1 10 132 https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/c684a451ea305b0a5e45442df40b69cc.tif 84f0999acbe40b4a8bb50776386cdf16 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #03- Cover Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comic Strips Description An account of the resource This issue of Amazing Heroes, No. 3, was published in August 1981 and sold for $1.50. The comic’s name has darker yellow-green coloring with a black border. The bottom title of the feature comic reads “The Justice Society of America” in blue on a yellow banner with a red star on each end. There is text in the top left that reads “Star Hawks!” and “Star Wars!”. The background of the comic is white and has the Justice Society illustrated on the front. Starting with the foreground, the Character “Hawkman” appears to be leading a meeting. Hawkman is indicated by his hawk mask that has a beak covering his nose with wings on the side of his face, all in yellow to indicate gold. His torso is naked with the exception of a gold band strapped across his chest and two gold armlets. He is holding a gavel and looking out towards the rest of the Justice Society. They are all sitting around a table smirking and looking towards Hawkman. All of DC’s major characters from the Justice Society are at the table including Green Lantern to the far left, the Flash, Wildcat, Dr. Midnight, Superman, Johnny Thunder, Power Girl, Robin, Adam Smasher, Star-Spangled Kid, Doctor Fate floating in a criss-cross sitting position, Wonder Woman, Spectre, Sandman, Mr. Terrific, Starman, and Hourman. The color palette is yellow, red, green, yellow, and black. All characters are Caucasian besides the two fully masked heroes. The original Justice Society of America (JSA) held its very first meeting in 1940. The founders were the Flash, Spectre, Hawkman, Sandman, Green Lantern, and Hour-Man, making it no surprise that Hawkman is leading the meeting presented on the cover of this comic book. When the original JSA was created, the team stood for America and democracy, each member vowing that they are “foes of crime and enemies of evil.” The Society was pop culture’s propaganda as America was on the brink of WWII. In the comics, the society fought three main types of deemed evils: subversion, sabotage, and organized crime. This paralleled narrative America wanted to present as its values as the war was fast approaching. JSA returned to the comic scene in 1981 to reflect those same values. People of America look for leaders; they need heroes to look up to, particularly in times of economic and societal threat and/or change. Because superheroes have a more authoritarian stance in the narrative of pop culture by using their superiority for good, they are the beacons of hope for society. Thus, when all superheroes gather together once more after their main purpose for collectiveness and nationalism before and during WWII, it is appropriate that they reappear during changing times in the United States. 1981 is the year Ronald Reagan was elected president. To show United States comradery for the sake of the citizens, the Justice Society of America reappears with the original founder leading, showing the strength in foundations of the league, a stance for the importance of remembering the roots of the founders for both of the Society and on the part of Americans. The cover is full of the original team with the add-ons throughout the years. Superman is an official honorary member along with Batman, who does not appear on the cover. Wonder Woman is also the official club secretary, so she is shown as well. These heroes all have their individual superpowers, costumes, and code names that go along with them, but together they are all a team for hope for America and the evils within and around the United States. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Executive Editor: J. Michael Catron Art Director: Peppy White Editorial Assistant: Laura K. Beal Cover: Joe Staton Contributing Writer: Richard Morrissey Contributing Artists: Bill Anderson, Rich Buckler, Willie Blyberg, Sam DeLaRosa, Fred Hembeck, Gary Kwapsz, Mike O'Neal, Carl Taylor Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tiffany McIntyre Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Relation A related resource http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/10 http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/7 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Comic, 6-5/8 & 10-1/4 in., black & white Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Zam, Inc. Characters: DC Comics Inc., Marvel Comic Group, Candence Industries Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant year range: 1981-1992 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August, 1981 all-star squadron Amazing Heroes comic comic strips DC Comics issue justice league justice society justice society of America Michael Catron periodical Star Wars three https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/2e67d1f07f068460c1c1fe00f3456335.tif 1406308624ba66c5ff6c1679148077cc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #13 Cover Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comic Strips Description An account of the resource The thirteenth Amazing Heroes edition is a special 100-page summer issue that was released in July 1982. Since it is slightly longer, this edition is sold for $2.50 in comparison to the typical $1.50 that the normal issues tend to be priced. The cover by Kevin Nowlan contains an image of Darth Vader with his arms crossed looming over Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. The two are holding a gun and a light saber ready to fight. The bottom right corner of the cover reads, “Star Wars in the comics… A hero history of Thor… A new comics company…and more!” which indicates what this month’s edition of Amazing Heroes contains. When the first Star Wars film was released in 1977, it was clear that it would make a significant impact on popular culture. