The comic blogosphere seems to grow larger every day and just like comics, sometimes it’s pretty easy to get a little lost. “Meanwhile …” will act as your map, pointing out what interesting discussions are happening out there while you’re reading Blog@Newsarama.

Well, um, last week turned into quite the kerfluffle, didn’t it? This week, hopefully, not so much. Well, we’ll see, won’t we?

For Whom the Bell Tolls

The recent death of Marvel hero Freedom Ring has Ray of Super Underwear Perverts thinking:

So what exactly was it about Curtis that Kirkman felt deserved such a brutal, graphic death? Was he just an idiot? He certainly didn’t act all that bright at times, especially in battle. But many Marvel heroes screwed-up early in their careers, and yet they all survived their first outings. Spider-Man famously let a thief run-away without stopping him because he couldn’t be bothered, and that same crook ended-up murdering his Uncle Ben. It was a pretty harsh lesson, but Pete survived it. He didn’t get impaled or spiked twenty-to-thirty times just for the crime of being a bumbling self-interested jerk.

While Lyle at Crocodile Caucus has some questions of his own.

Which raises a few questions: Did Quesada know that Marvel Team-Up (which violated the policy by “starring” a gay character without a Mature Readers warning) was on comic shop shelves when he defended the policy? Did anyone realize that the series would be violating the policy as it went through editorial approvals? When Quesada announced the policy was no longer in place, did he realize that the proof that the policy had been lifted would be ending soon and its “star” killed off? (A fact that subtly contradicts the image of a tolerant and progressive Marvel that Quesada was trying to invoke in that interview.)

To sum, did Quesada know what was going on in his house when he talked about the house rules?

Industry Talk?

Calvin Pitt asks whether 52 or the monthly comics should take priority..

Steven Padnick asks if twelve issues a year is too much to ask..

While Gail Simone hates the question: “Why aren’t you buying?”

Real World Check

Scott from Polite Dissent analyzes the use of anthrax in Animal Man:

Anthrax is a disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a rod shaped bacteria. When exposed to harsh conditions, the bacteria forms a spore that can survive for decades. When this spore enters an animal or human body, it rapidly comes to life and begins reproducing and pumping out potent toxins. Thankfully, anthrax is a rare disease is humans, though it has become notorious for its potential as a biological warfare agent.

Meanwhile, Loren at Suspension of Disbelief addresses the likelihood of Skeets actually finding a direct-line paternal ancestor of Booster Gold.

Underappreciated Character Corner

Charlie Anders develops a new appreciation for Dazzler:

I was never terribly interested in Dazzler, Marvel’s rock-star superhero character, but that was before I realized her comic was he ultimate daddy-issues saga.

Our own Carla Hewitt defends the Sentry:

I like the Sentry. I like the ordinary man given extrodinary powers and abilities who has to struggle with being human first, and a hero second. I like seeing how the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one. I would have loved to see Bob show up in books as this lonely man looking up to the sky, watching the heroes overhead and knowing that could have been him again. I like my character’s flaws to be central to their everyday life.

While the Fortress’s Keeper remembers Mind-Grabber Kid:

Anyway … proving without a doubt that pop culture is eating itself, both Marvel and DC are dusting off obscure characters right and left. Over at Joe Q’s kingdom, for example, such nigh-forgotten (but awesome) creations as Humbug and Dr. Bong are enjoying their moments in the sun.

And Devon loves the love between Big Barda and Scott Free:

He’s never truly had a “definitive” story, his Justice League tenure didn’t exactly set the world on fire, he has a dubious Apokalyptan origin, he’s currently M.I.A. Despite all of this, his is one name that almost always comes up when asked about people’s favorite comic book characters.

Mr. Miracle.

In trying to figure out why this character works, I find the one thing that makes him soar.

Quick Hits

Steven thinks there should be more death in comics.

Melchior likes the humane perspective in Alex Ross’s Justice.

Katherine is a Marvellite and unashamed. (She also has doubts about Joss Whedon’s upcoming run on Runaways.)

Heidi Meeley makes me want to read Devi.

Chris Sims celebrates the single greatest war comic ever produced, as well as the most Silver-Agey word balloon ever.

Brainfreeze discusses age appropriate comics from the dual perspectives of a parent and a comic fan.

While Tom Foss just really likes Freakazoid.

Douglas at 52-Pickup has a challenge for DCU fans. (Ragnell has already made a go at one.)

Finally, 100littledolls is holding the next Carnival of Feminist Science Fiction and Fantasy fans, so prepare submissions!

And Last But Not Least…

Illustrator’s Site of the Week: Lisa found this one for me. Because she is awesome: Kyle Baker has a blog! AND an animated podcast! Neat, huh?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 19th, 2006 at 3:26 am and is filed under Internet, Meanwhile.... You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.