> Congratulations to America on electing a new President. We on this side of the Atlantic watched with fascination as the electoral drama played out, culminating in a remarkable BBC News all-night broadcast wherein they tried to do an American-style results reportage in a very British manner – something akin to filming a Spaghetti Western in Liverpool.
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> Many pundits and commentators have written about what Obama’s election might mean for the US and the world, but so far I’ve not seen anybody cover the most important aspect of his Presidency – the effect he’ll have on comics.
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> Comics, and especially Marvel comics, have always reflected something of contemporary culture and attitudes, from the Jap-a-Nazi and Commie bashing of the 40s and 50s, through the vibrant optimism of the Kennedy years, through the 60s counterculture (“He’s a real pussywillow†– Aunt May, 1967), through the disillusionment with government after Nixon’s fall, and onwards from there.
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> The most recent sea change began after the September 11th Twin Tower bombings and subsequent military actions in the Middle East. Superhero stories became first more “down to Earthâ€Â, then more “widescreenâ€Â. The themes reflected tensions and doubts and divisions in America, raising questions of just wars and the appropriate limits of government intervention. Heroes battled heroes more bitterly than ever before, and there were no good guys left. Captain America died.
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> With the election of Barack Obama the world may just have changed again. His election night speech showed that his post-victory message was going to be as carefully constructed and as well delivered as his campaign, and that “change has come.†Obama vigorously attacked cynicism and strongly reasserted American values – “liberty, democracy, opportunityâ€Â. It is clear that he intends to set a new agenda by granting permission to the media and to the people of America to talk about and take pride in some of the traditional strengths of the nation.
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> This new direction, this new national zeitgeist, does not sit well with current comics (and again, especially current post-Civil War Marvel comics). Guantanamo Bay and WMD witch-hunts were the legacy of an unpopular Bush administration, and the events of the Marvel universe mirrored them through federalisation of superhumans and legitimisation of extreme measures. Comics are as dark as they have ever been, with little place for hope or heroism. Comics may now be out of step with the mood of America.
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> Obama’s election night address seems to lay out the tone for his Presidency. Times are hard and there are all kinds of problems. We have things worth striving for and we have things we should be proud of. Let’s get to work. Over the coming months I believe we’ll start to see some of this reflected in comics, as the heroes rediscover their roots, face up to a world that needs fixing, and work for change.
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> What does this mean in story terms though? In the Marvel universe it might mean the end of the 50-state initiative, new curbs on the power of Stark and SHIELD, a renewed sense of positive change in titles with young people in them, a move away from the hopeless cynicism of recent plotlines. For DC it could mean repaired fellowship amongst iconic heroes, and especially for a restored prominence for Superman, surely the least cynical and most crusading hero of them all -a battling for truth, justice, and the American way. It could bring tackling issues of race and prejudice to the fore once more, granting new relevance to the X-titles. It may mean the return of Steve Rogers, personification of the American Dream.
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> I shall be watching with interest to see how well Obama’s talking points and (presumably) policy choices find their way into comics. Bipartisanship, support of allies and friends, resistance against aggression, even economic restructuring may drive storylines and set the tone for the next generation of comics events. A new generation of writers may also be required, bringing fresh voices free from the dark betrayals of previous plotlines.
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> It's not going to be quick and it's not going to be easy to dig ourselves out of the hole we are in, but America is a strong and resilient country and I know that we will succeed if we put aside partisanship and politics to work together†- Barack Obama in Chicago or Cap in Avengers Mansion?
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> IW.
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Scott
NIGHT CHILDREN: THE BLOG.
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