Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Back In Black



Okay, I gotta say something. I just gotta say something about this.

This guy was talking about the changing of Spider-Man's costume in this post, and basically bitched about comic books conforming to their movies. Now, in the past I would have agreed. Around the time of the X-Men movies, the comic books (Uncanny X-Men and the newly retitled New X-Men) were handed over to new creators with a much darker and more "realistic" look at Marvel's Mutants. Classrooms, leather costumes, and lots of hairy Wolvie chest.

However, Spider-Man's upcoming costume change in his vast line of comic book, just in time for the wallcrawler's new movie (an independant picture, "Spider-Man 3", you may have heard of the previous two films), is absolutely brilliant. In the upcoming film, Spidey gets a new cool black costume. Causing quite a stir when it originally debuted in the 1980s, the sleek symbiote (don't ask) suit has since been close to the heart of most fans. While the fanboys eagerly await the third Spider-Man to arrive, Marvel gears Back In Black, the next big event in Peter Parker's life.

Recently Marvel Comics has been cashing out with their company-wide crossover Civil War. This war focuses on the Superhero Registration Act, a law that forces those with super powers to register with the government and divulge their secret identities. Anyone who doesn't register is arrested. Anyone who refuses is a fugitive. Even Captain America, who was the first (if I'm not mistaken) to fight against the law. Iron Man enforces the Registration Act. Heroes are split between the law and their own feelings. People join sides. Things get ugly.

During this whole bru-ha-ha, Tony Stark (Iron Man) convinces his protege Peter Parker (Spider-Man, who look ups to Stark as a father figure) to reveal his identity to the world. After Parker reveals the truth (I still can't believe they did it) it really hits the fan. Let's just say his life, and the lives of those around him, really suck. And after a lot of thinking (a bungloads villains) he turns his back on Iron Man and his registration, and turns fugitive.

'Let's see. I'm Spider-Man, and I'm on the run from everyone. Even my friends. I got rid of Tony Stark's special "Iron-Spider" suit I've been wearing for this whole Civil War dealy. So how do I hide when everyone knows who I am? Walk around as Peter Parker? Wear a bright blue and red suit? Ah-ha! I've got it! A sweet, steathly black costume like the old days. How about that? Helps me keep on swinging, and it reflects my mood and situation perfectly.'

Good going, Spidey!

Now let's see what we've covered...

Black costume in Spider-Man 3. Black Costume returns to Spidey comics. Movie reason: Venom (if you don't know, don't ask). Comics reason: Spidey joins wrong side in war everything goes to hell he switches sides becomes a fugitive and everyone knows who he is (that's all I really know about it).

Marvel is brilliant. People will read the comics because of the black costume in the movie. More sales. The black costume is nostalgic. More money. The comic book storyline comes out of Marvel's #1 selling crossover Civil War. Hey, is Joe Quesada driving a Porche?

So not only is it a good idea from a money standpoint, it's also a logical and interesting place for the current comic books' storyline to go. I can't wait!

Phew, end of rant.

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