Superheroes Take On Gay Marriage, Death Penalty, War...

[Kire]

Superheroes Span Red-Blue Divide
Comic Book Icons Like Superman & Spiderman Are Tackling Politics

May 28, 2006

(Christian Science Monitor) This article was written by By Randy Dotinga

POW! (How far should I go to protect my rights?) BAM! (What's my position on gay marriage?) ZING! (Look out for that embedded reporter!)

In today's comic books, superheroes aren't just thinking about how to defeat the usual kryptonite-wielding villains. They're also tackling topics such as terrorism, war, and civil liberties as a heavy dose of 21st-century reality seeps into their alternate universe.

In "Civil War," a sprawling new Marvel series, superheroes like Spider-Man and Captain America must choose sides over whether the government should be allowed to register them. In a comic book called "Ex Machina," a 9/11 hero-turned-mayor copes with political hot buttons and his own superpowers. Not too long ago, Iron Man became secretary of defense under President George W. Bush. In a separate comic, Superman debated the invasion of a dangerous Middle Eastern country.

"Comics have always had one foot in reality, but it's probably been more so in recent times," says Alex Segura, spokesman for DC Comics. "The audience has gotten older, and the reader is more prone to read about stuff that's going on outside their window."

More: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/26/entertainment/main1660039.shtml

[Broken_Hero]

1. interesting article...n/t