Bill Jemas Is Making Sense
Trust me, this is as odd as Alan Keyes doing it.
From Minority report: Marvel series tells 'The Truth' :
Marvel's president, Bill Jemas, says the comic is more about honoring contributions made by countless African-American men and women in the war effort than it is about Tuskegee or the iconic character of Captain America. Still, Jemas admits the company has suffered a minor backlash. Some comic book stores are refusing to carry the book and Marvel continues to receive angry e-mails denouncing the book."I can't tell you how many e-mails I've gotten recently that begin with 'I'm not a racist, but ...' What they really should be saying is 'I'm a racist, and ... ' Damn it, let America react to this the way they will. Yes, Captain America is an icon and it's worrisome to some that we would monkey with an icon. An icon has got to be relevant, though," Jemas says.
Not that I plan to buy the thing, despite the Kyle Baker artwork. Don't think I've bought a comic since the last issue of Transmetropolitan. . .
Want to know more?
That's nice.
Update 11/22: My apologies. If you want to know more, Jason makes with the review and the links, and Dru makes with the observations.
They'll be handling the comics section at wimmenandminorities.com, you know.
Comments
Don't worry, I'll be picking it up...I'm decidedly curious.
Did the last issue of Transmetropolitan come before or after the first issue of Global Frequency? You do have the first issue of GF right?
Right?
Posted by: Jason | November 17, 2002 2:52 PM
Um, I'm waiting for the trade on Global Frequency? Yes, that's it. Waiting for the trade.
How can you even think of buying a Marvel comic? Smilin' Stan is suing them!
Posted by: Aaron | November 17, 2002 5:03 PM
I don't think I've actively read any since Transmet ended, either. I keep trying to get into The Filth, but it's like my heart's just not in it anymore.
Sigh.
Posted by: Monkey | November 18, 2002 2:05 AM
"Cap is currently enjoying some new-found relevance due to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Some see the book as an attack on his otherwise squeaky-clean image."
Did I READ THAT RIGHT? What the FUCK?
Posted by: drublood | November 18, 2002 7:53 AM
Dru, we're meant to be grateful the article didn't have Batman tv-show style "Pow! Bam!" stuff in it. Stop looking at the content.
And I noted a distinct lack of superhero comics in the ones you mentioned reading back in the day anyway.
Monkey, did you like Invisibles? There were bits of it I loved, and bits that left me thinking that if I were much more intelligent and well-read, I might be capable of understanding, let alone enjoying, it. . .
Posted by: Aaron | November 18, 2002 9:04 AM
the invisibles, yesss!!! the author has his own very cool web log, but the way. can't remember the url but it's easily googled. he did a fantastic half-crocked interview at disinfo.com too (one of the few remaining reasons to patronize those sellouts).
i am going to buy twenty copies of the new captain america and give them out as stocking gifts. speaking as a swedish american, i am just as enthused about having an african american captain america as i would be about having an african american president. in other words, totally, why the hell not, it's about time! uh oh, i forgot about carnivore, the thought police are coming...there's a black helicopter outside my office window...aaargh!
Posted by: fertile_jim | November 18, 2002 2:48 PM
Grant Morrison has two sites these days, http://www.grant-morrison.com/ and the I-never-remember http://www.crackcomicks.com/.
You all are starting to make me feel guilty about not getting the book.
I think I shall buy the smut Hanne mentioned instead, just to spite you.
Posted by: Aaron | November 18, 2002 4:11 PM
Colleen's stuff is Good Food, Aaron. Plus it's got pretty naked girls in it, and heck, pretty naked girls are fun to look at and make people smile.
Posted by: hanne | November 18, 2002 7:57 PM
No, I missed the Invisibles due to time spent wallowing in Transmet, but I've asked for the trades for Christmas. If there's an intelligent shopper in my family, I might be able to get back to you on that in January.
Posted by: Monkey! | November 19, 2002 1:46 AM