From: lf7z@ellis.uchicago.edu (glenn alan carnagey jr)
Subject: Re: Origin Stories
Reply-To: lf7z@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 07:07:50 GMT

In article <1992Jul27.021159.29006@macc.wisc.edu> gmsmith@vms.macc.wisc.edu (GREG M. SMITH) writes:
>I've been wondering about the reasons why mainstream comics (I'm principally
>thinking about DC titles here) have a tendency to gravitate toward origin 
>myths ...
>
>One explanation might be that the modern comic writer, in order to leave
>his/her personal stamp of artistry on a comic, feels the need to remake the
>character's
>origins.  If so, when did this start?  With Alan Moore's Swamp Thing and 
>Marvelman/Miracleman?

This is of course partially true, and I don't mind if it's interesting and
entertaining, and I prefer that it only elaborate and not contradict the
pre-existing mythos, particularly with a well-known character with an already
complicated history.  Animal Man's original origin was truly lame.  The con-
tinuous rewrite of the same is comical and surreal, like a good Abbott and
Costello routine.  When did this start?  At the beginning of time.  Many of the
Golden-Agers had multiple origins.  The "you are not who you think you are"
can be truly entertaining if done right.  Swamp Thing, the current Comet
storyline, Doom Patrol come to mind.  One of the wonderful things about Black
Hood is that this is built in, take a trip in time and dream up a new Hood,
or just give the thing to someone else.  It can be a boring cop-out, though.
Emerald Dawn flunked mightily in my estimation, and I'm not too crazy about
sending heroes into the gutter after the fact, either.  The fact is, IMO, many
of the older origins are pretty unoriginal, and they're supposed to help define
for us who the guy/gal is.  Morrison's recent take on DP strikes me as looking
for shock value, even though I'm enjoying the story, I'm still not sure I see
the need.  Unbeknownst to many writers, though, a mysterious origin can add
a lot to a character -- one of my all-time faves is the Secret Origins from
the most recent run with multiple Phantom Strangers, and do we *really* want
to know where the Shadow came from?  I think you've unfairly lumped LotDK in
here, though.  Not a lot of revision going on there.  Mostly they were trying
to capitalize on the movie, and on everyone's fascination with the "early
years" (myself included, I *hate* Robin, at least as he's generally written),
and, as you mention, let various folk try their hand at the character
(everybody, but *everybody* wants to write/draw Bats).  Mostly the villians
are new, with the exception of Hugo Strange and Cavalier, and Two-Face who
appeared unchanged.

>Certainly all cultures are drawn toward creation myths (Adam and Eve). It
>just 
>seems that there's more to this trend in comics than a simple explanation can
>handle.  What do other people think?

Well, you're right of course.  But why should I let that stop me :^)

Pax ex machina,
Glenn
......................................................................
"Hard body motor city love light ... be my little human sacrifice"
   --- My Life with the Thrill Kill Cult
g-carnagey@uchicago.edu, if you must know
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