The men who destroyed super hero comics...

[kingdom warrior]

[QUOTE=samurainoir;1211155]we live in a world where Lynda Carter and Adam West now star in their own DC Comics, and if we're unhappy with the past two decades, there are quite literally 100 years worth of comics content available to us with a couple of clicks. If this isn't the new Golden Age, I don't know what is.


That's How I feel, I've been frequenting my shop again as of late to pick up up Batman 66 and I got that WW 77 book.....I do pick a few books here and there just to see what's happening. I agree this is a good time for comics, there is such a variety of stuff now more than ever; not just the same old same old. I may not spend like I use to, but I now have better choices for myself and my daughter, who is very happy with her my little ponies, skylanders and Archie comics.

[enyawd72]

^I'm the OP...Thank you, and welcome to the boards!

[Hexigore]

Hi, I am new to the forum, but I just wanted to say this is a fantastic thread. I am so impressed with both sides of this debate. Everyone has been tremendously thoughtful, insightful, and civil. On a lot of forums, that is usually not the case. It devolves into name-calling and other stupidity rapidly.
IMO, I think comics have lost their way. The money paid out for the comic does not equal the reward. This has been going on since the late 80's and I really cannot stand it anymore. I collected books for over 30 years. They were a fantastic escape for me with beautiful colors and art and imagination. They are not like that anymore. The good guys don't always win. . .sometimes, you don't know who the good guys even are. The stories aren't very engaging. The writers seem to be stepping all over their character as they try to communicate whatever socio-economic-political statement they are trying to make. And the artwork has become lackluster. Most of the major storylines aren't for kids (assuming they can even afford a comic). I am saddened and aggravated by this. I go to comic book conventions just to fill gaps or find a rare book here or there. But I don't follow anything modern. I am sure today's books have their merits. I just don't know what they are. I feel sort of like Dr. Wertham when he wrote The Seduction of the Innocent. He may not have understood the value of comics back in the 1950's when he wrote his book and almost caused the destruction of the comic book industry. I don't want to see them destroyed, but I just don't get why they had to become so politically oriented, or socially oriented, or gender-sensitive oriented, etc.. I'm old. Just plain old. Thanks for tolerating my rant.

Once again, great topic and an even greater debate.

[Brazoo]

Escapism.

Yes!

When I was a kid I loved comics, because reading a comic gives you a special kind of privacy from the rest of the world - you sit in a corner and peak into a universe.

But when we were kids the best way to visit the superhero world was through comics - now superhero stuff is everywhere. It's toys, games, cartoons, movies...

I think one of the things that changed is that superhero comics aren't the special little portals they were when we were kids.

I think that's one of the reasons "Bone" and some of the other non-superhero comics samurainoir mentioned are popular now. You might not personally enjoy "Bone", but I believe one of the reasons my nieces re-read their beloved, dog-eared copies over and over is because there's only one way to visit that world. It's special the same way my comics were special to me when I was a kid.

[Gorn Captain]

I wonder if there is a place for "retro style" comics these days?
Why not have a "best of both worlds" offering, with dark, gritty superhero comics on one side, and more clear cut and uplifting old-school ones on the other side?
Giving us an easier choice.
I had my fill of modern comics and gave up on them, which is a shame. I'd love to keep on reading new comics, and not just re-reading old ones. But I just couldn't stomach the onslaught of "death, loss and reboots" on offer today. I need a balance of both, and not a strict diet of "we're all gonna die!!!!!" storytelling.
It's like Doctor Who. I like the new style of more serious storytelling, but now and then you just want the Cybermen to invade Earth saying "We will defeat all of humanity!!!!"

[Mr.Marion]

Let's not forget Miller's run on DD is the reason he got a secret wars figure.

[palitoy]

I'll work on being less crotchety.

Well that's a battle we're all facing I'm afraid, self included.

[enyawd72]

I wasn't trying to attack or belittle anything. I just personally don't like Bone. I guess I just don't get it.
As far as being a cranky old guy...okay, you got me there.

I'll work on being less crotchety.

[palitoy]

No, but the title of the thread is talking about superhero comics specifically.

