|
|
Post by G on Jun 9, 2010 23:28:13 GMT -5
The "I'm sick of mini-series" thread and the posts created there got me to thinking. We were discussing how there is no real Anthology series anymore and publishers typically try out new characters and concepts these days with mini-series instead of the old days where they actually appeared in some team-up book as a guest appearance or if the company was really feeling bold, they would give the character it's own title and see how long it could survive in the comic selling jungle. And being we are in the days now where it doesn't seem like there is really very many new characters being forcibly launched out there. I got to thinking.... Just who was the last TRULY ICONIC comic character that launched? You know the early Golden age years had tons of them like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America and even the Silver Age had a large collection of iconic characters like Spiderman, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Hulk, Thor, Daredevil, etc. But ya know, those kind of iconic larger than life character creations have all but died off completely if you ask me. And I got to thinking really hard about it. Who was really the last one? And the more I kept thinking about it, the more one name kept entering into my mind and I kept thinking....surely in all those years since, there has been some other iconic character right? And for the life of me, I cannot think of one. Now when I say iconic, I mean iconic. Not some coat-tailer that rode in on the success of some team book like say Gambit or Bishop or Cable. I'm talking well known and highly regarded up there with the likes of my previously mentioned iconic characters from the past. And I kept thinking I must be wrong and I feel like someone will say "You forgot about such and such" and I keep thinking....no, whoever it is, it just won't be quite as big. So just who seems to be popping into my mind as the last truly iconic character introduced to comics? Unless you guys give me a better argument, I tend to think the last icon of comics to be official launched as a new character was none other than overhyped, overexposed, overused..... Wolverine. And as much as I hate to say that, it makes me feel comics are in an even sadder state than I originally imagined. Because before that, we hard hardly went 2 decades between iconic characters being introduced. In fact when Wolverine came out, we hadn't really been even 1 decade. And now unless someone can put up a fantastic contender, if Wolverine was truly the last icon, that would mean as of this typing...we've went 36 years since the last icon was introduced way back in 1974! And that just seems totally sad to me. Like yet another example of how comics are not living up to it's potential and just yet another reason why maybe comics don't shine as brightly as it once did. Now, I've got names in mind on who I think some people would argue with me and say "oh no, you certainly forgot about so and so" and pretty much when I think about such characters, I think to myself...... no....it's not as iconic as Wolverine. So please tell me....what's your take on this? Has comics really went 36 years without launching a new truly iconic character? Even worse....is it capable of ever launch ANOTHER ONE ?!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by cyberstrike on Jun 10, 2010 6:12:00 GMT -5
The only one I can think of is Deadpool.
He's currently has 3 ongoing series Deadpool, Deadpool Team-Up, and Deadpool Corps plus a couple of maxi/mini-series going on as well. Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth and Deadpool: Wade Wilson's War. Not to mention the long running previous Deadpool series and the long running Cable and Deadpool team-up series.
He had a part in X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie and spin-off movie is in the works with Ryan Reynolds (who is currently starring as Hal Jordan in The Green Lantern movie) set to play Deadpool.
And from I heard he stole the show in the animated Hulk vs. Wolverine animated short film.
|
|
|
|
Post by G on Jun 10, 2010 6:25:26 GMT -5
The only one I can think of is Deadpool. He's currently has 3 ongoing series Deadpool, Deadpool Team-Up, and Deadpool Corps plus a couple of maxi/mini-series going on as well. Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth and Deadpool: Wade Wilson's War. Not to mention the long running previous Deadpool series and the long running Cable and Deadpool team-up series. He had a part in X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie and spin-off movie is in the works with Ryan Reynolds (who is currently starring as Hal Jordan in The Green Lantern movie) set to play Deadpool. And from I heard he stole the show in the animated Hulk vs. Wolverine animated short film. While certainly one of the most successful characters of the last 20 years, I would hardly label Deadpool as iconic. Once you get out of the collecting crowd, Deadpool is probably not hardly known by the rest of the world. Wolverine on the other hand has pretty much been realized by the non-collector's that exist having been in X-Men movies as well as his own as well as having Hugh Jackman bring awareness to the character for his role as Wolverine. You also have plenty of kids relating to Wolverine with toys and costumes, etc. I personally would just name Deadpool a comic success, but not quite yet an icon until he starts saturating the non-collector base. |
|
|
|
Post by bigw1966 on Jun 10, 2010 9:12:51 GMT -5
If your outlook of Iconic is the fact that there have been 4 features starring the Wolverine character, Then yes he is the most recognized.
