Kossori's Newswire

Welcome to the first installment of Kossori's Newswire. On this page I will give a (slightly unbiased) view of the current goings-ons in the world of comics. I would like to, first of all, thank Dave for the space he's giving me to write all this up at. Thanks, Dave!! Okay, now on to the news...

The first thing I want to touch on is the whole "Marvel Mature" thing. I'm going to give you a few examples of the new MAX line, scheduled for September launch, see what Marvel is currently doing with adult-type comics, check out their new rating system and we'll even take a look at the 1954 Senate hearing on comics and the resulting comics code, which Marvel has decided to leave.

And on the horizon- *Night Nurse (by Gail Simone, artist tba). A four-issue limited series, set to debut in December.*Blade, an ongoing series (by Mark Andreyko and a pair of rotating pencilers Manuel Guitierrez and Steve Pugh).(Nov.) *Cage, a five-issue limited series (Nov.) (by Brian Azzarello and Richard Corben). Preview *Howard the Duck, a six-issue limited series (Dec.) (by Steve Gerber and Phil Winslade) *A Black Widow mini-series (tentatively Jan.) (by Greg Rucka and Greg Horn). Preview *Deathlok (unscheduled mini-series) *Shang-Chi (unscheduled; Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy)

And whether the Max line works or not, at least one thing is for sure... We're gonna have some new (and different) stuff to read.

You've probably seen Punisher (by Ennis) on the shelves, as well as Milligan and Allred's X-Force. These are the books (along with Bendis' Elektra, coming out next week) that are spear-heading the mature move by Marvel. Everyone knows about the controversial first issue of X-Force by Milligan and Allred. It was the book that Marvel decided to print, against the wishes of the Comics Code. After which, Marvel chose to drop the code entirely.

Seeing that most comics are bought in direct only outlets now, using the code to protect against kids picking up inappropriate material on a newstand is highly unlikely, anyway. Most consider Marvel's move moot. We'll have to see.

Back in the '80s, Marvel produced a handful of books, aimed at mature readers, that were sold direct to comic shops. A few of these were: Moon Knight, Micronauts and Ka-Zar. They were not code-approved, nor were they worried. The direct market at that time was mainly for adults. There was enough of an outlet on the newstands and convenience stores to cover the kids and their comics. But as collecting became an issue, comics moved more and more into the direct market. Now, even kids have to go to the comic specialty shops to get their favorite comics. It has been left to the independent store owners to traffic the adult and juvenile markets. And even then, some don't truly trust their discretion. Check out the Planet Comics case.

Which brings us to...

In light of Marvel's decision to leave the code, they have decided to implement their own rating system. This rating system is as follows...

All Ages: These titles won't carry any label and are considered appropriate for readers of all ages. Titles under this banner include all the Ultimate Marvel titles.

MarvelPG: Considered appropriate for most readers, though Marvel suggests parents may want to read them with their children. Titles in this category will include Fantastic Four, Thor, New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Amazing Spider-Man.

MarvelPG +: Similar to MarvelPG, these titles are recommended for teen and adult readers and may contain "a little more violence or strong language." Titles in this category include Punisher, Elektra, Marvel Knights: Double-Shot, and Starling Stories: Banner.

Parental Advisory: Explicit Content: Created for the MAX line, these titles will reportedly contain what readers could experience in an R rated movie - including some "harsh language, intense violence, and perhaps, even some nudity."

Not many people know that the Silver Age of comics (with the return of several old super-heroes, as well as the creation of thousands of others) was, in the most part, a reaction to the Senate hearing on comics and their influence on America's youth. Check out The 1954 Senate Interim Report- Comics and Juvenile Delinquincy. -You can find the code at the bottom.At the time of the hearing, comics were much more diverse than they have been since, with crime, horror, romance, adventure, western, sci-fi and, of course, super-hero comics all selling pretty well.

After the hearing, and the initiation of the Code, hundreds of comics ceased publication. They couldn't pass the code. Companies started to lose money. Some left the field altogether. But those who remained found the one thing to save them: Super-Heroes. Super-heroes began to fill the void left by the departed crime and horror comics. And the Silver Age was born. Since then, super-heroes have dominated the comics medium. Some say to a fault. They have helped rebuild a falling enterprise, only to replace it with a more restrained and confined version of what it was before.

Nevertheless, we're on the verge of some important changes in the comics medium. Will Marvel's move from the code really make a difference to the rest of the direct market? Will rating systems become the standard? Only time will tell.

*Marvel will go all-out early next year when they introduce the Marvel 'Mangaverse', in an eight-issue 'Fifth Week' event this coming January. Edited by Ralph Macchio, Brian Smith and Joe Quesada, publisher/creator Ben Dunn of Antarctic Press (home of titles like Ninja High School and Warrior Nun Areala) will reportedly plot and illustrate the first and last 'bookend' issues, and the six 'middle' one shots will be written and drawn by various creators, though no specific names were divulged this early.

*Our Worlds At War: People are dying out there! Won't name names but rest assured that a few of them have died before...

*In early 2002, DC will publish Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure written by Greg Rucka, with art by Rick Burchett and Rodney Ramos. The issue will be a regular-sized comic book, and will be a primer of sorts for readers who may not know who the players in the Bat-books are. The story in The 10-Cent Adventure will kick off a larger storyline, "Bruce Wayne…Fugitive" that will unfold from the events in The 10-Cent Adventure, however, the issue itself will be a standalone story, with a beginning, middle, and end.