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Star Wars cast made many TV appearances promoting the movie, r2d2 and C3PO made appearances in various advertisements, an instrumental disco adaptation of the Star Wars theme reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and C-3PO even had his own Kellogg’s cereal. To be frank, Star Wars completely took over the world. Naturally, Amazing Heroes used Star Wars as the subject and main focus of their longer summer issue because it is extremely important to address its popularity in the world. In addition, since everyone in the world knew about Star Wars, it was more likely that this comic book would be sold and read by a variety of readers because of the image on the cover. This is the first Amazing Heroes edition to utilize Star Wars on the cover. All of the editions preceding this issue had superheroes on the cover, making this one extremely unique. The focus on Star Wars demonstrates the importance and relevance of the film during this time and explains how it shaped popular culture in the late 1970s and 1980s. In addition, this comic was published two years after Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was released and a year before Star Wars: Return of the Jedi came to theaters. This was revolutionary because these films were released just after Luke Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped foot on the moon in 1969. That being said, the population was extremely interested in space and the mysteries within. This made Star Wars media, entertainment, and the cannon in general extremely popular during the 1970s and 80s. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Editor: Kim Thompson Art Director: Tom Mason Consulting Director: Dwight R. Decker Assistant Director: J. Collier Contributing Writers: Valeria Beasley, Charlie Blythe, Archie Goodwin, Jim Korkis, Kevin C. McConnell, Lou Mougin, and Hal Sweet Contributing Artists: Kerry Callen, Rudi Franke, Gil Kane, Kevin Nowlan, Randy Reynaldo, Dori Rosa, Stephen Schwartz, Al Williamson, and John Workman Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Redbeard, Inc. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Madeline Alpert Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restriction Apply Relation A related resource Table of Contents<br />http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/48<br /><br />Representative Page<br />http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/74 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Comic, 6 and 5/8 x 10 and 1/4 inches, black & white Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 1982 1982 Amazing Heroes Comic Book Darth Vader Leia Organa Luke Skywalker Popular Culture Special Edition Star Wars https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/0dcec5a05305681f441e8a18ff57d028.tif 03fb113a13b6ce19a819e5f74b8be08a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #177- Cover Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tiffany McIntyre Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Fantagraphic Books, Inc. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Subject The topic of the resource Periodical comic strips Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Cover: Gil Kane Executive Editor: Kim Thompson Managing Editor: Thomas Harrington Art Director: Mark Thompson Assistant Editor: Jason Sacks News Correspondent: George Kaplan Production Assistance: Roberta Gregory Typesetting.Proofreading: Graig Maynard & Jasons Sacks Circulation: Michelle Byrd & Sharon Kingsford Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Printed at: Port Publications, WI Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March, 1990 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6-5/8 & 10-1/4 in. Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Description An account of the resource The cover of Amazing Heroes, Issue No. 177 is a full art piece. The title is in yellow and the price, next to the title, is $3.50 ($4.25 in Canada). The remaining text is “Gil Kane” in black bold in a box with a hot pink background. The rest of the text reads “On The Ring, the future of comics, and the end of the age of heroes” and “Also: CAPTAIN AMERICA-the movie.” The illustration on the novel is very dark toned. It is set at night with a bright full moon at the top shining light on fog in a swampy background. In the foreground, a Caucasian, male hero in a mask with wings on the side is riding on a galloping white stallion. The hero has a cape that is flying in the wind. The horse is mid-stride with no feet on the ground. The horse is armed in jewels and has red eyes. The hero has a glow surrounding him. Gil Kane is the artist of the cover which features the main character from The Ring. Kane is a famous artist in the comic book industry, starting from when he drew the new and improved Green Lantern in the late 1950s and officially 1960. He was involved in comics long before that when he started as an inker at Marvel in 1944, but started getting serious into drawing and did major works for DC, notably Green Lantern, Batman, Superman, Conan, and Spider-Man. A lot of his works are in revival superheroes. Amazing Heroes featured many comics from Marvel and DC, so it is no surprise that one of DC’s major artists at the time would be a cover feature. Kane’s professional comic career fluctuated between Marvel and DC. Ending up with DC, he published The Ring, a four-part-mini-series which is an adaptation of Richard Wagner’s Ring, a four-part epic music composition. The Ring became a graphic novel which