Character Consensus and the Evolution of Heroes

By: Kurt Amacker
Date: Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Readers often lambaste comic writers for screwing up their favorite characters. From EMERALD TWILIGHT to IDENTITY CRISIS to CIVIL WAR, nothing burns comic fans more than a wildly out-of-character depiction of a treasured childhood icon. Writer Ron Marz and editor Kevin Dooley received hate mail by the truckload for turning Hal Jordan from the noble Green Lantern into a homicidal maniac. Readers couldn't believe that Zatanna would mind-wipe all those villains over the years, much less Batman. They still can't believe that Tony Stark and Reed Richards caught a case of the aholes and cloned Thor to fight those heroes opposing the Superhuman Registration Act. Comic readers stand ready to fight tooth and nail for the characters they loved as children. If you're a comic writer, don't mess with Superman's haircut or the guy wearing the "Han Shot First" t-shirt will question your sexual orientation over at Newsarama. He might even glare at you from across the hall at San Diego Comic Con.

And yet, readers arrive at their understanding of so many characters through years of individual experience. We all own a unique composite vision of a given character based on different writers' work mixed with film and television adaptations. I'll use Batman as an example. Most of us see Batman as the intense, troubled Dark Knight envisioned by Frank Miller and brought to life on film by Tim Burton, Chris Nolan, and Bruce Timm and Paul Dini. Few readers see Adam West as the definitive Batman, and rarely do they concern themselves with the smiling, paternal Batman of the 1950s that had Ace the Bat-Hound at his side. And yet, fans once considered those lighter versions of the character definitive, for lack of any basis of comparison though admittedly, everyone but kids acknowledged the camp in the West show.

Granted, years of revamping continuity at DC has allowed readers to explain away sillier incarnations of Batman. For instance, post-CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS and starting with Frank Miller's YEAR ONE, we learned that Bruce Wayne always had a chip on his shoulder. However, that kind of retconning only provides narrative justification for unavoidable character evolution. If DC didn't mess with the timeline, the publisher would have to explain why he doesn't look 100 years old. Regardless, the current Batman evolved from the earliest version of the character. Just because DC said that all of the silliness of the Golden and Silver Age happened to a different Batman doesn't nullify history.

When publishers and different writers tell a character's story over a few generations, the character must evolve. Essentially, any creator working on an older character ultimately writes fan fiction. Granted, Mark Millar kindly avoided the slash route in CIVIL WAR and didn't write Reed Richards and Tony Stark have a very private, very naked moment together as part of their descent into villainy, but he created neither character. Anyone who says Millar doesn't "get" those characters fails to realize that technically, no one other than Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber, and Don Heck ever "got" them. Many readers jump to defend the integrity of superheroes, but really, they just rant because a given writer's vision doesn't coincide with their own. If you want to get down to it, every vision of Batman after Bob Kane and Bill Finger in some way violates the spirit of the original.

Of course, such logic sounds absurd. Read that again, before you click the Outlook icon. If you think that a writer understands your favorite character, it really means he owns a similar interpretation. That writer knows Batman the same way you do. But, no writer outside of the original creators can match that first vision of the character from 1939, which stands as the closest to a "true" interpretation as anyone could hope for. Really, no one else can lay claim to a character better than its creator. Thus, if you dismiss every writer's vision that doesn't match the "true" character, I hope you've read your Archive editions. See if you really mean that after you watch Batman kill a few criminals, smack around a broad, and spank Robin.

But really, anyone that employs such flawed logic has misunderstood the evolving, democratic endeavor that is comic writing. Marvel first published its mainstay heroes about 40 years ago. DC did so between 50 and 60 years ago. Countless writers shaped and rewrote those characters over the latter half of the 20th Century and up to the present. Every new vision of those superheroes has shaped the loose consensus readers share about a given character. We know Bruce Wayne is fked in the head. He's also brilliant. He's an urban legend in Gotham or not. But, those characteristics have emerged over Yet, no amount of retconning can repair the contributions of every damn writer that ever wrote the Bat. But, as few can read every instance of a given character, our perceptions spring from individual experience. If you first knew Batman through the Tim Burton film and then picked up DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and YEAR ONE, you have a very different understanding from someone who read Batman in the 1950s or knew the character through the god-awful Adam West show (yes, I said it).

Comics stand as modern folklore and, as such, they change in the retelling. Snow White, King Arthur, and Robin Hood have evolved over the centuries. Some versions are tame and appropriate for children, while others would keep the kids awake and crying. Similarly, while Adam West brought a campy, lighthearted Batman to children everywhere, Tim Burton, Christopher Nolan, and Frank Miller envisioned a disturbed nocturnal vigilante more appropriate for adults. Now, Grant Morrison writes the character with a wry sense of humor. And, while I've enjoyed the series thus far, it's not my preferred take on the Dark Knight. But, it's still Batman.

