"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," isn't that how the old saying goes? That's the current crop of comics writers who, for political reasons, cannot go after the real villains in their stories. This is a shame, because great material is left on the table, so to speak, but on the other hand, it's an opportunity for us working in the independent scene to pick up the slack.
Great essay I think what is also annoying is the lack of ending/conclusion to the story that being said, the trouble with the superheroes is exactly as you described; the chase the robbers thing and never deal with other sorts of plots.
What I always recommend these days is Comte de Monte Cristo which lies at the origin of the genre but doesn't play by its rules and operates somewhat differently yet similarly without the bank robbery stuff.
That said I wonder what your ideal superhero tale would be? Something like the Mask of Zorro/Comte de Monte Cristo? Something more like Superman 1976? A story like No Man's Land from Batman? The Shadow?
The Mark of Zorro has a soft place in my heart, as do the Robin Hood legends. A band of outlaws, or a lone avenger, fighting against oppression and institutional injustice. And of course it’s more relevant than ever today.
All the works you mentioned have plot elements that can make for exciting possibilities in the superhero genre, as do some stories from ancient mythology (for the super-powered heroes, anyway) and some of the legends from feudal Japan. Even foiling a bank heist could be interesting, if it’s OCCASIONAL.
Was actually gonna blog about Zorro soon if I can find the time.
Thanks for the kind words! I might write a Part III if there’s interest in one.
In prison, I attempted to write a spec superhero script because I wanted to explore what "fighting crime" meant today. I ended up writing a script where two superheroes fight the police.
I think this is why the 'King Superman' type stories are so popular nowadays since it's about finally upsetting the wicked status quo. Injustice, Invincible, Irredeemable, The Boys, there's probably a few I'm missing.
It's always about Superman deciding to replace the government and everyone saying he's a bad guy while fans comment, "Hmm, but is King Superman really worse than what we have now?".
>Also targeted are citizens who dare expose the inversion of justice…which is exactly what “ace reporters” would be doing today if they had any modicum of integrity and courage. The real-life Lois Lanes and Vicky Vales are part of the problem—a big part. Trusted institutions commit the crime, and the Press covers it up.
To be completely fair, you could get an awesome comic out of subverting this.
The glowies want to assassinate Clark Kent. Not because they know about the whole ‘Superman’ thing, but because they don’t like his journalism exposing their crimes. Now obviously they’re going to fail because indestructible alien demigod, that’s never in question, but will Clark’s fake identity as a human survive the process? He has to bluff his way through both surviving increasingly desperate murder attempts and doing so in a convincingly human way.
Similar thoughts have occurred to me. Supes goes public domain in about a decade from what I hear, so maybe somebody will write just such a story. But if DC retains the trademark, I guess he couldn't be called Superman?
To tell you the truth, I miss the days when Superheroes fought common criminals or super-villains who only wanted to rob banks. Now everything is save the cosmos or save the multiverse.
I think you missed things, like the Comics Code, for example, that tied the hands of writers and artists for many years. And of course there were times—like when Captain America became Nomad—where they did address corrupt politicians, or when Lex Luthor became President. The examples may be few and far between, but it does happen.
So I think when you blame the death of comics on who they’re fighting, I think that’s only partially true.
I’ve written about Wertham and the Comics Code before. Also about the cosmic save-the-universe stuff. This is Part II of the trilogy…though I believe the most important part.
"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," isn't that how the old saying goes? That's the current crop of comics writers who, for political reasons, cannot go after the real villains in their stories. This is a shame, because great material is left on the table, so to speak, but on the other hand, it's an opportunity for us working in the independent scene to pick up the slack.
Definitely an opportunity, Niko!
Great essay I think what is also annoying is the lack of ending/conclusion to the story that being said, the trouble with the superheroes is exactly as you described; the chase the robbers thing and never deal with other sorts of plots.
What I always recommend these days is Comte de Monte Cristo which lies at the origin of the genre but doesn't play by its rules and operates somewhat differently yet similarly without the bank robbery stuff.
That said I wonder what your ideal superhero tale would be? Something like the Mask of Zorro/Comte de Monte Cristo? Something more like Superman 1976? A story like No Man's Land from Batman? The Shadow?
Brilliant essay is there a third part?
The Mark of Zorro has a soft place in my heart, as do the Robin Hood legends. A band of outlaws, or a lone avenger, fighting against oppression and institutional injustice. And of course it’s more relevant than ever today.
All the works you mentioned have plot elements that can make for exciting possibilities in the superhero genre, as do some stories from ancient mythology (for the super-powered heroes, anyway) and some of the legends from feudal Japan. Even foiling a bank heist could be interesting, if it’s OCCASIONAL.
Was actually gonna blog about Zorro soon if I can find the time.
Thanks for the kind words! I might write a Part III if there’s interest in one.
Very much agree, love the stories of Robin Hood, had entertained the notion of writing such a tale down the road.
Can’t wait to read both that Zorro and Part III articles!
In prison, I attempted to write a spec superhero script because I wanted to explore what "fighting crime" meant today. I ended up writing a script where two superheroes fight the police.
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
Sounds about right for Current Year. Non-citizen police? Because that's a thing, now.
This was years ago. It would probably be messier and more pointed now.
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
No doubt.
I think this is why the 'King Superman' type stories are so popular nowadays since it's about finally upsetting the wicked status quo. Injustice, Invincible, Irredeemable, The Boys, there's probably a few I'm missing.
It's always about Superman deciding to replace the government and everyone saying he's a bad guy while fans comment, "Hmm, but is King Superman really worse than what we have now?".
I was unaware of such stories' existence and popularity, but it makes sense they would be popular in recent years.
Pardoe's and Baron's Tenure is an excellent vigilante story along the lines you describe, just without the capes and tights: https://amzn.to/3F9Z0qA
Do you mean Private American? That was the best comic I’ve read in a long time.
I was thinking specifically of their Tenure series novels. I'll have to add more of their work to my reading queue.
>Also targeted are citizens who dare expose the inversion of justice…which is exactly what “ace reporters” would be doing today if they had any modicum of integrity and courage. The real-life Lois Lanes and Vicky Vales are part of the problem—a big part. Trusted institutions commit the crime, and the Press covers it up.
To be completely fair, you could get an awesome comic out of subverting this.
The glowies want to assassinate Clark Kent. Not because they know about the whole ‘Superman’ thing, but because they don’t like his journalism exposing their crimes. Now obviously they’re going to fail because indestructible alien demigod, that’s never in question, but will Clark’s fake identity as a human survive the process? He has to bluff his way through both surviving increasingly desperate murder attempts and doing so in a convincingly human way.
https://unpretty.space/post/138755935163/my-favorite-thing-that-clark-kent-does-is-try-to
Similar thoughts have occurred to me. Supes goes public domain in about a decade from what I hear, so maybe somebody will write just such a story. But if DC retains the trademark, I guess he couldn't be called Superman?
https://shinichihaku.substack.com/p/soy-morality-is-toxic-and-dangerous
See the capeshit section.
To tell you the truth, I miss the days when Superheroes fought common criminals or super-villains who only wanted to rob banks. Now everything is save the cosmos or save the multiverse.
I think you missed things, like the Comics Code, for example, that tied the hands of writers and artists for many years. And of course there were times—like when Captain America became Nomad—where they did address corrupt politicians, or when Lex Luthor became President. The examples may be few and far between, but it does happen.
So I think when you blame the death of comics on who they’re fighting, I think that’s only partially true.
I’ve written about Wertham and the Comics Code before. Also about the cosmic save-the-universe stuff. This is Part II of the trilogy…though I believe the most important part.