In a recent CBR blog ‘editorial’, Jerry Ordway writes about his feelings about the ‘darkening’ of MARY MARVEL. I have to say that I agree with everything Jerry says in his writings. It truly astounds me that it seems as though there are no characters to be spared a transformation to a dark, grim and ‘extreme’ version of their former selves. Don’t get me wrong– I enjoy comic book heroes being put through their paces and facing dark and foreboding threats. I can even appreciate the death of a character or the experiences of a character making them cynical, jaded and … yeah, dark. However, when the entirety of a comic book company’s line of books becomes some shadowed mirror of their former incarnations…I just get tired and lose interest in everything that company might have to offer. That’s what’s happened for me with DC’s books. When I see the image of MARY MARVEL being struck by lightning and transforming into some dark kind-of-slutty teenager in a black cheerleader’s outfit… it makes me wonder why.

I would think that with DC’s new MINX line of comics aimed at girls, MARY MARVEL would have been a perfect candidate for introducing young ladies to a more superhero-themed character. It really doesn’t do DC any good, in my opinion, to guarantee that women of any age will be repelled by their attempts to cater to the ever dwindling male fan base who like their female characters scantily clad…. and dark.

Am I an old fuddy-duddy for feeling this way? I don’t think so. I feel like I’m someone who likes to see some balance in comics that will help them grow… not keep on the path of becoming a prurient niche market.

OK.. that’s it for another week. Have a great weekend, all.

This is Entry 387.

Mike