Monday, November 16, 2009

Presidents in Comics Preview

November is best known for holidays like Thanksgiving and Veterans Day, but around these parts, it's also notable for Election Day. What better time, then, for us to take a look at one of the more interesting phenomenon in comics: appearances by U. S. Presidents.

Some of these appearances, of course, are headlining star turns; since the days of Harry S. Truman, bios of presidents have been common fare in the comic book world, either printed by independent companies or by the Presidents themselves as propaganda tools. As we go through the decades this week, we'll certainly take a look at these.
And we'll also have a look at Presidential retcons, such as the way that FDR has increasingly played a role in the formation of the Justice Society and DC's Golden Age.

Of more interest, though, are guest appearances by sitting presidents in mainstream comics. Whether played for laughs, for the press or as social commentary, guest spots by then-current presidents have been increasingly in vogue since the heady days of Nixon, when just about every comic being published seemed to have a new spin on the controversial president. In the years that have followed, presidents have frequently been used as foils and mouthpieces for the creator's viewpoint, with some presidents even appearing as out-and-out supervillains.

So this year, as you sort through the aftermath of yet another Election Day gone past, take a few moments to join us as we look at Presidents in Comics all week long. Because it's one ting to call a politician a snake, but it's something totally different to actually turn him into one.


Tomorrow: The Golden Age meets the Silver Age as we take a look at presidents from the 40's to the 60's, back when comics and their readers were more politically innocent. Cast a vote... for The Vault!


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