I don’t know whether to be amused or depressed that Edward Champion’s “Boilerplate for All Future Comics Articles” from 2006 (but recently uncovered again by Heidi MacDonald) still holds true today:
Comic books (use at least two of following) [are being taught in today's classrooms] [are selling ___ copies (insert sales figure of your choice that you feel best reflect economic boom)] [are being compared against Ulysses (MANDATORY COMPARISON)] [appeal to the young at heart] [are a sexy alternative to the novel].
Comic books are more than just Superman and Batman. [NOTE TO JOURNALIST: Avoid esoteric superhero references here. Stick with the big guns.]
[Frank Miller reinvented the form with The Dark Knight Returns.]
[Art Spiegelman tapped into personal experience for Maus.]
[Chris Ware has now transposed his talents to The New York Times.]
I guess it’s safe to say that comic books aren’t just for teenagers anymore. They just might be [categorized as literature] [be more than a guilty pleasure] too!
Actually, considering some of the press that’s surrounded DC’s New 52 relaunch – and there’s been a lot of it – I’m not even sure that anyone uses the “Comic books are more than just Superman and Batman” any more. Unless they’re going to follow it up with “There’s also Mister Terrific and Static, too – and they’re black!” or something similar.