is discussed in an article in this comic. The reason why Gil Kane is featured in this novel is that Amazing Heroes, like many other publications of this time, saw comics through the lens of the collectible market. To make collectibles, comic publishers would use popular artists, creators, and story features to increase the value of special issues both in the present time it was being sold and for the future. As for the content of the cover itself, the illustration of The Ring is a mythological epic based on a musical composition. It is a German piece originally performed in 1876. Ring is a 15-hour long musical performance presenting actions of an array of mythological creatures. Kane’s rendition was an adaptation of the musical performance in Graphic novel form. It shows the variability of mediums of this piece of art as well as how comics can modernize art. Relation A related resource http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/11 http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/8 177 action comics Captain America comic comic strips DC Gil Kane Hampton heroes issue March 1990 periodical https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/d5d9f0658bc7d421251d60d84fdf2b63.tif 8088270adf584ab3a6f8dc7978859e38 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #149- Cover Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Subject The topic of the resource periodical comic strip Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Cover Artist: Flint Henry & John Nishimoto Editor Evermore: Kevin Dooley Art Director: Lynette Alcorn-McCubbin Associate Editor: Bruce Walrad Editors in the Wings: Kim Thompson & Chris McCubbin News Correspondent: Michael Johnson Production Assistants: Mark Thompson & Jason Jeffers Typesetting: Linda Gorell & Arlene Easter Circulation: Rachel Enger & Carol Kovinick-Hernandez Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Printed at: Port Publications, WI Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 15, 1988 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tiffany McIntyre Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6-5/8 & 10-1/4 in. Description An account of the resource This issue of Amazing Heroes, No. 149, was published on September 15, 1988. It sold for $2.95 in America, $3.95 in Canada. The text “Amazing Heroes” has a purple font-color with a white back shadow. Additional text on the page includes the main feature, Grimack, whose title on the cover says in all capital letters “The New Grimmer GrimJack!” as well as the word “Mundens,” again in all capital letters. “Mundens” is a part of the cover art with the letters in green and an oval circling the letters. Both the word and circle are designed to look like wood and is similar to an “open” sign. The rest of the cover art are characters from Grimjack, Grimjack being the biggest drawing. Located in the center of the page, his top-half (the page ends at the bottom of his torso) is covered in bulky clothes: a red scarf with a gold star pennant, a belt with pouches strapped across his chest, and a purple pirate-like jacket with a string full of ears sewn to the right shoulder (left side of the jacket from the reader’s perspective) and tags of symbols on a string underneath the ears. He is holding a Japanese sword covered in graphic blood in his right hand and in his left hand he is holding a loaded gun with an ammunition belt. The gun reads “Just Say No!”. Half of his face is shadowed in blue. He has a cigarette hanging from his mouth and his red hair is blowing to the side. He has red, bushy eyebrow and a menacing look on his face. In the background is a woman wearing sunglasses, fishnets, and a scandalous one-piece holding a saxophone. there are two small signs in the background indicating a western vibe. Around Grimjack are raunchy, large, western and punk style characters all holding weapons. Grimjack is a character that can be referred to as an antihero. Antiheroes popularized after the ending of the Vietnam War. As opposed to heroes, antiheroes obtained justice in less-than peaceful ways, more in a vigilante way. They went around legal-bureaucratic agencies and took their crusade for justice into their own hands, they themselves acting on what they believed to be right, no matter how much violence it took. This cover sets the tone of antihero aggressiveness. Comic books that had more aggression, and even more panels in the comic, were the result of aggressive spaces during the times they were published in. The same format of this issue of Amazing Heroes is similar to a 1939 cover of Detective Comics, where Batman is on the cover making the same grimacing face as Grimjack is here, with action scenes smaller around him. This parallel shows the stylistic repetition that is used to get the reader’s attention throughout comic book history by using aggression as an appeal. It also shows the thematic similarities between two comics and how timeless the use of darkness and violence can be to draw attention to the political climate and to curate an aggressive curiosity for what will happen in the comic. This comic also has a very bright background in contrast to the shadows and discoloration of Grimjack, very similar to a remake of Green Lantern Green Arrow No. 7 where there is a scene of a modern crucifixion, or a dark message in front of an intensely light background. This juxtaposition is a tendency used throughout comics. The position of intense brightness to propose a dark story draws readers in and is used to make a statement about the importance of antiheroes’ tactics of dark justice and to increase sales based on curiosity and aggression. Relation A related resource http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/12 http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/9 