Back to the 90s
Is it the decade that provides the most inspiration?
by Phil Perich for the Capes and Lunatics Blog
The decade from 1990-1999 seemed to produce some of the best entertainment and enduring pop culture stories, figures and music, maybe of all time. So legendary were some of the stories and characters of that time, they have begun to make a comeback recently. Here’s just a few examples of some I have noticed.
Spiders, Spiders Everywhere
Not only has Spider-Man risen once again risen to towering heights of fame thanks to the recent wildly successful Spider-Man: Homecoming movie, but many of the characters from his corner of the Marvel Universe have been returning in a big way in comics, movies and beyond. The last several years have had Miguel O’Hara, the Spider-Man of 2099 featuring in his own ongoing solo series, and event that hasn’t occurred since the 90’s. And Marvel has also resurrected the most famous of the Peter Parker clones, Ben Reilly the original Scarlet Spider who operated as Spider-Man for a year or so in the mid 1990s. Ben was so popular Marvel brought him back from oblivion even after the character crumbled to dust upon his death. Even Spider-Man foe Venom the “Lethal Protector” is going to get his own big budget movie soon.
Bat System Crazy
One of DC Comics biggest events of the 90s gave us one of it’s most controversial characters. After Bane, at that time a new villain, breaks Batman’s back, Bruce Wayne enlists the aid of the former religious zealot/assassin Jean Paul Valley known as Azrael. Seeming to possess all the physical skills someone would need to battle Batman’s rogue gallery and defend Gotham, Bruce asked Jean Paul to take on the identity of Batman, not knowing how deep Jean Paul’s conditioning went. The Order of Saint Dumas brainwashed it’s assassins for generations with a technique called “The System”. Bruce Wayne recovers after a few months during which the new Batman runs violently amok over the criminals of Gotham City. Bruce Wayne eventually takes back his identity but works to redeem Azrael as a hero which he does for a few years prior to the young man’s death. The character of Jean Paul Valley/Azrael has resurfaced in the midst of the current DC Rebirth continuity. Writer James Tynion IV has even recently teased the return of Jean Paul in his version of the Batman costume. One or two issue event to boost sales, or is this going to be another big event focusing on the Batman wannabe?
Preaching to the Masses
Another popular comics series of the 90s was the DC Comics/Vertigo title Preacher. Featuring a preacher who receives Genesis the “Word of God” that allows him to command anyone who hears his voice to do anything he asks of them. This comes in handy when him and his friends have to travel the country in search of God who the group has discovered is missing. This series has proven to have such a lasting popularity with fans, so much so that two decades later the series has been made into a TV series on the AMC network starring Dominic Cooper in the title role. The show is now just a few episodes into it’s second season.
Spawning Ground
Created in 1992 as one of the original creations of the then brand new Image comics universe, the character of Spawn has endured the longest and probably aged of the best of any character from Image. Spawn creator Todd Mcfarlane has hinted numerous times he has a new Spawn movie in the works that will start production soon. Hopefully this rumor is true and redeems the live action Spawn that was seen in the 1997 movie that got mixed reviews at best. Any live action movie would have to be big, loud, violent and take notes from the HBO animated series of the same era.
The ideas may not be original, but if you were a fan of comics in the 90’s, you're entering a fun, nostalgic era of greatness. The only question is, how long can it last? What are YOUR thoughts? Were the 90’s the greatest decade for comics or just all flash and no substance?
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You can hear me discussing all things TV, movie, comics, music, gaming and more every week with my friends on the Capes and Lunatics Podcast. You can find my podcast, blog and those of others at www.southgatemediagroup.com. You can also find all my creative endeavors at www.philperich.wordpress.com.