Death in comic books has never been what you might call "permanent". In fact, it's rare these days to see any character actually stay dead. This isn't always a bad thing of course as 2004 saw Captain America writer Ed Brubaker bring back kid sidekick Bucky as the Winter Soldier, a character whose popularity has since soared. While his absence from the Marvel Universe was a lengthy one, there are still a few other long dead character who it's hard to imagine we'll ever see again in the land of the living. Amazing Spider-Man supporting cast members like Uncle Ben and Gwen Stacy are perhaps two of the most obvious examples. You see, while companies such as Marvel may have become more and more bold in the killing and resurrection of their superheroes as of late, I'm not sure ever they're ready for the backlash which would result from a decision such as that one. Regardless, as more and more deaths occur in our favourite comic books and the time of their eventual (and now somewhat predictable) returns grow shorter, the question we're left with is a simple one: does death in comic books mean ANYTHING at all any more? Did it ever?!
How do you feel about the seemingly endless cycle of life and death in comic books? Whether it lasts for just a single issue, several months or many years, are you sick of what has now arguably become a pointless plot device? Sound off with your thoughts below.
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