1988 Amazing Heroes comic comic strips death grim jack grimmer horror issue 149 Kevin Dooley mundens periodical September violence zombie https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/87d20889d69afd7158258c824b6bb9a9.tif 99d210e0f4b50e5711c0a79217ae9c1d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heros Issue #03- Table of Contents: pg.6 Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comic Strip Index Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Executive Editor: J. Michael Catron Art Director: Peppy White Editorial Assistant: Laura K. Beal Cover: Joe Staton Contributing Writer: Richard Morrissey Contributing Artists: Bill Anderson, Rich Buckler, Willie Blyberg, Sam DeLaRosa, Fred Hembeck, Gary Kwapsz, Mike O'Neal, Carl Taylor Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.47 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Zam, Inc. Characters: DC Comics Inc., Marvel Comics Group, Candence Industries Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 1982 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tiffany McIntyre Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 8-1/2 & 11 in. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1982-1991 Description An account of the resource The Table of Contents page of issue 3 of Amazing Heroes is split into three sections horizontally: the main title, issue, and date in the first section, the second section is the contents, and the third section holds the staff positions, copyright information, and a list of advertisers with the corresponding page number. Starting with the first section, the title is on the left and the text “No. 3,” and “August 1981” are to the far right side of the page. The Table of Contents section is in list format with the page number on the left side of the page and each are in individual boxes reading as follows: “Death and Reality” editorial by Michael Catron; “Star Wars,” Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson; “Comics Report,” Michael Catron; “Coming Distractions” no named author; “The Justice Society of America,” Rich Morrissey; “The JSA Index,” Michael Catron; “Tom DeFalco Gets Spidey Back in the Swing,” Michael Catron; “Star Hawks,” Archie Goodwin and Gil Kane; “Spider-Man and the Green Goblin,” inside back cover illustration by Jordan Faris. There are sketches of characters on the right side of the page that include Leah and Luke from Star Wars, Green Lantern, Spiderman swinging down from one of the lines on the page and reaching outward, and a mutant alient is on the bottom. The third section is split further into three sections vertically starting with staff, then copyright, then advertisers. The birth of the superhero originated from the coming of modernity as well as a response to the fear modern technology brings. As a team of superheroes presented in the index, all of the heroes shown are the pinnacle of hope for the world in 1981 and act as a slight distraction from the world as well. The index of Amazing Heroes contains a couple of articles about the Justice Society of America along with two content pieces on Spiderman. These hero stories mold and shapes the moral tone of the world; Spiderman, in particular, does so in a non-judgemental way. He stands for hope and justice even in unconventional ways by America’s stance, like when Spidey/Peter Parker helps his friend after the friend turns to drugs. Spiderman is a safe and judgment-free figure. The Justice Society (along with the multiple articles presented) are a team of heroes that American can rely on for justice. Superman released a comic issue three years after this issue was printed posing the question of what life on Earth would be life without Superman and superheroes alike. It showed the distress the world would be an, a perfect example of why this issue highlights the importance of superheroes as essential icons. In heavy political and societal discourse, it is appropriate for the comic industry to provide release and distraction for its readers. This issue was published between the movie releases of Star Wars Episode V (May 21, 1980) and Episode VI (May 25, 1983). The continuation of Star Wars via a comic story is a good reminder for the audience that this pop-culture phenomenon is still active. The story also keeps the audience engaged within multiple mediums (comics, film, and fan fiction). To further the point of distraction, there is an entire section entitled “Coming Distractions.” The Star Wars bit and the distractions keep the audience buying more as the comic itself engages with the political narratives with the superheroes, but includes multiple stories as to keep an array of audience members to retain and keep the comics circulating. Relation A related resource http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/10 http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/1 1981 Amazing Heroes comic comic strips comics report elfquest galaxia gatherum green goblin issue 3 justice society justice society of America kock Michael Catron pacific comics sea gate distributors spider man spider-man https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/50676fd4ff8e8da60421f5a915c68fb2.tif 520b5694eeec96d5b024b17e0e46c4f4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #177- Table of Contents: pg.4-5 Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comic Strips Index Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Executive Editor: Kim Thompson Managing Editor: Thomas Harrington Art Director: Mark Thompson Assistant Editor: Jason Sacks News Correspondent: George Kaplan Production Assistance: Roberta Gregory Typesetting.Proofreading: Graig Maynard & Jasons Sacks Circulation: Michelle Byrd & Sharon Kingsford Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Printed at: Port Publications, WI Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.47 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Fantagraphic Books, Inc. