Identity Crisis
Many people dismiss comic books as pointless drivel for children. For those of that opinion, you need to take a look at DC’s Identity Crisis. It is an incredibly deep – and quite dark – look at how secret identities might really work in a super hero world.
Spoiler warning, by the way.
The story starts with the death of one of the long-time supporting/non-meta characters – the wife of Ralph Digby, the Elongated Man. It was a heart rending set of scenes, telling first of how they met, fell in love, and then the revelation of her death. Her funeral. It’s all well written and well drawn. Excellent work.
Much of the story is told from one of my favorite character’s point of view – Green Arrow. Some amazing interactions between the original Flash, Hal Jordan Green Lantern, Hawkman, the Atom, Zatanna, Black Canary, and Green Arrow. The choices the group makes, and the affects the ripple through the story.
The idea of a secret getting discovered – like any of their secret identities, is the worst nightmare of the heroes. They can’t protect their loved ones 24-7. Not even Clark/Superman.
I have to admit, I’ve been a Marvel maniac for years because of the character development, but right now, DC is doing a better job of keeping me hooked. Marvel is not tying together their worlds right now – X-Men and Marvel Mainstream barely have any real continuity with each other right now. Heck, as X-Men got more and more popular, the less I liked them. Right now I don’t collect any X-books.
DC right now is the better story telling company.
posted by The Lord of Castle Zierath @ 10:32 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Amen to that! DC has been the better comic book company for years. I was an almost 100% Marvel colletor 10 years ago. The only thing I have collected in the last 10 years is DC. I think they have much better character development, much better story lines and overall a much more 'real' feeling world. Yes they changed continuity a couple of times and I am sure they will again. But they don't make everyone purple or green and completely relaunch the whole world every two years and change all the back history for no reason. At least when DC does it they give you a reason. I was glancing through an Ultimate Spiderman trade the other day and was suprised that Spiderman and Shadowcat are dating. Marvel runs it regular books and the Ultimate books side by side, even though they contradict each other. I understand the Ultimates are hugely popular, probably because they are starting the world over for new readers. It is just annoying.
DC all the way! (with some indies thown in there too!)
Don't give up on the Ultimate Universe that quickly. If you read from the beginning, they are all pretty good series. I have to admit, when they started the Ultimate world, I was very ticked off and refused to buy them. I did pick up the trade backs of Ult Spidey and X-men, and was amazed at the level of writing in them. They are probably the best things coming out of Marvel right now.
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