Marvel Sells Out

In recent months DC Comics has set the comic world on fire with their hit series "Infinite Crisis" and its follow up events, "52" and "One Year Later." Making the most of the cross over format, DC revisited one of their land mark events, namely "Crisis on Infinite Earths," and created a sequel even that felt daring, original, and natural (due in no small part to the 3 year build up to the event).

Naturally, the biggest question on everyone's mind was not what DC would do next, but rather how Marvel would answer. And, unfortunately, that answer would come in the form of "House of M" (something most people want to forget) and Marvel's supposed world changing "Civil War." "House of M" was designed as nothing more than a money scheme; a chance for the company to put out more special books for the fans to buy. Civil War isn't much better.

There was a time when Marvel, the legendary "House of Ideas," was innovative, creative, and daring. Today, however, they have become the ignored middle child, continually turning hurried and sloppy somersaults in order to get attention. The continuity of classic marvel used to be iron clad; every moment of every imaginary day was carefully mapped out- you could see the same character passing through different parts of the city in several different comics- a crossover in one book would mean that a character would be missing from their team book, and that their book would also mention that crossover. Today, however, Wolverine can be on FOUR (yes, Four) different super teams ("New Avengers," "Astonishing X-men," "Uncanny X-Men," and just plain "X-Men"), star in two of his own monthly books (Wolverine and Wolverine: origins), and still have at least 2 guest appearances a month.

Anxious for the extra buck, Marvel will do anything to get attention even undermine their own characters.

"Civil War" is centered around a government bill forcing all superheroes to reveal their identity, register with the government, and work for them. While DC was able to revisit a previous storyline with success, Marvel merely regurgitated the same storyline the supposedly tore the mutant world apart in the pages of X-men years ago. The conflict comes from the two sides of the argument, with cooperation championed by Iron man while rebellion is led by captain America.

The fights so far have felt strained and forced, and the story felt rushed and compacted. Marvel swears that this series will change their comics forever, and they may be right. They are effectively making legendary characters into soulless money making logos.

The latest travesty to come from this "earth shattering" event was something that was possibly the most anticipated blunder ever- the reveal of spider-man. That’s right, as of yesterday, the marvel world now knows that Peter Parker is Spider-man, thus removing an essential part of the character.

This is a travesty. Not much more to say, other than "Marvel Sucks." God help us all.