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1990 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tiffany McIntyre Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6-5/8 & 10-1/4 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1982-1991 Description An account of the resource The index of Amazing Heroes, Issue 177 is on page five of the periodical. The page is separated into two columns, the first is the actual index, the second is the staff team, “Contributor’s Info,” “Index to Advertisers,” “Ad Rates,” “Distributors,” and copyright information on the bottom. The index is formatted with the page numbers to the left, the title in all caps, and the author’s name. Below the five stories is a brief description of the comic and a small comic panel corresponding with the story. The index starts with “Perspective” by Rudy Minger and goes to “Newsline,” “Coming Distractions,” “Backstage” by Andy Mengels, “Infernal Gall” by Adam-Troy Casto, “Cartoon Corner” by Korkid & Cawley, “Small Press World” by Hal Hargit, “Cover Gallery” by Don Rosa, “Comics In Review,” “Amazing Readers,” “The Cartoonist,” by Teri S. Wood, “Strom’s Index” by David Strom, and finally “Cover” by Gil Kane. “Perspective,” “Backstage,” “Infernal Gall,” “Cartoon Corner,” and “Small Press World” are the five stories that each have the description below the title with pictures. The date, March, 1990, is on the bottom left corner. This page is the right page in the spread. In the 1990s, when this comic issue was published, a resurge in sales happened in the industry. Comics became, once more, a profitable and respectable source of entertainment. Much of this had to to do with the movement of comic books to be sold on malls, making comics available for those outside of intentional comic book store goers. Companies in the industry even got listings on the New York Stock Exchange. During the mid-1980s, the only way to really access comic books was through comic stores with the main audience being twenty-year-old men. This table of contents is a witness to the transition between a niche audience and a resurgence of comic books. There is darker, more explicit material on this page, clearly appealing to young, heterosexual men like the sex scene and the “Infernal Gall” picture. This verge between respect and popularity also appears in the “Perspective” section asks the fans to “grow up and demand quality.” This table of contents is appealing to both its main, secure audience by the raunchy content, and its incoming audience of everyday mall shoppers who may just want to see what comics are all about. The content featured in this issue is all lead by Executive Editor Kim Thompson, a popular member of the comic community. He is described as having “tastes and interests beyond the worlds he worked in” by his co-worker Steve Brodner. His personality and imagination shaped Fantagraphics, Amazing Heroes’ publishing company, which is why there is a variety in the content of the comic, like a section about the creation of the hero Captain America right next to questions of what even makes a hero, moving to comic parody and erotica all in one issue. Moreover, the tactic not only including erotica, but erotica as an advertisement is used to boost sales for both the publisher and the outside comic book creators alike. Relation A related resource http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/11 http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/5 177 action comics amazing readers backstage cartoon corner comic comic strips comics in review coming distractions cover gallery DC fantagraphics Gil Kane infernal gall issue Kim Thompson March 1990 newsline periodical perspective small press world strom's index the cartoonist https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/e3b66c3473aa775e6cd9289689584953.tif e378eb909174f38cb213a1135172c085 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #149- Table of Contents: pg.3 Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comic Strips Index Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Editor Evermore: Kevin Dooley Art Director: Lynette Alcorn-McCubbin Associate Editor: Bruce Walrad Editors in the Wings: Kim Thompson & Chris McCubbin News Correspondent: Michael Johnson Production Assistants: Mark Thompson & Jason Jeffers Typesetting: Linda Gorell & Arlene Easter Circulation: Rachel Enger & Carol Kovinick-Hernandez Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Printed at: Port Publications, WI Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.47 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Fantagraphic Books, Inc. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 15, 1988 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tiffany McIntyre Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6-5/8 & 10-1/4 in. