Every superhero needs a definitive origin, it could be a high school nerd bitten by a radioactive spider or a child born on a dying world rocketed to a far off planet. No matter how it happens, for someone to be a true superhero they need an origin and have to overcome hardships. But how to you give an entire universe of heroes an origin that can simultaneously introduce new heroes and tell an epic tale of mistrust and fear of those who are different?

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In October 1970 Jack Kirby, with issue #133, debuts as writer/artist on Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen, introducing the concepts and characters of his Fourth World epic. This was the King’s first major work at DC and his first following his historic 100 issue run on Fantastic Four with Stan Lee. This was, in a sense, the start of the idea of exclusive creators.

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November 1961. The day that will live in comic readers minds forever, the day Marvel comics was really born as it launched Fantastic Four #1, THE book that started the new era of what we perceive to be Marvel comics. They are so important that Marvel has dubbed them the First Family. This was the start of an industry that still exists today, thriving on the stories of decades of writers.

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If you look at the Wikipedia page for the 1950’s in comics you will see something interesting in the titles that started that year, there are around 20 or so Western titles that were being released over that decade. Apache Kid, Rawhide Kid, Cowgirl Romances, Texas Kid and more, and all those were just from Marvel. I find it interesting to look at this and see how one dimensional the comics market has become as of late, even more so since the passing of Tony DeZuniga who helped create one of the only surviving western characters, Jonah Hex.  (more…)

Nick Spencer’s Ultimate X-Men run has a deeply religious undertone, but it is one that reaches to all aspects of religion and is helping the story add to the mythology of mutants in the Ultimate Universe.

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Many of the “Best Of” lists for last year’s comics included a strange manga called Pluto. Manga is not regarded as high-end content in the west, so it’s inclusion was something of interest to many people, myself included.

The Cat and the Hat, The Grinch, Asian stereotypes and propaganda, there is a hidden history to Dr. Seuss’ carrier.

There is the age old debate between porn and art and what qualifies as each. Recently DC comics have come under scrutiny for some portrayals of some of their female characters in the relaunch of the new 52. But should they be?

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“I’M MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!”

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Ex Machina is a rare book that can appeal to most people. Those with an interest in politics but none in comics will find the ideas in Ex Machina interesting, at the very least. Those that love comics but typically hate politics can learn something while enjoying the drama (and sometimes humor) of the characters within.

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