Reality comics: Not as bad as it sounds
Hello again, fellow comic readers!
You probably know who Stan Lee is , even if you don't read comic books.
Lee is the co-creator of Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor and the Avengers, just to name a few of the feathers in his cap.
This week’s pick is a new book, a joint venture between Archie Comics, A Squared Elxsi Entertainment and POW!Entertainment, that Lee co-created - with fellow writers Tony Blake and Paul Jackson, and art by Alex Saviuk, Bob Smith, John Workman and Tom Smith - “Stan Lee's MIGHTY 7."
The first issue, titled, "How it all Began!" is a sensational new superhero book that, as is the signature of all Archie Comics, is fun for the whole family.
The comic tells the story of what happens when a crew of alien prisoners and their jailers blast across the galaxy and their ship lands at the feet of Stan “The Man" Lee himself. And that's where the real ride starts.
Lee is quick to confess that although he created the idea, he is not writing the story.
“I have two damn good friends of mine that are TV writers that are writing it for me - Tony Blake and Paul Jackson," he said.
“I gave them the idea for the story, and they have written the first three issues so far. It is a different kind of book. I did not want to do the same old kind of comic book, even though it has seven people with superpowers who come from another planet.”
Lee, always the innovator, is calling this the world’s first reality comic book, “because we are using real people in the stories. For example, I am a character instead of a cameo. I am the guy that discovers the aliens.”
“The mighty seven are fictitious, but as the book goes on, they will run into real people.”
The creative team at Archie told Lee they wanted him to do a superhero comic, and he said, “I wanted to make a superhero book, but I wanted to make a different kind of book - a reality comic."
“I don’t think I have written any superheroes who are ‘normal’ people that come from a different planet.”
The idea of a reality comic can seem like a disaster waiting to happen. Do comic book fans ever want to see the Avengers going to the Jersey Shore? I know I don't.
I have faith that any project Lee puts his name on is something he actually enjoys and thinks is good quality. That's the main reason I read this book. What I discovered with "Stan Lee Comics presents MIGHTY 7" is a brand-new, fun twist on superhero storytelling.
Don't let the idea of a "reality comic" scare you away - the writers do a great job taking Lee's idea and scripting it in a way that, if the rest of the books in this run are as good as this one, will subtly change how you think about superhero comics.
There are six issues for this arc, but it is anyone’s guess how long the run could be. I actually hope it goes on for a long time.
I say go and pick up “The Mighty 7 #1,” and I promise you will not be disappointed!
So, until next week, go forth and read, my people. And the reading will be good!
Is there a comic out there that you really love? Let us know in the comments. We’re always looking for tips on good comics!
Here are some of the comics scheduled to hit the shelves Wednesday. Your local retailer will probably have these and others, so make sure to check with them for more details.
DC COMICS
BATMAN #7 $2.99
BATMAN #7 COMBO PACK $3.99
BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #2 $3.99
BATMAN ODYSSEY VOL 2 #6 (OF 7) $3.99
BIRDS OF PREY #7 $2.99
BLUE BEETLE #7 $2.99
CAPTAIN ATOM #7 $2.99
CATWOMAN #7 $2.99
DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #26 $2.99
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #7 $2.99
DIABLO #3 (OF 5) $2.99
DOMINIQUE LAVEAU VOODOO CHILD #1 (MR) $2.99
FABLES #115 (MR) $2.99
FLASHPOINT WORLD OF FLASHPOINT GREEN LANTERN TP $17.99
FLASHPOINT WORLD OF FLASHPOINT THE FLASH TP $17.99