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1982-1991 Description An account of the resource The Table of Contents of Issue 149 in Amazing Heroes is separated into two categories: “Features” and “Departments.” At the top of the page in bold font and the largest text on the page, “Contents” in all capital letters. Beneath that reads “No. 149, Amazing Heroes, September 15th.” “Features” and “Departments” have each letter separated to extend the entire length of the page horizontally. Under “Features” is the table of contents starting with “Jack to the Future- A Grimjack Preview,” by Andy Mangels; “A Line of Champions: The Hero Comics File,” Kevin Dooley; “Faith and the Funnybooks,” Gary D. Robinson; “‘Oh No, Not Again!’” Kevin Dooley. Beneath the titles are one-to-two sentence summaries of each article. Underneath the description is the author of each article in italics and a row of dots leading to the page number located at the right side of the page. Beneath the table of contents are two comic panels. In the left box is a giant alligator-like creature devouring cans with foam overflowing from its mouth. On the right is a close up image of Grimjack holding two guns. The “Department” section is split into two columns and reads: “Editorial,” “Newsline,” “Coming Distractions,” “Firstlook,” by Chris McCubbin, “Comics In Review,” by Andy Mangels, “It’s Commentin’ Time,” by Sidney Mellon, “Amazing Readers,” by Kevin Dooley, and “Don Rosa’s Information Center”. Kevin Dooley is the editor of this issue of Amazing Heroes, who took classes at school for comics. He and his brother, Michael Dooley, were both fascinated by everything comics and were ridiculed for being in that niche of interest throughout their childhood. As comics grew increasingly popular for people above the age of twenty, Dooley’s claim to fame became less ridiculed and more admired. Dooley’s other comic reputare include Editor for DC Comics and editing Green Lantern and Aquaman. The reason why there are so many different writers in this Amazing Heroes issue is because most artists and writers worked remotely and would then drop off their drawings and work a couple times a week. This was seen a lot at Marvel Comics. In the contents, there is also a parody section of what not to do in comics, a very theatrical tactic this issue partakes in. Many comics in the late 1980s adopted “Shakespearean” tendencies, meaning that, although comics did not speak in iambic pentameter, the content of brutal honesty and humor became popular as mature audiences read comics for entertainment. Content in comics moved into graphic depictions, thus the graphics of the (alluded to) beer cans and the recently fired off guns insinuating active violence. This content verges on the edge of explicit material which is a repetition of values even Shakespeare upheld. The matter of using more gruesome content is timeless, but comes out exceptionally in these comics to retain the new age of their market audience. The Shakespearean tactic of adding more “adult” content does is not only for the new intensity of violence and adult themes. The design and narrative needs to be established as well. Seen here in the index, the language used in the titles along with even the typography sets the time of a well-known narrative. Artists need to follow a genre and for comic books, there are lots of different steps very similar to that of a design team for a theater company. Looking, even, at the number of departments, so much goes into the creation of a single comic book. The Table of Contents itself is a testament to the many people that are involved in the production of each and every story. Relation A related resource http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/12 http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/6 1988 Amazing Heroes comic strips comics contents DC DC Comics faith faith and the funnybooks features First Comics funnyboobs grim jack grimjack hero heroic index issue 149 jack to the future Kevin Dooley periodical September https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/3606c88079bdd74e39b1cb5ae7ae01c5.tif 9d83bb49d4d230aca593ba747ba7e47f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #03- pg.#25 Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comic Strips Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available DC Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 1982 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tiffany McIntyre Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 8-1/2 & 11 in. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1982-1991 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.47 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Illustrators: Jose Delbo & Dick Guidano Executive Editor: J. Michael Catron Art Director: Peppy White Editorial Assistant: Laura K. Beal Cover: Joe Staton Contributing Writer: Richard Morrissey Contributing Artists: Bill Anderson, Rich Buckler, Willie Blyberg, Sam DeLaRosa, Fred Hembeck, Gary Kwapsz, Mike O'Neal, Carl Taylor Description An account of the resource Page twenty-five of issue 3 in Amazing Heroes is titled “Wonder Woman’s New Costume Preview,” written in bold lettering at the top of the page. above that is the header of the comic with “DC News” in all capital letters to the very right, indicating this page is in the news section. The entire content is within a box that is transparent on the inside and outlined in black within the outline, there is an even smaller box containing only text explaining the new outfit choices. Five different sketches of Wonder Woman are surrounding the text box. Each of them are her in different action positions. Starting at the top right going counter-clockwise, she is on one hand and one leg, reaching up. The second illustration is turned to the left in a defensive position. The largest drawing is of her on one knee, her lasso drawn with pointed squiggles around it to indicate activity and power. Below that graphic is Wonder Woman with her hands up and the last is her diving across the page. The bottom two drawings have her lasso in the same outline as the main and central drawing. Wonder Woman’s new outfit has the new double “W” in replace of the eagle. In each drawing of her, her hair is dark and voluptuous, flowing behind her. Her costume is a bodysuit, leotard type outfit that has stars on the bottom part and the top with the flying “W” across the chest. She has high heeled boots that go just below her knee that are designed with a stripe up the front. She has two bands, one around each wrist, and a crown-type headband with a star in the