And the comment was raised that children have no access to comics, which isn't true. They do read comics but it comes in different formats and isn't all about capes. As a parent, I can attest to this and I believe it's a good thing.

I read some Bone comics. Nonsensical garbage IMO. But apparently kids like it. I guess I'm just completely out of touch with today's kids. I don't understand them or why they like some of the things they do.

I probably dislike many things you adore but I'd never go as far to attack or belittle you for it. Bone is a celebrated comic that for many is the gateway to reading and lifelong love of the medium, i find it strange how it was dismissed so angrily. It's part of the solution, not the problem.

While I think this discussion has many excellent points, when you start with the "kids have no common sense these days" it veers off in the direction of "cranky old people saying it was better in their day" and we should fight that as long as we can.

[enyawd72]

I'm sorry but what is it about that comment above that elicits such a dismissive and vitriolic response like this? My kids read those comics and I think they're fantastic and many better written than any 70s Marvel and DC.

Do you feel the medium has to be contained as Superheroes to be valid?

No, but the title of the thread is talking about superhero comics specifically.

I read some Bone comics. Nonsensical garbage IMO. But apparently kids like it. I guess I'm just completely out of touch with today's kids. I don't understand them or why they like some of the things they do.

[palitoy]

^So basically this just reinforces my belief that kids today have no taste or common sense.

I'm sorry but what is it about that comment above that elicits such a dismissive and vitriolic response like this? My kids read those comics and I think they're fantastic and many better written than any 70s Marvel and DC.

Do you feel the medium has to be contained as Superheroes to be valid?

[VintageMike]

While some great points have been made I stick by what I said. Yes, there are other forms of comics kids are eating up. Yes there are a few bright spots. None of that IMO excuses poor decision making by people basically trying to do whatever they can to keep the metrics looking good for corporate. Obviously money has to , and should be made but I don't see why anyone in these companies can't come up with a five year plan instead of five month one. Yes times have changed, but that's part of any business. That's what it goes back to. The decision maker son the comics side, instead of coming with fresh ideas constantly go back to reboots, events and the like. What they don't realize is they have this idea that the hardcores will always be around. They won't. Every year another segment of fans is driven to their braking point and drops new comics. Depending on the outcome of "Convergence" and "Secret Wars" I may not far behind excepting Spider-Man which I will read 'til they put dirt on me.

[enyawd72]

^So basically this just reinforces my belief that kids today have no taste or common sense.

[samurainoir]

Comic books used to sell at grocery and liquor stores and 7-11's now you have to visit a Comic shop to find them .

True Twenty years ago, but now you can download comics from anywhere with a few clicks on your phone, laptop or ipad. Bookstores, Walmart and Libraries have Graphic Novel sections now as well. In general, Amazon will deliver to your door with free shipping and discount off cover price. There are more comics in print, with more diversity than at any other point in all of comics publishing history. If you can't find comics, in particular for kids, you are not looking properly.

Schools still have the Scholastic Book Club... want to know what their best-selling comics looks like? Not Dad's floppy superhero comics. These comics are selling in the MILLIONS... as you can see by their sales figures, these are numbers that DC and Marvel should envy. Comics too expensive?! These are thick full colour glossy graphic novels with a spine and substantial page count for around ten bucks. Digest/Manga sized, for small hands.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/65449-new-telgemier-kibuishi-deals-mark-graphix-s-10-year-anniversary.html

[wise guy]

Comic books used to sell at grocery and liquor stores and 7-11's now you have to visit a Comic shop to find them .The prices and the fact that video games and social media
became more important to kids while the comic collector's of 70's and 80's grew up and wanted grown up comics like Dark Knight returns, The Watchmen ,
The Crisis on infinite Earths etc. This created the 90'S and a huge mess called independant comics and eveybody was a copy .The Uncanny X-men that started in the 70's
Giant size X-men no. 1 was a good thing that kept some of us collecting while Moore and Miller was not kid friendly but more for old fan boys.Comics are now written for
Adults concered with who the Artist or Writer is over the charectors themselves.