GREEN LANTERN CHRONICLES TP VOL 04 $14.99
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #7 $2.99
HELLBLAZER #289 (MR) $2.99
JUSTICE LEAGUE #7 $3.99
JUSTICE LEAGUE #7 COMBO PACK $4.99
JUSTICE LEAGUE RISE AND FALL TP $17.99
LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #7 $2.99
NIGHTWING #7 $2.99
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #7 $2.99
RED ROBIN SEVEN DAYS OF DEATH TP $19.99
SUPERGIRL #7 $2.99
THUNDER AGENTS VOL 2 #5 (OF 6) (NOTE PRICE) $3.99
TINY TITANS #50 $2.99
WONDER WOMAN #7 $2.99
YOUNG JUSTICE #14 $2.99
Digital Same Day As Print
Batman #7
Batman Beyond #3
Batman: Odyssey Vol 2 #6
Birds of Prey #7
Blue Beetle #7
Captain Atom #7
Catwoman #7
DC Universe Online Legends #26
DC Universe Presents #7
Diablo #3
Green Lantern Corps #7
Justice League #7
Legion of Super-Heroes #7
Nightwing #7
Red Hood and the Outlaws #7
Supergirl #7
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #5
Wonder Woman #7
Young Justice #14
MARVEL COMICS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #682 ENDS $3.99
ANITA BLAKE CIRCUS DAMNED SCOUNDREL #5 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
ANNIHILATORS EARTHFALL TP $14.99
ASTONISHING X-MEN WHEDON CASSADAY ULT COLL TP BOOK 02 $29.99
AVENGERS WEST COAST LOST SPACE TIME PREM HC $34.99
AVENGERS WEST COAST LOST SPACE TIME PREM HC DM VAR ED 86 $34.99
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #4 (OF 4) $3.99
DEADPOOL #52 $2.99
ELEKTRA ASSASSIN PREM HC (MR) $24.99
ELEKTRA ASSASSIN PREM HC DM VAR ED 85 (MR) $24.99
ESSENTIAL HULK TP VOL 03 NEW ED $19.99
FEAR ITSELF DRACULA PREM HC $19.99
FEAR ITSELF FEARLESS #11 (OF 12) $2.99
FEAR ITSELF SPIDER-MAN PREM HC $19.99
FORMIC WARS SILENT STRIKE #4 (OF 5) $3.99
GENERATION HOPE #17 $2.99
INCREDIBLE HULK PAST PERFECT TP $39.99
INCREDIBLE HULKS WORLD WAR HULKS HC $49.99
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #514 $3.99
JOHN CARTER GODS OF MARS #1 (OF 5) $2.99
KICK-ASS 2 #7 (OF 7) (MR) $4.99
MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS UNITED DIGEST TP $9.99
MARVELS AVENGERS PRELUDE FURYS BIG WEEK #2 (OF 4) $2.99
NEW MUTANTS #39 $2.99
SUPERCROOKS #1 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
THUNDERBOLTS #171 $2.99
ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN BY NICK SPENCER PREM HC VOL 01 $24.99
UNCANNY X-MEN #9 $3.99
VENOM BY RICK REMENDER TP VOL 01 $16.99
WOLVERINE #303 $3.99
WOLVERINE AND NICK FURY SCORPIO TP $19.99
WOLVERINE GOODBYE CHINATOWN PREM HC $19.99
X-FACTOR #233 $2.99
X-MEN FIRST TO LAST TP $15.99
Digital Same Day As Print
Amazing Spider-Man #682
Avengers: The X-Sanction #4
Deadpool #52
Fear Itself: The Fearless #11
Formic Wars: Silent Strike #4
Generation Hope #17
Invincible Iron Man #514
John Carter: Gods Of Mars #1
New Mutants #39
Thunderbolts #171
Ultimate Spider-Man Premiere Comic #1
Uncanny X-Men #9
Thunderbolts #171
Wolverine #303
X-Factor #233
IDW PUBLISHING
CARTOON MONARCH OTTO SOGLOW LITTLE KING HC $49.99
CLASSIC GI JOE TP VOL 14 $24.99
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS DRIZZT HC VOL 01 NEVERWINTER $24.99
GHOSTBUSTERS ONGOING #7 $3.99
INFESTATION 2 TMNT #2 (OF 2) $3.99
MEMORIAL #4 (OF 6) $3.99
MICHAEL KALUTA SKETCHBOOK SERIES SC VOL 01 $9.99
MONOCYTE #3 (OF 4) $3.99
ROCKETEER ADVENTURES 2 #1 (OF 4) $3.99
SMOKE AND MIRRORS #1 (OF 5) $3.99
SNAKE EYES ONGOING (IDW) #11 $3.99
STAR TREK LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #6 (OF 6) $3.99
STAR TREK ONGOING TP VOL 01 $17.99
STEPHEN KING JOE HILL ROAD RAGE #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG $3.99
STEPHEN KING JOE HILL ROAD RAGE #2 (OF 4) $3.99
TRANSFORMERS CLASSICS UK TP VOL 02 $29.99
Digital Same Day As Print
G.I. Joe: Snake Eyes Ongoing #11
Ghostbusters: Ongoing #7
Memorial #4
Monocyte #3
Road Rage #2
Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2 #1
Smoke & Mirrors #1
Star Trek: Legion of Superheroes #6
