Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Don't Fix What Was Never Broken



I have no interest is reading this 'new' grittier version of Captain Marvel that DC comics is putting out this month. Captain Marvel and his family of characters were always the furthest thing from darkness and that is why the concept still has a strong appeal for me. I love the way they have stuck to the childlike innocence of the character in the animated 'Young Justice' television program. It would be great to see a separate series with an animation style similar to that of Art Balthazar.


As a company, DC is changing a great deal to try and remain profitable as a company and relevant as an art form, and I can respect that. Unfortunately, it seems their creators and executives forget the kind of cultural power they truly wield. As I said, even if the average American doesn’t read comics, they are versed in the iconography and cultural symbolism that superheroes represent. People all over the world know what the Batman and Superman symbols are and what they mean. But when you begin to actualize ideas like, “What could make Superman kill?” in your stories, you alter the impact these characters have on our cultural landscape and they run the risk of losing that magical quality that let us connect with a part of ourselves we hide away from the harshness of the real world.



Captain Marvel may not be the iconic equivalent of Superman or Wonder Woman, but what he stands for is just as important. In Billy Batson, a child can see that even the great cruelties of the world around you can be overcome if you hold onto that spark of virtue and integrity; that you don’t have to compromise that goodness inside you if you have the strength of will and compassion. Some people may see the name change as just that. I see it as saying goodbye to the most virtuous little boy I have ever read.



7 comments:

Drake said...

For over 60 years DC has tried to kill Captain Marvel for the unforgivable reason he out sold Superman in his heyday,
And now in the hamfisted hack hands of Jim Lee they succeded.

Erik Johnson Illustrator said...

Alex Ross was actually involved with Bruce Timm in designing and pitching a Captain Marvel series to follow the success of the Batman and Superman cartoons, but the networks didn't bite. Bummer.

Why is this new Marvel wearing a hood? Shielding his face just drains away the optimistic spirit that made him so inspiring and unique.

Cal's Canadian Cave of Coolness said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cal's Canadian Cave of Coolness said...

I have no idea why he needs a hood and ennui. I know I will download the first issue just so I can be mad at it.

Don't even get me started on Rob Leifeld having responsibility on 3 books now at DC.

The Flying Dachshund said...

Give it another 10 years, and we'll be seeing a "Classic Revival" on all things DC as they decide to go back to the characters the way they were pre-DCNU on anything that hasn't been profitable... Probably including Shazam (and remember, they're not tainting the Captain Marvel name with this new monstrosity... They're calling him Shazam now...)

Mitchell Craig said...

It's like the DC Universe is becoming the Love Canal of comics.

TS Hendrik said...

I must disagree with you on this. I've always thought Captain Marvel was lame out loud. I don't think making him grittier would do anything to help that. He was, and will always be, the Gomer Pyle of superheroes.