Qui custodit scurra?

APPETIZER

Before I begin this one, I feel it’s important to state a few things up front, just so you, as readers, understand where I’m coming from:

1)      I do NOT claim to know Latin – I used Google translate to decipher “Who Watches the Joker?”  - so if it’s off, blame them.

2)      I am a CASUAL comic book fan – meaning I don’t know every piece of trivia, developing news, or fan boy tidbit there is to know. I realize this is just a “theory” of how things my shake out in DCs new Rebirth series. Further, I also realize this “revelation” is not quite 2 months old as I write this. However, when I came across this VIDEO a few days ago, it sparked the need to write about the potential storyline. Heck, it may even have already been resolved and discredited as of this writing (though I couldn’t find anything online indicating as such).

3)      I absolutely love The Watchmen (I have 5 Watchmen-related tattoos on my skin, so you could say I’m a fan) I love The Joker (I have 4 Joker-related tattoos, again, I’m a fan, I think I’ve established that). Needless to say I am having a NERGASM at even the very thought of this storyline.

MEAT & POTATOES

For those of you that don’t know DC is re-launching all of its series, and the company likes to do so through huge all-encompassing storylines. “Rebirth” is the most current effort to do this. In doing so DC has stated the “New 52” (DCs previous reboot of their fictional universe) was created by none other than (drum roll please) Dr. Manhattan! *nerd swoon*

Now in re-launching the universe the powers-that-be over at DC touted they would be revealing the true identity of the Joker. Following this, Batman discovers through sitting in the Mobius chair (fictitious chair that contains all the knowledge of the world within the DC Universe- again stress on fictitious) he learns there were actually 3 Jokers!

Why is this so interesting to me you ask? Well, that’s the exciting part! There’s a possibility that one of these three Jokers is potentially- The Comedian! *nerd swoon*

There have been several potential clues surrounding this, the greatest of which is Batman discovering The Comedian’s badge behind an item of Joker evidence within the bat cave.

DESSERT

I guess you could surmise that I am thrilled at the possibility. Of course, whether or not DC pulls it off with some interesting stories to follow it (or goes through with it at all) remains to be seen. Until then, one can hope…

See You in the Funny Papers

Ahh, comic books, that microcosm of literature that somehow manages to work every internet nerd into a steely-eyed, froth-mouth frenzy of rage if one tiny thing is changed about the characters they’ve followed from the time they were old enough to read, up until present day, where they rant with their keyboards via their parents Wi-Fi connection. All the typical things like “You ruined my childhood!” and “This isn’t canon!” and “My mom got me Cool ranch Doritos instead of Nacho cheese!”

                We’ve been seeing changes from both Marvel, as well as DC as they provide their respective universes with a bit more diversity, and even enable writers to start with a new approach to classic heroes in order to attract new fans.

                As of this writing, the latest item that’s filling Marvel’s hate mail (Do people still actually send letters anymore? Or is all internet hate directed via online forums and email?) is their decision to “retire” Tony Stark and replace him with a 15 year old GASP! African-American DOUBLE-GASP! girl! TRIPLE-GASP!   

                Immediately thereafter, all the narrow-minded, stuck in the past, obsolete fan boys (and maybe girls?) scream their collective disapproval, and then shit themselves in disbelief.

                In recent times we’ve also had DCs New 52, and now DC’s Rebirth, along with Marvel creating Marvel Now, and not to mention their efforts at making Miles Morales (the new Spider-Man), female Thor, New Wolverine (X-23) and so on and so forth…and in all these instances at least a segment of the comic fan base became irate and complained endlessly.

                Obviously, I’m writing about this because I have an opinion, and here’s where I’ll tell you what it is…

                …As at least a casual comic book fan since 1992 I think this type of thing is amazing and here’s why:

                As a fan, in many of these heroes’ cases we’ve seen them in action for nearly three-quarters of a century (or more). More or less, every story arc that can be done has been. We’ve seen them beat up every manner of bad guy (or gal), we’ve seen them love and lose, we’ve seen them fight our other favorite heroes, we’ve seen them broken, lose everything, and even die, only to come back as if nothing ever happened. Why on earth would you want to have writers rehash the same story, and cover the same ground that’s been done for decades?

                As a writer (term used loosely, I am a filthy, filthy amateur) rebooting, or retooling these characters provides fertile ground to yield fresh ideas. When you think of Wolverine for instance, it’s a safe bet you know the origin, the experiences, the famous battles and moments of his fictional life. Further, I could argue, due to Wolverine’s personality, you can almost predict (based on circumstance), where the character will end up. But you don’t know X-23’s because they haven’t been written yet! You see what I’m getting at?

                As a capitalist, I can also understand why Marvel in particular can’t just say, well fans want more diversity in their heroes, so let’s create a brand new one. Names like Iron Man, Thor and Spider-Man are more than just household names; they are brands in and of themselves! It could conceivably take years to build up the popularity and name recognition of a new hero or heroine, and why risk that when from a creative perspective it lends itself to produce dynamic ideas that haven’t been done before?

                Personally, some of my favorite books are the ones that never took place in their respective universe’s continuity. Books like Old Man Logan, Marvel Zombies, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe are all great because they break the rules of what you might expect from certain characters, settings or origin stories. In other words, I want to see something new!

                In short, to all you naysayers out there: STFU!

                Only after, the new Iron Man (Wo-man?, Girl?? Person???) is released then and only then do I give you permission to whine, piss and moan.

                Actually, no I take that back, we still don’t want to hear your ridiculous opinions, and to be clear no one cares about your childhood.