The Spinner Rack


By Al Brown, Kurt Amacker, Sean Connery, Burt Reynolds, Adam Sandler, Robin Williams & Alex Trebek


Alex Trebek: Despite my best efforts to the contrary, I've been forced to preside over a special COMICSCAPE edition of Celebrity Jeopardy. God help us, every one.

Sean Connery: Did I mention that I forcibly presided over your mother last night?

Alex Trebek:

DARK HORSE

Dark Horse for $100: If Kurt's mom was named Emily and also she wasn't so much of a whore, she would just be called this.


Burt Reynolds: What is, Emily The Strange #3 $7.95?

Dark Horse for $200: Emily The Strange Playing Cards $8.99


Sean Connery: Hey Trebek, I played poker once with your mother. Went all in on the first hand.


Alex Trebek: Mr. Connery, no jury would convict me. Let's move on.

DC COMICS

52 Week #22 $2.50

DC for $100: If Kurt got a new unit but kept the same measurements, he would call it this.
Burt Reynolds: What is All New Atom #4 $2.99?
Kurt: Squeel!

American Splendor #2 (of 4) (MR) $2.99

A good waste of $70.
Adam Sandler: What is Batman 13 Inch Deluxe Collector Figure $69.99. Look at meeee...talkin' in funny voices...on DVD...you can buy GRANDMA'S BOY.
Sean Connery: I'll show you my 13 inch deluxe. Have a look at that, Trebek!
Alex Trebek: Mr. Brown, would you please get off your knees and return to your podium.

Battler Britton #4 (of 5) $2.99

DC for $200: Boys #3 (MR) $2.99
Burt Reynolds: This might be too easy even for me.
Sean Connery: But not for me. What does Al crave day in and day out?

Cipher Vol 5 $9.99

Detective Comics #824 $2.99

DC for $300: Kurt rubbed himself funny while playing Dungeons & Dragons in his mother's basement and got this.


Adam Sandler: Hob...hobee doobee! What is Elfquest The Discovery TP $14.99?
Robin Williams: Elfquest? What are these elves and why do they quest? That's what coke does to you it sends you on a journey of sorts. First, it's the penthouse, then it's the bathroom stall at the club, then it's the bus station. Before you know it, you're the creepy guy that wants change from everyone!

Emma Vol 1 $9.99

Hellblazer #189 Poster $7.99

An apt description for Al's marriage.
Kurt: What is Infinite Crisis HC $24.99?
Sean Connery: I've seen her, and it's a crisis all right. No wonder he looks at the lads.

Jonah Hex #12 $2.99

Justice League Unlimited #26 $2.25

Looney Tunes #143 $2.25

Describe my arousal!
Sean Connery: What is Manifest Eternity #5 $2.99?
Alex Trebek: You wrote that on the board with a marker, Mr. Connery.
Sean Connery: I keep a spare in case your mother drops in.

DC for $400: The quest to figure out just how big Kurt's mom is is known as this.
Burt Reynolds: What is, Mystery In Space #2 (of 8) $3.99
Kurt: When can we expect SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT IV there, Horner?

Neil Gaimans Neverwhere #9 (of 9) (MR) $2.99

Nightmare On Elm Street #1 (MR) $2.99

Nightmare On Elm Street Var ED #1 (MR) $2.99

Nightwing #125 $2.99

Omac #4 (of 8) $2.99

DC for $500: After I did your mom, I flipped her over and did this.
Sean Connery: What is, Other Side #1 (of 5) (MR) $2.99?
Alex Trebek: Give me that marker.
Kurt: Al stuffed it in his pants. In the back, I mean.
Sean Connery: Do you think that will keep him away, lad?

Outsiders #41 $2.99

Swamp Thing #22 Poster $7.99

Winter Men #5 (of 8) (RES) (MR) $2.99

DC for $600: This is what Kurt convinced his wife that he was.
Sean Connery: What is, Y The Last Man #50 (MR) $2.99?
Al: You should really let her out of that bunker soon, man.
Kurt: I told her you were still alive and she refused.

IMAGE COMICS

City Of Heroes #16 $2.99

Cross Bronx #2 (MR) $2.99

Al's mother asked for this last night.
Sean Connery: What is Dawn Vol 3 Three Tiers Ltd ED HC (RES) $69.99?
Kurt: You were there, too? Jesus, she gets around.

Elephantmen #3 $2.99

Image for $100: What Kurt yells when he sees FBI agents at the door.
Turd Ferguson: Heh. Turd Ferguson, see? It's funny. What's Fear Agent #8 $2.99?