But, I have to agree with cyberstrike on this because Deadpool is beyong popular.
(I don't care for him) but he is definitely one of the most popular characters in comics. He started off as a bit Joke in X-Force and has just blown up.
The fact that he is getting spinoff films and such is proof positive.
Now there are other characters that have come out that while not yet Iconic, are actually building up.
Such as;
INVINCIBLE (Image Comics) This is probably the most original character that has been released in 20 years.
MTV did a cartoon of it, there is movie talk, and he and the Walking Dead are what got Robert Kirkman made into a full partner ar Image.
Rogue (X-MEN) She has also appeared in 3 films, 4 cartoon series and a few mini's.
She is Super Popular and because of the films is known outside of comics.
All of the New X-Men are actually pretty iconic characters so they should be included.
At least that is what I think.
X-MEN is really the only book that brings out new characters.
NOVA is finally growing more popular thanks to the outstanding work on him in his title and in the other cosmic books.
DC Brought out Harley Quinn who first appeared in the Batman cartoon but was so popular that they brought her into DC proper.
She has appeared in 3 games, her own mini series, 2 crossover series and she is my wifes favorite comic book character.
You know my wife so that is saying something there. LOL.
I have a couple more but need to finish getting ready for the convention.
|
|
|
|
Post by G on Jun 10, 2010 10:24:09 GMT -5
If your outlook of Iconic is the fact that there have been 4 features starring the Wolverine character, Then yes he is the most recognized. But, I have to agree with cyberstrike on this because Deadpool is beyong popular. (I don't care for him) but he is definitely one of the most popular characters in comics. He started off as a bit Joke in X-Force and has just blown up. The fact that he is getting spinoff films and such is proof positive. Now there are other characters that have come out that while not yet Iconic, are actually building up. Such as; INVINCIBLE (Image Comics) This is probably the most original character that has been released in 20 years. MTV did a cartoon of it, there is movie talk, and he and the Walking Dead are what got Robert Kirkman made into a full partner ar Image. Rogue (X-MEN) She has also appeared in 3 films, 4 cartoon series and a few mini's. She is Super Popular and because of the films is known outside of comics. All of the New X-Men are actually pretty iconic characters so they should be included. At least that is what I think. X-MEN is really the only book that brings out new characters. NOVA is finally growing more popular thanks to the outstanding work on him in his title and in the other cosmic books. DC Brought out Harley Quinn who first appeared in the Batman cartoon but was so popular that they brought her into DC proper. She has appeared in 3 games, her own mini series, 2 crossover series and she is my wifes favorite comic book character. You know my wife so that is saying something there. LOL. I have a couple more but need to finish getting ready for the convention. I respectfully disagree. I think you are mentioning characters who are approaching icon status and may eventually get there, but as of today, I don't think they have achieved it. And even though I mention Wolverine as the last icon, even he is not nearly as iconic as the original icons (Batman, Superman, Wonder-Woman, Flash, Spiderman, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, etc.). And it's not just because they have been in films. If that was the criteria, I would just name every X-Man and be done with it. I'm talking truly recognizable icons throughout the world. While certainly a lot of comic fans recognize the names you speak of and even some movie buffs and those beyond that. I don't think the characters are recognizable much beyond that. Pretty much you had to be a fan of some sort in the 1st place. With characters like Spiderman, you ain't gotta care jack about it. My momma knows who that is. |
|
|
|
Post by azbatx on Jun 10, 2010 17:30:32 GMT -5
TMNT. 1984
|
|
|
|
Post by G on Jun 10, 2010 18:30:15 GMT -5
 I swear to God Az, I thought about this one myself early this morning on the way to work. I even thought about the Simpsons for a bit but then talked myself out of them because they was launched on TV 1st. But yes, I did consider TMNT as a real contender.
|
|
|
|
Post by cyberstrike on Jun 10, 2010 19:04:16 GMT -5
Spawn- comics, toyline, video games, animated series, and movie.
