Comics

Whether it be Marvel’s “Champions” which introduced a variety of different super powered teenaged individuals with an equal amount of variety when it comes to their racial backgrounds or the introduction of a female Iron Man for a new generation of Marvel comic readers, or DC Comics giving Superman a different outlook to the planet he calls home in the comics as well as the Man of Steel and Batman vs Superman movies. While comic readers sometimes read about these extraordinary individuals to take a break from reality, they often tend to reflect the reality that we the audience lives in.

While strolling through a Comic Con, people may notice big name artists adjacent to newer artist throughout the main racetrack, known as artist alley. The bigger name artists are protected by the company they work for. An example would be Jim Lee, currently working for DC comics. He can draw Batman and make prints to sell at these conventions without facing legal ramification. How does a newer artist trying to get to the level of Jim Lee, make art without facing copyright infringement or similar legal penalties? They need to get their name and brand established by making work, but if it is copyright protected how can they get away with making prints of it anyway?

Analyze the aspects that make Batman and Superman inspiring, and then aim to understand which of these aspects could be beneficia, and which may be harmful. For example, Batman is one of the most self disciplined characters of all time, but at the same time, he goes against the law and constantly breaks the rules. How much of this should youth today aspire to be like?

In the midst of latex suits and end-of-world-scenarios, Groot is an anomaly. Why would ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ writers give Groot a character arc which parallels stages of human development, including infancy? Arguably, his presence allows the compassion to be revealed in other characters and also, completes the idea of a family structure in Guardians. Are there other characters who play this role in other branches of the Marvel/DC universes?

For a comic that’s ostensibly about lesbian bondage sex, Sunstone manages to say a lot about relationships. It looks into all kinds of relationships, be it romantic, sexual, familial or friendship and does a great job of showing how each is important in its own right.

Of special interest might be its exploration of the transitions from one kind of relationship to another as seen in friends becoming lovers and returning to being friends and finding that to be an incredibly special bond and also the struggle that the lead characters face in moving from a "friends-with-benefits" relationship to actual romance.

How has the Comics Code Authority impacted the development of American comics? Despite the fact that this is no longer a concern in the industry, does the history of having that organization and the way it affected the medium still show in comics published today? Maybe a comparison with European comics would be helpful here.

For years, both Marvel and DC Comics have been publishing annual comic book event series that promise big stakes in order to generate revenue. However, this trend is becoming too common and these events can be hits or misses. This article would examine the pros and cons of comic book event series and detail examples that have been praised or reviled by readers.

For the past few years, the popularity of comics have surged. Statistically, in 2015 comics and graphic novels sales topped $1 billion, including print and digital. Why is this? The rise of cinematic universes such as the MCU and DCU is one obvious answer however, looking deeper, there are other reasons. First off, has accessibility contributed? With different apps providing libraries of comics for a subscription-like price becoming increasingly popular, is print dying down? Then there is services like Netflix showcasing original series like all the marvel ones or Riverdale, each having comics as source material. Will these new forms of accessing comics hold the popularity rate? Or will it die down again only to be re-birthed in many years?