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Why Not?

Damn, who would have thought a simple comment on a B (one might even say C) string DC character would garner so much fanboy chaff… First off, those of you whose only exposure to The Question is from the JLU animated series, shut the hell up! If you didn’t read the Denny O’Neil run from the 1980s, you can’t bitch and whine to me about a DC legend taking it in the shorts… The fact is, ‘ol Vic Sage was bought to be killed off… It just took DC an extra 20 or so years to do so… Now, with that bit of embarrassing Geek bile out of the way, we can continue…

When does a character reach “untouchable” status?

Every few years the two big players in the comic world, DC and Marvel, attempt to shake things up within their universe. Said shake-up tends to follow a company wide crossover event that will “change everything”. First, this rarely happens… Sure, characters die or a new world is created but it doesn’t take long for said changes to slowly and methodically return to the status quo. Hell, there isn’t a single “dead” character within the DC or Marvel universe that isn’t up and walking around right now. (Yes, I include Captain America in that list… His book is still out and I seriously doubt Steve Rogers will stay dead… Mark my words, once Quesada departs, Steve will return, if not sooner). Anyway, a result of these world-sweeping changes often includes new characters or evolved versions of established characters. (Except in the early 90s, when everything got the X'treme make over…so sad). Most of these characters don’t stick around either. Many of them meet violent and pointless deaths… Generally just to make room for the original characters to return.

Some get to stick around though.

Kyle Rayner has survived multiple crossovers, the return of Hal Jordan, and even Judd Winick; that character can survive anything. Then there is that War Machine dude over in Marvel, not sure what happened to him. All I know is that whenever they need another armored dude to smack Tony around, they drag his lame ass out… Which means you can start that countdown in 3…2…1…

Why don’t these characters maintain? Why don’t we let established characters evolve?

More importantly, how long does a character need to endure before they are considered irreplaceable. Take, for example, DC’s holy trinity (Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman). DC will never, ever be able to replace those characters with new ones. More to the point, DC will never be able to replace Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, or Diana Prince (no matter how often they try). The same goes for Marvel. Peter Parker will always be Spider-Man, Tony Stark will always be Iron Man, and yes, Steve Rogers will always be Captain America. (No matter what Joe Quesada tells Marve…I mean, Wizard Magazine). Sure, someone might take on Batman’s cowl or wear the Iron Man armor for a few issues, but the changes will never last forever.

Why not?

Listen, you will have to look long and hard to find a greater Batman fan than your friendly neighborhood Geek. The Dark Knight was one of the first characters I ever read and will likely be one of the last. That being said, even I know that over time it becomes difficult to suspend the disbelief that Bruce Wayne doesn’t age while all those around him do, with Alfred and Commissioner Gordon being the two exceptions. There is this unwritten rule in comics that once a character hits a certain age, they simply stop aging unless said story is meant to highlight an older hero. (See The Dark Knight Returns or Days of Future Past). I will freely admit to being part of the problem. Part of the appeal to Batman is Bruce Wayne and his drive to prevent crime. I don’t think I would accept anyone else under the cowl for too long. Sure, someone else can carry the mantle for a little while, but eventually I want Bruce Wayne (or Steve Rogers) carrying on the never-ending battle. That being said…

I like the concept of a real time comic.

While I don’t read Savage Dragon, I fully respect Erik Larson’s attempt to keep his signature character living within real time in his world. I also respect and understand Larson’s rule of “once dead, you stay dead”. (Unless it makes perfect sense within the rules set in that characters world). Maybe that is what it takes. Maybe you need to start with a fresh world and brand new characters for this to work. Maybe you can’t take established characters, in their universe and suddenly decide to run in real time. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t give it a shot…

All it takes is another line…

Just follow me on this one. Marvel created the Ultimate Universe in an attempt to draw in fresh readers whose only exposure to these characters was via the films. While I bemoaned the creation of the Ultimate Universe, part of me does understand. Too bad this newly created world is suffering from the same age malaise as its “real” counterpart. Want not get a fresh set of creators. Young and hungry writers, artists, colorists, and even letterers who would love nothing more than to take a shot at these characters. Instead of taking a risk with an established continuity, give them a fresh new world with a hint of familiarity to play with. And when I mean give it a run, I mean give it more than an Elseworlds or What-If miniseries…

Take a shot at a full line of books.

As a whole, the comic book industry is still in bad shape. No amount of movie tie-ins is going to save it. It is going to take some high concepts to bring the kids back to the comic book shops. Maybe dumping a ton of money into a brand new line of books isn’t the answer. Then again, if you had asked me 3 years ago that the best show on television was going to be a re-launch of a horribly dated 70s science fiction series, I would have laughed in your face. Yet, here we are with Battlestar owning everyone’s bases. Maybe the powers that be need to take that type of radical approach. Let artists and writers run with the concepts that talk about, but know that could never get the story within the current continuity. (As mentioned by a writer whom I will keep anonymous that wishes they could give Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson a child). Take it even further. Create that old school feel of reading comics from years past. Bring back the newsprint paper quality, allow the price to drop on these books. Force the creative teams to actually finish a story arc before going to print. Use this new line to strike that balance between modern grittiness with old school comic fun. Will it work? Hell if I know, but it would be one heck of a run. At least, that is what I keep telling myself as I take the dive into comic book publishing…

Now if you don’t mind… I’m going to write the best damn Renee Montoya story arc of all time…