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.

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.

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.

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 Earth”, then more “widescreen”. 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.

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, opportunity”. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

IW.

'SNL' cast member John McCain dies at 76
War hero, former congressman found 'third act' as beloved comic performer

November 2012 — After his presidential bid suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of then-Senator Barack Obama four years ago, a number of pundits wondered what would become of John McCain, whose campaign had come under sharp criticism from members of both sides of the political aisle. After spending five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and serving for decades as an Arizona senator who had earned the respect of many fellow politicians in both parties, several commentators wondered whether McCain's once-distinguished reputation could ever be salvaged.

McCain's redemption came from an unexpected source, when Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," asked the then-72-year-old McCain to consider coming on board "SNL" as a full-time cast member. McCain's previous guest appearances on the show had scored both high ratings and rave reviews, and Michaels saw potential in McCain's genial, spirited on-air performances, which even the majority of McCain's critics agreed had easily outclassed his on-air performances during his presidential debates against Obama.

And with that, McCain made history, by becoming the oldest active "SNL" cast member in the show's history. His first few episodes were limited mostly to appearances as Seth Myers' co-anchor on the show's "Weekend Update" segments, where his mischievously-delivered bipartisan jabs at the government earned him goodwill from the audience, even in New York, a state that had voted overwhelmingly against him. McCain eventually become so popular behind the "Weekend Update" desk that Jon Stewart, a long-time friend of McCain's, tapped him to serve as a temporary correspondent and color commentator for "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" during the 2010 congressional elections.

However, even within his first season on "SNL," McCain's roles on the show soon extended well beyond political commentary, as he proved himself to be a surprisingly enthusiastic and energetic, albeit occasionally physically stiff, performer. Indeed, among younger viewers of "SNL," McCain might be less well-known as a former Navy pilot or long-time congressman than he is as the man who played a number of recurring fan-favorite characters, including "Sad Grandpa," "Jake the Geriatric Love Machine," and "Nursing Home Luthor." A spin-off movie for "Jake the Geriatric Love Machine," a character whose cheesy come-ons inexplicably attracted women of all ages (his catchphrase was "Viagra powers, active!"), was planned for next year, but will likely be scrapped in the wake of McCain's death.

Tina Fey, one of McCain's most frequent onscreen collaborators, praised his willingness to throw himself into his parts with abandon, even when the demanding schedule of "SNL" took a physical toll on the war-wounded veteran. In 2010, Fey was elected to the Arizona senate seat once occupied by McCain.

McCain passed away peacefully in his sleep, barely hours after the taping of this week's "SNL" episode. His widow, Cindy, was last seen mourning in the arms of a buff, 20-something swimming instructor identified only as "Chad."

In the immediate future I doubt we'll see that much of a change in the "grim and gritty" tone comics have taken. Marvel's next big event is called "Dark Reign", and that there will be a new New Avengers title coming out of that, with the cheery title "Dark Avengers." They've been dropping hints that the Skrulls are going to make some gains in the Secret Invasion, perhaps even sticking around, as well as rumors that its going to be the villains who come out of the entire storyline as the winners essentially taking over all or part of Marvel Earth.

And there's always the possibility that the next head of SHIELD is going to be Norman Osborn. Make of that what you will.

As for DC my guess is they are going to continue Geoff Johns's formula for success: bring back Silver Age elements to stories but "modernize" them, which to him seems to mean "make sure there's a high body count when the dust settles."

Could things change? Possibly, but I think we're past the point of comics reflecting ideas of hope and optimism because those concepts are linked to the emotion that drove a lot of those Silver Age stories: wonder, and that's something that you rarely see in superhero stories anymore.


> 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.

> > 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. > > 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. > > 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 Earth”, then more “widescreen”. 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. > > 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, opportunity”. 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. > > 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. > > 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. > > 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. > > 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. > > 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? > > IW. > >

... But I do think that, within the next year or so, pressure WILL be brought to bear, and while Quesada and DiDio might be content to see their products cater to an ever-decreasing market, the fact of the matter is that their BOSSES won't be, especially not when superheroes are as popular in other media as ever, so if comics' recent burst of success in appealing to the "mainstream market" is followed by them suddenly falling out of favor, even as the CHARACTERS in those comics continue to be popular in other media, then guys like Bendis and Meltzer and Millar and Johns will have a choice, just as their EiCs will - either meet the growing optimism of a mainstream audience that wants its superheroes to be closer to "classic heroes" than to "heroes with feet of clay," or find yourselves playing exclusively to an ever-diminishing crowd of 30 and 40-somethings who aren't ready to quit superheroes, but are still embarrassed enough to be reading "kids' stuff" that they need it to be misanthropic and fatalistic.

It'll be interesting to see how all the "grim and gritty" fans, who accused fans of more optimistic superheroes of being "afraid of change," react when THEY'RE the ones being pressured to change. I sincerely hope that it's as painful as possible for them, because, you know, fuck them.

> 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. > > 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. > > 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. > > 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 Earth”, then more “widescreen”. 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. > > 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, opportunity”. 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. > > 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. > > 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. > > 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. > > 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. > > 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? > > IW. > >