Toon Zone Talkback - Marvel Plans to Send "New Avengers" to US Military

[Ben]

This is the talkback thread for Marvel Plans to Send "New Avengers" to US Military (http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=3103).

...

Is this for real? I thought April Fool's Day was three weeks ago. Either way, I really, really hope there are photos from that reception.

[Anthonynotes]

Thoughts:

- Hey, Wolverine's *Canadian*---shouldn't he be saying something like "yer makin' a big mistake wagin' a war without askin' the UN first, *punks*"? ;-)

- Rumsefeld with Cap and Spidey?! I'm sure he was pining for the Hulk ("see? Look at the cool stuff nuclear power and research gives us!"), the Thing ("if it weren't for subsidies to aerospace, Reed Richards would never have taken that improperly-shielded spacecraft into space! Uh...forget I said that.") or Daredevil ("he's the man without fear... just as all you brave soldiers should be... uh, but not played in a mediocre movie by Ben Affleck...").

But oh, well... guess you go to war with the superheroes you have, not the superheroes you *wish* you had. ;-)

>>Comic books and soldiers have been allies since the earliest days of World War II, when Superman and Captain America sold war bonds, promoted paper drives and battled Nazis at home and abroad.<<

Uh, actually, going by "All-Star Squadron," Superman mostly fought Nazis at home---that pesky "Spear of Destiny" and junk... ;-)

-B.

[Eddie G.]

As long as they don't send over an issue of The Ultimates I think this sounds like a nifty idea.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

As far as I can tell, it is serious. For a really good laugh, read the comments thread in the Newsarama coverage (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32537) of this announcement. Sometimes it's fun to see complete idiots displaying complete idiocy, and we get some primo examples from both the extreme right and the extreme left on display there.

I, too, am desparate for photos from the reception on Thursday, as long as it's not those guys from that crappy Visa commercial being Spidey & Cap. Perhaps someone sufficiently motivated in the DC area can head over and see if it's open to the general public?

BTW, don't forget about Operation Comix Relief (http://www.operationcomixrelief.freeservers.com/), which sends comics care packages to soldiers stationed overseas. They can also use some help with defraying shipping costs.

-- Ed/Ace

[randomguy]

For a really good laugh, read the comments thread in the Newsarama coverage (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32537) of this announcement. Sometimes it's fun to see complete idiots displaying complete idiocy, and we get some primo examples from both the extreme right and the extreme left on display there.
At least the comics professionals behave responsibly. Well, Rich Johnston comes across as a bit of an ass, but that's no surprise. Gail Simone and Augie DeBlieck's comments strike me as intelligent and fair.

Anyhow, I think this is cool. I know for a fact that those stationed overseas read and appreciate comics that are sent to them, and a little bit of fantasy relief has to be invaluable when you're in such a tough situation. Nice gesture on Marvel's part.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

Because YOU asked for it, True Believers!

Spidey meets Don Rumsfeld (http://www4.army.mil/news/article.php?story=7250), courtesy of the Army PR department (here's a link to a biiiig picture (http://www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/large/OCPA-2005-04-28-154747.jpg)).

(EDIT: Here's more, with Rummy flexing with Spidey and Cap (http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/pl/082401rumsfeld).)

-- Ed

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

The fellow who runs Marvel's custom publishing division just got interviewed by US News & World Report about this comic for the troops (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/050509/9sabouni.peo.htm), how it came about, and what their future plans are along the same lines. Check it out to find out the answers to all those questions, and which Marvel character ran into security issues getting into the Pentagon.

-- Ed/Ace

[Chad Bonin]

I want that comic...