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Is 'Dark Knight' Too Dark?
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Published: August 1, 2008
'Dark Knight' set a new record for Hollywood, again testifying to the popularity of comic book-related movies.
After all, it had Batman, Joker and Two-Face - how could it miss, right?
While the movie hit the money jackpot, it also raised an issue I think needs addressing.
As its title suggests, this movie was dark. Perhaps too dark for young kids. Even with its PG-13 rating,
I suspect many parents eagerly packed up their 8- and 9-year old budding comic fans and sat down at the packed theater with popcorn and candy in hand ready for the "slam, bang" action they thought was still prevalent in so-called "funny books."
Well, I have a message for many parents who have not picked up a comic book or attended recent super-hero movies: The genre is far removed from the Adam West TV days.
For example, there is one comic on the market, written by the always edgy Frank Miller that routinely has Batman and friends using cuss words not suitable for printing in this newspaper. If it was a movie, it would likely be R-rated.
Most mainstream comic books are very much adult-oriented now and the movies are becoming increasingly darker. There is a scene in 'Dark Knight' where someone is impaled in the skull with a pencil. That's pretty graphic.
So the question becomes, are these comic book movies too dark? What can parents do if they don't want to expose their children to these types of movies or their comic book equivalents?
In the case of movies, parents need to bone up beforehand on the movie's content. There are plenty of Web sites out there that give detailed plot summaries and the level of violence.
But what about comic books? Can mom and dad find super-hero comics without the blood, gore and increasing sexual imagery and still satisfy their kids' appetite for adventure?
G-Rated Fun
Fortunately, the answer is yes.
The two major comic book companies - DC and Marvel - have a line of books that cater to young kids. These are comics that parents can unhesitatingly hand their children and know that they won't be coming to you later asking why this person's head was lopped off or what this particular hero is doing in bed with another. (Yes, sex scenes are alive and well in the mainstream comics these days, parents!)
DC has its Johnny DC line, with adventures of Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, The Justice League of America and more. For more information, visit http://www.dccomics.com/dckids/
Not to be outdone, Marvel has its Marvel Adventures line, featuring great stories of Hulk, Spider-man, Fantastic Four and The Avengers. I (and several other fans I know) believe many of these are even superior to the more adult versions.
For more information, visit: http://www.marvel.com/comics/Marvel_Adventures
Conan Starts Over
Well, I have just enough room to plug Dark Horse Comics' new Conan the Cimmerian.
If you are a fan of the sword and sorcery genre, this book - featuring the beloved character created by Robert E. Howard - will be right up your alley.
Dark Horse is rebooting the book at No. 1 and is a perfect jumping-on point for new readers.
But a caveat: This comic is definitely for adults and not all-ages. Howard's barbarian was a product of his violent environment and that is portrayed unflinchingly in the comic book.
Dark Horse is probably the largest of the independent comic book companies. For more information, go to http://www.darkhorse.com/
Bride Of The Barbarian
That's all for this month, comics fans. Come back here the first Friday of every month for more news.
In the meantime, here's a question for you: Conan actually tied the knot in one of Howard's most famous stories. Can you name the lucky bride and the title of the story?
E-mail me with the answer at mbates@hernandotoday.com
Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.
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