Comics, Simply Comics

I'm gonna kinda free-form something here. I got a rant forming at the back of my brain, but it's gonna need paper before it gels.

Comic books, as most of us know, are a dying art form. The companies aren't making the money they used to, and on the whole, most people don't appreciate comics. Which is sad, since comics have a lot going for them.

As most any comic geek could tell you (and no, I'm not a comic geek, much as I'd like to be), comics suffer from the opinion that they are for kids. Really, I don't know why that is, as most of the people that I know who read comics are far older than, oh let's say 12.

I think it's the whole Idea that once you reach a certain age, you aren't supposed to enjoy superheroes, and therefore, comic books anymore. I'm not certain how long this opinion will last, what with the renaissance of Comic Book Movies we currently have going on. I'm hoping the art form. sees a 2nd (or that might actually be at this point 3rd) coming.

Another flaw with the current state of comics is the lack of concern over continuity. Both Marvel and DC run more or less streamlined continuities. everything that ever happened to Spider-man or Superman is all still part of the hero, and will remain so. It's a nice way of running things, cause it makes the heroes have a long and glorious past... it also makes it impossible for artists to keep up with heroes they start working on.

I mean, really, if you took over Superman, would you want to read everything he's ever been in before jumping straight in. No, neither would I, and so most comic book artists probably reach for a handy-dandy "Superman Cliffs Notes" and just jump in. Course in the process, if they feel Superman is too much of a boyscout and they want him darker, they can do that... which can have consequences on the fan base.

I hear plenty of fans say that this or that superhero is acting far outside the bounds of his character type and really shouldn't be doing now what he's doing because of stuff that happened 5 years, or 10 years, or 50 years ago. Tween you and me, if they know what happened to say... the Flash, 50 years ago, as well as everything since then, they need a less costly hobby, some beer, and a girl, cause damn, they are in it deep.

So yeah, continuity. Comics suffer cause you can;t just dive in every year or so, buy a book and see what's going on. Half the time the comic has switched hands and suddenly the hero you knew is a different person... At least, that's been my experience.

Anyway, I dunno if I actually said anything amazing or pithy, but I'm tapped for now, so, laters.