tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post8518722195832344745..comments2024-03-28T10:18:00.370-05:00Comments on Gentlemen of Leisure: X-amining X-Men #37Austin Gortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14281239771248780430noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-78441201403856992182010-03-29T11:05:00.044-05:002010-03-29T11:05:00.044-05:00Thanks Jenn! The intersection of pop culture and s...Thanks Jenn! The intersection of pop culture and socio-political culture in comic books is indeed fascinating. In addition to the Cold War, another cultural zeitgeist that greatly influenced the comics of the time was Watergate. <br /><br />We won't see much of it in "X-Men", since the book was on hiatus for most of the seventies, but there was a fascinating ongoing story in Captain America that was published shortly after Nixon resigned which dealt with Cap battling the "Secret Empire". In the end, the Secret Empire's secret leader is revealed to be the President, which effectively rocked Cap's world and changed the direction and tone of the book for months (and was a fairly ballsy reveal on the part of the writer, the great Steve Englehart, especially for the time). It's definitely a story which reflects the thoughts and feelings of the time. <br /><br />Oh, and I love Scott as much as anyone (which may not even be hyperbole...) but he certainly is an easy target.<br /><br />@Dr. Bitz: That would be far too simple and uncomplicated. ;)<br /><br />This is just a guess on my part, but being as how Thomas was one of the first comic writers to grow up a comic book fan, I wouldn't be surprised if he was interested (like several writers working nowadays) in trying to get comics to be seen as more than "kid's stuff". <br /><br />So it's not enough to have a team of evil mutants trying to take over the world, their domination gets couched in the prevalent political conflict of the time (of course, the revelations coming regarding Factor Three's plot next issue probably completely debunk this theory, but we'll get to that). <br /><br />@Anne: Stan Lee should get some kind of Pulitzer for on-the-fly BS. He was a freakin' genius when it came to stuff like that.Austin Gortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14281239771248780430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-31369067951184360792010-03-28T16:12:14.001-05:002010-03-28T16:12:14.001-05:00i gotta say Stan, touche on the contacts response
...i gotta say Stan, touche on the contacts response<br /><br />Oblivio-Ray FTWAnne Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04695186823472404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-53851217867126465942010-03-27T16:28:16.770-05:002010-03-27T16:28:16.770-05:00Silly me. I figured Factor 3 meant it was and evil...Silly me. I figured Factor 3 meant it was and evil organization lead by 3 super villains.Dr. Bitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13568570859981368717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-46450181254861492162010-03-27T10:04:13.780-05:002010-03-27T10:04:13.780-05:00One thing I find so interesting with this genre is...One thing I find so interesting with this genre is how much of the cultural climate of the day is reflected in the stories. I am especially intrigued by the stuff that was written during the Cold War era, as it really reflects what people were thinking/feeling during that time. Having been born right after the Cold War ended, I don't forget that it happened, but I forget sometimes that the threat of nuclear war <i>terrified</i> people—as it would/does me. Very interesting stuff, and a great post!<br /><br />Oh, and I loved the article about Scott's whining and the contacts. Funny!JennMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05754816706901976659noreply@blogger.com