middle. Wonder Woman was created in 1941 by a psychologist named William Moulton Marston. She came into the comic world as an Axis-Power agent to fight in WWII and defend America. During this comic, the beginning of the end of the Cold War had started and new, more modern icons were needed for America. For comics in general, a new market was surging at this time. Large publishers like DC and Marvel were now up against independent publishers, for example Fantagraphics which publishes Amazing Heroes. These independent publishers were targeting the direct market by offering royalties to artists. The artists for independent publishers had more freedom for creative range than they did with big companies, so they were ultimately attracted to the smaller, independent publishers. The market economy for comic books was changing, and with that change came changes in designs, like this page on Wonder Woman’s costume. This preview piece in Amazing Heroes is for DC, meaning this comic’s publishing company worked with DC, oftentimes displaying comics from the larger corporations. For Wonder Woman’s costume change as a whole, many factors play into her “new and improved” look. First of all, Wonder Woman as a character deals with psychological themes of dominance and subservience. She is an inspiration and strong female role model for girls and women alike, yet she is sexualized for the male gaze. Her bullet-deflecting bracelets are often seen as bracelets of submission and her golden lasso can be interpreted as a fetishistic sex toy. On the other hand, she is an empowering icon and is often times noted as a woman young girls look up to as their first feminist figure, inspiring ideals of empowerment for women as a whole and themselves as individuals. Her outfit change is a result of social standards of a new wave of feminism as well as the economic changes comics as a whole were facing. Throughout the years, Wonder Woman became increasingly less popular. She went through costume changes in the past to try to boost sales. In the 1970s, artists drew her in a mod jumpsuit, but switched back to a closer version of her short bodysuit in the 1980s. These were mostly an attempt to raise sales on the comic industry side of the story, yet Wonder Woman still stood as an example of feminist hope for women while at the same time was a sexualized hero for male readers, so changes in costumes were necessary for changing times for this female character. Relation A related resource http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/7 http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/1 1982 Amazing Heroes article August comic comic strip costume costume change DC economy issue 3 lasso lasso of truth Michael Catron New news periodical Preview sales Wonder Woman https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/4638344a0c0ec92011c8709743cf840d.tif 0e3acc4a926ee46e8a8b5175569e2b88 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #177- pg. #13 Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comic Strips Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.47 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Fantagraphic Books, Inc. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1990 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tiffany McIntyre Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6-5/8 & 10-1/4 in. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1982-1991 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Executive Editor: Kim Thompson Managing Editor: Thomas Harrington Art Director: Mark Thompson Assistant Editor: Jason Sacks News Correspondent: George Kaplan Production Assistance: Roberta Gregory Typesetting.Proofreading: Graig Maynard & Jasons Sacks Circulation: Michelle Byrd & Sharon Kingsford Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Printed at: Port Publications, WI Description An account of the resource Page 13 of Action Comics, Issue 177 is a part of the comic’s “Newsline” section. The page is separated into three columns with who illustrations in the first column and one in the second. The page is comic news and goes through what different publishers are writing about, releasing, running, and charging for their comics. The first story on the page speaks on “4Winds Publishing,” then moves to “Innovation Publications,” “Kitchen Sink,” onto the second column which hosts “Marvel,” “NBM,” and “Onward Comics,” and finally the third column starts with “New England Comics,” “Piranha Press,” “Ray Zone,” “Slave Labor Press,” “Special Studios,” “Trident Comics,” and finally copyright information. The First image is a comic of a man holding a suitcase and an artist's palette with the caption “Have palette, will travel.” This is a satirical piece about comic artists. The second image is the cover of “Bizarre Heroes” which has a woman superhero squatting next to a male superhero seemingly unconscious. The third image is a woman whose shirt is up and underwear is around her thighs. She is apparently masturbating. There is a close-up box of her eyes squinted to block her hand and genitals. Erotica in comics is published for the viewer, mainly a male gaze, which is then used to objectify and sexualize pictures of women, devaluing the female body and using it for arousal. Erotica became popular because, unlike porn, a still picture or drawing gives the viewer agency to control their thoughts around the picture. The picture is an inference to a sexual encounter. The viewer then has the ability to create an entire sexual fantasy in their head based on that graphic rather than watch a sexual scene already made for them. Erotica lets the audience participate in sexual imagination and take as much or little time as they need to do so. The audience is not confined to the end of a sex clip. Their