tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33311991.post1612423861620218372..comments2024-01-02T07:48:42.623-05:00Comments on Comics And...Other Imaginary Tales: The Brightest Day and The Heroic Age – A Return to Hope?Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352163584546054887noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33311991.post-9034816702140387272010-01-15T21:19:52.206-05:002010-01-15T21:19:52.206-05:00I think you make a lot of valid and insightful poi...I think you make a lot of valid and insightful points. This is one of the best a coolest posts you've written and I'd love to see you go more in depth with this train of thought. <br /><br />I definitely agree with he spirit of your post just with a different perspective. I've already written extensively about my thoughts in regards to comic books as a cultural reflection of America (in regards to comics being American mythology) and I feel that the changing nature of comics can absolutely be linked to a change in what type of stories people need - rather than just wanting.<br /><br />Excellent post :)Gwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14840270045390557504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33311991.post-31325665927567201262010-01-15T07:47:04.228-05:002010-01-15T07:47:04.228-05:00Couple (well, probably more than a couple) points ...Couple (well, probably more than a couple) points of clarification.<br /><br />First, the superhero creation wasn't just a product of the Depression. Many, if not most, of the superheroes were products of science in some way, which reflected the pre-Reaganite "faith" people had in science as a force to bring about a better future. That continued in the Silver Age, too. Now, science is under contstant attack by the forces of un-reason, so I wonder if there can be a return to the aspirations of the comic book past.<br /><br />Second, the distrust of government, in the wider culture, began during the idyllic '50s when people saw on their TV news the forces of segregation beating down peaceful protesters. It gained far more steam in the '60s when the youth revolt against parental authority, and outright fear of being sent off to Vietnam, came into play. The distrust Nixon created with his extra legal machinations was only the culmination of a long decline in esteem, further exacerbated by revelations about CIA overthrows of governments back in the '50s. That comics took until the '70s to take a darker turn is really indicative of a lag and a dogged determination to continue to market comics to a pre-teen and young teen male market, free of any socio-political complications.<br /><br />The later darker turn of comics from the '70s onward, and especially into the '80s and '90s, is more a reflection in change of audience and quality of writer attracted to the field. Comics are more like books now. They aim at a wide range of ages and tastes, though still largely lacking in the female segment. Throughout what would be considered this darkening of comics there were always lighter stories. The Giffen Justice League comes most quickly to mind for me. I don't think there are any more of those sorts of titles, Marvel's Hercules and DC's Power Girl remaining the exception rather than the rule.<br /><br />As with all entertainment consumption, I maintain the principle of buying what appears to be good quality, across genres, with some genres having more appeal than others. The maxim that 90% of everything created is crap will remain valid across eras and epochs.Red Dognoreply@blogger.com