tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post6713015996687130544..comments2024-03-14T18:09:09.667-05:00Comments on Do Some Damage: Still Got Yer 52 Right HereUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post-79687654798226386652011-09-29T09:05:06.269-05:002011-09-29T09:05:06.269-05:00Bit how do you aim a book at an under 12? When i w...Bit how do you aim a book at an under 12? When i was under 12, I was falling in love with comics like BATMAN YEAR ONE, WATCHMEN, DAREDEVIL and Grant & Breyfogle's runs on Batman and 'Tec.<br /><br />None of these comics were pitched at under 12's, but they were telling gripping stories. There were comics that were aimed at my age group. Thundercats comics, other spin offs of popular media characters, but they were dumbed down.<br /><br />The Fuzzy Typerwriter podcast has been running a good feature where they talk to the son of one of the hosts, and he's (i believe) around 11/12. I'm not agreeing with some of his picks -he loved Detective Comics- but he's a different age to me, and his comments show that he's really engaged with the relaunch so far.<br /><br />I dont think the problem is that comic books aren't suitable for kids. The problem with the industry -for all ages- has been availability. These things used to be available on street corners and news agents. Now they're in specialist shops. The only way under-12's are getting into the shops is if their parents are into comics, or if the shop has some other lure, like toys or trading card games.<br /><br />The comic book industry has totally failed for two generations now at getting comics into the hands of people who don't read comics. That's changing this month. DC comics have had TV ads, cinema ads, press coverage, their titles are available online on the day of release. So far very little of what i've seen has really been unsuitable for children, and those that have been are either horror books, westerns, or war comics. The 'mainstream' books that are probably not suitable for kids have failed in execution rather than content.<br /><br />And to be honest, I don't have a problem with sex in comics. just as with films, novels or TV, i have a problem if it's done badly or if it objectifies women. Catwoman and Batman have had some steamy clinches down the years, as is likely to happen between two consenting adults who fancy the pants off each other. But the failure of the issue was the way it objectified Selina Kyle, turned her from being a great example of a sassy and strong leading woman who can also be sexy, into another wet-dream who spends half the issue with her breasts hanging out and then the other half having totally impractical and rushed sex with a man dressed like a bat.Jay Stringerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08764183157841848163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7119990365479009764.post-33481755779953664832011-09-29T08:34:33.605-05:002011-09-29T08:34:33.605-05:00Agree with you on most counts. Haven't read WW...Agree with you on most counts. Haven't read WW yet, but it'll be high on the list now. Read All-Star Western and really, really liked it. Setting a western in Gotham is a great idea. Since Jonah Hex doesn't have his name in the title, I wonder if this title will run the gamut of characters in the DCU. Hope so. Batman #1 is, so far, my favorite Bats title. (Haven't read TDK or B&R and was shocked by Detective.) Loved Action #1 as it felt like a kindred spirit of All-Star Superman, my all-time fav Supes title. Loved the over-the-topness of Frankenstein (as well as the Flashpoint story from this past summer). Batgirl surprised me, too. Also really enjoyed the meta-nature of Aquaman. Actually chuckled out loud on that one.<br /><br />You know, between you and me, we're covering the New 52 pretty well. I am in agreement with you and all the others re: the sex in some of the titles. And the theme of my Saturday column will *likely* be "Since when did the drive for new readers not include kids under 12?" Talk about a market primed to read comics.Scott D. Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293540073601809197noreply@blogger.com