Another Open Letter to Joe Quesada

Dear Joe,

Yes, it's me again - the really annoying comics blogger. It's been awhile since I wrote you, but in the wake of Captain America's redesign...I needed to speak up again.

Last time, I know I criticized you heavily, and I kind of understand where you're coming from - rather than cater to the older, more continuity obsessed fan (like your Distinguished Competition), you're going for the 18 - 30 male FHM/Maxim demographic. They don't believe that a "corny" character like Captain America can work unless you make him...extreme. He's got a knife, and a gun, and knows which bozos need trashing. In short, he's an indestructible tough guy...and that's part of the problem with your recent handling of the character.

In short, all your "new" Captain America needs is this not-safe-for-work-at-all song playing in the background. And I'm not being sarcastic or ironic. It's kind of the way we Americans behave, and why a lot of our fellow nations dislike us - the whole "might makes right" philosophy. Plus, as I stated in my previous letter, I take this seriously. Cap is not what I would consider a "favorite character"...but he's one that nearest and dearest to the the hearts of many people, and you're willing to ignore that just to appeal to a demographic that doesn't know better.

(And trust me, I was once an 18-to-30-year old male. I can speak from experience).

I'm also rather surprised that Alex Ross agreed to the redesign, because most of his work seems to focus on themes that are the exact opposite of what your new Cap stands for. In addition, he also did the art on Vertigo's Uncle Sam series, which...well, doesn't quite fit the idea for Captain America that you have. But even Mr. Ross can sometimes do things just for the paycheck.

In fact, it seems like you're making some creative decisions that don't make sense - the whole "Spider-Man works best single" idea; the whole post-Civil War Skrull invasion concept, and now this. It would be especially cynical to suggest that you are willfully alienating a huge chunk of the comic fanbase....but I do suggest that it might be good to listen to people who actually read Marvel comics, and who are not on your payroll.

Just one final thing, if you do ever read this letter - you are more than welcome to provide the "other side". As you know, I'm doing my semi-regular q & a podcast next week; you are more than welcome to submit a statement, or just call and tell me how wrong you think I am.

But in all honesty, Joe, this is a big mistake. Your name will be used with "Captain America" the same way Michael Cimino's is with Heaven's Gate.

Thanks for reading.

Your pal,
Gordon

Open Letter to Joe Quesada

Dear Joe,

First, I know you have other things to worry about, especially since your publicity department dropped the ball in terms of spoiling Captain America # 25. I'm also sure that you are catching up on reading the comics blogosphere, when you're not doing...well...whatever it is the editor-in-chief of Marvel does. But I wanted to talk about some concerns.

I'm not too upset about Captain America's "death" - not because I dislike the character, but in comics, death is nothing more than an inconvenience. I'm sure there are big plans for Cap to come back in a mega-ultra-crossover, "Captain America: Back from the Dead And Not Happy About It". It will feature 20 issues of Mark Millar writing Cap verbally abusing Iron Man.

But what I am concerned about is your contempt not only for the character, but for comic fans in general.

I'm sure you've seen this post on Kevin's site - the one where Paul Jenkins essentially claims that Captain America is "out of touch" with the common man. You yourself have said that Captain America has not "caught up" with modern times. However, I'm going to make a radical suggestion - that not only are you out of touch, but also that you don't understand what makes Captain America tick.

Captain America is the ultimate soldier - a "Super-Soldier", if you will - who sacrifices himself time and again for the ideals of this great nation. He's not about ideology (I don't think he's either Democrat or Republican), but an ideal - the belief in American principles of freedom and democracy. For Steve Rogers to care about the hip-and-now is irrelevant; he is a character who encompasses both the best of traditional "patriotism" and who tries to apply it to a nation that could use it. Plus, Joe, if you look at your archives, you will note that Cap has dealt with a national crisis of confidence in the past.

Now, I may be taking this way too personally - after all, both of my grandfathers served in World War II. One of my best friends served in the first Gulf War. My cousin served in the Marines. My great-grandparents brought my grandparents to this country years ago because of a promise...and Captain America fights for that promise. Although having a "Death of Captain America" story in itself might not be a bad thing, coming so soon after Civil War...well, it reeks of plot contrivance.

In fairness, I also bought Mighty Avengers and Avengers: The Initiative, and I can honestly say that these books are just flat-out boring and unrealistic. For example - in one of the books, Ms. Marvel and Spider-Woman fight, and it ends with one character telling the other "Tony Stark was so going to ask you out." I'm no expert on female psychology, but that just doesn't quite seem right.

Maybe you're trying to court a certain segment of the reading audience, Joe, and that's OK. However, may I suggest taking a cue from your Distinguished Competition - no matter what their faults, they are trying to reestablish a sense of wonder. Of treating its characters like human beings, and reestablishing their heroes as beacons of light and hope in dark times.

Unfortunately, you're slowly, but surely, snuffing them out.

Stop the Insanity!

I hate to quote Susan Powter at a time like this, but just some of the usual link blogging and random thoughts this blog engages in from time to time:

• Get well to both Mike and Kevin - Mike's got a cold, and Kevin food poisoning. The blogosphere will be empty without out.
• RIP to the Brill Building - it was one of the first blogs I ever encountered, and was one of the few that led me to think, "Hey, I can blog about comics too!". Ian, you'll be missed.
  
• Dear Joe Quesada: Please explain this to me: it was not OK to have a naked Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Reign # 1, but it was OK to have Mary Jane die from "radioactive man chowder" two issues later. For some reason, the words "double standard" seem to apply...or am I wrong?
• All I gotta say about new Lost is that, despite ratings being at their lowest, the storyline is now starting to pick up again. Yay!
  
• If you like cheesy, old science fiction movies, head here and watch them free.
  

And finally, a video, because I can: