Can we stop killing fictional characters already? Two in a week is a bit much...

I’m a comic book nerd, and I’m totally not afraid to admit it. But I realize that (outside of summer movies) comic books sit kind of on the fringe of pop culture, although this has been slowly changing over the years. Still, when you get up in the morning, turn on CNN and see that they’re talking about Captain America’s death, you can’t help but do a double take.

You may recall, last summer I did a post about a Marvel Comics event called “Civil War”. Well this death comes on the heels of the ending of that event (which I won’t spoil, in the off chance that someone actually wants to read it). Anyway, as you’ll inevitably hear (I’ve already found articles @ the PI, MSNBC & CNN), Cap was assassinated, which I found interesting. He didn’t die in a great fight, or sacrificing himself to save the world. He died at a moment a pure defenselessness. I actually respect doing that.

And really, I have to give Marvel props for doing this event. They set out to do something unique in the landscape of Superhero comics, and they were able to get the attention of the mainstream media in doing so. “Civil War” was covered by everyone from “The Colbert Report” to “The New York Times”. The last time I can recall that happening was when DC killed Superman (for only 3 months, till he came back). In addition, they actually altered the world in which their characters live. This may not sound like a big deal, but typically when “events” happen in comics, things are back to the status quo by the end.

In the course of a year, Marvel has unmasked Spider-man, killed Captain America and created a Marvel Universe that looks much more like the post 9/11 world we live in. It’s hard not to look at something like “Civil War” and not think of things like the Patriot Act or the war on terror.

I’d be lying if I thought they wouldn’t bring Cap back eventually. It’s the way of comic books. I can only hope that they at least make the death stick, for at least a few years. I’m a really big fan of the writer who currently pens “Captain America”, and judging from his past work, I have a feeling he’ll keep the death as permanent as he can.

Alright...done geeking out.