time with the comic has no boundaries, except the ones they place on themselves. Especially moving from the late 1980s into the 1990s, raunchier, more violent, objectifying, and commercialized depictions of sex were popularized. A turn towards explicit sex was becoming normative. Erotic magazines became the 90’s modernized Tijuana Bibles, which are small, eight-page erotic magazines that presented homosociality and sexual violence, popular between 1920 and 1960. They contain, and create, aggressive, violence, masculinity that sexualized and abuse women in heterosexual sex. Tijuana Bibles were strictly for the male fantasy of woman submission and male dominance. Sexual power control while simultaneously degrading women were conducted and expected. Consent was rarely present, if at all. In the 1990s when this comic came out, Amazing Heroes was in major competition with Wizard, another comic publication. Wizard emerged as a major competitor. Arguably, the need to broaden their audience and market share explains why Amazing Heroes moved towards including more content, particularly sexualized imagery. Relation A related resource http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/8 http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/5 177 4Winds Publishing action comics bizarre comic comic strips DC erotic Eurotica fantagraphics heroes Innovation Publications issue Kitchen Sink March 1990 Marvel NBM New England Comics newsline Onward Comics periodical Piranha Press Ray Zone Slave Labor Press Specual Studio Trident Comics https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/8fafba28c1a7b7312ea5d1ac3494597a.tif 7c33fcfa37ac86d6873b2c2380568ec4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #149- pg. #41 Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comic Strips Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.47 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 15, 1988 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tiffany McIntyre Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6-5/8 & 10-1/4 in. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1982-1991 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Writer: Gary D. Robinson Editor Evermore: Kevin Dooley Art Director: Lynette Alcorn-McCubbin Associate Editor: Bruce Walrad Editors in the Wings: Kim Thompson & Chris McCubbin News Correspondent: Michael Johnson Production Assistants: Mark Thompson & Jason Jeffers Typesetting: Linda Gorell & Arlene Easter Circulation: Rachel Enger & Carol Kovinick-Hernandez Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Printed at: Port Publications, WI Description An account of the resource Page 41 of issue 149 of Amazing Heroes is titled “Faith and the Funnybooks.” The text takes up two-thirds of the page horizontally. The text is centered with “faith” in gothic font and “funnybooks” in a rounded font. Beneath the title is a picture of the cover of Jonah Hex No. 24. The illustration on the front is of a zombie reverend in which half of his face is human and half is falling off. He is being handed a gun by a hand whose arm is going off the bottom of the page. Two intimidating-looking cowboy men are in the back, in front of a building and a tall fence. The reverend is refusing the gun. The rest of the page is the article discussing how religion is presented and handled in comic books. When religion is brought into any pop culture genre, it is usually not to to agree one way or the other or try to preach to the general audiences what the creator's beliefs and practices are (and aren’t). Religion is present to raise awareness and spur on an analysis or a critique of whatever is being proposed. Here, the proposal is to see how faith is shaped in comics, here referred to as “funnybooks” by the article’s author Gary D. Robinson, as well as see how freedom and openness to the discussion of religion has been present in comics and what the implications of that are. In comics, particularly the comics being analyzed in this “Faith and the Funnybooks” article, religion is westernized and modernized. Either the story of God is told with a modern twist, or the practice of religion, especially Christianity, is in the narrative of a western tone. God and Christianity are mentioned because those are the two main themes, icons, and practices of western culture. There is mention of other religions such as Judaism and Hinduism in the article, but many comics circulate around Christianity as the main monotheistic religion to write about. Many times, when God is mentioned in comics, there is a want to present the moral question of religion and the engage human response. The age of reading comics increased, thus interests change as age changes, making the presentation of religion in comics more of a question of value for the reader to ask themselves. In the context of Amazing Heroes, the amazing part of heroes comes with the non-human qualities. Heroes are seen as godlike figures existing outside of religious doctrines. Religion, when present in comics and the heroes within comics, are sometimes a metaphor for a shift and development in culture and community. During 1988 in America, when this comic was published, President Bush was implementing a new approach to foreign affairs by directly communicating with foreign leaders himself. In this historical context, Robinson’s article is seen as questioning patriarchal, authoritarian values that comic books oftentimes present religion to uphold. Relation A related resource http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/9 http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/6 1988 Amazing Heroes christianity comic strips comics faith fantagraphics funnybooks gary robinson jonah hex periodical religion September superhero western western culture