IMAGE COMICS
DARKNESS #101 CVR A HAUN (MR) $2.99
DARKNESS #101 CVR B SILVESTRI (MR) $2.99
HACK SLASH #14 CVR A SEELEY & PASSALAQUA (MR) $3.50
HACK SLASH #14 CVR B WHITE (MR) $3.50
HEART #4 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
HOAX HUNTERS #0 $2.99
INFINITE VACATION #4 (OF 5) $3.50
LAST OF THE GREATS TP VOL 01 (MR) $12.99
NEAR DEATH #6 $2.99
NO PLACE LIKE HOME #2 (MR) $2.99
PROPHET #23 $2.99
REBEL BLOOD #1 (OF 4) (MR) $3.50
REED GUNTHER #9 $2.99
STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #6 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99
SUPER DINOSAUR #9 $2.99
WITCHBLADE #154 CVR A CHRISTOPHER $2.99
WITCHBLADE #154 CVR B BERNARD & BENES $2.99
Digital Same Day As Print
Hack Slash #14
Heart #4
Hoax Hunters #0
Infinite Vacation #4 (Of 5)
Last of The Greats TP Vol 01
Last Mortal HC
Near Death #6
No Place Like Home #2
Prophet #23
Rebel Blood #1 (Of 4)
Super Dinosaur #9
The Darkness #101
Witchblade #154
DARK HORSE COMICS
AXE COP TP VOL 03 $14.99
BPRD HELL ON EARTH LONG DEATH #2 FEGREDO CVR $3.50
BPRD PLAGUE OF FROGS HC VOL 03 $34.99
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #10 STAPLES VAR CVR $7.99
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #10 YEATES CVR $7.99
EERIE PRESENTS HUNTER HC $19.99
GOON #38 $3.50
GOON TP VOL 06 CHINATOWN & MYSTERY MR WICKER (NEW PTG) $15.99
RAGEMOOR #1 $3.50
STAR WARS DAWN O/T JEDI FORCE STORM #2 $3.50
STAR WARS OLD REPUBLIC TP VOL 03 LOST SUNS $18.99
STAR WARS OMNIBUS OTHER SONS OF TATOOINE TP $24.99
Dynamite Entertainment
ARMY OF DARKNESS ONGOING #2 $3.99
CHARLAINE HARRIS GRAVE SIGHT GN VOL 03 (OF 3) $7.99
KIRBY GENESIS SILVER STAR #4 $3.99
ROBOCOP ROAD TRIP #4 (MR) $3.99
VAMPIRELLA #15 $3.99
ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #9 (OF 12) $3.99
Digital Same Day As Print
Army Of Darkness Vol. 3 #2
Kirby – Genesis: Silver Star #4
Robocop Road Trip #4
Vampirella #15
BOOM! Studios
HELLRAISER MASTERPIECES #10 (MR) $3.99
PEANUTS #3 (OF 4) $3.99
PLANET OF THE APES #12 $3.99
STEED AND MRS PEEL #3 (OF 6) $3.99
Digital Same Day As Print
Peanuts #3
Steed and Mrs. Peel #3
Archie Comics
ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #14 $3.99
JUGHEAD #212 $2.99
JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #179 $3.99
SONIC GENESIS HC $24.99
SONIC UNIVERSE #38 $2.99
STAN LEE'S MIGHTY 7 #1 $2.99
STAN LEE'S MIGHTY 7 #1 SAVIUK VAR CVR $2.99
Digital Same Day As Print
Jughead #212
Sonic Universe #38
Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 #1
Vertigo
Digital Same Day As Print
Dominique Laveau: Voodoo Child #1
Fables #115
Hellblazer #289
Zenescope
GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #3 A CVR SEJIC (MR) $2.99
GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #3 B CVR CHEN (MR) $2.99
GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 A CVR CROUCHED GIRL (MR) $2.99
GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 B CVR SPEAR GIRL (MR) $2.99
GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 C CVR WILDCATS (MR) $2.99
GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 D CVR MONKEY MAN (MR) $2.99
GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 E CVR GARZA GATEFOLD (MR) $9.99
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #69 A CVR YANG (MR) $2.99
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #69 B CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99
Digital Same Day As Print
Grimm Fairy Tales: Alice in Wonderland #3
Grimm Fairy Tales: The Jungle Book #1
Comic List is via Previews World
Digital List is via ComiXology
@cnngeekout on Twitter
Geek Out! 1.0
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I'd love to see the Avengers going to Jersey Shore. Preferably while battling some major galactic threat, so that there's a huge battle that destroys everything. Maybe they could feed Snooki to Galactus to give him indigestion.
