Hello, readers!
It’s been…a week. A very stressful one for many people, myself included. It’s amazing how one day can change everything and make you yearn for the days when the latest comics world garbage fire was your biggest concern.
To no one’s surprise, the U.S. election has been leaving its mark on comics. Champions creator Humberto Ramos and New Teen Titans co-creator George Pérez have both decided not to attend comicbook shows in states that went for President-Elect Donald Trump. Pérez, for his part, will fulfill his commitments through 2017 but after that, he’ll restrict his attendance to shows in Clinton-friendly states.
With the sharp rise in hate crimes post-election–many of which have taken place in schools and college campuses across the U.S.–people are searching for ways to preach tolerance. Some people have suggested reprinting this classic plug featuring Superman who, I’d like to remind everyone, was created by a pair of Jewish men.
.@DCComics People are asking if this 1950 plug for tolerance can be reprinted and distributed to schools. I think that's a super idea. pic.twitter.com/JfZrztvW9J
— Marc Tyler Nobleman (@MarcTNobleman) November 11, 2016
Despite earlier reports that Frank Cho was in talks to do a Wonder Woman project, a DC spokesman says otherwise. I bet many people are breathing a sigh of relief.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Doctor Strange premiered earlier this month in the U.S. Japanese theaters, however, won’t be screening the film until January. I point that out to explain why Weekly Shonen Magazine is running a prequel oneshot manga on November 22.
Speaking of whitewashing, the trailer for the live-action Ghost in the Shell movie dropped this past weekend.
Maybe one day Hollywood will feature Asian faces in an Asian story. At the very least, it’d be nice to see a film that doesn’t fetishize Japanese culture like that.
As for Japan, Warner Brothers released a teaser trailer for the live action adaptation of Hiroaki Samura’s Blade of the Immortal. I’m pretty excited! Hopefully, we’ll see a Stateside release of some sort!
Going back to the subject of superhero movies, rumors are afoot that the next X-Men movie may focus on the Dark Phoenix storyline. When I first read the news, my immediate reaction was: “Wait. Didn’t they already try to do that in The Last Stand?” I then immediately reversed that thought and said: “Actually, yeah, maybe try to do that again. But better this time. Much better.”
News has been very heavy this week, so I’d like to end on a couple more positive notes. First, Albuquerque will be hosting the very first Indigenous Comic-con this weekend. Secondly, people have been falling for a new webcomic about two gay Muslim roommates who are in love with each other. The comic demonstrates the kind of positive diversity and representation all media should aim for. We can only hope that the real world will one day mirror the hopes and dreams we see in these pages.
See you next week.
