I blame poor writing for slumping sales and subsequent cancellation of diverse comic book titles. We compete against social media and video games; writers must grab reader attention quickly and press the action. Otherwise, we mistake comic books as novels. I’m learning from mainstream writers’ mistakes: heroes do good works, notwithstanding affiliation with any identity group. Comic books remain a great medium in which to show active heroism and role models.

Steep declines may reflect a biased market. However, Marvel Comics’ X-Men have long shown an inclusive and popular cast. Despite initial optimism, several distinctly different heroes failed. Their writers focused more on characters’ personal identities than compelling story-craft. Many current writers blindly charge critics with –isms or phobias. Worse, they speak to fans with condescending scorn. Instead of honing their writing skills, comic book teams play victims that their own heroes could not save.

For a recent example, look at Iceman. Show me his long-anticipated solo heroism. After reading the series, I have more questions about its true agenda:

• Who could publicly criticize a boss and fans, yet expect more comic book writing opportunities? I doubt we could use social media campaigns against employers and consumers, and keep our jobs. I may lack some social skills but I do understand: don’t bite the hand that feeds.
• Why didn’t writers explore an oft-whispered relationship between two characters: the Juggernaut and Black Tom Cassidy? Juggernaut strongly appears in the story arc. I think writers missed a powerful opportunity to show characters’ empathy. How could three different characters handle introspection of their personal lives? The ingredients for great emotional stories and action-adventures seem obvious.

  

• How could Iceman’s teammate unwillingly out him without significant story repercussions? [Excuse her inexperience with mind-reading.] Sell detailed social (and maybe physical) conflict based on this new information. Include villains’ impressions, who inevitably learn heroes’ secrets. Iceman’s interactions with people could dispel negative stereotypes of gay men, so make him a hero first and foremost. His victories could be our collective victories.

Our comic book team holds copyright on the first featured comic book hero with autism. Other mainstream comic books disparage autism as a mental-health “weakness.” Their non-human heroes or villains might have autism – but not a main, ongoing hero. Their characters may self-diagnose as autistic yet never/rarely show how the condition affects their costumed or private lives.

One of Marvel Comics’ heroes sought a cure for autism, thereby alienating a wide audience. I believe many current comic book teams: 1) lack an authentic understanding autism, or being different in many ways, and/or 2) lack effective writing ability. Certainly, mainstream comic books have enormous marketing power. Therefore, dismiss fans’ knowledge of these newer heroes as a reason for their failures.

As a simple guy, I continue to work on all three challenges. I promise to keep trying to improve my hobby craft, my self-care, and my and knowledge about autism and people. Will you join me?

FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog post contains copyrighted material; the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material available for the purposes of criticism, comment, review and news reporting which constitute the ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. Not withstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work for purposes such as criticism, comment, review and news reporting is not an infringement of copyright.