looks realistic in nature. By this I
mean, looking like actual film cells captured on a page. Or a photograph
type quality to the art page.

That’s the best way I can explain it.

It’s happening so much and is all over the place, I wonder if this is the
way to go? The future of the medium and the new standard?

And your thoughts on the topic.

First off, I have nothing bad to say against it. Other then, I don’t think
I like a majority of the books reading this way.

Many of these types of realistic art use computer manipulation of some
sort, or massive photo referenced material. If not outright tracing
over photographs.

Maybe it’s just me, but I liked the Exaggerated style art of the days
of old. Where the characters looked real enough in their own world,
but it wasn’t meant to look real as in our world, almost photograph
type art. I hope that made sense, and you get what I’m trying to say.
One thing that I find hard to portray well in realistic art is the
fantastic action and fight scenes. At least in the more traditional cartoony
style of old, anything goes and the action scenes work much better.

Between realistic or more cartoony style of art, I’ll go with the cartoon
version.

Besides most of the great artists we know used such styles and I wouldn’t portray them as realistic. At least not to the level it is today.

Maybe it’s Marvel editorial demanding such art? Because of the movies
and they want their books to capture a similar audience? Thinking
the movie people will buy books and those new readers want
art that looks real.

Or maybe, this is what the majority of readers want to see?

Over at this site I’ve been reading about Erik Larsen complaining and
basically trying to say Marvel swiped his Obama idea.

Comic Book Resources

Reading both sides, and while Erik raises some good points, I think
Marvel is in the right.

First off I think Erik has a personal issue with Marvel, and therefore
has a skewered viewpoint. So right off the bat he is not looking at
the situation with a fair view.

As a Publisher of Image Comics, he also has an agenda. Maybe his complaining is in part publicity, as well as trying to stir the pot just for the sake of it.

His complaint of Spidey using a fist bump Spidey editor Stephen Wacker called it on the spot and said they took it, from where Erik took it. It’s what Obama really does.

Erik complaining of Obama on the Spidey cover, because he got Dragon on his cover.

Well as Steve said no Duh, it’s only natural to put the guy on the cover to sell more issues. Does not mean the idea was taken.

When all is said though I think Erik is just annoyed at all the hype Spider-Man got with Obama, whereas his creation, the Dragon got just about no media hype at all.

But it’s only fair, the mainstream only knows a few superheroes. And does not care about the rest.

See my earlier post about disagreeing about using politics in superhero comics.

But with that said, and talking about this issue between Erik and complaining about Marvel. I really think he has no case. Maybe he feels he thought of the idea first. But even if that was the case, it does not mean that independently someone else could not think of the same idea.

I thought I’d mention some good 80’s-90’s stuff that started out good
but eventually got cancelled and where are they now?

-New Warriors, a 90’s team book that started out great. Then when
Bagley and Fab left (and the team took on to much unnecessary
baggage) it just wasn’t as great as it used to be.

-Darkhawk, an early 90’s idea that started out great. He was also a
rare superhero who had long hair and looked like a punk rocker.
Eventually artist Mike Manley left and the whole tone and feel
changed. The stories also turned real bad and the costume was
redesigned into super crap (oh why?). Was this guy’s face (under the
helmet) ever shown on panel? Eventually cancelled. Which is a shame
since he had a good supporting cast! Did his father ever return? Did
he live?

-Speedball, Short lived series (but had stories in Marvel Comics
Presents and Marvel Superheroes quarterly books). Like Darkhawk, I
liked the supporting cast and villains he encountered. Unlike the New
Warriors version, he originally did not crack jokes in battle and
didn’t want to engage in battles.

-Sleepwalker, interesting concept but unlike the above two, I don’t
think Marvel made it interesting enough to get a good following. Even
I tuned out of this series in under five issues. (Which is pretty
rare for me back then.)

-Ghost Rider (volume two), Originally it had great art, concepts
and mysteries. Then the art became crap and they involved all the
crap from the first volume (which I think helped ruin the series).

This was something fresh and new. Then all the old baggage came
onboard and cluttered stuff up. Heck, this stuff caused volume one to
get canceled! So what do they end up doing? Tying it all tightly
into volume two! Guess what? Volume two got canceled! Way to go!
I for one liked the fact that finding the bike was a random accident
and could happen to anyone. But no, it was a destined thing that only
his bloodline could do. Yeah, let’s put John Blaze in their and make
him his crime fighting partner! (Yeah what great ideas. Note to
future volumes, try to start out fresh and avoid the previous stuff
as much as possible!)

-Quasar, now this was a cool book. Especially the first few years of
stuff. Too bad he then kept changing costumes for what seemed every
fifth issue. He was making so many changes it’d put Iron Man on superhero
fashion notice.

-Thunderstrike, I liked when Eric Masterson was Thor. Those issues
rocked. This was more of the same (since Thor had to return
eventually) Marvel gave him a new identity. I’m surprised how this
series concluded and just who Bloodaxe was (which was kind of a let
down). Maybe Darkhawk could’ve beneffited from this fate.

-Green Goblin, Phil Urich another short lived series. Word
I got was that this got canned not because of sales but Marvel editorial
changes. The new editorial crew did not like that the Green Goblin book
and what it was about. They wanted the Green Goblin to only be a villain.
And so this book could not survive.

Anyone else care to mention (or remember) new books and character
concepts that started in the 80’s / ’90’s that eventually got
canceled by decades end?