Sunday, June 17, 2007

Super Dads: A Comic Book Father’s Day Retrospective

Happy Father’s Day, Gentle Reader! We Reads are looking at a rather dreary day, weather-wise, which means a rather pleasant day, Reads-Wise! We so very much enjoy rainy days, gray skies, and anything else that makes the Southern Sun go away for a few hours, at least. Of course, our barbequing plans have moved from outdoors to in, but if that means we can look and go outside without squinting or melting, we’ll take that any day!

I’ve already spoken with Daddy Reads this morning, and wished him well indeed on such a day. Daddy Reads is one of those peculiar breed of somewhat conservative men: he is Father to a Daughter, and therefore has Different Ideas about what Women can or cannot do. That is to say, This Humble Author was brought up to believe she *could* be that horseback-riding, novel-writing, rich-and-famous, U.S. President Princess of the World she so wanted to be at age 5 (and age 10, and with a few tweaks, age 30). Daddy Reads encouraged things like ambitions, and dreams, and when it was important, and not about a pony, never told me “no.”

Of course, this makes me think of other Fathers, of Fictional Fathers, and that inevitably leads to Comic Book Fathers. And so, I offer you My Ten Favorite Comic Book Fathers. Please, Friends, add to this list! Let’s see it grow.

Ten Favorite Comic Book Fathers

1) Wally West/The Flash – I would scream it from the mountaintops, if I could, but Wally West epitomizes Good Comics Fatherhood to me. His love of the twins, his happiness when Linda latches on, twins in hand, before they’re all sucked into the Speed Force has never ceased to Make Me Smile. And, if the rumor-mill is correct, Gentle Reader, I may just see my Beloved Flash Again!

2) Bruce Wayne/Batman – This Humble Author is Quite the Activist regarding the promotion of adopted and surrogate parents and children, and I think One Year Later, Bruce Wayne is demonstrating that he is A Strong Hero, A Strong Father, and more importantly, A Loving Father.

3) Bigby/The Big Bad Wolf – Although he disappeared from Fable-Town for reasons still rather shaky for my liking, he has proved, without a doubt, that he is a dedicated, loving father to his multitude of children. And, well, he’s the Big Bad Wolf. Who better to protect children (if not gobble them up, for cuteness)?

4) Luke Cage/Power Man – What image more defined the human face of Marvel’s Civil War than Luke Cage protecting his wife and daughter as they made their escape to Canada? The size of Luke, his raw power, in direct contrast with his tiny, newborn daughter, was nothing short of heartbreaking. Further, his defense of his family and others who refused to register proved that registration was and still is an immoral, unconstitutional thing.

5) Jonathan Kent/Superman’s Dad – Not a Super Hero of the Flights and Tights variety, certainly, but he is the Strength behind the Flights and Tights, so to speak. And for those of us Coming of Age before Smallville, we knew Jonathan Kent a little less earnest but just as adored, and we wanted him to take care of us, too.

6) Alan Scott/The Green Lantern/The White King – I admit that I am not as familiar with the Green Lantern Corps as some of my Sister Bloggers, and it’s a failing I admit freely. When asked to name the first Green Lantern, even, I was sometimes—just sometimes, Gentle Reader!—hard pressed to remember Alan Scott. But I am trying to rectify this situation, because what I know of Alan Scott, as a Hero, as a Father to Jade and Obsidian, the latter I adored in Manhunter, I Just Love. So he deserves, without question, to Make the List.

7) Benjamin Parker/Spider-Man’s Uncle – Here we have a legal guardian in the role of Father, once again continuing this running theme of alternative fatherhood. Uncle Ben helped define Peter Parker not only as Super Hero Spider-Man, but also as Good Man Peter Parker. Uncle Ben’s simple philosophy “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” is indeed a phrase to live by, and his death, while tragic, was the impetus necessary to push Peter Parker into his Spider-Man persona.

8) Alfred Pennyworth/Batman’s Butler – Again, I would like to argue for alternative definitions of “Father” as Alfred has kept My Beloved Batman sane, time and time again. More than a mere butler, yes, of this we’re all familiar, but further, he marks the compass of Right and Wrong for Bruce Wayne. He loves Bruce Wayne, unconditionally.

And finally, two villains that, while not my favorites, deserve to be on a list about Comic Book Fathers.

9) Magneto – Father of the Brotherhood of Mutants, of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver and Polaris, he tries to save Mutants from the world, or the world from mutants, or drive everyone away, or just blow everything up, or any of the thousands of plots Magneto has hatched. But he is dedicated, to his cause, to himself, sometimes to his family, but not *all* the time, and… well, if you read any X-Men line, you know exactly what I mean.

10) Captain Boomerang – A bad guy that’s not always a bad guy, or he is, but sometimes he at least Somewhat Sane, and then, finding himself obsolete, he reaches out to his son. More importantly, his death, like Uncle Ben’s for Spider-Man, urge the second Captain Boomerang to action, and then, ultimately, to reformation.

8 comments:

Matthew E said...

Well, there's R.J. Brande, who founded and bankrolled the Legion in two of its three major incarnations, and was not only a father figure to them but Chameleon Boy's actual dad in the original version.

Lightning Lad, Cosmic Boy and Ultra Boy were all fathers in various Legion versions, although Lightning Lad is the only one we saw really being a dad.

