1986 was the Golden Days for comic books.
Watchmen.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.
In fact, those two books are the Golden Standard for what comic books are. Or should be. Or want to be. Or whatever.
The broke the mold, subtly and not-so-subtly poking holes at the conventions of supeheroes, deconstructing the idea of modern heroes, and presenting archetypes in a new light.
Watchmen and Dark Knight. Top of many, many lists of best comics ever.
Still.
It's 2008, people. Where's the next Watchmen or Dark Knight?
Everything about comics these days seems to be looking back in the rear-view mirror. Looking back at this two comics.
That's not to say they aren't great . . . they are. But where is the next breakthrough? The next "changes everything" story?
The answer: it's come. And it's gone. And we didn't notice. Because our collective eyes were on those two masterpieces, in the rear-view mirror . . . instead of looking ahead.
On Monday, part II . . .
~ Ben
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