This time of year everyone seems to be taking an "in depth" look at the year 2005. They dissect the trends that made the year what it was and analyze their effects. That's all fine and well, but what about 2006? Well, here at Ground Zero, we're not afraid to take on the tougher topics! So here is our look at the notable comic events for the year that was: 2006!

Comic Fans continue to get older.
For years it was common knowledge that general comic readership was aging, but it was in 2006 that the most dramatic evidence finally surfaced: The Spider-Man/Maalox cross promotion! Many older comic readers could remember a time when comics were given as premiums with boxes of cereal or toothpaste. Perhaps it was with this in mind that the bold cross-promotion was launched. The Spider-Man comic began incorporating the product into its storyline, as 40 years of worry finally gave Peter a sour stomach. The much anticipated about Hulk/Depends cross-promotion never materialized, but was still rumored for sometime in 2007.

Anniversarys Align for She-Hulk!
She Hulk celebrated its landmark 150th issue in 2006. Because of it's frequent cancellations and relaunces, this same issues was also its 100th, 50th, 25th, 10th and 73rd. Coincidentally, it was also the last, as Marvel canceled the book with that issue.

Batman gets therapy!
Finally fed up with comic fans complaining about the overly dark Batman, DC launched a new direction for the Caped Crusader. In a special twelve issue storyline, Alfred hears Bruce talk about "that night, that alley!" one time too many and has him committed. Institutionalized for the first time, Batman undergoes "regression therapy" and finally comes to terms with his past. He emerges as a happier, more productive member of society. Of course, he still beats criminals to a pulp, but this time his creepy, malevolent grimace is replaced by a kinder, more understanding smile. The final issue of the story, "Shrink the Dark Knight", shipped with special "rose scented" paper stock.

Marvel Rocked by "Demanded" Scandal!
The crack investigative reporters of the New York Times turned their attention to Marvel Comics and uncovered a scandal that rocked the very foundation of the publishing giant. In June of 2006, Marvel published the new adventures of Omega the Unknown with the usual tagline "Because you demanded it!" After a lengthy investigation by the Times reporters, it was determined that no one had actually demanded it at all. In fact, there was no record of anyone even politely suggesting Omega's return. When word of this scandal leaked, comic fans began to question all of Marvel's tag lines. Was the Fantastic Four really the "Worlds Greatest Comic Book"? Was Spider-Girl really the Daughter of Spider-Man? Were the X-Men really "Uncanny", and if so: Why?

In an attempt to restore fan confidence, Marvel issued the following apology on the cover of the third and final issue of Omega: "We here at Marvel know what is best for you. However, some people seem to feel that statements made on our covers must conform to some kind of 'truth'. We realize that the claim "because you demanded it", which appeared on the cover of this very book, was not supported by this so-called 'truth'. We humbly ask your forgiveness for your inability to understand the wording on our covers. When we said 'because you demanded it,' what we actually meant was 'because no one specifically demanded that we not publish it.' We thank you for your continued patronage and hope that you will be able to better understand us in the future."

This scandal changed the way comics were marketed in 2006. Gone were the traditional "Because you demanded it!" and "Collectors Item First Spectacular Issue!" Replacing them were more "truthful" taglines such as: "Because We Feel That There Can Never Be Too Many X-Books..." and "Because We Were Pretty Sure You Still Had Another Three Bucks!"

MMORPGs Revealed to be Alien Plot!
Online games such as Warcraft and Star Wars Galaxies grew more and more popular in 2005 and early 2006. By late 2006, however, it was uncovered that the whole thing was actually a plot to opiate the masses and prepare Earth for an alien invasion. Apparently this was a joint effort between an advanced alien culture and terrestrial soda companies. Luckily the plot was revealed before the entire nation became populated with slobbering drones who could no longer function in the real world. Whew! Good thing we dodged that one, right everybody?

Comic Shop Owners Finally Admit to being Millionaires!
What had long been suspected by comic fans was finally confirmed in 2006: All comic ship owners are rich beyond imagination. "Hey, I'm in a shop that's obviously low rent," one anonymous shop owner said, "and these books are three buck and up. You do the math!" Actually, shop owners were hoping that people wouldn't do the math. Once the IRS got wind of the wild profits that comic shops were generating, they instigated a new tax bracket just for comic shop owners. Although they had to fork over millions of dollars in back taxes, comic shop owners still benefited from their new status. Supermodels began dumping rock stars to take up with comic shop owners. As comics became the new "bling", Wal-Mart attempted to move into the market, but was crushed by the unified comic shops and almost driven out of business as a result.

There you have it: the crazy, wacky year that was 2006! Let's hope that 2007 will be just as interesting.