When I start a comic company — or better yet when I run one — I’ve got a few rules I want to see for my superhero books.
- Every hero wears a uniform. There are no “subtle” heroes who do good works wearing a t-shirt and jeans.
- Every hero ought to have an individualized symbol or insignia.
- Heroes try not to draw blood against other intelligent creatures. If they do, they feel bad about it.
- If a character’s origin and abilities haven’t been explained in the last six issues, they need to be recapped.
- Every primary character in a comic book should have at least one thought balloon each issue.
- The omniscient narrator is as welcome as the character-based narration.
- References to past stories should be footnoted. It’s OK to direct people to collected volumes rather than individual issues.
- Every issue should have one full-page “Marvel Universe”-style character profile that includes a description of powers and history.
- Covers should reflect something that happens on the inside.
- Cover blurbs are preferred.
- Characters with superpowers should be shown doing “real world” things with their abilities. Why? Cause it’s neat to see someone with super strength hammer a nail.
- Super-powered characters should mingle with “regular” folks at least once a story — whether it means saving someone from getting hit by a car or talking with the butler.
- Continuity is important to build long-time readers. New readers are nurtured with footnotes, character profiles and recaps.
- Editors have final say in the direction of a story.
- The hero (and villain) population should be diverse in terms of ethnicity, geographic location and religion.
Good points all!