If you are reading this article, you should already know about the term that is used to describe a lot of characters from various media in a bad way. The term originated in fan fiction, but it is now being used to describe every character that fits the strangely large criteria. “Mary Sue” can be used to describe characters that… Read more →
Even with Marvel’s surging popularity and the massive success of the Batman movies, if you asked anyone to name a comic book superhero the first word out of their mouth would be “Superman.” The Man of Steel is without a doubt the most iconic name in comics, and he’s been such a staple of the genre that he’s come to… Read more →
Graphic novels often feature protagonists and other characters capable of performing godlike feats beyond human comprehension. While these characters are certainly impressive to behold, they can also cause a graphic novel to succumb to certain narrative pitfalls. After all, if a character is all-powerful and cannot be defeated how can there be any sense of urgency to the story?… Read more →
When it comes to graphic novels, something that always seemed incredibly striking to me was the amount of color being thrown into your face. I mean, look at this cover of a classic Superman comic: So much color that the fact that Superman is literally breaking chains kind of gets away from the viewer. You’re drawn to the giant, white number one,… Read more →
Watchmen isn’t the last word on the superhero genre. Neither is The Dark Knight Returns. Superhero comics aren’t just places for gritty “realism”, anti-heroes, and moral compasses damaged beyond repair. They can be full of wonder, optimism, and act as an escape from a world that is becoming full of darkness and evil without insulting readers’ intelligence. So if you’re tired of election ads or the 24 hour news cycle, here are some superhero comics that are… Read more →
Back in 2011, DC Comics rebooted their entire continuity in a heavily publicized event called “The New 52” The goal of which was to create a better streamlined universe that was much more reader friendly. However, due to a lack long term planning and discussion on what exactly was or wasn’t in continuity, the New 52 is nothing short of… Read more →
A reason that superhero comics stories can be hard to get into are their long running nature. For example, if you’re a Superman fan and want to get into his comics, where do you start? Do you begin with Action Comics #1 from DC Comics’ recent New 52 reboot or Superman #1 or Superman Unchained from the same reboot? Or do you go further back and start with Grant Morrison and Frank… Read more →
Up until last year Superman was an antiquated hero. His morality and characterization trapped in the zeitgeist of the late 1970s. Superman was a campy hero who rescued cats out of trees and was able to fly so fast around the Earth that he could turn back time. I’m referring of course to Richard Donner’s Superman: The movie which… Read more →
“Never judge a book by its cover.” This little moral often gets told in order for a person to not judge according to first impressions. While it is a good idea to do so for the sake of finding diamonds in the rough, reality does not always coincide that way. The biggest reason is that people do not always have… Read more →
Superman is not among the group of superheroes that have truly flourished in mediums outside of comic books. He is no recent blockbuster success like Spiderman or Batman, though many attempts over the years have tried and failed at bringing the most recognizable hero in the game to other forms of media. Why has Superman failed where others have succeeded?… Read more →