I must admit that I find myself a bit conflicted as of recent. While I love to indulge in my fair share of mainstream gossip sites, as a comic book fan I take issue when I see these outlets talking about major changes in the comics universe. I think it’s great that comic books are getting way bigger attention than they did for many years but to me it comes off as uneducated when places make a big deal about Thor now becoming a Woman or Captain America now being black. Often when a major character change occurs in the comic book world to someone who is also big in film, comic book fans – including myself – find themselves saying “they’ll be back before the launch of the next movie.”
When I thought about this it occurred to me that if every news outlet was picking up these bold changes that perhaps the rest of the Avengers will also be subject to upcoming change in the comics. Marvel has received some great publicity from these changes and I can only imagine it would get bigger if they messed with Iron Man and Hulk too. Avengers is still just under a year away which is plenty of time for them to figure out how they restore the characters in time for the movies.
So whats next? I guess we will find out.
I agree with you Stephen. It’s really just aimed at casual fans who dont even read actual comics. They scoff and act offended when they dont even know who Sam Wilson is or how many other hundreds of people have held Thor’s hammer. Cap’s first pick would be Falcon. Mjolnir determines who wields it. The changes make sense and real fans know it’ll be back to normal soon because Steve Rogers is Captain America. It’s not a big deal to us. I’m one of those who thinks its cool to see someone else assume the role of a hero, especially if the two are close. Battle for the Cowl had me buying Batman books again to see Nightwing assume the mantle. But I guess any publicity is good…
Good point about Sam Wilson. The more I think about it, the more I do think publicity for the movies is a big driver behind these changes. For example I find it very interesting they’ve chosen a character that made an appearance in the Winter Soldier movie to take over for Cap. Out of all the characters they could have picked they choose one that was in the movie? Intriguing… :D
Yeah. It’s almost a no brainer since he was in the movie, like you say, and he’s Cap’s best friend in the books. I dont actually have a gripe with Marvel for their business/Hollywood plan because it isnt destroying characters and the changes make sense. The shock value is real but it doesnt feel like the only reason they did it. I have more of a problem with casual fans screaming, Nooo1!!!1 I refuse to see the movie or support a female Thor!1!! No one cares because it wont carry over into the movie anyway.
I need to add like buttons to the comments, as I would totally like your comment. :D