Is it sad that after reading the hello i'm stan lee in the comic box i read the whole article in his voice?
If it is, I share in the sadness.
"Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali" from 1978 anyone?
Yeah this is nothing new, you could probably find golden age comic examples if you looked.
Stan Lee (or lesser artists/writers) cashing in on his name isn't new either. Don't et me wrong, Stan Lee was half of the greatest comics team in the 60s and I loved his work then. But... that was then.
I love Stan, but my fave reality comic book creator is Harvey Pekar.
I'm going to have to disagree with the writer... I'd love to see the Avengers invade Jersey Shore. Iron Man could call in a "Situation", and then the Avengers would assemble, and Banner, after seeing the utter stupidity spewed by these guys, would transform into the Incredible Hulk. 30 seconds later, people would star writing a new series, called "Pennsylvania Shore", and we'd never have to hear the name "Snooki" again. It's a win-win!
She Hulk by John Byrne did this in the late 80's early 90's. Lots of "breaking through the 4th Wall" kinda of stuff. It didnt catch on so much. But I liked it!
Oh Stan Lee, you have officially become the Starbucks across the street from another Starbucks.
I remember the New Universe series from Marvel, dated 1986-89, starting with the White Event and ending with the Black Event. A great series that was, in my opinion, grossly underrated but thanks for the memories, Stan. RIP to StarBrand, DP7, PsiForce, Justice and the crew! And . . . . . I guess I'm old now.
Yeah, that officially makes you ancient!
I want to see a Ron Paul comic book where he goes around and saves the world and fights against the evil characters Bernanke and Newt et al..
ya, all while calling African Americans the "N" word.
So in other words, you want a comic about the 18th and 19th centuries, then? Where there is no minimum wage and government gets out of the way of business so they can cut corners anywhere and everywhere to make even more money for the already wealthy owners while keeping wages at or near poverty level. Yeah, I know, you Libertarians say none of this will ever happen because of the forces of the market. Too bad that it is exactly what happened before all those horrible government regulations stopped it, not the market. Government regulation of business didn't come about because of busybodies who just wanted to have something to do. It came about because of the very real abuses and dangers of unregulated businesses.
Ron Paul is already a cartoon, no need to make him more absurd.
Stan Lee hasn't drawn a single comic in his career, he creates characters and story lines.
Not an artist....
But at 89 Im just glad to see he is still kicking`
Stan Lee is the very first "Professional Artist" to do this. There are tons of kids who already did this as comics. But Hey Stan is a kid at heart!
Stan Lee is a Writer, Not an Artist.
If you don't believe writing is an art–even comic book writing–try writing extensive fiction. It requires every bit as much skill as visual arts.
Check out Kabuki or Daredevil: Parts of a Hole. Amazing amazing stuff!
What a pant-load. I'm reminded of the "What If" title called "What if the Marvel Bullpen were the Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time Players."
http://kirbymuseum.org/blogs/kirby-vision/category/goody-rickles/
Not a totally new idea for Stan. I recall the series of Fantastic Four and others that included the character "Goody Rickles", which was a thinly disguised caricature of Don Rickles, as if he NEEDS a caricature made,LOL!
Goody Rickles was a Jack Kirby creation, during his DC "New Gods" "Jimmy Olsen" period. Yes, yet another Kirby creation that people associate with Stan Lee.
Long live The Man!
Honestly, my childhood would have been incomplete without Marvel comics.
I think it's great that Stan Lee, age 89 (!), is still doing cool stuff. Go get 'em, Stan!