What Has Happened To Comics?
As I continue to create my own digital comic, I offset look at other books for some much needed inspiration. Ill even take the chance to read a few on some of my spare time. To say that coming up with ideas for stories is a difficult task, would be considered to be a massive understatement. Are there a fair amount to bad ideas out in the world? yes, indeed there are, But there are times that when a bad Idea is formulated and given the necessary testing measures, the chances if it someday becoming a success are increased by a pretty large margin to some degree. The same cannot be said about Marvel Comic’s latest attempt to capture a younger generation of children that are just not into comic books anymore, and with the subject matter at hand, it further proves that the latter is slowly but surely extending upwards more and more with the passing of time.
The New Warriors, which started off as a series of comics in the early 90’s, Has been officially revamped for the modern generation, now including social justice identity politics that are forcibly implanted to what could have been an interesting series to indulge in. I am aware that the first issue is not out on the market as of yet, But based on what has been said regarding plot details, The future is quite uncertain for this sloth of character. Creator and writer Dan Kibblesmith, who is know for writing on televisions programs like The Colbert Report, is seen in the promotional video on Marvel’s you tube channel discussing the details for this new series of comics soon to hit stores by early April. It would seem that the comic has embraced head on the concept of social justice, which is widely criticized by many who say that the idea is a parody of in itself where the virtuous means are replaced by enforcing beliefs and concepts on preexisting pieces if media and individuals who do not share the belief.
Do not get me wrong, It is complete fine for anyone to create a piece of content with social justice messaging, but to do it in such an unoriginal way is not only an insult to creativity, but it is also a lazy attempt to try and send a message without having any real thought put in to it. Two characters , without any hit of sarcasm, are named “Safespace” and “Snowflake”, and they are two non-binary heroes that are using these tiles to embodied the meaning of those words that, as explained by the writer, are often misused. They powers included the ability to throw snowflake shape shurikens to defeat their enemies and conjuring pick colored force fields to protect themselves from harm, while also being described as being “More Psychic-er” the other psychic superheroes.
The laziness at work here is reaching levels I thought not possible from a professional illustration company know for changing the industry of comic books way back in the day. It doesn't help when you hear their backstories, which to no surprise, they are not that great to hear. One of them is a straight A student who works at a volunteer shelter who gets her powers from a magic bag , and another who is an internet star, acquires his abilities from his uncles “Internet gas”(I’m not making this up). Their names are “Trailblazer” and “Screentime”, and both designs could be mistaken for characters out of Ben 10 and Dora The Explorer.
The whole point of having heroes like, for example, Batman, Superman, and Spider man be the way they are is so that readers can relate to their situations. Despite being so powerful, Superman is an alien from another world attempt to adjust to human society while saving them from danger. Batman lost his loved ones and decided to take it upon himself, using his power and wealth, to maintain civility in a city plagued with crime. Spider man is a regular kid who goes to school and grows up while balancing the responsibility to save those in trouble. While simple, these backstories have an effective impact on those who read about them and there adventure, because we know that deep down these are just regular people that the common folk can relate to on a personal level even though through the yes of many they are seen as gods among men. The same can be said among s the female superheros, Wonder Women, Black Widow, Star-fire, and many more who follow. If a character is already perfect from their upbringing to the point where they start to do hero activities, how can anyone really relate to them when they are perfect with zero faults?
The New Warriors represents a bigger problem had large. It ignores the foundations of what makes a comic book character interesting and relatable, in favors of presenting virtue messaging and half measured political points as the main architectural tools for creating a character in their story. Some meat but no substance to show for it, as they are alienating a specific demographic of readers, desperately trying to appeal to a crowd that does not care in the slightest about comic books. This could be the end of an era if they keep treading towards the wrong side of the path.