Fanboy said...

Hi Amy. I'm back to the world of blogging. I would add Ogami Itto from Lone Wolf and Cub to your list. I realize it's something of fucked up choice, but it's sooo good.

Amy Reads said...

Hi Matthew,
Well, there's R.J. Brande, who founded and bankrolled the Legion in two of its three major incarnations, and was not only a father figure to them but Chameleon Boy's actual dad in the original version.
Lightning Lad, Cosmic Boy and Ultra Boy were all fathers in various Legion versions, although Lightning Lad is the only one we saw really being a dad.


As you know, I'm very unfamiliar with the Legion. I've read a bit here and there, but not with any real commitment. Your enthusiasm, however, is making me want to read more, and in finally (finally!) getting caught up with the JSA/JLA crossover, I *really* want to read more Legion. In Particular, I want to know more about Dawnstar, Saturn Girl, Dream Girl, Star Boy, and Brainiac 5.

That being said, it's Rather Surprising to hear that there are fathers in the Legion. I think of them as teenagers, not as growing into adults.

That make sense?

Thanks for Letting Me Know!
Ciao,
Amy

Amy Reads said...

Hi Mr. Fanboy,
Hi Amy. I'm back to the world of blogging.

Huzzah! Welcome back, Friend. Hope you're settling into your new job!

I would add Ogami Itto from Lone Wolf and Cub to your list. I realize it's something of fucked up choice, but it's sooo good.

Good to know! I've never read it, unfortunately, but I know that there was a cover of Catwoman stylized after Lone Wolf and Cub. Is that true?
Ciao,
Amy

Matthew E said...

I *really* want to read more Legion. In Particular, I want to know more about Dawnstar, Saturn Girl, Dream Girl, Star Boy, and Brainiac 5.

Well, the Levitz era is the period for you, then. You may be able to hunt down a copy of the Great Darkness Saga trade paperback; it's out of print but you still see it around from time to time. And DC's coming out with a trade of the first six issues of the Baxter series later this year. You might be better off just hunting for back issues; anything from 1982 to 1989, basically (including the Annuals!).

Mostly the Legionnaires were teen heroes, but Paul Levitz brought them into adulthood in his run (that's when Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl had their first set of twins), and the Five-Years-Later series aged them even further (that's when Cosmic Boy and Night Girl had a child). Then they were teens again during the reboot, but when Abnett and Lanning took over they allowed time to creep ahead a bit; that's when Ultra Boy and Apparition had a baby, but they were very obviously too young not to be in over their heads, being married and with a kid.

For another comic-book dad, investigate DC's old science-fiction limited series Tailgunner Jo. I only ever read the first issue, but man, that's messed up.

Fanboy said...

Thanks. It's good to be back.

Yep. That's right. The Catwoman cover you mention was straight outta Lone Wolf and Cub. If you want to cheat, see the films. There are 6 of them and they KICK ASS. Some of the best films I've ever seen. Seriously. Their only about 1 1/2 hours each. WAY ahead of their time (ca. 1972). If you ask nicely, I'd be happy to send you my DVDs since I know you'll actually send them back.

Amy Reads said...

Hi Matthew,
Well, the Levitz era is the period for you, then. You may be able to hunt down a copy of the Great Darkness Saga trade paperback; it's out of print but you still see it around from time to time. And DC's coming out with a trade of the first six issues of the Baxter series later this year. You might be better off just hunting for back issues; anything from 1982 to 1989, basically (including the Annuals!).

Mr. Reads may even have them hanging Around Here Somewhere. He's given me Legion before, but I go through phases in my reading, and I remember not being in the mood for it or Teen Titans at the time. This was some years back, so those issues may be hidden away at the Reads-in-Law's house, so we'll check!

Mostly the Legionnaires were teen heroes, but Paul Levitz brought them into adulthood in his run (that's when Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl had their first set of twins), and the Five-Years-Later series aged them even further (that's when Cosmic Boy and Night Girl had a child). Then they were teens again during the reboot, but when Abnett and Lanning took over they allowed time to creep ahead a bit; that's when Ultra Boy and Apparition had a baby, but they were very obviously too young not to be in over their heads, being married and with a kid.

Very cool! One of the reasons I love comics is the serialization of them. I adore being able to see some of my favorite characters change, grow up, grow old.

For another comic-book dad, investigate DC's old science-fiction limited series Tailgunner Jo. I only ever read the first issue, but man, that's messed up.

It's on the list! Thanks!
Ciao,
Amy

Amy Reads said...

Hi Mr. Fanboy,
Thanks. It's good to be back.

How's that bigger living space treating you? :)

Yep. That's right. The Catwoman cover you mention was straight outta Lone Wolf and Cub. If you want to cheat, see the films. There are 6 of them and they KICK ASS. Some of the best films I've ever seen. Seriously. Their only about 1 1/2 hours each. WAY ahead of their time (ca. 1972). If you ask nicely, I'd be happy to send you my DVDs since I know you'll actually send them back.

You're very sweet, Friend, thanks! We'll see if we can grab them on Netflix or through our rather surprisingly well-stocked campus media collection. If not, I will have to hit you up for a loan!
(and we promise to send them back!)
Ciao,
Amy