Why Magic series never work out

Of all genres of comics, why does this one fail the most

Editorial Opinion
By StuckInPanels - Apr 22, 2010 02:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Other

Hey friends. This is sorta of a pondering question. It first started when I read Dr. Voodoo, which while some didn't like it, I myself enjoyed the comic, I thought it was fun, creepy, and an interesting run. Sadly it was canceled after only 5 issues and it ends on a cliffhanging moment but never gets resolved. Then while perusing my local comic shop, I noticed this; theres barely any "magical" hero comics. No Dr. Strange, Ghost Rider, Dr. Fate, Scarlet Witch, Black Knight, and so on. I technically don't count Thor or Hell boy because while they are mystic in nature most of the time its downplayed to them using weapons.
So why is that. Why is this simple genre so much downplayed in this day and age. Could it be times have changed, taste in comics, or could it be those crazy liberals removing any and all mystical concepts because of their religious undertones(kidding.lol). Whatever maybe the case, I'm kinda sadden by this, because growing up I was a huge fan of those old magic shows on TV and love all things magical. I'm not a real big Potter fan but I'm someone who likes the mystical and unknown.
One major change I notice is that most of the magical characters in Marvel are corralled into joining Avenger groups. While DC mainly focuses on a few members but aren't prevalent in most events(the biggest part they were in was during Crisis on Infinite Earths and had a run with Blackest Night) or main titles or their own series run. I seen in the back issues lots of Dr. Strange books and some of the essentials. Ghost Rider has basically disappeared off the radar, he was seen in Dr. Voodoo(both versions of him. Blaze and Ketch). Dr Strange had a new run just titled Strange but even that has disappeared.
Whats happened to all the magic in the comic book world. Where are wizards and witches doing battle with demonic beings from worlds unfathomable to man. Where are all the spells spoken in ancient tongues, where are the giants, dragons, and all the things that go bump in the night.
I'm looking forward to the Zatanna series thats coming soon so hopefully it will be successful enough to bring back the genre again. Til next time, BlackAirs out!!!

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OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 4/22/2010, 3:18 PM
it is my opinion that there are no bad characters, only bad writers. any character can sell a #1 book it's just all about getting the right creative mind behind it and giving the character what they deserve.

i agree blackairs, that the mystical universe has gone way down hill. it's all about finding the right writer to tap into what today's audience want from their comics. and teh mystical universe is ripe for throwing in a little mystery, action and great visuals. all good stuff when it comes to comics.

the reason i think most people don't buy the mystical stuff; low stakes. what i mean by that is the comings and goings of the mystical beings (im talking marvel here cuz i don't read alot of DC) don't really matter in the grand scheme of the marvel u. heighten the the stakes and make situations that matter, and the readers will follow.

voodoo never got his due because marvel and bendis dropped the ball significantly after they made him SS. if they really wanted him to take off he needed to join the avengers right off and be a combatant of Loki's during DR and Siege. he is supposed to the most powerful sorcerer in the universe, they're having a hard time showing people that. and before you know it we'll get comics version of a "reboot" and strange will have the eye once again.

so many good magic characters. you named a few but you can also drop Doom in that group as well. one of the greatest villains of all time lives in that mystical world. that should be reason enough to dig a little bit deeper.
StuckInPanels
StuckInPanels - 4/22/2010, 3:56 PM
@odin. those are strong points too.
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 4/22/2010, 4:25 PM
hey black@

i saw where u mention spoilers of whether or not osborne dies in siege - i check the july solicits but didn't see anything. care to steer me me the right direction?
StuckInPanels
StuckInPanels - 4/22/2010, 7:12 PM
@anil. Thats what Im thinking too. Steve is a rational and smart person. Avoid the potentiality by having someone keeping tabs on it even with his new Avenger group. Could Secret Invasion occur again, I mean the skrulls are a dying people, only so many are probably left in the galaxy. Those are good points. When you isolate a set of events from the rest of the things then sales drop.

@odin, I don't think I mentioned Osbornes death post Siege, I just wonder what his role will be during the Heroic Age. last we saw was him getting punched by Spidey.

I'm super stoked for the Heroic Age. I never felt so giddy before when it comes to comics. It's like getting a nice glass of cool water after traversing a barren desert. Im not comparing the events Post Civil War til now as Bad, it was up and down thats all. It's about the possibilities we are getting. As long they don't do an Ultimates crossover then we are good.lol


StephenStrange
StephenStrange - 4/22/2010, 7:13 PM
On Dr. Strange: I know the book as failed a number of times, but there was still some cool things in it and I still always liked the character.

But as for Ghost Rider, ever since the Dan Ketch era started they always sold pretty well I thought. Isn't that right?

Personally I always had a weakness for books like that. Marvel horror books and horror/ heroic hybrids. I have boatloads of Tomb of Dracula, Dead of Night, Man Thing, Fear, Beware!, Son of Satan, Werewolf By Night, and I always LOVED the Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider. He was the best one IMO. He had better powers.

I don't know why they always fail but part of it may have to do with the possibility that few people believe in things like demons or black magick any more. I know I don't, but as a concept in the comics it's still fun to play around with.
StuckInPanels
StuckInPanels - 4/22/2010, 7:22 PM
@darth, which are good trades of Ghost rider to read. any suggestions. I'm always looking for new or old things to read
StephenStrange
StephenStrange - 4/22/2010, 8:53 PM
@ Blackairs: The only TPB's that I know of featuring the Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider are the Essentials. I don't have any of those, but if you can handle the colorless pages that's probably your best bet for getting the whole story with all the good battles.
I own about ten or so of the original GR comics plus a couple of team ups and Two-In-Ones and such and to me in those days before everything got so convoluted is when it was the most fun.

After The Dan ketch thing happened I mostly forgot all about GR, because IMO that version is inferior in many ways.

However if your into the Dan Ketch version there's a whole lot of tpbs available. A lot of people liked the Heaven on Fire story line and I know I have seen it in TPB form, but as I said I never read it.
StephenStrange
StephenStrange - 4/22/2010, 8:57 PM
Oh yeah... here's one that I have: There's the Hearts of Darkness one shot that featured a team up between GR, Punisher and Wolverine to fight Blackheart. It was pretty neat seeing them together but that issue lacked action I thought. But it's a good look at what Blackheart is all about
KEROSENE
KEROSENE - 4/23/2010, 12:32 PM
don't forget about shazam and the entire marvel family are all based off of a world of magic.
StuckInPanels
StuckInPanels - 4/23/2010, 2:43 PM
@kerosene, but thats more like Thor, they wind up punching each other in fights. Im talking sorcery and magical creatures
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 4/23/2010, 4:46 PM
Black@ yes sorry it was just a post on your other article by rickly. @rickly thanks for that i'll check it out! sry for the mix up, glad you caught it.

also rickly, i too am stoked about nova being on secret avengers! i wish beta ray bill would get some more love too. but i guess he got his hammer taken away from rampaging on galactus right?(any one read that mini? any good?) oh well, redemption stories are always good too!:)

you know who else i would like to see more of; The Marquis of Death. i think that guy is awesome! and could totally be used as a villain in the cosmic or magic U.
StuckInPanels
StuckInPanels - 4/23/2010, 6:33 PM
@odin. Its cool dude. I think Beta Ray Bill may return in the Thor series with Matt Fraction, he did mention on IGN that he might bring him in. BTW, what is Nova's power anyway.....is he the Marvel version of Green Lantern. I mean he is a cool looking character but IDK a single thing about him
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