Obsidian Potency 3.0
Captain America Is Dead.
posted Tuesday, 20 March 2007
In case you hadn't heard, Marvel Comics has killed Captain America.
In case you're of the opinion that this kind of nerdy comic-book crap isn't important, MSNBC, BBC, Fox News and CNN would all disagree. This is huge news - not just here, but worldwide.
For those without a comic book background, Captain America is one of the oldest running superheroes. He began fighting Nazis in print, while real U.S. soliders were fighting WWII in real life. He has been around in one form or another ever since then.
To get a summary of the events leading to his death, I would read the CNN article I linked to above (or read the books, of course). But to make a long story short, a Superhuman/Costumed Hero Registration Act takes effect after a young hero's actions mistakenly lead to the deaths of 800 people. The government decides that all heroes must be registerd. The pro-registration side is led by Iron Man. The anti-registration side is led by Captain America. Iron Man believes that registrations is a natural evolutionary step. Captain America feels that it violates civil rights to force heroes to reveal their secret identities, register and become government employees. He fears the abuses this might cause. And he has a point: during the series, sercret prisons and detentions without trial become commonplace. Civil War, as Marvel called the story, blatantly plays off current events.
Captain America surrenders during a final battle when he realizes the common, ordinary citizens are against him. After his surrender, he is assassinated by a sniper.
It's pretty clear what kind of statement Marvel is trying to make. Killing off Captain America proclaims in no uncertain terms that the America he represented doesn't exist anymore. Apparently, his country had outgrown the old-fashioned ideals he represented.
It's also pretty clear that Marvel is making a killing off this story, and that other motives might be at work. A Captain America movie recently was optioned, and production is scheduled to begin shortly. The comic sold out, but Marvel never closed the first printing - meaning that in a couple of weeks, fans might be able to chase down an 'original' copy. Killing him brings Cap more attention (and more book sales) than he's had in decades.
On top of all that, it's been well established that in comic books, just like in soap operas, nobody stays dead. I'd be stunned if Captain America was any different.
In case you're of the opinion that this kind of nerdy comic-book crap isn't important, MSNBC, BBC, Fox News and CNN would all disagree. This is huge news - not just here, but worldwide.
For those without a comic book background, Captain America is one of the oldest running superheroes. He began fighting Nazis in print, while real U.S. soliders were fighting WWII in real life. He has been around in one form or another ever since then.
To get a summary of the events leading to his death, I would read the CNN article I linked to above (or read the books, of course). But to make a long story short, a Superhuman/Costumed Hero Registration Act takes effect after a young hero's actions mistakenly lead to the deaths of 800 people. The government decides that all heroes must be registerd. The pro-registration side is led by Iron Man. The anti-registration side is led by Captain America. Iron Man believes that registrations is a natural evolutionary step. Captain America feels that it violates civil rights to force heroes to reveal their secret identities, register and become government employees. He fears the abuses this might cause. And he has a point: during the series, sercret prisons and detentions without trial become commonplace. Civil War, as Marvel called the story, blatantly plays off current events.
Captain America surrenders during a final battle when he realizes the common, ordinary citizens are against him. After his surrender, he is assassinated by a sniper.
It's pretty clear what kind of statement Marvel is trying to make. Killing off Captain America proclaims in no uncertain terms that the America he represented doesn't exist anymore. Apparently, his country had outgrown the old-fashioned ideals he represented.
It's also pretty clear that Marvel is making a killing off this story, and that other motives might be at work. A Captain America movie recently was optioned, and production is scheduled to begin shortly. The comic sold out, but Marvel never closed the first printing - meaning that in a couple of weeks, fans might be able to chase down an 'original' copy. Killing him brings Cap more attention (and more book sales) than he's had in decades.
On top of all that, it's been well established that in comic books, just like in soap operas, nobody stays dead. I'd be stunned if Captain America was any different.
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