Super Heroes as American Icons

With the death of Captain America at Marvel Comics, this comics creator has wondered what it means both to American culture and as a reflection of our times. Dennis O'Niel, author of the DC Guide to Writing Comics, once said that comic book writers are not only writers of fiction but the keepers of American mythology. This is a very serious and real responsibility, I feel.

Why Marvel killed the character Captain America is something I don't know, but I have recoiled from the notion that you 'could' kill that character. For me personally, killing Captain America was desecrating sacred ground. I believe Cap's absence, for those who felt inspired by his presence in the world, will leave a vacuum in his place.



I don't represent the views of other creators affiliated with Spark Publications but I feel that Spark could perhaps light a candle in the darkness that was made when Captain America took that sniper's bullet. With characters like AMERICAN EAGLE and EAGLET, THE LIBERATOR or PAT PARKER-WAR NURSE there are still plenty of American heroes available to fight the good fight.

Let Freedom Ring ....