Hunter Killer Cassaday CVR #8 $2.99

Hunter Killer Silvestri CVR #8 $2.99

Image for $200: Liberty Meadows T/s Lg $16.99
Sean Connery: Well, I know what the "T" stands for.
Robin Williams: "T.S." like tough sh-t, right? It's like you're too busy to just say two words. Soon it'll be, "G.b. and f.y. a.s.a.p."

Liberty Meadows T/s Med $16.99

Liberty Meadows T/s Xl $16.99

Image for $300: Liberty Meadows T/s Xxl $17.99
Robin Williams: Yes, it's like, "Give me liberty or give me daisies," yes, like what is that anyway? Yes, Meadow from the Sopranos, "I've just got to be free!"
Alex Trebek: You're functionally retarded.

PVP #28 $2.99

Realm O/t Claw GN $16.99

Rising Stars Vol 3 Fire & Ash TP (new Ptg) $19.99

Rocketo #12 $3.99

Shadowhawk #15 $3.50

Al's mom, his wife, or his sister.
Sean Connery: What is Strange Girl #11 $2.99? Believe me, I caught 'em all.

MARVEL COMICS

Agents Of Atlas #3 (of 6) $2.99

Marvel for $100: Amazing Spider-Girl #0 $1.99
Burt Reynolds: Heh. That sounds hot.

Al takes his underage child brides here.
Kurt: Where is Beyond #4 (of 6) $2.99? I mean, that's what they cost these days, isn't it?

Civil War Front Line 2nd Ptg Var #2 (of 11) (PP #731) $2.99

Civil War Front Line 2nd Ptg Var #3 (of 11) (PP #731) $2.99

Al Brown.
Adam Sandler: What is Criminal #1 (MR) $2.99? Top of the game, baby!

Marvel for $200: F@ckbunnies.
Al: What is Doctor Strange Oath #1 (of 5) $2.99?
Alex Trebek: You've officially stopped making sense. I'm calling the police.

Doctor Strange Oath Ink Var #1 (of 5) $2.99

Dr Strange Vs Dracula Montesi Formula TP $19.99

You'll find an adult film with this name in Al's video collection.
Kurt: What is Essential X-Men Vol 1 TP New Ptg $16.99?
Sean Connery: And you'd know, lad?
Kurt: He keeps trying to tell me about it.

Fantastic Four #540 Cw $2.99

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #13 $2.99

Marvel for $300: If there was a wolverine the size of Al's manhood, it might be called this.
Doctor Dastardly: What is Giant Size Wolverine #1 $4.99?
Kurt: I see you got the marker from Al. That mustn't have been too difficult.
Alex Trebek: Mr. Brown, we know that's you wearing a mask.

Marvel for $400: Heroes For Hire 2nd Ptg Tucci Var #1 (PP #731) $2.99
Sean Connery: Your mother hired me to be a hero in her Tucci once. I only charged her a dollar.
Kurt: I charged Al's mom more and she still ponyed up took out a second mortgage on the trailer for one wild night on the Goth Train.

Incredible Hulk #99 $2.99

Al and his pecker.
Kurt: What is Irredeemable Ant-Man #1 $2.99? All right, I stole the marker from Dr. Dastardly.

Last Planet Standing TP $13.99

Marvel Adventures Flip Magazine #17 $4.99

Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #20 $2.99

Marvel Heroes Flip Magazine #17 $4.99

Marvel for $500: Sean Connery and Burt Reynolds teaming up on Kurt's mom.
Burt Reynolds: What is, Marvel Team-up #25 $2.99?
Sean Connery: Ha! It's the Daily Double!
Kurt: Did you guys form a man-chain or something?

Max Sampler (MR) (PP #730) $1.00

New Avengers 2nd Ptg Chaykin Var #21 (PP #731) $2.99

Thunderbolts 2nd Ptg Grummet Var #104 (PP #731) $2.99

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol 7 HC $29.99

Ultimate X-Men #75 Turner Poster $6.99

Marvel for $600: Ultimate X-Men Vol 14 Phoenix? TP $14.99
Al: I don't know what to do when the answer is in the form of a question.

A titular redundancy.
Kurt: What is Wolverine Origin Premiere HC $19.99? How can an origin not include a premiere?
Sean Connery: Titulars can never be redundant, lad!
Alex Trebek: I'm going home to cry myself to sleep.

Wolverine Origin Premiere HC Var ED $19.99

A story dragged out far too long.
Dr. Dastardly: What is X-Men Phoenix Warsong #2 (of 5) $2.99? Wait, where did everybody go?