This past year was a good one for comic books, with several successful comic book movies and several characters from ethnic or religious minorities getting their own titles. Both DC and Marvel also published several company-wide events this year.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU for short) is increasing the relevancy of comic books like never before. Once-obscure comic book characters like Black Widow and Loki have been catapulted into the spotlight by blockbusters like The Avengers. Future films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man will showcase virtual unknowns and explore more esoteric branches of the Marvel Universe. Gone is the industry’s campiness; for the first time in a while, comic books are cool.
Comic book storylines are better than ever; readers have a dizzying variety to choose from, ranging from Saga’s sweeping space opera to Young Avengers’ touching coming of age story. Even gimmicky characters like Thor have been given beautiful character arcs such as Jason Aaron’s The God Butcher. Readers who belong to any minority have someone to identify with in comic books, from the half-Lebanese Green Lantern Simon Baz to gay Young Avengers Wiccan and Hulkling. Fans of any genre can find a comic book they love; there’s even a series that riffs on the Hunger Games.
Writers haven’t been afraid to change the status quo this year. Batman’s been hit hard this year; both the original Robin (Dick Grayson) and his newest counterpart (Damian Wayne) died. Spider-Man has also died, and villain Otto Octavius has carried on his legacy as the Superior Spider-Man. The original five X-men traveled forward in time. Villains became the good guys in Forever Evil and Marvel got a facelift in its Marvel NOW! reboot.
Our school and local libraries have a wide variety of excellent graphic novels and collected comic events; be sure to check them out!
by Ananya Nrusimha