|
|
|
|
Post by G on Jun 11, 2010 0:54:00 GMT -5
Spawn- comics, toyline, video games, animated series, and movie. Again, one of the success stories of the past 20 years, no doubt. But I can't really say iconic. I don't want to confuse iconic with success. I won't deny Spawn, Deadpool and others mentioned as successful comics of the past few decades. But I don't want to cheapen what I mean by icon. It's debatable sure, but what I mean is pretty much anybody nearly anywhere knows who Superman is. Whether you are a fan of comics or movies or not, people just know who he is. There just isn't any doubt. It's like Mickey Mouse. People everywhere and at every age level and nearly every region of the world know who that is. That's iconic. I feel Wolverine is not quite to those levels yet. Wolverine is maybe one of the most iconic characters since maybe 1970. But I still have a hard time giving him the status of a true icon. I think he is just maybe the closest to an icon we've had. Az brought up a good one too. As I said, I personally thought TMNT were pretty iconic as well. Maybe moreso outside of comics than they ever were inside comics. But their appeal seems to be waning and diminishing or stagnant at best. In any event, I don't want to put either Wolverine or TMNT's up against the likes of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Hulk, Spiderman, Fantastic Four, etc. Easily some of the most recognizable characters ever and surely legitimate icons. If I feel Wolverine and TMNT are questionable at best, I can hardly feel like Spawn and Deadpool are true contenders. Perhaps the closest we've had in the past 20 years, sure. But I cannot give them the moniker of icon against the likes of the true heavy weights. You guys make good picks for future potential icons for sure. I just don't think they have achieved it..................now. The key point I want to make though is the fact that comic creators aren't really creating icons anymore the way they used to. It seems to be spreading out to fewer and further between. I'm almost wondering if they can even do it anymore. And maybe it isn't so much that they don't have the talent as much as maybe the rest of the world just no longer cares to make icons out of comics characters again the way they once used to. |
|
|
|
Post by cyberstrike on Jun 11, 2010 11:41:45 GMT -5
Spawn- comics, toyline, video games, animated series, and movie. Again, one of the success stories of the past 20 years, no doubt. But I can't really say iconic. I don't want to confuse iconic with success. I won't deny Spawn, Deadpool and others mentioned as successful comics of the past few decades. But I don't want to cheapen what I mean by icon. It's debatable sure, but what I mean is pretty much anybody nearly anywhere knows who Superman is. Whether you are a fan of comics or movies or not, people just know who he is. There just isn't any doubt. It's like Mickey Mouse. People everywhere and at every age level and nearly every region of the world know who that is. That's iconic. I feel Wolverine is not quite to those levels yet. Wolverine is maybe one of the most iconic characters since maybe 1970. But I still have a hard time giving him the status of a true icon. I think he is just maybe the closest to an icon we've had. Az brought up a good one too. As I said, I personally thought TMNT were pretty iconic as well. Maybe moreso outside of comics than they ever were inside comics. But their appeal seems to be waning and diminishing or stagnant at best. In any event, I don't want to put either Wolverine or TMNT's up against the likes of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Hulk, Spiderman, Fantastic Four, etc. Easily some of the most recognizable characters ever and surely legitimate icons. If I feel Wolverine and TMNT are questionable at best, I can hardly feel like Spawn and Deadpool are true contenders. Perhaps the closest we've had in the past 20 years, sure. But I cannot give them the moniker of icon against the likes of the true heavy weights. You guys make good picks for future potential icons for sure. I just don't think they have achieved it..................now. The key point I want to make though is the fact that comic creators aren't really creating icons anymore the way they used to. It seems to be spreading out to fewer and further between. I'm almost wondering if they can even do it anymore. And maybe it isn't so much that they don't have the talent as much as maybe the rest of the world just no longer cares to make icons out of comics characters again the way they once used to. The thing is none of the iconic characters that you mentioned became icons overnight, it took years for Superman, Batman, Capitan America, and Spider-Man to become pop culture icons and those are the big 4 in my book. Creators don't generally set out to create icons (it's egomanical and pretentious for any creator to think that in my book) and it doesn't work that way, anyway. The public and history ultimately decides who is an icon, you don't think TMNT, Wolverine are icons but yet they are they're well known in the popular culture outside of the world of comics and movies. I would lay even money that if you ask non-comic book fans to name any member of the X-Men chances are they will name Wolverine. TMNT might not be as well known as a comic book but it's no less iconic than Wolverine, as are Optimus Prime and Megatron. It can take decades for characters to become icons. And becoming one is easy staying as one is a lot harder. |
|
?!!!!
