Friday 24 September 2010

CAN YOU COUNT SUCKERS?...

Action Ash
...because if you can, you may have noticed the growing number of double page spreads dedicated to assembling members of a gang or organisation, in Marvel comics at the moment. I know this sounds a bit tenuous, but let's take a look shall we. (click image to enlarge)

Shadowland: Powerman #2
Taskmaster#1


X-Force: Sex and Violence #2


I suppose it's a quick and easy way of introducing a number of characters (a lot of them b or c-listers in these cases) in to a story without having to go too deep into who they are. The first example cleverly uses it as a way to sneak in a reference to the warriors (one of my favourite films) which is further evidence that Van Lente is awesome. I must point out that the first two examples are both written by Van Lente, so that says something. However, Sex and Violence came out first, therefore Kyle and Yost seem to be the originators of this trend.

Although I like the gang assembly scenes, I can see them becoming over used, much like
quotes from The Mighty Boosh. Kept to a minimum they could remain a fun and or dramatic way of introducing characters into a story.

CAN YOU DIG IT!?

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